said by pcdebb :

and boy was it a long-winded story! He's been selling that car all over the US using craigslist. It's only still up in a few cities, but He posted like a madman!

said by SnowyOne :

Mahalo for taking the time to post the "story", it might just save someone from getting ripped off.
When someone who is selling any large ticket item that has a "story" to explain the circumstances surrounding the sale it must be considered a work of fiction in this day & age.
bottom line: escrow via eBay & a story = run away as if the devil himself were selling the item.

said by sbrook :

A telltale sign of a scam on ebay is where the entire ebay ad is clickable! The dealer creates an image that blows out the entire ebay page, essentially replacing it with the dealer's own page. Anywhere you click takes you to his website so you're no longer dealing with ebay.

said by jwey20 :

Watch out for this one jessica_elliott112@comcast.net

Hello there ,

First of all here are some details you may want to look over :

So here is how it will work:

1.First of all I will need the following details from you:

- Full Name
- Full Shipping Address

2. After I will receive the details from you, I will forward them to eBay

I have found the listing on craigslist multiple times in states that aren't even close to new york,

said by jwey20 :

Watch out for this one jessica_elliott112@comcast.net

Just thought I would post the email address and "story" that "she" gave me so that one of these immoral, and terrible people do not steal hard earned money from someone,

said by Mike200015 :

I found a good car deal on AutoTrader, and got a similar email about moving overseas to the U.K. and the car is being held by eBay in their warehouse. I am not sure 100% if it is a scam, but looks very similar to the ones I've been reading here. What do you guys think of this?

Email is as follows:
"
Once i get the details from you I will forward them to ebay and they will proceed the order. Ebay will contact you with all the details that you need to complete this deal and also to see that i am covered by them and that I am legit seller."

I am really suspicious of this, but cannot be sure.

said by not2bscammed :

I too have received an eerily similar email from someone stating that if I tell them I am interested that they will notify ebay so one of their representatives can contact me. The conversation is nearly verbatim to what I have read in other posts. The original ad was posted through a website in Utah KSL.com Here is a copy of my email from "her":

My car is still available. Acura only 32,100 original miles on board, it is located in Windsor, CT, you should know that it has never been wrecked or damaged, the car is in excellent condition. Non-smoker. The inside is clean, like new. Runs great, very smooth, meticulously maintained. To have a finish like this, it is obvious that this vehicle has been garaged. All the manuals, clear title and the original documentation come along with the car. I love this car but I have to let it go. It will come with a clear title, bill of sale signed by me as well and all the papers (including the original manuals and keys) that you will need to register it under your name. I had a buyer offering $3,300 but his loan didn't get approved. Why is the price so low? I am going trough a divorce, my financial and medical problems that I have and with our economy imagine this. So I'm willing to let it go for ($2,800 + $200 shipping cost already paid) $3,000 and since I only have one, First come, First served.The vin # is: 19UUA66275A049449 I guarantee that you will be more than 101% satisfied to own my car.I will wait to contact me ASAP, I need to know if you are really serious to become the owner.Right now the car is at the DAS (trucking company) warehouse kept in a sealed container ready for delivery and since I am not at home right now a test drive it is not possible. However I do offer an inspection period prior buying the car if we close the deal trough ebay motors vehicle purchase protection program.The car will be insured during transportation and it will be delivered at your address in maximum 1-2 business days (depends of your location). Along with the car you will receive a bill of sale in your name and signed by me and the title of the car. All I want is from you is if you are agree so I can contact ebay and after that, they will contact you and explain, guide you all the steps of the transaction and insurance.

said by not2bscammed :

I too have received an eerily similar email from someone stating that if I tell them I am interested that they will notify ebay so one of their representatives can contact me.

[snip]

All I want is from you is if you are agree so I can contact ebay and after that, they will contact you and explain, guide you all the steps of the transaction and insurance.

said by pcdebb :

i wonder if DAS is being exploited in some way or are they in on the whole scheme

said by Mr Owe :

It would seem as though these scams are a dime a dozen. Here is a convo I had with a "girl in new york" about buying a pickup truck.

