Beware of Anthony Collier

Thank you to a Craigslist user who sent this info recently.

Scam Artist: Anthony Collier
Email Address: tonycoll05@gmail.com
Tactic Used: Classic Nigerian Scam including Wire/Bank Fraud

7/13/o8 Craigslist User wrote:
Another scammer who I came across recently when I posted items for sale in SF was tonycoll05@gmail.com or Anthony Collier. Below is the text of his email to me. I sent an email to craigslist (this email from Anthony being the response to my very first posting of something for sale) and never got a response. Don't they have any way of monitoring these?

Text below:
I appreciate your response to my enquiry. Am interested in buying it from you. I would love to come and check it myself but I just got married and am presently on an honeymoon trip to Hawaii with my wife. I would love a surprise change of furniture in our home on our return. Pls do withdraw , the advert from Web as i dont mind adding $50 for you to do that, so i can be rest assured that the item is held for me. I should believe it is in excellent condition as stated.

I will be making the payment via a Certified Check, which my secretary will mail across to you. I'll be picking the item from you with the aid of my mover. My Mover will be coming to pick it from you once the Certified Check has been cashed. Pls I will need both your full name and physical address along with your phone number to issue out the payment.I await your response.Thank You,Tony.How is your day going? I want you to understand that the transaction is on as my secretary as mailed the check payment already and you will recieve it very soon.

There was a slight error which i believe we can handle with care and honesty. Instead of the actual amount, $1045 for the item, she made out the check for $4045. She claimed that was what i requested but she didn't get that straight. Am sure this happened because am not around as am still on my honeymoon, I think I might fire her when I get back to have made such a silly mistake, but am still thinking because she has been a very good employee.Once you have the check delivered to you via UPS, do have it cashed at your bank and deduct the money for my item plus $50 for taking the ad down. The excess funds should please be sent to my mover via Western Union whose information I would supply you as soon as you notify me that you have recieved payment via email , this funds will be used in offsetting the cost of the shipment he as undertaken for me recently and also will be used to come for the pickup of my item at your location.

**Please email at once to let me know that I can trust you to have the excess funds expedited to my mover upon the receipt of delivery of payment**I hope to read back from you very urgently.Do have a nice day as I count on your honesty and trustworthiness.
My Warmest Regards,
Tony.

BY THE WAY - his secretary never could have sent the check as I had never provided my last name or address.Any suggestions for thwarting this criminals in the future?