Another Craig's List scam

pioneer1 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:47 pm Post subject: Another Craig's List scam

Hi all : These ads float around from time to time. This time it's for a perfect 1990 Westfalia advertised locally for a low, low price- too good to be true is the key element in these scams.
Below is the response I received from the seller-the vehicles are always 3000 miles away and unavailable for inspection,poor grammar and expressions that don't quite sound right...like " delivered to the front of the door". Here is the emails so far...

Please take a few moments and read my email carefully, I know it is long, but because I received too many offers, I will
explain all the details about the transaction.
At the moment I'm stationed at a Military Air Force Base Cold Lake, making final preparations before deploying to Afghanistan.
The van is already at our Military Logistics Department from Cold Lake, Alberta ready to be delivered. The Logistic Department
will deliver the van to your home. Since the van is in a military base, with no access you can not go there and take it, only the
Logistics Department can deliver it, because the van is in their custody.
Shipping may take anywhere between 2-3 business days depending on the destination. All documents you need for ownership,
manuals and bill of sale will be provided along with the vehicle.
For the payment I would like to use eBay as a third party. They will keep your money into a protection account until you get
the vehicle and will release it to me after inspection period is over and you agree to keep the van. So, this is not a blind
transaction, you can see the van before committing to buy and to eliminate any concerns you will have 5 days to inspect it.
If you decide not to keep it eBay will refund you the money, no questions asked, and shipping back will be my concern. I
think this is more than fair for both of us.

I'll start the official procedure, and eBay will contact you about this you'll receive important guidelines + instructions
from them. You'll be contacted by eBay in the next 24 hours.

PLEASE NOTE!
If the van is not how I've described it, you have the unequivocal right to refuse acceptance of the van (return postage on
my expense) and you are entitled to a full and complete refund of the van's purchase price. It will be insured during
transportation and will be delivered in front of your door.
Again I want to point out that because I am going to Afghanistan this sale is my top priority and I am looking after a fast
transaction, with no delays. That is why I decided to lower the price, to avoid wasting time with negotiations and find a
buyer as soon as possible.

Kind regards
John
CFB

Hi,

My 1990 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon GL runs and drives excellent. This van has been extremely well maintained
with a full service history. It's in perfect condition without any mechanical problems, with no damages or hidden defects,
no need for additional repairs, clear title without any accidents. This van runs and drives excellent. I have all the van's
manuals, all the documents and papers.
I have dropped my price to $2,500.00 CAD (purchase price) since this is an urgent sale and I need to sell it before 30th of
January when I will be deployed in Afghanistan with my platoon replacing the troops scheduled to come home.
To conclude this deal in a timely manner, the financial part will be managed by the eBay . They are acting like a third
party in our deal. Which means that you will have 5 days inspection period before committing to buy the vehicle. In this way
both, buyer and seller are 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.

If you're interested to conclude this purchase in a timely manner email me your Full Name, Home Address and Phone Number to
open a case with eBay and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure.

Kind regards
John
CFB
Wink

_________________
"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

levi · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject:

Since he e-mailed you, why not just run an e-mail trace?
Only takes about 10 seconds..
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

firepilot · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject:

Probably a Russian or Romanian.

Care to post that persons email?
_________________
86 Westy Syncro

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject:

The Afghan deployment and using the military base to explain why it can't be seen makes an interesting change from the death in the family and the vehicle is currently in transit.

John's English is actually improving, though it still needs work.

VisPacem · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:25 pm Post subject:

GWTWTLW · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject:

Play along with it for a while. Get as much info as you can out of him. I did that a couple of years ago. It was a blast!
_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw

pioneer1 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:58 pm Post subject: scam

Hi: I expect to get some contact from "eBay" rep. soon-I'll keep you posted.
The emails are from [email protected] but I don't know how to do the trace. Help yourselves!!
_________________
"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

GWTWTLW · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:43 pm Post subject:

Do you have a link to the ad? I might be interested in buying it! Smile

_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw

DAIZEE · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:17 pm Post subject:

Visitors can go on bases as long as it is prearranged and approved and given to gate control. I know Cold Lake. I had a cousin there when I was in training in Edmonton.

Whatever he's known for some time when his deployment is (Air Force). Keep us in touch with his playing. $2500 for a perfect van is pretty good isn't it if it is true Rolling Eyes

_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

GWTWTLW · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:26 pm Post subject:

Daizee, there is 0% chance this is legit.
_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw

dixoncj · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:41 pm Post subject:

The scambaiting site is 419eater.com. Check some of the hilarious things scambaiters have convinced scammers to do in the Hall of Shame section.
The Clist ad is a total scam - and a common one. String the dude along. Waste his time. Tell him you have a cousin at Cold Lake who can actually check the van out for you and ask for the contact there. Bet you won't hear anything.

markz2004 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:02 pm Post subject:

DAIZEE · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:

Oh I know its not real, I just said that to show one of many holes in the story! Ticks me off that this kind of thing happens none the less. Anyone notify CL re it?
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

pioneer1 · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:18 am Post subject: craig's list

It just gets better. I received 2 emails this am from"eBay Motors" -very slick and convincing official looking-that requests payment using Western Union. Ebay does not advise using Western Union.
_________________
"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

levi · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:08 pm Post subject:

To trace an e-mail you can use a site like this:

http://www.ip-adress.com/trace_email/#result

At the bottom right of your e-mail you'll see a tab for "full headers".

Click on that, then hi-lite your whole e-mail header, copy, paste into the top box of that trace site, that'll give you co-ordinates.

I always use this when buying parts off of craigslist or whatever to make sure everything matches up.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

WWUT · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:34 am Post subject: Scammer

The military will not ship vehicles randomly around the world for free so you can sell it. They will ship if you are moving to another place, not for deployments.

A friend asked me about a similar deal in Rota, Spain. I told him to email the seller and let him know the Defense Attache' was a friend and would come over on the weekend to look at it. (chirp, chirp, chirp....no response. Then the same ad was re-posted out of California two weeks later.)

If you have the time, bait him along and have fun. Make up a grand story of how the military police or security forces impounded the vehicle and are now using it as a person party wagon. It was last seen at the bar and they were giving drunk people rides home. or they got it stuck in a large mud bog but plan to send a big tractor to pull it out when the ground thaws.

Beancounter · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 2:37 pm Post subject: Scam

Beware this ad is now on the Vancouver CL. He is even using the same name and email John Williams [[email protected]]

Williamtaylor33 · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:03 pm Post subject:

I always shoot them an email back acting like im real interested.
And string them along alittle bit.
I was selling a 69 Bay awhile back and had a scammer contact me..He even went thru the trouble of sending a check...Which got "lost" in the mail....
So he sent another "certified check"...Which somehow got ripped up....
_________________
89 Bostig powered syncro westy

BC Westie · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 5:07 pm Post subject:

Just vanished from Vancouver Craigslist. Wonder wear it will pop up next?

Price was $2501 for a 1990

121,600 miles
This vanagon runs and drives great. The interior is clean with very little wear. The AC and the fridge works great.
_________________
1980 Vanagon Cali Import 86,000Miles
1981 Vanagon (Auto) 219,000kms
1981 Westfalia (Auto) Cali Import 169,000Miles
1981 Westfalia 300,000kms
1982 Westfalia Cali Import 193,000Miles
1982 Westfalia (Auto) 205,000Kms
1984 Vanagon 306,000kms
1987 Vanagon GL 300,000Kms


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