I emailed another “great deal” advertised on Craigslist for an Acura to see what would happen.
Below is the response I got back. Beware of different verbage that is being used with these scams. This one took out the ridiculous “free shipping from the military” bit and sounds more convincing.
There are not only selling scams, but many buying scams as well, apparently using fake cashier checks. I naively thought cashier checks were pretty safe, so beware!
Here are a couple of observations I noted while going through this car buying scam experience:
1. Con artists prey on our greed.
I admit, I would love to be able to get a $20,000 Acura for $4,000, wouldn’t you? I don’t really care if the seller of the car is getting a divorce or going through whatever difficult problems. If I can take advantage of his dire circumstances in order to get a good deal, I wouldn’t hesitate.
I think that is a wrong view of life to take. Sure, the seller offered it freely and willing to take the lost. He may be a billionaire and do not need the money. I understand that. But I think my heart of greed in wanting to gain something at someone else’s expense is still wrong.
Don’t misunderstand, I am not saying it’s wrong to buy discounted goods. I am all for finding good deals on sale. But I think greed is a very subtle thing and scammers have a pretty keen insight into the human heart. That’s why God warns about being covetous. I need to examine my own heart.
2. Every good thing can be abused.
Craigslist says “DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON – follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.”
But I buy stuff off internet merchants, eBay, etc. that are not local. Or even catalog sales are never local. In this day and age of global economy, we handle many financial transactions online without ever meeting the person.
I like the ease of buying online – book hotel rooms, refill my prescriptions, buying books without having to find a local bookstore that stocks the book I want, etc.
I am thankful to the smart computer engineers who made all that possible. But some bad guys have to go and spoil it for everyone by using their intelligence for unscrupulous gain.
Don’t you hate those kids at school who can’t win the game, so they don’t follow the rules and mess up the fun for everyone? That’s what this reminds me of. Con artists can’t make money in a legitimate way, so they cheat and steal to get what they want without a care for those who play by the rules and suffer from their tactics.
If you think about it, almost every good thing can be abused. I am looking around my room, and I see the camera. It can be used to capture fun family memories – or used for dirty porn. The pen in my cup for writing poetry of love – or hate mail.
Sometimes, I just detest my own race.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. From the beginning of time, evil existed alongside the good. I suppose that’s why Jesus gave us the instruction to be “as innocent as doves” in our good behavior, but also to be “wise as serpents” when interacting a fallen world.
I want to make sure I am on the side of good and not contributing to the mess of “badness”.
Anyway, here is the last scam email I received. I still want this car!
Hello,
Sorry for the delayed response, but I’m in Glasgow (Scotland) right now and I have been very busy.Anyway,thank you for your interest in buying the car. The car is located in US right now and has US papers.Why is the price so low? I am going trough a divorce, and I had to move out of USA I cannot register the car here, as it is made for USA, according to USA standards. So all that I want to do now is to sell the car at this price, because I need to sell it fast(I already made a deposit here to buy me another).The title is clean and you will have absolutely no problems to register the car in the States.
I will tell you a few words about the car..
My 2005 Acura RL with automatic transmission it is in immaculate condition with 20,343 Miles and have the VIN number: JH4KB16565C002996 , rust free , no scratch and hasn’t been involved in any accident. The motor runs very well(3.5L V6 PFI SOHC 24V).The interior looks great(NO SMOKING).This car needs nothing,the title is clear ,it is not a salvage one.
I want this transaction to go smoothly enough as I am caught in the middle of some very important events and have little time at my disposal. I already have tones of emails so I hope you understand that I need to sort them out. The car is like new, in perfect conditions,accident free, no scratches, no special marks, no need for additional repairs what so ever. a genuine road runner ready to be yours, but only if you shall understand and you won’t make me loose time as it has already happened to me.Here are all the photos of my car. The pictures are recent, and they were taken right before preparing the car for sale.
The car is exactly as shown in the pictures: http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/2005Acura/ The price is $4,400.00 USD THIS IS MY LAST PRICE.I will not negotiate the price.I will take in consideration only those buyers who are really interested in buying the car ,to be sure that I don’t waist my time with endless discussions.This way,I shall be assured of the serious intentions .
So if you are interested please email me back for next step.
Regards !!
~ Kevin Walter ~
January 16th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
[…] might have fallen for the first reply if the scammer would just be a little for creative in their […]
January 21st, 2008 at 11:58 am
Look at the Used Car Buying Guide on carbuyingtips.com. I used that website to get my new car and it worked great.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:30 pm
How the F did u think u were going to get a $30K car for under $5K. I’ve seen those pictures before on eBay and on cars.com
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Haha, yeah, too good to be true.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:04 am
I did a bit of research on this scam when I first discovered it a few months ago. It appears to me to be originating out of Texas, probably someone who works at a car dealership and has access to these vehicles to take the pics and post them. Maybe someone in Texas can do some additional research and help the authorities catch this guy. If you recognize the background in some of the pics, you should be able to narrow it down from there. I beleive it was either the Houston or Dallas area I had narrowed it down to, but not sure which one now.
May 18th, 2013 at 7:30 am
I got the same thing..
