Here We Go Again!!!

[gn.87]

Take a look at ebay auction #110204250494. 87 GN 44k Miles and flawless. THIS IS WHAT IT SAYS:
You are looking at a 1987 Buick Grand National with 44k original miles with T-Tops. This vehicle has been stored its entire life and has been completely protected from rain and snow. It is all original except for the battery. The paint is flawless with no nicks or scratches. Tires have no cracking or rot. Interior is perfect and has the insignia floor mats. Underneath has been undercoated by the original owner, my father. No wear under the hood. The car is in showroom condition. Car drives like a bran new car-perfect for the Sunday drive to church. This is a dream car for Grand National enthusiasts. Is well worth the money. There are not that many GN with this low mileage. VIN #: 1g4gj1172hp443553.

BUY IT NOW $4,800 FRAUD;FRAUD;FRAUD;AND MORE FRAUD

ZERO FEEDBACK=FRAUD!

[Grimster]

Dear charlesmurnanea
If this car is as described you can consider it sold, I'll go get the cash out of my checking account tomorrow, tell me where and when to come pick it up and I'll be there, feel free to email me your phone # so I can call you to schedule the pick up.

Let's see what he replies.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Dixiesys

Let's see what he replies.

Dear Gary,
Think Yuz for the buy it now. This was my brudders car and he got killed yusturday . I am in Nigeria BUT will pay all shipping charges to you door. Please reply back so I can give yuz the WESTURN ONION addreez to for da money ..

God Bless

[gn.87]

Ha Ha! This guy is one of the worst! I mean BAD. Watch, someone will buy it now and loose almost 5k.

[Grimster]

People like him is why I never pay for a big ticket item sight unseen, and why I only buy things like cars from either extremely reputable dealers, or close enough by that I can pick it up in person, I've yet to be scammed on Ebay that way. Always do your homework definitely.

No reply from the scammer yet, I'll paste any replies I get in here for everyone's amusement.

[Grimster]

Ooh just got a reply!

Hi,
I'm really sorry for this late reply but I've been very busy lately and
away from a computer. The car is located in Andover - MA, in excellent
running and body condition, no flaws on it or any other mechanical
problems. It has a clear title and it will be signed and notorized on
your name as soon as the payment will be completed. I want this
transaction to be smooth as I am caught in the middle of some very
important events and I don't have much time at my disposal. The car is
in perfect condition, no scratches, no special marks, no need for
additional repairs what so ever, no leaks.
The price is $4,800.00 with shipping included anywhere in the
continental US. The car will be shipped trough DAS which eBay Motors
recommend in maximum 5 business days. Along with the car you will
receive the title, a bill of sale in your name and signed by me, all the
service reports, the owners manual and also all the receipts available.
I am aware of the eBay's rules and we will use Vehicle Purchase
Protection Program which will hold the money until you receive the car.
If you are interested please provide me the following informations
necessary to take a decision:
-your eBay ID
-any negative feedback and if so .... for what reason .
If I receive the requested information you will be informed by eBay
during the next hours with details about your purchase.
Regards,
Charles Murnane

Here's my reply:

My ebay id is Dixiesys and I won't need any shipping so you can save yourself the money. I'll be there in person to pick it up with cash in hand, once I verify the vehicle is in the shape you describe and the VIN and all checks out and the title is shown, I'll hand over hard cold cash, the American way This way you can save yourself some time by not having to deal with a shipping company or with any escrow company, since cash can't bounce like a check or be reversed like a credit card charge, cash is the only way to get paid in my opinion!

Give me an address to pick it up and a date and time I'll be there with bells on. A phone number so we can talk in person would be nice too!

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing from you been wanting one of these cars forever.

Haha $4800 including shipping anywhere in the US of the car, what a hoot.

[Grimster]

Another reply, just as I and others suspected he's "away from home" right now:

The car is garaged and unfortunately I'm out of town for the moment and
I will be coming back only if I know for sure that a serious buyer is
waiting for me. The only way I will do this is through eBay which will
hold the payment as an escrow service. As soon as I'll receive their
confirmation regarding the payment I will get home in no more then 1 day
and we will close the deal. I will then either deliver the car in person
to your location or we can set up a meeting at my place.

And my latest reply:

No problem I have a Capital One blank check ready but I need the seller to fill out some stuff, name/address/phone/VIN# current tag# and current lien holder (if any) along with a photocopy of the title (if you have the title) or if the bank has the title (the leinholder) then the bank merely has to send Capital One a form with some information on it (I'm not sure what, all they need is the bank, the account # of the loan on the car and they take it from there if there's a leinholder).

