**WARNING!: Purchasing / Selling Scams**Unfortunately avoiding scams have become a normal part of doing business on the internet be it on this site, on Trade me or any other internet buy/sell location. The critical issue is to be aware. "I would just like to say thank you for the article on scamming that you have on your website. I was suspicious about someone wanting to buy my truck on Trade Me (wanting to buy it for more than i had the buy now at???? Didn't make sense). They emailed me so i Goggled their email and it lead me to your website..... I have received quite a few. Although i can't confirm that they are all scams, they never got back to me when I said I wanted them to hit "buy now" and that i didn't use paypal, and never called when i gave them a contact number. I am however 99% sure they are all scams. Once again thank you for your webpage in helping us avoid these criminals. Andrew K...." 19 Oct 2010. The Basic Scams
There are three basic scam or rip off processes for cars... Buyer Scams: An overseas buyer offers to purchase your car (often on behalf of someone else). He (or she) offers to send you a bank cheque for more than the value of the car. The extra funds are to pay for shipping. You may even be phoned up and talked to by the "buyer". The purchaser arranges for an associate to organise the shipping, and to collect the car. You are asked to pay that person for the shipping from the "surplus funds". The bank cheque arrives, looks very genuine, and your bank nominally clears the cheque a week after you deposit it. You send the surplus funds to the shipper. The "shipper" then disappears with your money. Your bank then dishonours the original cheque, which may take many weeks to fully clear. A new twist in this scam is to pretend to use Paypal to pay. The buyer sends an email to the seller to say he has made payment via Paypal. An email supposedly from Paypal then arrives suggesting payment has been made . However this message is bogus and although it look real it does not come from Paypal and the links in it are fraudulent as well. The buyer then asks the seller (who thinks he has received payment) to remit the surplus funds back to the transport company. The scammer then disappears with these funds. (See examples 28+29 below) Seller Scams: Basically this scam involves dishonest sellers trying to flog off a car they do not own. Typically they will offer a mint car for sale, very cheap, not be able to answer any in-depth questions, show little knowledge of the model type, refuse personal or third party inspection (may suggest "their "independent inspection co!), be unable to supply extra photos of locations you specify, and will want a deposit to hold it or even full payment up front. Typically the seller will be in a hurry as "other buyers want the car" . Be careful of convoluted purchase deals involving third parties holding your money. Bottom line.. if it feels suspicious, it probably is. Make certain you or someone you trust actually views the car and sights proof of ownership before any money is handed over. Here is an article related to Ebay sale scams. http://www.buyclassiccars.com/articles/56.asp ________________________________________________________________ How to Pick a Scam Email
There are new twists to scams almost
every day. Check the examples below to see how they take all
sorts of forms. __________________________________________________________________ Examples of Common Scam Emails
Listed below are examples of scam emails. Note also that scams are
increasingly being initiated by SMS Txts - some examples are also shown below . Example 35 "Hello (name) , Thanks for the update e-mail i do appreciate it.. I'm a Marine engineer but I'm off shore at the moment. Your asking $15000 is fair and i will like to make an initial deposit so you can be sure i'm very much interested. I shall contact an agency to come over for an inspection cos i do not know its present condition before i can send your balance. As for the deposit payment,my preferred is a cashiers check..its guaranteed and shall be easily cashed so you keep $1,500 for the deposit and money left on the check is for the agency to be in your location for the inspection immediately cos they making other vital inspections and deliveries for me you send it out okay. Provide me your full name, complete address and phone # so that the check can be mailed to you. I shall be back in 3 weeks, but then my regiment will be deployed to Afghanistan and I shall stay there for a while. You would have all your money in your hand after inspection is completed before title is released and shipped okay. I'll give you a call once i get onshore like wise the agent so that all arrangement could be intact. The best way to contact me is via email as I'm always running around with things.. Joe Roland US Marine Corps 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force"
Example 34
Title: Career opportunity inside. Hello. We would
like to introduce you our company. Our company is a large international holding
complex that provides supporting services for businesses Example 33
This is another example of a txt attempting to draw the victim
