So someone wants to buy your car? Spotting scammers.
12-14-2006, 11:50 AM
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So someone wants to buy your car? Spotting scammers. Selling a car can take a while. You may get some hits, or not. But odds are good that you'll hear from someone, and their story will sound a little like this:
(thanks to Craigslist.org for that email)
Now I know that email sounds a little ridiculous. But the scammers are HERE on THIS BOARD. I do KNOW that they are here.
Things to watch for:
1) Broken English. Most of these scammers are overseas and don't speak very good English. Now, as a defense to our overseas friends, there is indeed a large contingent of car enthusiasts in, say, Saudi Arabia. They love these cars over there. But they will most certainly reveal themselves very straightforwardly - and very likely pass test #2.
2) Not a member for very long. Look for low post count, click on their username and look at their user profile. Did they just join today? That's not necessarily a scammer, but it's something that should alert you.
3) Wire money to them or one of their "representatives". You should NEVER have to wire money to sell YOUR car! If they ask for that, walk away from the deal.
4) Fake cashier's check. It's easy to fake a check. You deposit it, the bank tells you your money is there, and then 2 weeks later the check bounces and the bank comes after you for the funds. That's how it works. In the meantime, you've sent funds to the scammer and you're left holding the bag. There are a TON of fake check scammers out there. Customs does look for them, but they do not catch all of them. They haul in hundreds of checks, for millions of dollars, every month. Admittedly... they make nice trophies.
What can you do? Simple. If the deal makes you uncomfortable, WALK AWAY.
If you have your doubts, send me a copy of the private message, and their username. I'll do some investigating. I'm not as good as ACW (who is taking a break from the internet right now), but I have my ways.
There is no guarantee I can spot a scammer, but I'm willing to look and state my opinion on their 'legitimacy'.
Sell safe.
Originally Posted by scammer
Hello ,
Thanks for your mail back concerning the inquiry mail i sent to you.
The price,condition also the pics i viewed is okay by me .And my client
confirm there is no problem about the price($975 ) ,my client do pays with
a {USA}cashier check,he has agreed to mail out as bank cashiers check of
$3500. to you on my behalf to cover the shippment fees.About the shippment,
that we be taken care by my me & my personal assistant,my personal assistant
will be using his shipper to do the quick processing of the shipping of
the(1987 Toyota Celica) to my client.
So all you are to do after you will received the check in your mail,
Just take out your sale amount and refer the remaining money to my shipper
immediately through the westernunion or the money gramm outlet so to get the
money fast and start the fast arrangement for the pickup of the
(1987 Toyota Celica).Since you are the original owner of this item,and i
am buying the item directly from you i will like you to write your full name
to be on the check,with the mailing address which my client will be using
to issued out the check to you.I do wish to trust you by refering the rest
balance back to my shipper and also your fast doing to this transaction.
I will like to hear fromyou if this is okay by you and you are ready to
process ,if you aready to sale your item and promise refering the rest
balance to my shipper immediately you received the check so can start the
quick arrangement for the pickup. Any body that want to buy this item
this item just tell therm that it as been sold. I will like to copmplete
this transaction befor the new year. I be at my computer waiting to see
your epky to my payment method mailed.
THANKS AND MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR DETAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Thanks for your mail back concerning the inquiry mail i sent to you.
The price,condition also the pics i viewed is okay by me .And my client
confirm there is no problem about the price($975 ) ,my client do pays with
a {USA}cashier check,he has agreed to mail out as bank cashiers check of
$3500. to you on my behalf to cover the shippment fees.About the shippment,
that we be taken care by my me & my personal assistant,my personal assistant
will be using his shipper to do the quick processing of the shipping of
the(1987 Toyota Celica) to my client.
So all you are to do after you will received the check in your mail,
Just take out your sale amount and refer the remaining money to my shipper
immediately through the westernunion or the money gramm outlet so to get the
money fast and start the fast arrangement for the pickup of the
(1987 Toyota Celica).Since you are the original owner of this item,and i
am buying the item directly from you i will like you to write your full name
to be on the check,with the mailing address which my client will be using
to issued out the check to you.I do wish to trust you by refering the rest
balance back to my shipper and also your fast doing to this transaction.
I will like to hear fromyou if this is okay by you and you are ready to
process ,if you aready to sale your item and promise refering the rest
balance to my shipper immediately you received the check so can start the
quick arrangement for the pickup. Any body that want to buy this item
this item just tell therm that it as been sold. I will like to copmplete
this transaction befor the new year. I be at my computer waiting to see
your epky to my payment method mailed.
THANKS AND MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR DETAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Now I know that email sounds a little ridiculous. But the scammers are HERE on THIS BOARD. I do KNOW that they are here.
Things to watch for:
1) Broken English. Most of these scammers are overseas and don't speak very good English. Now, as a defense to our overseas friends, there is indeed a large contingent of car enthusiasts in, say, Saudi Arabia. They love these cars over there. But they will most certainly reveal themselves very straightforwardly - and very likely pass test #2.
2) Not a member for very long. Look for low post count, click on their username and look at their user profile. Did they just join today? That's not necessarily a scammer, but it's something that should alert you.
3) Wire money to them or one of their "representatives". You should NEVER have to wire money to sell YOUR car! If they ask for that, walk away from the deal.
4) Fake cashier's check. It's easy to fake a check. You deposit it, the bank tells you your money is there, and then 2 weeks later the check bounces and the bank comes after you for the funds. That's how it works. In the meantime, you've sent funds to the scammer and you're left holding the bag. There are a TON of fake check scammers out there. Customs does look for them, but they do not catch all of them. They haul in hundreds of checks, for millions of dollars, every month. Admittedly... they make nice trophies.
What can you do? Simple. If the deal makes you uncomfortable, WALK AWAY.
If you have your doubts, send me a copy of the private message, and their username. I'll do some investigating. I'm not as good as ACW (who is taking a break from the internet right now), but I have my ways.
There is no guarantee I can spot a scammer, but I'm willing to look and state my opinion on their 'legitimacy'.
Sell safe.
