Doesn't Feel Right-Scam?
 

Hi Guys,

Would like your opinion. I'm advertising my 996 on website here in Australia.

Only at early stages but it doesn't feel right. Here's what happened so far:

First communication by Text:

"Hello, am interested in your gumtree (another website-not the one I advertised on)

car,what is the firm price? kindly get back to me at jamie.chris010gmail.com"

This is exactly as received (@ is missing in gmail address, but probably not significant)

I added the @ to the address and replied with this: " Hi Jamie- Make an offer and I

consider it- Jason" His text arrived at 1145pm. I replied @ 8am the following

morning and received this 10 minutes later:

Thanks for getting back,i'm cool with the price likewise the condition as described on the advert,i work with New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) and we are presently offshore in New Zealand Taranaki Basin on kupe project.We do not have access to phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with internet messaging facility.Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my westpac bank account,please get back to me with your paypal details so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.
Await your reply


Problems:

1. Did not make an offer ( I would have accepted 1-2 $k less) will pay full asking amount.

2. No inspection-accepts my description etc

3.I know with Paypal transactions can take 3-5 days- Do people let cars go during

this period and thats how the scam works-pick up car and cancel transaction?

4. That expression: "will send my courier around" I've seen that wording before in

scams.

Just doesn't gel-what do you guys think?

Cheers

Jason

Scam

Total scam, repeated the world over.

Absolutely a scam - very similar to several scams run over here in the US.

If you want to play with the guy, tell him you're in no hurry to sell and he can come check out the car when he's back in Australia.

^^^+1 that refers to all 3 responses above - total scam.

On the other hand, I got a call today from "Windows technical support center" - to notify me I had a virus on my pc! :)

I don't think it could wave any more "scam" red flags.......................

BTDT, play along for a while then mentioned that I see an bite Apple in the middle of my screen...

These "very very good" Hindu little guys can really get piss off :):D:)

"Internet Messaging Facility"? C'mon!

That's like referring to your phone as "Vocal communications device"

I had two guys make me similar offers within minutes of listing when I sold my RX-8. Ignore them and move on.

Thank you everyone. I ytped "jamie chris scammer" into Google and got this:

Email Address jamie.chris010@gmail.com
Scam Details Thanks for the response,I would have loved to call you directly but due to the nature of my work we do not have access to phone at the moment,which is why I contacted you with internet messaging facility.Am buying this for my son for his 21st birthday. He lives in Darwin presently so is going to be shipped to Darwin after have sorted out with the payment, i want to be sure if it is still in good condition ,i will not be able to come for inspection now all i really need from you is the exact details of it.Due to the nature of my work i am a very busy person working all day,am a sailor am presently on-board, i don't have access to my bank account online as am not with my credit card details here but i have my ANZ bank account link up with my PayPal account so I will be paying you through PayPal to your nominated bank account or better still is if you have a PayPal account ,please get back to me with your BSB and account details or PayPal account so i can proceed with the payment and contact the courier agent who will come to pick it up and deliver it in NT for my son.
Await your reply

Similar in many ways-thanks again for your wisdom

Jason

I take it you're new to this Internets thing, let me be the first to say Welcome!

I replied back telling them that I was from the Internet Scam Division of the FBI and they would be charged with a major crime...unless they sent me U.S. Postal money orders in the sum of $1,000.

They never contacted me again.

This statement...
"We do not have access to phone at the moment"
C'mon, this is the 21st century, everyone has a cell phone or access to one.

As soon as I see "kindly get back to me" I hit delete. Fortunately the scammers have a pretty poor grasp of American English.

"What is the final price," or "What is your firm price," is always a scam.

"I can't call you because I'm out of the country, lost my phone, I'm deaf, in the military abroad," is always a scam.

"We'll use (insert name of a trustworthy company here)'s payment service so we'll both be protected," is always a scam.

"I'm okay with your asking price and the condition," is always a scam.

"My assistant will...." is always a scam.

"They" must have some success pulling stuff like this.
I guess it's just numbers. If they hit enough people eventually they'll find someone naive enough to go for it.

Just be diligent and remember scammers rely on your greed to be successful. That applies to any scam going.

In other words if it's feel wrong it usually is.

Read the novel 419 by Will Ferguson for some additional insight about these scams. Great read, and good luck with your sale.

If you have to ask if it's a scam, it is one.

I have run across a couple instances of "Can't call because I am deaf" that were legit. I scored some great parts with lots of texting.

Apollo: I have a bridge for sale.......

Just kidding.....Welcome. I've been to AU 3 times and love it there......