*I wanted to see how far the rabbit hole went to I sent the mailing address and here is the email I got from "ebay"

Congratulations - You Are Approved To Buy! Your invoice for eBay Motors purchase 2000 Ford F-250 Lariat 4X4

The trick to catching these gimmicks right out of the gate is viewing the source. Regardless what the "name" is look at the sender or reply address. It doens't matter that it may say "Ebay or Paypal or safe and secure". Out to the side it will give you the reply info or source info. Ebay and Paypal communication will say @ebay/paypal.com.

said by docsmullins :

...However, I went as far as giving my name and address, just to see what happened. I figured, it's available in any phone book, what could be the harm?

So I ask you guys, what is the harm of submitting that info? I know I ~fell prey to those scam artists (thankfully, never gave out any money info), but how will my address help them? Hopefully they just sell it to Capital One or something, but I would hate to get into a whole identity theft thing...

said by sundevil :

I think I may be involved in this scam as well but I am in the process of making the decision to buy it or not. Can you please take a look at these emails and the information to help me out.

Ok, the first thing that made me think this deal is too good to be true is:

-Listed on Craigslist
-2004 Nissan 350z for $4300 with only 37,000 miles on it. (wow?)

If you are interested to purchase the car, I have done some researching and the best way to close the deal is through eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection Program. The transaction fits the Vehicle Protection plan and will be covered by eBay.

I did a vehicle history report of the car and it is in fact the correct car, correct mileage as stated, and has a clean history. However, why did I find this car listed on Phoenix, Arizona search of used cars when the car is in Ohio and she works on a cruise ship?

-Talked with ebay representative online and she confirmed that they DO NOT hold onto money between buyer and seller as the buyer approves or disapproves of the car that is purchased.

said by Kibbles :

I wonder if the scammers even read the replies...I sent a scammer the link showing that the vehicle they were selling was sold at a dealership in the US...but the scammer still replied back that the vehicle is in the UK and is still for sale. :p

said by lorideb :

Yes, I did send an email to buy and sell to let them know it is a scam.

said by lorideb :

Name of seller is Anna Kevner, looks like another scam. DAMN, will I ever get a trailer!!!

said by pcdebb :

some interesting results from a google search on jason.f.peck@gmail.com

said by Raja_P :

Yes, I will contact MoneyGram.

I sent an email to the seller to verify the authenticity of the purchase protection account.

Few minutes ago I got the following email. :-)

"eBay Motors"

eBay Motors Purchase Invoice #36681045 eBay



Dear Raja,

We have received your inquiry regarding the transaction you are currently involved in and we are happy to assist you.

said by pcdebb :

Sgt Lucas has been busy...

said by Anon7979 :

Needless to say......this car isn't right for me, but others should be warned. Be very careful folks!

said by adammon :

Etested and Safetied.

said by Cedes :

We have gone as far as getting the email from ebay motors invoice to send money through money gram. I have contacted ebay three times as to this and they keep giving me the same response...this is a scam! I am not sure if anything can be done about this and hopefully no one else falls for it.

said by jfhdk :

Is there anyone I could report him to, or is he pretty anonymous being on gmail?
I wonder...

said by Doctor Four :

Is there some kind of standard boilerplate form these scammers (or likely only one or two) are using? The emails seem nearly identical in all cases, even as far as the apparent seller being in the military and the vehicle needing to be shipped overseas.

said by vallly :

As I know that my current situation is pretty special I want the deal closed only through eBay's Buyer Protection Program in order for you to be 100% protected. You will make the payment to eBay and they will hold the money until you receive the car. ONLY AFTER you receive the car and inspect it (for 10 days) eBay will release the payment to me; in this way we are both protected. Anyway i am sure that if you won`t be satisfied with the car i will surely find another buyer in your area and there will be no need for you to ship the car back.

said by Cedes :

...but it was for a 2004 Porsche Cayanne Turbo for 6500.00 ...