into a scam: It was received from +60 122859679, which is a Malaysian number. Example 32 Thanks for your response, I am quite okay with your price, I need you to understand that i am willing and ready to purchase it right away, put it off the AD site, consider me as your favorite buyer, and Please note that i have a shipper/mover who handles my shipping arrangement anywhere in the world, he would be coming for the pickup, after you have received payment, which would be through paypal, If this is acceptable, advice soon as i am an hydrographer and i am buying this for my Dad, i am at work right now .I can only pay through pay pal at the moment as i do not have access to my bank account online,but i have it attached to my pay pal account, and this is why i insisted on using pay pal to pay, all i will need is your pay pal email address to make the payments, and if you do not have a pay pal account yet,its pretty easy to set one up at www.paypal.com, i will be expecting your email.I have a pick up agent that will come for the pick up after payments has been sorted. I want you to provide me with the following information for me to proceed with the Payment... Your PayPal e-Mail Address : full name: I have a pick up agent that will come and pick it up after i have made the payments... Example 31 To whom it may concern, My name is LCpl Marc Auger but everyone calls me Frenchie. I am Marine stationed in Yuma, Arizona. I have been shopping around for my wife's dream car and I googled it and you came up. If you have already sold this vehicle, could you please direct me down the correct path to acquire one of these machines? If not, I would like to let you know that I am VERY interested in it. Very respectfully, LCpl Marc "Frenchie" Auger, MCAS Yuma, AZ, VMA-311, Maint Admin, Cell: 850-797-1888, Personal email: marcclanton@yahoo.com, Work email: marc.auger@usmc.mil.
Example 30 Email to seller (after SMS txt) : From Williams Avis <wavis59@yahoo.com. I am a marine biologist and I'm in the ship right now. I will not be able to call you and inspect but i am much please with the description and I believe i can trust you with that. I would want you to know that iwill be paying via PayPal and i would pay the paypal transfer charges too...due to the distance as I'm in Atlantic Sea presently...I want you to provide me with the following information for me to proceed with the Payment... Name, Your PayPal e-Mail Address : Amount. I would like you to know that after i make the payment i would tell my Private Courier Service to come and pick it up at your address once you receive the payment into your PayPal account. Have a nice day. I will be adding the 3.9% PayPal surcharge to the total amount i will be paying you. Thanks Example 29
Email to seller: From: Jimmie Coy [mailto:vokalsmoke@ymail.com]
Sent: Thursday, 9 September 2010 6:25 p.m. Subject: Re: 69 mustang convertible. Example 28
Original Email to seller: From: Nicolas Knight ,(plainrythm@gmail.com)
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:25 PM Subject: Ford Mustang Fastback
1965
Seller Reply: OK deposit the money into my paypal a/c
(Email address removed). tell me when you have deposited the funds and we
will go from there.
Below is the Text from the Bogus PayPal email (Original fully
formatted) Example 27 Hello, I'm glad that you're interested in my 1970 FORD MUSTANG BOSS . It comes with all the documents needed for registration, it has a clear title and it can be registred into your name at any time. I am willing to sell it for $4800 This buy now price does include the shipping and insurance fees. I'm located in Waterloo, NY and the car is here as well and so this is where the car will be shipped from. I've done some research and the best and fastest way I can ship it is using Hemisphere cargo Shipping Ltd which takes between 4 to 6 days to arrive at your door (door to door handling and shipping insurance fee included). I am affiliated with Yahoo! Finance where I have a purchase protection account for $ 5,000.00. This service allows us to complete this transaction in a manner that is quick and safe for both of us. It acts as a third party between seller and buyer to insure that both parties comply to transaction requirements and provides dispute resolution and mediation between parties. Yahoo! Finance is responsible to insure that both parties comply to transaction requirements. If this is ok with you please reply with your complete name, address and shipping address in your next email and let me know if you are interested in knowing more details about this purchase so that I can open a transaction case at Yahoo! Finance and move forward with this deal. Thank you, Richard Smith, PS: Let me know if you want to see pictures Example 26
I'm sending you all the pictures I have. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss
302. Year: 1970 . Make: Ford . Model: Mustang . VIN: 0F02G170202 ( Note Fake VIN
- not a 17# VIN, cars older than 1981 don't have one ). Stock Number: F108
. Mileage: 70,517 Transmission: Manual , Engine: 8 - Cyl. 5.0 L , Exterior
Color: White ,Interior Color: Black , Body Style: Coupe , Title Status: Clear
,Even though I am not good at cars, I'll try to describe the car the best way I
can. It has no scratches, no damages, no hidden defects. It is in imaculate
condition and has never been involved in any accident.The mileage is accurate.
