Craigslist Scams: 2008

Here are a few of the scam emails I have received in the last few days while shopping for a used car on Craigslist. I have set my search parameters to help me find a Honda for $3000 or less. When I came across a few "really great" deals, I emailed the sellers to find out more information, and to see if I could test drive the vehicles. These are the return emails that I received. Notice some of the similarities between the scams.

1. This one is for a 2002 Land Rover Discovery (1st email from the seller). The email also included some really high quality pics of this vehicle in immaculate condition.

Hello!

Sorry for the delayed response, but I'm in England right now and I have been very busy for the last couple of days. Anyway,thank you for your interest in buying the car. The car is located in US right now and has US papers.
Why is the price so low? I am going trough a divorce, and I had to move out of USA. I cannot register the car here, as it is made for USA , according to USA standards.So all that I want to do now is sell the car at this price, because I need to sell it fast. The title is clean and you will have absolutely no problems to register the car in the States.
I will tell you a few words about the car.
My 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE with 68,000 miles, Engine: 8 Cylinders, Drivetrain: 4WD, ( A/C: Front, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Steering, Remote Keyless Entry, Bucket Seats, Leather Interior, Power Seats, Airbag: Driver, Airbag: Passenger, Alarm, Anti-Lock Brakes, Fog Lights, Cassette Radio, 6 CD Changer, Premium Sound, Power Windows, Rear Window Defroster, Rear Window Wiper, Tinted Glass, Alloy Wheels, Sunroof/Moonroof, Tow Package, sunscreens for the 2 moonroofs, heated seats ) , VIN #SALTY12412A770984, it is in immaculate condition, rust free, no scratch and hasn't been involved in any accident. The motor runs very well. The interior looks great. This car needs nothing, the title is clear, it is not a salvage one.
I want this transaction to go smoothly enough as I am caught in the middle of some very important events and have little time at my disposal. I already have tones of emails so I hope you understand that I need to sort them out. The car is like new, in perfect conditions,accident free, no scratches, no special marks, no need for additional repairs what so ever. a genuine road runner ready to be yours, but only if you shall understand and you won't make me loose time as it has already happened to me.
The price is $2900 THIS IS MY LAST PRICE. I will not negotiate the price. Also, I take in consideration only those buyers who are really interested in buying the car, to be sure that I don't waist my time with endless discussions.
This way, I shall be assured of the serious intentions.
So if you are interested please email me.

Regards!! ~Diana Veys

When I inquired further about looking at the vehicle, here was the follow-up response that I received (2nd email)

Hello,

Look how will do this:
Before leaving I had prearranged shipping with WorldPay so my presence in US isn't necessary. The car is in a warehouse of WorldPay in Prairie Village, KS ready for delivery. I will offer a 5 day period of testing the car from the moment you receive it from the shipping company.
So if you want to make this deal I will need the following details from you:

full name and address
shipping address
phone #

After I will have all this details I will forward them to WorldPay and I will proceed the order. WorldPay 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.
Waiting your email with the requested details.

Regards! ~ Diana Veys

2. This one is for a 2003 Honda Civic. Once again, one hell of a deal. So I contacted the seller to see if I could check out the car. Here was the response I got.

Hello,

I'm SGT Charles Ross. This `03 Civic EX is in perfect working condition. This detailed vehicle makes the exterior look like it just came off the assembly line. The car has 101k highway miles. VIN Number: 2HGES26713H552852
Options:
CD Player Power Seats Sunroof
Driver Airbag Passenger Airbag Anti-Lock Brakes
Air Conditioning Cruise Control Power Locks Power Windows
Here are the pics of the car :
http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj261/civic03ex/
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 you 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 will don`t be satisfied about the car i will surely find another buyer in your area and there will be no need for you to ship the car back. I am located in London, United Kingdom and I was sent here to improve the military relationships between USA and UK. One month ago my wife moved here with me and brought the car with her, but now we have to sell it back in the United States because we can't register it here; it has US specs and everything, and registering it here in Europe will take for ever. My final price on it is 2,960 USD. If you will take it for this price, I am willing to handle the shipping. It will be shipped from here by plane with US Air Military Cargo so it will not cost me anything. You will get it to the nearest airport in your area and then it will be trucked forward to your place. You will receive the car in about 3 days. Please get back to me asap if you decide to buy, and include in your e-mail your full name and address where you want it shipped so I can start the deal with eBay. You will receive all the transaction payment and shipping details from them.
Best Regards,
Charles and Sarah Ross

I didn't inquire any further on this one.