First this emal
Hello,
This 2007 GMC Yukon Denali 4×4, runs and drives excellent. It truck has been extremely well maintained with a full service history, Only 77K miles! Transmission is Automatic. The truck has all of its original floor mats,all books, complete set of tools and keys. Everything works in the truck lights, gauges, radio, windows, locks, a/c blows ice cold, etc… It has no leaks or drips and does not smoke at all, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions with a clear title free of liens. I am serving in Fort Lewis, Army base in Washington. The truck will be delivered from here.
I have dropped my price to $2,400 (purchase price) since this is an Urgent Sale! and I need to sell it before May 30th, when I will be deployed in Afghanistan with my platoon replacing the troops scheduled to come home.
If you’re interested to conclude this purchase in a timely manner email me your: Full Name and Shipping address, to open a case with eBay. They will contact you to explain the entire procedure. The financial part will be managed by them, which means that you will have a 10 days inspection period before committing to buy the truck. Using eBay Motors service we are both 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sgt. Lisa Britton
PS: Please click on my album for photos: http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/gmc125/library/
Then I followed up because I do ebay and know how it works and she responded
From: Lisa Britton SSgt. USAF
Sent: 5/18/2013 9:10 AM
To: Shielah Simmons-Wood
Subject: Re: 2007 GMC Yukon Denali
Please take a few moments and read my email carefully, I know it is long, but I will explain all the details about the truck and the transaction. At the moment I’m stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington base making final preparations before deploying to Afghanistan.
The truck is already at our Military Logistic Department in Fort Lewis, Washington ready to go. The Logistic Department will deliver the truck to your home so there is no charge for this delivery. Since the truck is in a military base, with no access you can not go there and take it, only the Logistic Department can deliver it, because is in their custody. Shipping may take anywhere between 2 to 4 days depending on the destination. All the documents you need for ownership, title and bill of sale will be provided along with the truck.
For the payment I would like to use eBay Motors as a third party. They will keep your money into a protection account until you get the truck and will release it to me after inspection period is over and you agree to keep it. So, this is not a blind transaction, you can see the truck before committing to buy and to eliminate any concerns you will have 10 days to inspect it. If you decide not to keep it eBay will refund you the money, no questions asked, and shipping back will be my concern. I think this is more than fair for both of us.
I need to start the official procedure and eBay will contact you about this. If you are interested in buying it just mail me back with:
– Your Full Name – Required by eBay (You’ll receive important guidelines + instructions from them.)
– Your Shipping Address and Phone Number – Required by the Logistic Department (They will call you with delivery/pickup instructions 1 day ahead so you can communicate what time schedule work best for your to receive the truck).
Again I want to point out that because I am going to Afghanistan this sale is my top priority and I am looking for a fast transaction, with no delays. That is why I decided to lower the price, to avoid wasting time with negotiations and find a buyer as soon as possible.
Thanks, hope to do business with you soon!
I eeven asked for the VIN whcih she gave VIN: 1GNFK13067R182239
Beware…My bro is in the USAF…they would not do this
July 2nd, 2013 at 6:31 am
Lil Lisa Britton is at it again for the 2007 Denali. Its up to $4900 with a deadline of July 16th. Same letter like above. Going off craigslist.
December 15th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Sgt. Lisa Britton
To Me
Today at 5:23 AM
Hello,
This 2006 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4×4, runs and drives excellent. The jeep has been extremely well maintained with a full service history, Only 110.000 miles! Transmission is Automatic, 6 Cylinder Engine, Drive Type 4 wheel drive. The jeep has all of its original floor mats,all books, complete set of tools and keys. Everything works in the car, lights, gauges, radio, windows, locks, a/c blows ice cold, etc… It has no leaks or drips and does not smoke at all, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions with a clear title free of liens. I bought it when i was serving in Fort Lewis, U.S. Army base in Washington and now I am deployed in Athens, Greece. The truck will be delivered from WA, USA. I will take care of the shipping.
I have dropped my price to $1,800 (purchase price) since this is an Urgent Sale! and I need to sell it before December 26th, when I will be deployed in Afghanistan with my platoon replacing the troops scheduled to come home.
If you’re interested to conclude this purchase in a timely manner email me your: Full Name and Shipping address, to open a case with eBay. They will contact you to explain the entire procedure. The financial part will be managed by them, which means that you will have a 10 days inspection period before committing to buy the jeep. Using eBay Motors service we are both 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.
Hope to hear from you soon!
February 11th, 2014 at 6:25 am
Hello,
This 2006 Jeep Wrangler 4×4, runs and drives excellent. The jeep has been extremely well maintained with a full service history, Only 110.000 miles! Transmission is Automatic, 6 Cylinder Engine, Drive Type 4 wheel drive. The jeep has all of its original floor mats,all books, complete set of tools and keys. Everything works in the jeep, lights, gauges, radio, windows, locks, a/c blows ice cold, etc… It has no leaks or drips and does not smoke at all, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions with a clear title free of liens. I bought it when i was serving in Fort Lewis, U.S. Army base in Washington and now I am deployed in Athens, Greece. The jeep will be delivered from WA, USA. I will take care of the shipping.
