New Craigslist scam

[Gene Neill]

New to me at least. Have you guys seen this one before? Here's the setup:

Toyota Tacoma for sale in Gainesville FL https://gainesville.craigslist.org/cto/d/2009-toyota-tacoma-access-cab/6470194124.html)

I left the seller a message, and after several hours I got a text, asking for my email address, seller will send more pics and info. No problem, I sent my email address. Email arrives with lots of VERY nice looking pics. The truck is absolutely cherry for its age, and (clue!) selling for about 1/3 book price.

I email back. I wanna see it, I have cash dollars in hand, want to buy it today (Saturday) if it checks out in person. Then comes the hook:

Hi again ,
I am glad to see you have a high interest in my Tacoma,
As I told you in my first email, I recently got divorced. I got a new job and I moved to Logan, UT for a new start. The car is already at the shipping company sealed and ready for the shipping.The deal includes free delivery and it will arrive at your address in 1-3 days. Due to the fact that this is a large transaction I would like it be handled by eBay which allow you to get the car first, benefit of 5 days inspection period and then I will get the payment. SO...ONLY AFTER you receive the car and agree to keep it, you will give me the money. So, this is not a blind transaction, you can physically see the vehicle before committing to buy and to eliminate any concerns. I need to know if you are still interested, so I can ask eBay to send you the details. eBay will contact you shortly after they have the details with all the confirmation that you need to complete this deal and you will also have proof that I am covered by them and a legitimate seller.

If you would like to receive the email from eBay will all the transaction information please reply with your full name, shipping address and phone # so I can notify eBay that you are selected as my buyer and they will contact you.

I now knew instantly that the too-good-to-be-true deal was just a scam, but, being somewhat slow witted, I had to read the email twice to figure out how the hook would be set.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I know that ebay doesn't handle money directly, nor do they collect or pay out any money themselves...and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't handle a transaction for anything that isn't listed for sale on ebay. So I know it's a scam, but can't figure out exactly how he's running it unless he's using a spoofed eBay link. You might want to forward that email to them. eBay customer service page: To report a fake email to us, forward it to spoof@ebay.com. As long as you haven't replied, followed a link in that mail, or given out personal information - you should then delete the fake email. You don't need to take any further action. You've replied, so you should tell them you have.
But first tell us how he's running it, please?

 

[Gene Neill]

I know that ebay doesn't handle money directly, nor do they collect or pay out any money themselves...and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't handle a transaction for anything that isn't listed for sale on ebay.

Exactly. eBay does none of those things.

But in this scheme, "eBay" would supposedly contact you, collect your payment on behalf of the seller, and hold the funds until after you receive the vehicle and give it up to a 5 day inspection period. Then and only then, "eBay" will release your funds to the seller. So you have nothing to fear, you're totally protected.

Sounds almost legit, doesn't it? And sooo easy to do. All the "seller" needs to do is have "eBay" send you a convincing email, if you request one. Then, a helpful and courteous "eBay" representative will contact you by phone, and collect your $3000.

Bye bye, money.

I thought it was pretty cunning, with very few moving parts to break. People who aren't fully up to speed on exactly what eBay does and doesn't do could easily fall for it. It was my first experience with this particular species of fraud ... just thought I'd share it with the group.

 

[Brian D]

The car is already at the shipping company sealed ...

That was the give away for me. We don't "seal" cars that are being "shipped" anywhere. Only new cars are "sealed". Never have I seen car on a car-carrier that were gift wrapped except new cars.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

It was my first experience with this particular species of fraud ... just thought I'd share it with the group.

I hadn't heard of this one before either and glad you did share it with us. I hope you'll share it with eBay, too 'cuz info from people reporting who's "taking their name in vain" is likely to be only way they find out about it...and they can't warn people about stuff they don't know about.

 

[FastOlson]

When you send the email(s) to the real eBay, be sure and include the entire (normally not shown) header that contains routing information.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Easiest way to send 'em ALL the info: just forward the scammer's email to the address I posted. Everything they need to know about him will be there...they can expand his email address to get the details.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Easiest way to send 'em ALL the info: just forward the scammer's email to the address I posted. Everything they need to know about him will be there...they can expand his email address to get the details.

Actually, not the way to send original hidden routing headers. Most email programs won’t pass it along in a forwarded message. The way to include that original info:

1. Use a real computer PC or Mac with a mouse (not iOS or Android)
2. Compose a completely new message to eBay (in this case)
3. Drag-drop the original message (that you want to forward with headers) into the NEW message. You are copying the entire message, as an attached object (not the body text).

 

[VisionPNW]

I think the hook will come with the shipping company details. They will probably say... it's all set, you just have to wire some funds to the shipping company...

 

[Will Gilmore]

I think the hook will come with the shipping company details. They will probably say... it's all set, you just have to wire some funds to the shipping company...

Or, if they actually call or email, they ask for a credit card number.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/The-Front-Porch/SCAMS-committed-by-eBay-Sellers/td-p/24918850
Here is a link to a site about ebay seller scams. It looks like Gene's scam is a combination of the fake escrow and fake ebay email scam. Apparently, eBay does have a preferred escrow bank they recommend.
You might tell the seller that your account is locked because of a false transaction and you just need him to wire you $500 so you can pay the bank fee to unlock it. Then, you can reimburse the seller and buy his car. You'll know what to do with the $500 if he sends it, right?

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Will Gilmore]

Here's another part of the seller's scams.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Buyer-Central/New-seller-scam/td-p/16758975

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[chris mac]

Wow, i just went through this with a boat. A Gemini 3000 was listed on Craigslist in Buffalo. It was at 10,000. The summer before I saw it for 43,000 in Florida.
Great deal right!
The pics were all off the old add so I was already concerned.
I got the same email response as you, except it also required a deposit of 2000.
They didn't question where it was being shipped either. So I responded I had cash in hand and would not hand any over until I could verify the existence and quality of the boat myself.
I haven't gotten a response.
Too bad, it would have been a fun boat here.

 

[markwbird]

There is currently a Santana 35 for sale in Petaluma with trailer for $7500. Pics look great. Must be the same scam.