Is this a scam?

[Guest]

I have my 1995 Golf advertised on Gumtree, carsales and ebay. Its been on Gumtree and Carsales for 6 weeks with not much response. Ebay started last night.

I got 2 replies by sms both asking the price and condition of the car and requesting I only use email to respond. I responded to the first one and this is the reply, which I think is odd for a $2990 car

"...i will not be able to come for inspection,am a very busy type as i work long hours everyday,i have gone through your advertisement and i am satisfied with it.As for the payment..i will be paying you via the fastest and secure way to pay online(PayPal).I have a private courier agent that will come for the pick up after the payment have been made ...so no shipping included.You can now send me your PayPal email so i can pay in right away and also include your address in your reply"

Does anyone know what is going on here? Is it a scam, and how does it work?

Thanks all

[jazd]

Yes its a scam. I think they just send the money then file a paypal dispute or something.

[kamold]

Re: Is this a scam?

I had a similar one when I sold my last car. Guy claimed to be in the navy and at sea. Wanted to buy the car for his wife, but couldn't talk on the phone due to bad weather.
I smelt a rat.but was curious to know how he could possibly scam me when I had the car. Went along and asked him to send me a copy of his drivers license. Went quiet after that.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[jettapilot]

Actually, I can answer my own question.
Yes, it's a scammer.
They send a fake PayPal receipt then they ask for money for a courier (tp ick up the car) to be sent by wire transfer - never to be seen again.

[jettapilot]

Thanks for your replies.
A quick google also supplied some info.
I've asked for license etc for rego transfer so I expect it will go quiet.

[craig_the_german]

Yep it's a scam. I got the same email when i advertised my campervan.

[Dubba]

Mine was a russian guy on an boat in the middle of the pacific ocean

[bigfoot]

Mine was a russian guy on an boat in the middle of the pacific ocean

"i'm on an oil rig"

yea, sure you are

[ppoida]

"Im on a boat, a mother f*^%8 boat"

"A big blue watery road"

Hahhahahaha

[kamold]

Re: Is this a scam?

"Im on a boat, a mother f*^%8 boat"

"A big blue watery road"

Hahhahahaha

Was waiting for that. Love it. For anyone who doesnt get the reference YouTube 'im on a boat' hilarious stuff.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Stiggy_21]

Scam!!
When my dad was selling his van about 2 years ago, he got an email from a lady from the navy. She said she was at sea and that an agent could come an pick up the car. As for payment she would have done a bank account transfer.
So we looked into it, and it was a massive scam. Apparently what they use to do is gain access to bank details, pay for the item then someone would pickup the car.
So your left with no car, and when the bank account holder figures it out... No money. Yes there is a few cases of this happening, some people a just gullible

In this case. PayPal is safeish but it is too easy to dispute a case and get all your money back as stated previously.

And seriously, who buys a car sight unseen. Unless its a classic

And the grammar police should get onto that email you received

[Captain Courteous]

When I was selling my car I kept getting messages from 'Smiling Willie' lol. You'd think if you're running a scam you'd choose an inconspicuous alias...

An old work mate got messages from a 'marine biologist' who couldn't inspect a car because he lived on a submarine or some shi*. Started the email enquiry with: "the reciprocation of trust is very vital in every business dealing..."

haha! The Nigerians are getting fancy with their vocabulary.

[TommyG]

I Put my commodore up for sale last night, In under 6 hours i received 2 texts claiming to be interested in the car. They wanted me to respond using email only!

Both a couple of hours apart, Both claimed that Pay pal is the fastest and most secure way of paying,

They both claimed to be Marine biologists and cannot use the phone. Written completely different but they were both buying for the dad for his christmas present,

They are always completely satisfied with the price, But if a car had ONO on it, Surely you would give him an offer.

Stupid scammers!!!!

[Guest001]

If you sell on Ebay you can create a list of places and buyers you will not sell to.

That slows them down a fair bit.

I used to include in the listing "I dont care if the person you are buying for died trying to help you I will not deal with you"

Paypal is not safe either as they send you a fake email addy for Paypal and then get your details when you log in on the fake page.

ALWAYS LOG IN YOUR SELF FROM YOUR BROWSER I have a security key in which I must enter a 6 digit code to get into my account on both Ebay and Paypal.

Stops anyone using your account as only the numbers it generates can be used