The engine runs good, the paint looks new ( as you can see from the pictures ),
garage kept.
Hello, I am a local Autos and Equipment
agent, Autos Compound, Located at 205 Gower street London
Wcie 6ap,United Kingdom.I purchase, Pick-up,Deliver bike for
our client when contracted, and get paid in commission by
our client when the bike is delivered.Our client has
indicated interest in your bike that was advertised on the
net. Please we would want to know if it's still availiable?
And if it's still, Send me: (i)The final/bottom price of the
bike. (ii) The miles/kilometre on the scale. (iii)T he
recent picture of the bike. (iv) Why you are selling the
bike? The above questions are part of our company policy
when purchasing bike,So don't find it embarrasing to answer.
Hope to read from you soon. Have a splendid day. Ian. For
more informations contact: Tel :+47031848793 Example 24
Hi, I am interested in buying your car for
the asking price of $37,000, I want you to give me a brief
history of the car and pictures send to me. Get back to me
as soon as possible. Terry. Example 23 " I never tried to sell anything on the internet before, so after getting the initial scam email (your example # 15) I responded to the email with pictures and my name, address and phone number. Then I received a cheque for $1500, though my asking price was only $500. I contacted the bank that issued the cheque, KERNS SCHOOLS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, PO BOX 9506, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93389 (PHONE 800-221-331) and found out it was counterfeit. The supposed buyer, then sent me the following email."
Subject: Expecting The Western Union Detail
By 8.30 Pm. Thanks for the notification of the payment
regarding the purchased of it. I am glad you notify me,
Moreover, I have just contacted the shipping comany
regarding the shipment, The made me understand that the
shipment charges will be transfer down to there depertment
,I try and collected there information which you will use in
maken the transfer of funds to them via western unon money
transfer so that they can come for the shipment without
delay on the picking up.The shiping company told me that the
shiment charges should be transfer to them in Cash via
western union money transfer. "Then another message next day... (It's too bad there are such creeps out there and that they actually take advantage of people.....)" Subject: Get back to me... I am still waiting the western union detail..today. Okay.. I'm still getting scam offers for my motorcycle and I am reporting each one to their internet provider. I did receive another counterfeit cheque using both the "Highland Independent Bank, 2600 US Highway 27 N, Bebring, Florida 33870-0631" and "Firstar Bank of Minnesota N.A. St. Paul, MN" on the same cheque. It was remitted by a Kevin Roger.