I have dropped my price to $1,800 (purchase price) since this is an Urgent Sale! and I need to sell it before February 27th, when I will be deployed in Afghanistan with my platoon replacing the troops scheduled to come home.
If you’re interested to conclude this purchase in a timely manner email me your: Full Name and Shipping address, to open a case with eBay. They will contact you to explain the entire procedure. The financial part will be managed by them, which means that you will have a 10 days inspection period before committing to buy the jeep. Using eBay Motors service we are both 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sgt.LisaBritton
I am active duty Navy I got this email yesterday. Well I have the resources to look this” SGT” up. Funny thing is there is actually a SSGT in the Army with this name. I gave them a call and informed them what was going on with there name and title .
February 12th, 2014 at 2:07 pm
i reaceved the exact same replay as renee did on sgt.lisa britton about the 2 006 4×4 jeep wrangler .Hello,
This 2006 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4×4, runs and drives excellent. The jeep has been extremely well maintained with a full service history, Only 110.000 miles! Transmission is Automatic, 6 Cylinder Engine, Drive Type 4 wheel drive. The jeep has all of its original floor mats,all books, complete set of tools and keys. Everything works in the car, lights, gauges, radio, windows, locks, a/c blows ice cold, etc… It has no leaks or drips and does not smoke at all, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions with a clear title free of liens. I bought it when i was serving in Fort Lewis, U.S. Army base in Washington and now I am deployed in Athens, Greece. The truck will be delivered from WA, USA. I will take care of the shipping.
I have dropped my price to $1,800 (purchase price) since this is an Urgent Sale! and I need to sell it before December 26th, when I will be deployed in Afghanistan with my platoon replacing the troops scheduled to come home.
If you’re interested to conclude this purchase in a timely manner email me your: Full Name and Shipping address, to open a case with eBay. They will contact you to explain the entire procedure. The financial part will be managed by them, which means that you will have a 10 days inspection period before committing to buy the jeep. Using eBay Motors service we are both 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.
Hope to hear from you soon!
and the letters read the same as everyone on here says just different cars.
June 29th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Scam similar to the above article Honda accord EX-L 2005 excellent $2300, condition mint 132K miles garage kept one driver from Sgt Melissa Clarke station at McChord Field USAF, WA, being transferred to Anchorage Alaska by July 9th,Ebay member and they will take care of the money transaction covered by PayPal buyers protection will notify you on detail etc.Melissa E-mail address is [email protected] Pictures of the car is awesome about 12 photos hard to turn down unless you want to lose $2300 Please don”t be scammed by these people using our Military personal as bait!
April 9th, 2016 at 4:07 am
This fake military scam is still going on today. They have moved it to a page called LETGO. I’m so glad that I found this website before communicating any further with this person. This was our conversation below: Read from bottom to top.
Hi again,
As I’ve told you, at this moment I am in Offutt AFB, NE in a military base. I do a special training program each day and I am not allowed to get out of the unit or call whenever I want. The reason I’m selling this car way below market value is because don’t have time for negotiations and I need money before April 15 for my next house in Anchorage. The car is already at our Offutt Air Force Base Library form Offutt AFB, NE crated and ready to go. Like I already said, the delivery process will be managed by me. I think I can have it there at your home address within 2-3 working days. It will come with a clear title and reg. I am a member of the eBay buyer protection program and using this service you will get a 5 days testing period after delivery. During that 5 days testing period I will not be getting any money. I need to know if you are interested so I can ask eBay to send you the details on this deal.
If interested please include in your next email your contact info for eBay (full name, shipping address and phone number), so we can move forward with this transaction.
Please visit this link for photo gallery: http://imgur.com/a/c19D3/embed#0
Thank you!!
On Fri, Apr 8, 2016 at 11:29 wrote:
Yes, I am still interested in it. When can I meet with you. Thanks for your service in the AF. My husband server 26+ years in the Marine and Army, and our son did 5 years in the Navy. I wish you the best of luck on your tour in Nebraska.
Warm regards,
Mrs. V. Brown
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Fri, Apr 8, 2016 at 10:11 PM, Rebeca Wilson
wrote:
Hi,
Thanks for replying to my ad. I’m selling it because I’m serving in Offutt AFB, Nebraska but I was promoted and transferred to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage Alaska for a 3 years period, so I don’t need it anymore at this time. Let me give you a few details about it: 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID with only 79k miles on it, no accident history, clear title, no dents or dings and no scratches. Always adult driven and garaged, never abused or raced. If you are interested, it’s still available for sale and the price, as stated in the ad, is $1,500.00, so if you have the money ready to buy it email me back.
Vehicle title – Clean
Mileage – 79,421
VIN: JHMFA36267S021160
Transmission – Automatic
Fuel type – Gasoline
I look forward to hearing from you,
SSgt. Rebeca Wilson
On Fri, Apr 8, 2016 at 7:30 PM, wrote:
Hi Rebeca, your sister gave me your email, because im interested in your vehicle and would like more info.on it. I seen it on “Letgo” and was wondering has it been in any accidents and is there anything wrong with it. Will you send me more pictures inside and out. Thanks!
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android