Figure out this scam?

[89911]

I found an M5 listed on Autotrader within 12 miles of Pittsburgh. I asked for the VIN, location of car, and if the price was correct (It was listed for $47k and on one of the photo's is showed a picture of a car with $30k in the image). It stated it was recently reduced. I was going to post the ad, but it seems to be already pulled from Autotrader. This is his reply:

Hi

The car is still for sale. The asking price is $30,800. It is located in Ada, MI and the VIN is WBSNB935X6B583498. The car is registered on my name and the title is clear (no lien). It is in great condition, no dents or scratches. It was always garaged and the regular maintenance was done in time. It wasn't involved in any accident and has never suffered any kind of damage. Also this is a non-smoker car. If you have any questions regarding the car or you want extra photos or the CARFAX report (for free) just let me know!

I'm a pilot on cargo flights. My wife broke up with me recently because I'm always away from home. We just sold our house and split the money. This is the last thing I need to sell and split the money with her.
Because I'm away most of the time I will not be able to deal in person. But I've already arranged the shipping and the title transfer anywhere in the US. I will pay the shipping fees.

I want the payment to be handled by Yahoo! Autos Financial Department. They will keep the money until you will receive and inspect the car. You will have 7 days of inspection period. If the car is not like described you will have to ship it back on my expense and they will give you a full refund. This way, you will be able to inspect the vehicle before committing to buy it and I know that you have the money and you aren't just fooling around.

Giving the nature of this transaction please note that my sale terms are final and nonnegotiable. In order to move forward I will need your full name, address and phone number.
I don't want to offend you, but the car is priced for a fast sale so please if you intend to apply for a loan or financing do not reply to this message!


Peter

I asked why did you list it as being local to Pittsburgh, I just got this reply:

I listed the car on Autotrader on multiple zip codes across the country to increase the chances of finding a buyer quick. I was able to do that since I am willing to ship the vehicle on my expense.

Peter


The car's blue book is most likely about $15k more then is "sale" price.


What is the scam? A fake "Yahoo Auto" website?

Hmmmm.

[porsche4life]

Unless you can pay cash in person I wouldn't do it.

[WilsonTC]

Not much to figure out. Standard scam (refined a little, however). Been around for awhile. Here's the tip-off: there is no Yahoo Autos Financial Dept...or E-Bay Escrow, etc.. You wire the funds to the "escrow" account, he disappears with the deposit. Car doesn't exist. Seller is not in this country. Does he have a g-mail account?

I want the payment to be handled by Yahoo! Autos Financial Department. They will keep the money until you will receive and inspect the car. You will have 7 days of inspection period. If the car is not like described you will have to ship it back on my expense and they will give you a full refund. This way, you will be able to inspect the vehicle before committing to buy it and I know that you have the money and you aren't just fooling around.

[M.D. Holloway]

hmmm...not sure. The Yahoo! Autos Financial Department might be able to provide more insight and give it a sniff test. At first glance it seems legit but for that kind of cash I would much rather do all dealings above board including meeting the guy face-2-face and taking the car to a reputable shop for an inspection. Thats a lot of chink...

[M.D. Holloway]

opps - didn't know Yahoo! Autos Financial Department was a ghost...sorry. Abort abort abort

[Gogar]

It's a scam, don't bother.

Tell him you'll come to MI and get the car in person and pay cash, and you'll never hear from him again.

[McLovin]

It's a standard scam.

How does it work? He corresponds, etc. for a while to get your confidence. At some point, you will be asked to part with money in a way that you cannot get it back, before you even see him, a car or title. Then you never hear from him again.

[stomachmonkey]

The grammar, while not a guarantee of scam, is a major red flag.

[Rick Lee]

Tell him you work for the FBI and have a gov't. discount on flights so you'd like to come get it in person.

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

The grammar, while not a guarantee of scam, is a major red flag.

LOL. If that were the case, many forum posters (here and elsewhere) would be labeled "scammers" as well.

Here's a recent response from a scammer I've been hustling. Had him send me a "certified cheque" and now he's pizzed because I won't return his funds (Robert Bill...how original ) ... feel free to drop him a note:


Fr: robert bill" robertbill900@gmail.com
To: xxxxxxx
CC:
Subject: Re: PLS I NEED THE.....1994 Porsche
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:57:21 +0100

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello M.K.

I dont have an Account where you can Wire the Money to the best means which i can receive the money is Via Western Union Money Transfer,i have provided my Details which you will you to send the money via WUMT.

I will be so Glad if you can send the Balance money back to me today with my information below and as soon as you have send the money i will want you to get back to me with the informations you will use in sending the money..

Name..Robert Bill
Address..69 Endwell Rd
Lewisham, Greater London SE4 2, United Kingdom

MTCN (10 Digits)
Sender's Name and Address
Amount Sent
Date Sent

I hope to hear from you soon.


Robert Bill

[McLovin]

you actually got the guy to send you good funds? how did you do that?

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by McLovin

you actually got the guy to send you good funds? how did you do that?

No, funds weren't good. I knew that from the get-go.

I gave him my "name" and address. A phony "bank cheque" showed up via International Post a few days later. I put it on my bulletin board as a souveneir (but told him I deposited it).

[Rick Lee]

Why didn't you hand the check over to the authorities?

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Why didn't you hand the check over to the authorities?

What, so they could add it to the 7-mile high pile they already have? As I'm typing this, I'm certain there's a gov't worker somewhere napping on a soft pile of mailbags containing scam complaints...

[Rick Lee]

To get his info into their system and hopefully add to the charges if they ever nab him. My dad got taken for $1600 on an eBay scam that demanded Western Union payment. Total scam, never heard from the guy again and said it wasn't enough money to bother reporting to the FBI. Such crooks exists because their victims don't want to report them.

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Such crooks exists because their victims don't want to report them.

Oh, so now it's my fault?

Sorry, but...such crooks exist because idiots fall for their scams... (present company excepted, of course).

[rammstein]

Robert Bill... hahaha!!!!

If there is one thing that I learned while looking at used cars recently, it was that when something is too cheap, it is cheap for a very good reason.

If market for a car is $20k, and it is listed for $18k, then it might be a good deal- maybe the seller benefits from selling it really fast and is underpricing for this reason.

If market for a car is $20k, and it is listed for $10k, it is one of the following:
1) Nigerian-style scam (not in the area, they will ship car to you, you give deposit to shady source)
2) Car is totally screwed up.
3) Typo
4) Engine is missing
5) They want to meet you in a dark alley, and want you to show up with cash in your pocket.
6) Car is stolen


I swear, if the scammers tried for a thinner margin, they would snag a lot more people. The ridiculous discounts they advertise are a giveaway. Anybody capable of posting an ad on the internet is capable of doing a 30 second search on what their car is worth. People, even rich people, don't give away money.

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by rammstein

I swear, if the scammers tried for a thinner margin, they would snag a lot more people.

I've wondered the same thing. If they would just "wise up" a little, they'd do quite well.

However, it's apparent they still do quite well with the existing version of these scams, as witnessed here. Fortunately "89911" was smart enough to post here, but imagine how many folks head down to the Western Union office every day to send their funds to the shipping/escrow company.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by rammstein

I swear, if the scammers tried for a thinner margin, they would snag a lot more people. The ridiculous discounts they advertise are a giveaway. Anybody capable of posting an ad on the internet is capable of doing a 30 second search on what their car is worth. People, even rich people, don't give away money.

Calling Mr. Maddof!