Example 22 Hello, Thanks for the mail,In other to conclude our arrangement concerning your car my client wants to purchase I forwarded your mail content to him and he Agreed on the price you are selling but He said you will be getting payment inform of a cashier check in the amount of {NZ$17,000}.This amount he explained to me that this amount will come to you in that form based on earlier order he made from a company in the states but it did not workout because there was delay in the shippment of the goods he ordered so he has proposed that if you agree with the terms of payment you should forward you name phone number and address for him to forward it to the company to make out the check in your name and when the check gets to you ,you are to refund the balance{NZ$7,500} to his shipper via Westernn union money transfer immediately for him to be able to arrange for shipping on time.So confirm this and provide the info for payment to get to you. Best Regards, Mike. Example 21 This is Dexter Autos,(THE TRUSTED NAME FOR QUALITY) a subsidiary of Dexter ltd with registration no.2482650 England. We're acting as agents to Mr WATSON KINGS. Our client gave us directives to seal the transaction on your vehicle,He told us he wanted to present it to his wife as birthday gift. He is making an offer of $55,950 kindly confirm your intention to sell by sending your mailing information;name,address and phone no.or your bank coordinate. To enhance quick payment. Without delay our prepaid agent will pick the vehicle immediately the check is cleared by you. The prepaid agents charges will be included in the payment package that will be sent to you. Hope to read from you with the above information. yours faithfully, TOM BROWN. Example 20 Sir/Madam, I am Stephanie Spencer,Sales manager for Winger Law procurement (WLP)Lcated in Plot 209/210 Sussex London.We specialise in purchase of Autos(Car,Bike,Boat and Equipment) for customers here in Europe,and we get paid in commission,after payment has been confirmed by the seller to the buyer.I write you on behalf of our client to contact you and arrange for the buying and shippment of your car which our client saw on the internet,we would like to know the conditions of the said car and probably arrange for payment to get to you and shippment.My customer interested in purchasing your car mentioned above for the sum of $5,950,and we will arrange for the pickup of the car once payment is confirmed cleared by you. Please acknowledge the offer and we will inform the buyer of your confirmation of acceptance to sell and have the funds remitted to you as soon aspossible ,and i'll like this transaction to be kept in utmost trust.I hope you can understand. Hope to hear from you soon. Stephanie. N:B:send the pictures of the car via email Example 19 Hello, My name is danzel mike, i am situated in europe and, i saw your advert place on the net,that you want to sell Your F 1965 GT Coupe ......extremely well preserved which i am highly interested in it.Ihave a shipper who takes care of the shipment, so shipping will not pose any problem, but before payment will be made ineed to be sure of who i will be dealing with if you are going to be honest and sincere throughout the transaction. So to start with,s ignify your interest by forwarding to me your last offer as well after which we can continue with the transaction and i promise if all conditions and agreement are accepted and reached on time, payment will be made out almost immediately. hoping to hear from you as soon as possible. Kinldy let me know wheather is still available or not. Respectfully danzel mike. Example 18 My name is Jeffrey Gasdino, sale manager of Used automotor limited UK. We are an automobile procurement concern that specialise in the purchase and shipping of vehicles such as cars, trucks, bikes and even boats to our numerous customers worldwide. We have a customer interested in purchasing your car mentioned above for the sum of $33,900. We will arrange a pick up of the vehicle once payment is confirmed by you. Please acknowledge the offer so we can proceed with payment to your account as soon as possible. You can call ome on +447040111618,thanks Example 17 P.R. & CO.
SHIPPING LINE Peel Street, Northam, Southampton SO
145QS, England Telephone:(0247) 777910, . Telex:
477564 Example 16
(NOTE: This example from an obscure yahoo
address, represents a new twist..you dont even need to be
selling a car, they will pretend to engage you to find one
for them!) Example 15
Good day to you.I humbly write as directed by
a client who is intersted in purchasing your '' " 167
Mustang GT . However,I will like to know your last
offer,view its picture and to know its present condition.