Once that is filled out they send the funds straight to the seller or to escrow and then the car can change hands, their paperwork includes a bill of sale as part of the forms they send me. I'm ready to come get this car and have the Capital One form ready I just need to know where to send it via FedEx or UPS or the post office so you can fill out your half. Since you don't want to take my word I've got the cash ready I'll use Capital One so you know I'm not trying to waste your time.

Send me your phone # and address so I can call you to let you know I'm serious and talk about the car, and so I can send you this form and let's get this done.

Let's see how long I can string this out. I figure the next email will either be escrow information and a link to some "escrow" company that uses a domain that was probably registered this week OR he'll realize I'm screwing with him and tell me the car's sold or something. I also can't find the auction anymore, already pulled or someone used the buy it now option I guess.

[turbojimmy]

Originally Posted by Dixiesys

Let's see how long I can string this out.

It's gone.....eBay pulled it.

Jim

[Grimster]

The auction may be gone but the scam lives on, more emails!
(scammer text in italics)

We'll work through eBay Motors Vehicle Purchase Protection Program and
they will keep the money untill the purchase is final and you test it
and accept it.
This is why I need your full name and ebay username. Once again,
shipping is free.
Thank you.

Ah that's a service from ebay then? Never used it before, what's next then?

I need your full name and ebay username to begin the transaction.

What happened to the auction? I don't see it anymore!

I've ended as the winner now said he's gonna buy it once I end it. Now,
he doesn't respond. I am not selling this beauty to him.

My ebay username is Dixiesys name is Alan Smithee, I'm sorry but glad
to hear the other dude backed out

Now comes an email that looks just like it's from ebay including my "full name" but leads to phishing sites I guess is the next step in this saga of stupid.

[gn.87]

keep us posted!

[Grimster]

Just as I thought, shortly after I got an email from Ebay Motors and an invoice directing me to send a money gram, it used my REAL NAME even (Alan Smithee of course hahahaha) and looked extremely legitimate.

It wants me to money gram to

Adam Wise
City - State: San Jose - CA
Zip: 95112
Country: United States

Now I need to do something with that, I'm sure if I call the San Jose police they're gonna laugh and hang up, but if they were to have someone send that dude money they could nab themselves a fraudster when he showed up to get it, but I figure he has an account that sends cash to a Nigerian bank (or other foreign bank).

So I'm kinda stumped, what do I do now? I also noticed his Ebay account is no longer registered (his "invoice" he sent had a convenient link to his Ebay ID and sho nuff, no longer registered).

Dude is using AOL but I have a feeling the ip will trace back to a pc that's infected with some kinda virus that he's using as a zombie to send those emails.

[PaCemkr86]

anything else happend..

good reading... thanks

[Grimster]

Not so far, figure he'll email me tomorrow or the next day wondering where the money is, hurry up I'm going out of the country soon, blah blah.

Do people really fall for these scams? An HONEST car salesman would have gotten my first email and immediately sent me phone numbers at the mention of hard cold cash and a hankering to buy. I've asked him for a phone number, what 3 times now?

Hmm ok I'm gonna prod him again:

I'm ready to buy but when I went to pay Ebay to pay my invoice it said your username is no longer registered? What's that mean? Did you decide not to sell the car after all?

A buddy of mine lives really close to where your car is, he's ready to come by and get it and is standing by, what day can he meet you at the storage place to pick up the car? He's loaning me the $4800 and will come pick it up in person, so you won't have to wait for Ebay to release your funds or anything like that, instant payment, with 48 $100 bills, can't get no better than that.

Anyway let me know what day and what address the car is at and he'll be there with cash in hand, thanks!!

[Mark E.]

Do you have a street address in San Jose?

[Grimster]

Nope just the name and zip probably how Money Gram works, and I have a sneaky suspicion that name & zip are tied to a foreign bank account, one that once the money posts won't even refund it.

[wordy1]

Its really not worth the effort going through all of this unless you were suckered into giving him the money.. Although it is an interesting exchange and can help others be more cautious about things, there are other things to occupy your time...

Lets face it, there will ALWAYS be scammers, and its a shame, but its just the world we live in.... and lets face it, there is not much we can do about it. I've sold cars to people sight-unseen, and have always scratched my head... but thats the risk some people are willing to take I guess..

[Grimster]

I mostly did it for entertainment, I was hoping on several possible outcomes:

Best case is he gives me enough information and slips up enough I'm actually able to get his ass arrested. Chance of success nearly 0%.

Or I get him to send pictures of himself next to the car and laugh at whatever silliness that causes. Chance of success maybe 20%

Or I waste some of his time and frustrate him a bit while hopefully one or two people will wise to their schemes. I was actually confused as to what sort of scam this was, he was insistent on using ebay's vehicle protection program but then I saw him continue to ask for my "full name" and ebay id, I had a feeling then what was going on, but it was a slightly improved version of the same old "send me money with western union" scam. Chance of success 100% since that's exactly what I did