possible scam? car buyers beware!

Pharmacist · 01-30-2012, 10:13 AM

I know it's not strictly related to the 370z, but I'm sure there are similar scams with 370z buyers too so I feel it's relevant to keep my post in this section of the forum. Anyway, lets cut to the chase.

As you all know, my Z was destroyed a couple of months ago in an accident. So I am now car shopping and found this ad for an s2000 on autotrader: 2008 Honda S2000 ? TORONTO ? For Sale ? 6970851

Pretty good deal. In fact, too good. $14500 for a 2008 s2000?!?!?!?!?! Location is listed as Toronto. No phone # so the only way to contact the guy is via email. So I email him asking if the car is available. I get this response:

Quote:

Hey there!
The Car you just saw it's a Honda S2000 2008 / 41,169 kms, I need to tell you that the Car is in excellent condition, never raced or abused, no accidents and no smoke inside, no liens or loans, it was very well maintained. The Car is certified, e-tested and safetied, runs like new and all services are up to date. I decided to lower the price ( $14,500 ), to avoid wasting time with negotiations and find a buyer ASAP.
You will inspect the Car before paying for it! A picture is worth thousand words, so for the album with pictures of the Car (including additional pictures of the Car , engine, etc) click on the link below.
Please copy and paste the following link into your browser address bar in order to view the pictures:

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Please forward any questions about the Car or the transaction and I'll reply in a timely fashion!

So I email him back asking when is a good time to see the car, and I get this response:

Quote:

Hi again,
Before we get the ball rolling, I would like to make all the things crystal clear. I don't know if I told you already, but I'm currently on the sea with my job (I'm working for a cruise ship line - Princess Cruises). The car is at the shipping company in Quebec, I left it there at the shipping company before I go on the sea. Anyway, there's no problem because you can drive and inspect the car before purchasing or making your final decision. Also I must tell you that shipping and insurance are included in the price of the car. I would like to let you know that for the safety of this transaction I want to use the protection and help of eBay Purchase Protection service. If you are not familiar with this service I've described you the major steps of our potential deal according to eBay:

1. Buyer, seller reach an agreement
2. Buyer sends money to eBay to be held .
3. eBay confirms to seller that the buyer has proceed with payment.
4. Seller performs the required services (shipping, insurance).
5. Buyer accepts delivery and has 15 days to test and inspect the vehicle.
6. After 15 days, if buyer agrees with the condition and functional status of the vehicle, and decides to buy, he informs eBay about the acceptance.
6* If for any reason buyer disagrees with the vehicle's condition, the car will be shipped back and buyer will receive the whole amount of money back.
7. eBay releases the money to seller.

As you can see, you will receive the car BEFORE I receive any money from eBay.
You will get the chance to inspect it, test drive it and everything you like while your money is still held by eBay. If you agree with this procedure I will need your: first name, last name, street, city, zip code, state, country, shipping, e-mail address and phone number. I'm requesting all this, so I can be able to open a transaction record at eBay Safe Harbor.

If you are OK with this please e-mail me the required info so I can get this deal arranged with eBay and they will send you an invoice with all the details about the payment.

P.S: Sorry for the long email I have tried to touch all bases.
P.S. Once I receive your full name and address we can start talking on the phone too, right now I have too many potential buyers and I can't talk with all of them, I hope you understand.

Funny how he conveniently forgot to mention that the car is in Quebec until his 2nd email even though the ad lists Toronto as the location. Also funny how he asks for zip code and state since here we have postal codes and provinces. I also checked the ebay website and they clearly state their purchase protection program applies ONLY to cars sold through their own website and not to any other transaction.

Am I being a bit too paranoid or does this look like a scam?

Jasonle · 01-30-2012, 10:16 AM

definitly a scam!

tibal · 01-30-2012, 10:25 AM

Seen these way to many times. 100% a scam brother!

6MT · 01-30-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

As you all know, my Z was destroyed a couple of months ago in an accident.

You wrecked your car?

Pharmacist · 01-30-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

You wrecked your car?

yet another Z totaled (never thought I'd say it)

m4a1mustang · 01-30-2012, 10:48 AM

Total scam!

Thechidz · 01-30-2012, 10:52 AM

By now I would hope most people would be able to identify this as a scam immediately. It's either one of those the car is in Nigeria with my princess scams or the car has some undisclosed damage scams. Either way if it looks too good it always is. Also unfortunate is that there are still people that fall for it... :smh:

Pharmacist · 01-30-2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thechidz

one of those the car is in Nigeria with my princess scams

well technically, it's a car is in quebec with the shipping company scam

Pharmacist · 01-30-2012, 11:07 AM

here is what i replied to him with:

Quote:

Ok, sounds good. But first, I need you to send me your social insurance number, mastercard number, and bank account number. Then we can proceed with the deal.

Red__Zed · 01-30-2012, 11:09 AM

Why even bother responding to a scammer?

m4a1mustang · 01-30-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Why even bother responding to a scammer?

Trollolololol?

mantella87 · 01-30-2012, 11:14 AM

Not too dissimilar from a money order scam you'd see on craigslist. Money makes people sad and desperate.

Red__Zed · 01-30-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Trollolololol?

If do, do right:

419 Eater - The largest scambaiting community on the planet!

oleg · 01-30-2012, 11:18 AM

Ya there are a lot of scams like these on craigslist. A few years ago when I was getting my maximal, I believe I ran into the same exact story from a guy selling an audi a4, anyways my point is that unless the seller is willing to go through the regular process then don't even bother with him

Pharmacist · 01-30-2012, 11:23 AM

I just received his reply:

Quote:

Please read my last email again.
Regards

01-30-2012, 10:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jasonle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3,509 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 25	definitly a scam! __________________ 2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

01-30-2012, 10:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Total scam! __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-30-2012, 10:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
Thechidz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY Posts: 1,009 Drives: Nissan 370z Monti Bl Rep Power: 16	By now I would hope most people would be able to identify this as a scam immediately. It's either one of those the car is in Nigeria with my princess scams or the car has some undisclosed damage scams. Either way if it looks too good it always is. Also unfortunate is that there are still people that fall for it... :smh: __________________ I <3 my car

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01-30-2012, 10:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
tibal Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Safest Town In America Posts: 987 Drives: TT-370Z and 2.5RS Rep Power: 18	Seen these way to many times. 100% a scam brother!

01-30-2012, 11:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	Why even bother responding to a scammer?

01-30-2012, 11:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
mantella87 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 590 Drives: 2011 Z34 MT Rep Power: 15	Not too dissimilar from a money order scam you'd see on craigslist. Money makes people sad and desperate.

01-30-2012, 11:18 AM	#14 (permalink)
oleg Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 321 Drives: 2011 370z 6mt sp Rep Power: 15	Ya there are a lot of scams like these on craigslist. A few years ago when I was getting my maximal, I believe I ran into the same exact story from a guy selling an audi a4, anyways my point is that unless the seller is willing to go through the regular process then don't even bother with him