Also talking of the Shipment to Australia, One of my
Associate will arrange for the shipment.Who resides In US
and she has agreed to make the payment by Cashier
Cheque.Also understand that the Cheque will surely clear for
the full payment.Moreover, I want you to do understand
better, Below is the Shipping Address :Shipping Address:Del
Mar Electronics # 1037 Melbourne Street ,NORTH ADELAIDE, SA
5006 ,AUSTRALIA.Fax # {131} 52173204
Tell : +618 8416 0864.But My Phone developed some technical
problems,I believe it will be ok soon.I shall give you a
call as soon it ok.I will like to know more about the
Present Condition of it, If it okay,I will be glad to
purchase it from you.Most Important inabout the Picture of
it,Do forward the Picture of to my e-mailbox . However,I
will be glad to view the picture of it and to know its
present condition.Kindly forward to me the Information
inwhich the payment will be made out to you, Asking
below..Full name that will be written on Cheque.........:::
Full address..{P.o Box Or Residential Address}
............:::State...............:::City................:::Zip
Code...........::: Example 14 Hello, I'm writting in respond to your advert, and i'm pleased to inform you about my interest in purchasing it. so i'll like to know it present condition and the age of it , so we can proceed with the transaction. also with the last prices you willing to purchase it.Regards to you and your family, Hoping to hear from you soon susan Example 13 Sir/Madam, I am Mike Wayne,manager of Mike Auto link,3-7 Manance Street,Beatley Roll Park,Iceland.We specialise in purchase of Autos(car,bike and equipment) for customers here in Europe,and we get paid in commission,after payment has been confirmed by the seller to the buyer.I write you on behalf of our client to contact you and arrange for the buying and shippment of your vehicle which our client saw on the internet,we would like to know the conditions of the said vehicle and probably arrange for payment to get to you and shippment. My customer is interested in purchasing your car mentioned above for the sum of NZ$35,500,and we will arrange for the pick up of the car once payment is confirmed cleared by you. Please acknowledge the offer and we will inform the buyer of your confirmation of acceptance to sell and have the funds remitted to you as soon aspossible ,and i'll like this transaction to be kept in utmost trust.I hope you can understand.Hope to hear from you soon. Mike. N.B: PLS SEND THE PICTURE VIA EMAIL,SO I CAN FORWARD THAT TO MY CLIENT. Example 12 My client is interested to purchase the following item above the subject,I hope no money is owing on the vehicle,do get back to me if available with the full details,Rego no., engine no., and vehicle ID no. and chassis no.from the vehicle, and what is the bottom asking price and and the pictures of the car, I will be wait to hear from you ASAP today. Have a nice day.. Example 11 Good day to you, My name is Jack, i am an American based in London, My company is @#32 Tooting Bec Gdns London SW16 1RB London.We specialise in the purchase and shipping of CARS/BIKES to our numerous customers worldwide.We have a customer interested in purchasing your vehicle . we will arrange a pick up of the vehicle once payment is confirmed by you.we would also like to know your FINAL offer. Please acknowledge the offer and we will instruct the buyer to proceed with the payment procedures immediately .Looking forward to hearing from you..JACK for Hansenmotors jackhaan5@yahoo.com Example 10 hello gooday. How are you doing today? I would like to buy your (1969 Boss Mustang) and i want you to give me the price you are willing to sell it and i believe it's still in good condition, pls do remember to email me with the picture. The form of payment would be (Cashier's Check in U.S Fund). I don't want you to be worried about the shipment, I will take good care of it. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, sharon cole. Example 9 From: Bill Buch Subject: intrested to buy your car. Good Day, My name is bill Sedan.As regarding your advert i saw indicating that you have a car for sale.A Client of Mine in interested in buying your car if still available get barck to me. Example 8 i came across your 1994 Subaru Legacy GT, and i am interested in purchasing it.kindly,let me know the last price as well as the present condition and if there is any pics send it to me. And the payment will be made out to you by a cashier cheque. I will await your reply soonest. Thanks Example 7 "HELLO, I WILL LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT MY CLIENT IS INTRESTED IN PURCHASING YOUR CAR GIVE ME YOUR FINAL ASKING PRICE FOR IT I WILL LIKE YOU TO GIVE ME DETAILS ABOUT THE PRESENT CONDITION OF IT AND ALSO SATISFY WITH THE DIGITAL PICTURES OF IT ,SO I WILL LIKE TO READ FROM YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT THE SALE CAN BE CONCLUDED, AWAITIN YOUR QUICK REPLY. REGARDS DAVE JEFREY" Example 6 Hello, I'm an auto/boat dealer, I have a client that is interested in purchasing your car listed in