3. Here is a 2001 Honda Accord that was in my price range. Sounded great, so I emailed the seller. Here was the response.

Hello and sorry for my delay,
2001 Honda Accord EX is in perfect working condition.This vehicle engine runs very, very smooth.This detailed vehicle makes the exterior look like it just came off the assembly line.The car has only 67250 highway miles.VIN # 1HGCG16551A078904
Options
Sunroof Cassette Player CD Player Leather Seats
Driver Airbag Side Airbags Anti-Lock Brakes Passenger Airbag
Air Conditioning Power Locks Power Windows Cruise Control
Power Seats
Here are the pics of the car :
http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff196/honda2001ex/
(if the above link does not work copy and paste it into a new web browser window)
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 you 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 will don`t be satisfied about the car i will surely find another buyer in your area and there will be no need for you to ship the car back. I am located in London,United Kingdom and I was sent here to improve the military relationships between USA and UK. One months ago, my wife moved here with me and brought the car with her, but now we have to sell it back in the United States because we can't register it here; it has US specs and everything, and registering it here in Europe will take for ever. My final price on it is US 2,950 $. If you will take it for this price, I am willing to handle the shipping. It will be shipped from here by plane with US Air Military Cargo so it will not cost me anything. You will get it to the nearest airport in your area and then it will be trucked forward to your place. You will receive the car in about 3 days. Please get back to me asap if you decide to buy, and include in your e-mail your full name and address where you want it shipped so I can start the deal with eBay. You will receive all the transaction payment and shipping details from them.
Thank you and have a great day,
Michael Topping

4. And one more good deal. A 1997 Civic. Here was the response to my email inquiry.

Hello,
I appreciate your fast response to my ad regarding the 1997 Honda : Civic.
As you've seen from the pictures my Honda is in perfect condition.It has no rust or dents and it's accident free. If you want to see the CarFax report I can provide it for you. Here is the VIN Number: 2hgej6679vh533592.
My asking price is $3000. I'm only selling it so cheap because I need to sell it asap due to some personal problems.
Mileage is 60667. I serviced the Honda regularly and it's in perfect condition.
Because I don't have a lot of spare time I have appointed Expert Car Trade ( www.ct-expert.com) to handle the transaction for me.
They will make the title transfer, arrange the money exchange and deliver the car to your location. At this time the Honda is at their office in Houston, TX.
The transaction will be made only by using the terms stated above.
If you are interested and you have the money available, please register an account Expert Car Trade and get back to me with the e-mail address you used to register (registration it's free and they won't ask for sensitive personal details). As soon as I hear from you I will initiate the transaction and after that they will handle everything.
After we agree on the terms they will deliver the car to your house for a 3-days inspection period and if you like it, you can have it.
Here are the car's details and the links for some pics with the car:

1997 Honda : Civic
Miles: 60667
Transmission: Automatic
Interior: Gray
Year: 1997
VIN Number: 2hgej6679vh533592
Engine: 4 Cylinder 1.6 Liter
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Standard Equipment:
Power Door Locks
Cruise Control
Power Steering
AM/FM Radio
Air Conditioning
Power Windows
LX
2 Wheel Drive
Dual Air Bags
Optional Equipment:
ABS
CD

Thank you.

These were the scams that had found their way into my inbox in the last day and a half, while searching for a car on Craigslist. They are all different scammers, but the scam itself is the same. Here are some of the similar traits of these scams:

The seller does not want to meet in person, nor are they local (think about the "Golden Rule of Craigslist" that I had referred to in my previous post)
The seller wants me to pay my money to a 3rd party, then I will receive the vehicle via shipping service
The seller has some personal reason for selling the vehicle - too much information - almost desperation
The prices are between $2900 and $3000. That is a dead giveaway. The scam would be a little more believable if the asking price was even somewhat close to book value
Bad grammar, misspellings, similar format
Photobucket images of the vehicle. Hell, the Land Rover's pics were so good, they probably came from Motortrend

In all of the emails that I sent to these sellers, I included my full name and phone number. I asked them to give me a call to discuss the details. No calls, and also no personalization to the emails. The deals sounded great, but don't be naive. If a seller does not want to handle the transaction in person, don't do the deal. It is that simple.