Is This Another Scam...?
 

Looking at trading in the 99 Dakota for a full-size and came across an ad in the Atlanta used cars & trucks section of Craigslist. It's a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab for $5520. Yeah, I know...if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I e-mailed the seller asking just a few specifics, like mileage and maintenance records, etc. Following is the chain of e-mails, starting with the seller's reply.

Hi,
First of all i would like to give you some additional information about my situation. I am selling this car because my battalion has been sent back to Afghanistan and don't want it get old in my backyard. The price is low because I need to sell it before March 2nd. It has no damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects. It is in immaculate condition, meticulously maintained and hasn't been involved in any accident....I do have the title, clear, under my name. The RAM has 43,962 current miles VIN#1D7HU18D45S254414.
It is still available for sale if interested, price as stated in the ad $5,520. The car is in Seattle WA, in case it gets sold I will take care of shipping. Let me know if you are interested, email back.Below are the car details, also link with more photos and copy of Carfax report. If the link doesn't work, copy and paste it into a new browser page.
Regards!!!

2005 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4
Body type: Truck
Engine: 8 Cylinder 5.7L
Exterior color: Mineral Gray Metallic
Transmission: Automatic
Fuel type: Gasoline
Interior color: Taupe
Drive Type : 4 wheel drive - rear

I replied to this with:

WOW! What a beautiful truck! And for such an amazing price! Yes, I am very interested in this truck.

Since, however, I am in Atlanta, GA and have no way of looking at in person, or even test driving the truck, I was wondering if you would mind if a friend of mine were to contact you to arrange for a viewing. He lives right there in Seattle, and would be able to meet you at a time and location of your convenience. Please e-mail me back if this sounds okay.

To which she responded with:

Hi again,
As I told you, at this moment I am in WA in a military base, getting ready for Afghanistan (I hope for the last time). I do a special training program each day and I am not allowed to get out of the unit or give calls whenever I want. The shipping will take 3 to 5 days depending on your location and it’s not a problem because I have considerable discount from eBay and I can do it at no cost for you. You will receive the car along with all the documents including title, bill of sale, 2 set of keys, full service records and more. Because it is a large transaction, we will complete the deal only using an authorized third part like eBay because I already prearranged the whole process with them, using their escrow Safe Pay Program for vehicles not listed on their website. The car is located at the eBay warehouse in WA (ready for delivery). I asked them to allow viewers to go there and inspect the car but their reply was: "We are not a showroom!" In this case, I will offer a 5-day period to inspect the car from the moment you receive it, before I'll have your money. I think this is more than fair for both of us.
The payment will be handled by eBay Escrow, and you will benefit of 5 days inspection time period (test drive) and the option to accept or reject the car on my expense. If you are still interested just send me your full name and shipping address. I will forward your info to eBay and they will notify you about our deal. Like this you'll be able to talk directly with them and ask all you want to know.
Regards!!

Emily

Looking up the VIN on Google, I found only one page...

Matched the truck as advertised...

Again, I know it sounds "too good to be true" and I'm typically a very skeptical kinda guy. Anyone in the Seattle area know anything about an eBay warehouse located there in Seattle?

Randy

Run away. Or if you want to play, ask the beotch for her CO's name and contact.

The old "I'm about to ship out" routine. It's a scam...

Sounds pretty questionable to me. I know I wouldn't spend five grand w/o seeing the vehicle and taking it for a drive.

Talk to the seller in person.
Arrange for someone ( maybe you ) to meet in person, drive the truck and pay in person.
Then ship it/drive it home.

It's likely a scam.
I seem to remember this same ad when I was looking at truck a couple of years ago.



KT

Yeah, I thought, at the very least, I'd be able to talk a fellow Pelican from the area to give it a look-see.

I'll see if I can get a phone number...not holding my breath though... :)

Randy

It's a known scam. Sorry

Grammar is pretty good so I'd go with an American trying his hand at a Nigerian scam.

It will take a while to fill in....
Let me google that for you

Copied from eBay's own fraud protection page:

I bought a vehicle on a non-eBay site—is this real or fraudulent?
Scammers are using eBay's name to defraud consumers on non-eBay automotive sites such as Craigslist and other classifieds sites. Here are some common themes in these scams:

* A great deal that sounds too good to pass up
* Seller can't meet in person because of a number of reasons (i.e., they are a soldier in Iraq or they left the vehicle in a "local shipping company")
* Seller claims to have made arrangements with eBay's Vehicle Purchase Protection or Finance Center
* Seller claims eBay will handle the transaction through an escrow service and won't release the money until you're happy with the car
* A fake invoice from "eBay" with instructions to send money to Western Union or MoneyGram
* A fake payment and shipping confirmation email from "eBay"
* These fraudsters sometimes even offer live chat or phone support claiming to be eBay

For the Record, eBay Does NOT:

* Provide any escrow services, other than through eBay's only approved escrow company escrow.com
* Send emails from an "eBay Agent" or "eBay representative"
* Own, buy or sell inventory listed on eBay and eBay Motors
* Have any involvement in the actual transaction
* Send links to chat services through email messages
* Inspect any vehicles (although eBay does link to partners who will perform this service)

See Examples of Fraudulent Emails

* Fake Vehicle Purchase Protection page
* Fake second chance offer/VPP invoice
* MoneyGram scam email
* Fake sob story email
* Fake payment instructions
* Fake inspection offer email

More:

Fake Payment Instructions email
Description

If you are purchasing a vehicle from a site other than eBay and receive an email with payment instructions that involve eBay as an intermediary, you are being scammed. eBay Motors will never send you a payment invoice or guarantee your purchase. Any emails from eBay can be verified through your My Messages inbox in My eBay.

Although eBay has partnered with third-party vehicle inspection services, eBay itself does not perform this service. eBay never performs inspection services directly on behalf of users. In addition, eBay does not act as an intermediary in any transaction and the Vehicle Purchase Protection Program covers only vehicles purchased on the eBay site and appear in the "Won" section of My eBay.

scam, I saw the same add when looking to purchase a Range Rover HSE. Don't waste your time.

Scam, scam, scam...