I got this email from a scammer, in response to a classified ad for a car. You can see that his questions are more sophisticated than the others:However, the signs of scamming is there, such as "the item", and signing "Donald" while his name in the email is "greg mcdonald".
From: greg mcdonald <gregmcautos@yahoo.com>Subject: [title of car ad from craigslist]HELLO, MAY I KNOW IF THE ITEM YOU ADVERTISED ON THE NETIS STILL AVAILABLE FOR SALE, MY CUSTOMER IS INTERESTED INBUYING IT , HE IS PRICING IT $950 ,LET ME KNOW IF ITS STILL FORSALE, WITH THE BOTTOM PRICE .ASAP.WHEN WAS IT DRIVEN LAST?ARE YOU FIRST OWNER?Donald
My reply:
Not first owner.Being driven every week.Please call 555-1212 for details.
He then replies:
Hello Khalid,I will be travelling out toady on a vehicle inspection ,you can always be intouch with me easily through the mail,Happy to let you know that my client is still interested in your Item,He informed me that the Bank Money Order will be in the amount of $18,000 which covers the total cost of your Item ,sales tax,mvc costand shipping charges.Therefore once you confirm your payment ,you are required to deduct the cost of your Item and make advance available to my Clients Agent currently on vehicle pick up ,to enable them offset shipping cost ,make prompt booking with shipping company,pay haullage cost,insurance,taxes and process all documents (bill of sale,vehicle titles,etc)on his behalf make repairs on the Item if need be?confirm this and send your Name ,to make out the payment,Address for mailing of the check,phone No.Your Honesty Understanding and Co-operation will be appreciated .ThanksDonald
He still says "the item", and offers 18 X my asking price! what a deal!He asks for more, then will ask for the difference to be wired back to him, and that is the scam.
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Comments
Anonymous (not verified)
I have just received a cheque
Mon, 2010/02/01 - 13:51I have just received a cheque from these people, dont know what to do with it after reading these posts,. The cheque has a Jane Norman mark on the top of it and Natwest and has come from the netherlands this time. If I cash the cheque and it clears and I can withdraw the money then I cant see how it can be a scam, am I being a bit naive here?
Anonymous (not verified)
dont cash it, even if the
Fri, 2010/02/05 - 08:14dont cash it, even if the bank dont notice at first they will eventually, the cheque will be stolen and they'll come after you for the money, it doesnt matter if you've still got it or not. luckily for me the bank did notice and stopped it. but they blocked my account and i had to go in and have a meeting with the bank manager and also got interviewed by the police. dont do it!!!!!!!
Anonymous (not verified)
Sarah Gordon scam
Thu, 2010/02/18 - 06:04This scam is still alive and kicking, unless there are alot of pregnant deaf ladies out there willing to pay more than the asking price for a car. Beware!
Robert Mugabe (not verified)
I got the email from Sarah too!
Mon, 2010/02/22 - 11:38I put up my car onto autotrader yesterday, and this morning I got that first response from Mrs Sarah Gordon. It sounded genuine, but the more I read and re-read it, it started to sound weird, so I decided to google "Sarah Gordon", and lo and behold, I came across this!
Fortunately, I didn't divulge a lot of info/ only that the car is still available, and for her to call me to discuss.
Feckin scammers - trying to money laundering......inglorious basterds!
Anonymous (not verified)
24.02.2010 Yep me too,
Wed, 2010/02/24 - 18:2624.02.2010
Yep me too, exactly the same emails with the text word for word to all the others. Does she/he think we're all pathetic simpletons???????
I actually emailed back today accusing her/him of money laundering and that I was going to the police (whatever good that will do) Most recent email states that cheque has now been despatched sp Im expecting it in tomorrows post. Hey guys and girls cant we get together and think of a way to have a bit of fun somehow with this, at Sarah's expense?
Russ (not verified)
SARAH CAR SCAM
Sun, 2010/02/28 - 05:36Just had the same shit sent to me, load of crap, so transparent, just copied and pasted her "answer", this will save her time, I also told her she is a very naughty woman !!, gonna paste this on my facebook page, someone will get stung for sure.................
