Firearm scam..Please read.

[Rick68]

Turn down was correct course of action, these things could be scenarios:
1st Robbery
2nd Law enforcement sting
3rd Buyer actually didn't realize it wasn't legal, but doubt it because he states legally transfering the guns on paper at a later date.
4th was Attorney General Holder who has no idea what he's doing including all 3 above.

[em9sredbeam]

Sting or thugs looking for guns not registered to them. Atleast they are smart enough not to shoot someone with a gun registered to them......[sarcasm key]

[kfloy88]

To me it sounds like a text book straw purchase. I would guess that the buyer is ignorant because I receive many phone calls at work along the lines of " I just bought a gun from a friend. What do I do to register it?" However it could easily be someone who has been denied for a firearm release and needs their nephew to fill out the DROS is his place (i.e. straw purchase). As for a robbery setup do the transfer at a FFL you know has good cameras and a lot of witnesses. I wouldn't turn down a cash offer immediately, unless maybe they say "I pay cash money". A lot of times guys want to buy guns in cash so their wife doesn't find out how much they actually spent on their gun. But at the slightest hint that the buyer wants to do a back door sale or it smells like a straw purchase, politely decline.

[kongvu]

Hmmm... Well I can't make a definate claim it's scam. There is too much left to assumption. When most people say they'll meet up and pick up the gun we usually assume it's at a FFL.

Personally I have had a relative/friend buy a gun for me cuz it'll be too costly for me to make a trip there that the deal is no longer a good deal. Later the relative/friend will transfer it to me next time we see eachother in my area. I have done the same for them.

Of course if your buyer goes into detail and it turns out to be illegal in any way then your course of action was the right choice.

I'm glad you didn't get scammed. Yep they are out there. Be smart and do things by the book and you should be alright. You have good head on your shoulders and seem to know the laws well enough.

[Lex]

It is also depend on if your firearms are C&R. If it is C&R the process would be easier. However, I would meet the buyer at my choice of FFL and do the transfer with green. Secondly it is assume the nephew is older enough to purchase. Basically you will transfer to his nephew's.

[voiceofreason]

Sounds like a potential "Craigslist" type setup for a robbery.

Always better to do it the right way. With documentation and witnesses around.

^^^My first thought as well.^^^

[olhunter]

Counterfeit money is a possibility too. Either way it was bad joojoo.

Did you post your phone number/email in the listing? I don't. PM only.

[scld1354]

Maybe not a scam?

I had to promise, when the buyer was in my local area, we could meet up and do a legal transfer.

A cash deal, with a legal transfer.... where is the scam in that?

[scld1354]

Nevermind.... Im a moron. I read it wrong the first 3 times....

[Untamed1972]

Wasn't sure where to put this. A mod can move it. While I know most CG wouldn't fall for this, I still felt the need to post what happen.

I was selling a few of my firearms recently. I got an email that the buyer would pay full asking price, and in cash. They went on to say that they were out of the area, and knew I wanted a quick sale, and they wanted the firearms for sale. So, they would send their nephew by to pick up the firearms, pay me in cash (no checks, cashiers check, or money order), green cash. I had to promise, when the buyer was in my local area, we could meet up and do a legal transfer.

Ya, ok. I replied back, and laughed, and said nice try. Besides, they were sold.

Anyway, the scams are out there.

Sounds like a potential straw purchase to me.

[Afterburnt]

is your name Randy Weaver?

[Sumfisher]

Sounds like a Nigerian 409 I work over seas with these piece of ships. A total scam

[Cali-Shooter]

He pays, he takes the guns (notice the spot his nephew takes the rifles). No FFL, no transfer.

That in itself is some real bad tamales. Don't want to mess with that area here in Fascist-fornia. Remember, any firearms activity in this state always has some sort of legal risk. Sad, but that's the way it is.

[MajorMalphunction]

At the least suggest meet at an FFL.

[easyPZ]

My understanding of what the potential buyer asked to do:

Potential buyer was not local, but has a newphew who is. Nephew would pay for the guns and take possession of the firearms until the true buyer is able to come to town for ppt.

The scam:

Nephew pays for guns in cash (no paper trail), and disappears. Guns registered to you are now in the hands of who knows.