www.nzmustang.com. Please get back to me with all this details. (1) condition of the car (2) location (3) pictures and(4) your last asking price for payment to be made to you asap. Thanks, Ben. Example 5 Hello, My name is Shawn Adams and I buy and sells cars for my client and one of them happen to see your car ads $35,950 but can afford to pay $35,400 if this offer is ok with you, kindly get back ASAP. ADAMS. Example 4 Dear Sir/ Madam, My name is Dr Jeff Clay living in Austria. I would like to buy your car, am willing to offer $54,000 can you please tell me your last offer? Am ready to buy the car as soon as possible because i want to use the car as a surprise birthday gift to my only loving sister. I will be very happy if you can send me more pictures of the car. My e-mail address is: Drjeff_clay@hotmail.com Am waiting to hear from you so that we can round it up by next week. and my phone number is 00436649780044 Thanks Sincerely yours Dr Jeff Clay-Geschenkt: 3 Monate GMX ProMail + 3 Top-Spielfilme auf DVD ++ Jetzt kostenlos testen http://www.gmx.net/de/go/mail ++ Example 3 Dear Seller, My sincere apologies for contacting you via e-mail to acquaint you. Mr.KAMERON AGAPITO ERMINIO I live in 1454, Proscov Bhavan, 110, CDA Avenue, Ctg-4000. Bangladesh. I saw your advertisement on (http://www.nzmustang.com/Buysell/CarsforSale.htm) and I am interested in it, I will like to purchase these products of yours (USED MUSTANGS FOR SALE ) which I do not know the price or the amount you are selling it and I will like you to tell me the price to the product bcos, I am interested I buying it I am a dealer and I deal with goods like the products will like to purchase from you I want your interest Over this product if you will like to sell it to me also I will like to know my method of payment bcos. I will like to pay you with a cheque and also I want u to know that I will take care of the shipment by our personal shipping agent company that will take care of the shipments. My shipping agent to start coming around for the pick up and he going to check all the conditions before pick it or you look for shipping company in your country to ship it, but if that is okay by you let me know. I'll need the information contact details in sending the payment to you and it should be listed in this form...Full name: Full address: Telephone number #: Last price: With you for further details.... So that payment can be made delivered to you. Also get back to me telling me the last price, as well so that there won't be any confusion. I will be looking forward to your responds ASAP. Thanks My regards to your family. KAMERON Example 2 Subject: Interested in Buying MUSTANGS FOR SALE . El Vendedor bueno del díMy sincere apologies for contacting you via e-mail to acquaint you. My Name is Candelario I live in P. O .Box 27-17,Taichung 406, Taiwan ROC. I saw your advertisement on http://www.nzmustang.com/Buysell/CarsforSale.htm and I am interested in it, I will like to purchase these products of yours Used MUSTANGS FOR SALE which I do not know the price or the amount you are selling it and I will like you to tell me the price to the product bcos, I'm very interested in buying it, I am a dealer and I deal with goods like the products will like to purchase from you I want your interest Over this product if you will like to sell it to me also I will like to know my method of payment bcos & Picture. Firstly I want to be sure on what I am buying from you. I?ll like to know if it's in good condition? Why are you selling it? How long have you owned it? ...Had it for sale? What work does it need? How much are you asking for it? What's the least you're willing to take for it? So please I will like to know what method of payment you prefer. I Intend sending you a Certified Check. So that payment can be made immediately and delivered to you. I'll need the information contact in sending the payment to you and it Should be listed in this form... FULL NAME: FULL ADDRESS: CODE: COUNTRY: HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER #: WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER#: FAX NUMBER#: LAST PRICE: With you for further details.... And for my Shipping Agent to start coming around for the pick up of it and check all the conditions be for pick it, But if that is okay by you let me know. Then if you really want to sell it to me you can immediately respond on email. Thanks Sincerely, and have a nice day. Mucho Considera, Candelario Example 1 "Dear, I just saw the placement of your adevrt that you want to sell your CAR, Which i am interested in purchasing, Lets say possible that you have some pix sent to me via e-mail,And also want to know if payment with a certified cashier's check is okay with you as form of payment.. I just saw the adss from the following site below,http://www.nzmustang.com/Buysell/CarsforSale.htm Which i now became interested in purchasing. Thanks, Lets me know if you still have it for sale at hand and kindly send me the details where payment will be mailed out to. Bobby..."
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