Anonymous (not verified)
me too
Thu, 2010/02/25 - 10:05just got the same scam - have alerted autotrader and asked them to complain to gmail too
They pay by a foreign cheque which can take your bank up to 6 weeks to process it fully with the foreign bank. Meantime it shows up as 'cleared' in your account, but it isn't!
Had it happen to me once for just a small amount thankfully.
Daft situation which makes it a real gem of a loophole for scammers - the banks need to sort it out.
Anonymous (not verified)
Car Scam
Sat, 2010/03/06 - 06:46I have recieved an e mail from a Sarah Gordon and it would appear its a scam.
> Message:
> Good Morning,
> I am really interested in your Vehicle listed for sale on auto trader website.
> I will like to know if you still have it for sale.
> Are you the first owner?
> Did you have all the paper works and the receipt of purchase for documentation?
> What is your last asking and the present condition?
> The area for the pick up and lastly the reason for offering it for sale.
> Thanks and i look forward to hear from you today ASAP
> Cheers
> Sarah
i replied,Hi
The car is still for sale. I am the only owner from new. The car is in showroom condition and the current price is £7250.00. This has been reduced from £7500.00. this week.I have all the necessary documents for the car and the reason for sale is that i have recently purchased my old company car and i also have a 2010 company car. I live in the Stockport area if you would like to view.
Regards
She replied,
Good Afternoon,
Thanks for your quick response and am also excited to hear from you that the vehicle is still available for sale.
And thanks for the information you just gave about the vehicle and am quite delighted to hear from you that the vehicle is still in great conditions.
The reason why am purchasing this vehicle is because My self and my partner just need one additional vehicle.
Please i want you to email me more pictures aside from the one on web advert page if is still available both the exterior and interior.
Due to my condition i will not be able to view the vehicle at present because i'm heavily pregnant,and the distance as well.
My personal circumstances do not allow me to travel to view the Vehicle,like wise my partner is away.
According to the Features of the vehicle and the Full Description of the vehicle which i saw on the advert page i'm fully satisfied.
I want you to accept my offer of £7,400 inclusive the advert fees just because I know what the worth of the vehicle ,and also for you to reserve the vehicle for me.
The only way you will release the vehicle to any one is when the cash is in your hand, i.e. payments cleared at bank, and withdrawn.
I am located at Llanfairpwll in Anglesey
I will only required your full name and your postal address, so that the bankers draught could be posted to you via royal mail.
My preffered method of payment is by bankers draft in a (GBP) which may take 3 to 4 working days to Clear.
Please note that you will only release the vehicle until you have received confirmation from your bank that the payment has been given value and cleared.
I hope to hear from you today in order to proceed further with the payment and shipping arrangements as soon as possible.
I look forward to hear back from you today.
Cheers
Sarah
I replied
Thank you for the generous offer for the Ford Focus, to simplify matters and help your circumstances i would be happy if you could forward to me £1000.00 as a deposit for the car and i will personally deliver the car to your home in Anglesey.I am often in Anglesey as i am a member of a gun club there and it would be no trouble to visit you.
Kind regards.
So far she has not replied.
Anonymous (not verified)
Motor-Home scam
Fri, 2010/03/12 - 10:01I have been e-mailing back and forth with a Becky Gilchrist about her buying my motor home, I am in australia she said she is in United States, She wants to pay me by paypal, has offered more than I;ve asked, Motor home is over 11meters long, the cost of shipment to the states would not be worth it. I have told her tis in e-mails but she still wants to buy it. Any one know anything about this one or about Becky Gilchrist????
Anonymous (not verified)
Becky Gilchrist
Fri, 2010/06/11 - 15:45I have had someone by the same name, Becky Gilchrist offer to buy my car site unseen and offering to pay via paypal. What is the danger of giving my email address for my paypal account ??? I would love to sell the car but this seems a bit odd. Thoughts ???
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