I know they're trying to scam me, but how does it work and what do they hope to get?
 

So here I am, trying to sell my beautiful 930 and am getting all these obviously shady characters interested in the car...I've had guys wanting to buy the car for their fathers, one guy supposedly at Army Basic Training who wants to buy my car but cant talk on the phone because he's in training, and finally this guy who says he is a Marine at Quantico who also can't talk on his cell on base...

the thing I don't get is what is their end-game? what do they think they can get out of me? Does anyone have any ideas/experience on what's going on?

below is the email sent to me from a "Sgt Daniel Adams" email address d48adams320@hotmail.com ...After this email, I only sent an email back asking him what unit he was with...and what do you know, no response...

"Thank you for getting back to me.Can you assure me that it is in good state and that i will not be disappointed with it i read the conditions as stated on the advert,and I'd like to have a proper look of it, but I may not be able to come for inspection and pay you by cash due to the nature of my job and current location , the issue is I'm with the US MARINE and I'm not in my own state now I'm at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia and use of mobile phone is not allowed at the military base . But I'm able to access my email anytime as we do make use of laptop so my only and quickest payment option is PayPal as i can send money via PayPal anytime.Since I'm requesting this transaction to be done via PayPal I'm willing to pay what is good for you Thx (Danny)...."


I would appreciate any insight you guys might have to offer...between the flippers offering me 30 bucks for the car and these guys, I'm getting a little frustrated

thanks for your help!

It is sort of like phishing where they are trying to lure you into a comfortable spot and then gather your personal information in order to really take a run at robbing you blind. These scams are all over the place...I am on the other side of it in the market for a G50 Coupe and I think a lot of "sellers" don't even have the cars at hand they appear to have on offer. Be patient and I am sure someone serious take that 930 off your hands...PCA would be a good place to list as well. Good luck with the sale of your car.

I've run into these guys while trying to see a Shelby cobra replica a couple years ago. It's really frustrating when 75% of your enquiries are these lowlife losers.

I was told they want you to use PayPal. They somehow use someone else's hacked paypal account to buy your car. You ship them your car via the transport they've arranged. Then they somehow cancel the transaction and get the money back and they still have your car and you have no way of finding your car.

Eeek!

Thant sounds scary...thanks!

Now I'm really worried, I've got someone interested in the care in Montreal wanting to send a paypal deposit...I wonder how I prevent from getting burned

thanks for the great info

Bank wire deposit with cash at pickup. The only way to fly.

This is really good to know.

Or escrow.com or similar service, although I never used them personally

a Paypal deposit is not refundable if it is indeed listed as a deposit on a large purchase like a car.
read the fine print. A full PP payment is risky as there are some buyer protections that could freeze the money in case of a dispute.
Someone offering a PP deposit seems like legit earnest monies.
I hope the communications are not strictly emails. Phone contact and conversation exchange should confirm the presence of a real buyer.
A wire for the full balance directly into a deposit only account is totally safe.
An escrow service also is a good way if in doubt.

I put a tag line on all major sales that reads something like that this. "All transactions conducted and verified in person at my local bank for everyone's protection."

This eliminates 90% of the scammers. If they ignore the tag line and suggest PayPal, ignore them. A real buyer will appreciate your steps to insure a safe transaction.

They have tried using this scam a few times on me with various motorcycles/cars. What they do is use this to acquire your basic Paypal information (nothing compromising), then create a fake transfer of funds made to look like it came "official from Paypal" via email.

I like to play out most scammers leading them on to garner information to help prevent future scamming. Oh and totally wasting their time thinking they have a potential mark on the hook.

thanks...I'm working to selling the car to someone in Canada...I'm really nervous about it, but at least I know he exists...at least he is using a name of a real person in Canada...thanks for all the advice!

Talk to the buyer.... Have you spoken or just Emal/ txt make phone contact
Google the name and phone number and email address of the buyer

d48adams320@hotmail.com has a phone# of 757-740-0962. Trying the same with me now as in previous thead.

Say no more, RUN

said the troll from LAX

Thanks...talked to the guy, got a pp deposit...we'll see how the point turns out for the balance of the money...I will go for the wire transfer...keeping my fingers crossed....it should be interesting doing this across international borders

Great advice! I'll have to use that...

David

I'm from western Canada if you need any Canadian help.
Brianvb@me.com
Skyline RV - Lethbridge Alberta

Plenty of Pelican in Montreal willing to help.

Post on the Canada Forum http://forums.pelicanparts.com/canada/?daysprune=-1 something like "need a buyer check in Montreal"