Totally off-topic but I'm trying to figure out this scam, any help appreciated

[brianzzz]

So I list my 98 4 Runner in the auto trader and I get this email:

BUYER INFO

Name: Robert Kahn

E-Mail Address: newworldautolink@yahoo.com

Comments: I HAVE INTERESTED CLIENT TO OFFER $12,900 FOR YOUR CAR REPLY IF OK & AVAILABLE WITH PRESENT CONDITION & LOCATION DR. ROBERT KAHN DIRECTOR NEW WORLD AUTOS INC SPECIALIST IN AUTO SALES/SERVICE & DELIVERY

3361 WAIALAE AVE HONOLULU, HAWAII 96816

So I send him an email back saying the car is excellent condition and is in Roseville,Ca. So I get this email back.



Dear,
Yes we are really interested, I have forwarded your vehicle information to my client and after evaluation and due to time constraint on the fact that we are runningshort of time, I'm delighted to tell you that my client has recommended your vehicle, with full interest and he has instructed me to carry on with this transaction.
Hope the engine and body is in good condition?

He also instructed to inform you that payment will get to you in a Cashiers Check amount of $20,000 Which will cover the cost of the car and also the cost of shipment.
So you are required to deduct the cost of your ( car) $12,900 when payment gets to you and refund balance $7,100 to the Agent (The shiper ) for him to be able to ofset shipping & tax charges and other cosmetic repair costs.

Now we really need your Truth & Honesty with definite assurance that the balance will be honestly be send to the shipper when payment get to you, as we have make alternative arrangement not to stress you in shipment.
After payment has reached you and balance sent to shipper, the shipper's agent will come for inspection, pick up of vehicle & signing of title papers, make some cosmetic touches and drive to a prepaid shipper to be ship to my customer.

To further more, Please confirm these and provide the following for the payment to be made out and send to you.
LEGAL NAME:.........
VALID ADDRESS:..........
TELL/CELLPHONE:..........

Your Honesty and understanding will be highly appreciated
Best-regards,
Robert..

Okay, the response is fishy. Obviously the english looks to be from another country and I can't find this company on the web or in the yellow pages/411 in Hawaii. A reverse directory of the address says it's a Subaru dealership. But what risk am I going to take if I'm already paid? I've heard the scam where you put out your own money, but I guess the only way I get screwed here is if the cashier's check is bad? Are they collecting my information for some reason? What's the deal? How would you respond?

Sorry for the long email. Before I respond I want to make sure I don't give them too much info.....

Thanks,

Brian

[brianzzz]

So I list my 98 4 Runner in the auto trader and I get this email:

BUYER INFO

Name: Robert Kahn

E-Mail Address: newworldautolink@yahoo.com

Comments: I HAVE INTERESTED CLIENT TO OFFER $12,900 FOR YOUR CAR REPLY IF OK & AVAILABLE WITH PRESENT CONDITION & LOCATION DR. ROBERT KAHN DIRECTOR NEW WORLD AUTOS INC SPECIALIST IN AUTO SALES/SERVICE & DELIVERY

3361 WAIALAE AVE HONOLULU, HAWAII 96816

So I send him an email back saying the car is excellent condition and is in Roseville,Ca. So I get this email back.



Dear,
Yes we are really interested, I have forwarded your vehicle information to my client and after evaluation and due to time constraint on the fact that we are runningshort of time, I'm delighted to tell you that my client has recommended your vehicle, with full interest and he has instructed me to carry on with this transaction.
Hope the engine and body is in good condition?

He also instructed to inform you that payment will get to you in a Cashiers Check amount of $20,000 Which will cover the cost of the car and also the cost of shipment.
So you are required to deduct the cost of your ( car) $12,900 when payment gets to you and refund balance $7,100 to the Agent (The shiper ) for him to be able to ofset shipping & tax charges and other cosmetic repair costs.

Now we really need your Truth & Honesty with definite assurance that the balance will be honestly be send to the shipper when payment get to you, as we have make alternative arrangement not to stress you in shipment.
After payment has reached you and balance sent to shipper, the shipper's agent will come for inspection, pick up of vehicle & signing of title papers, make some cosmetic touches and drive to a prepaid shipper to be ship to my customer.

To further more, Please confirm these and provide the following for the payment to be made out and send to you.
LEGAL NAME:.........
VALID ADDRESS:..........
TELL/CELLPHONE:..........

Your Honesty and understanding will be highly appreciated
Best-regards,
Robert..

Okay, the response is fishy. Obviously the english looks to be from another country and I can't find this company on the web or in the yellow pages/411 in Hawaii. A reverse directory of the address says it's a Subaru dealership. But what risk am I going to take if I'm already paid? I've heard the scam where you put out your own money, but I guess the only way I get screwed here is if the cashier's check is bad? Are they collecting my information for some reason? What's the deal? How would you respond?

Sorry for the long email. Before I respond I want to make sure I don't give them too much info.....

Thanks,

Brian

[pondguy]

Stay away. We were also approached. A cashiers check can bounce after your bank has cleared it. Google car scams and you will find out all about your new " friend" in Africa (or somewhere else). I guarantee the check will bounce. Even after your bank clears it. You know, if its to good to be true.....

[David Sink]

Hi All
yeap stay away from that one .you will send them the 7k and then they will stop payment on thier check.I would also report it to auto trader as a scam they will check on the guy

[PhatFireMan]

I've seen several scams like this. I always email them back saying my brother works for the FBI, internet fraud division, and I forwarded their info to him.

[SandyFeet]

I've gotten plenty of these inquiries when we sold stuff on line. I always send them a response that says something like:

What you are doing is evil. So I have sent a curse to you. In fact, as you read this email, you may already be feeling ill. Nothing can help you now.

I would hope that gives them the jitters for a while every time they get indigestion.

[brianzzz]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SandyFeet:
I've gotten plenty of these inquiries when we sold stuff on line. I always send them a response that says something like:

What you are doing is evil. So I have sent a curse to you. In fact, as you read this email, you may already be feeling ill. Nothing can help you now.

I would hope that gives them the jitters for a while every time they get indigestion. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I love that one! I will definately use it.

Thanks!

[Paul Heuvelhorst]

Brian,
In additon to all the other warnings you've received, just sell the car in the Rocklin/Roseville/Sacramento area. It's a "hot" market for cars in good condition. You don't need to try to sell outside the valley, and you certainly have a much better chance of getting a good buyer to meet your price.

[56Nomad]

Robert,

I was selling a quad in the ATV trader and we heard from a similar
crook. I milked it as far as I could with my name of "Ima Theivering"

I received a very large US cashiers check from this fella mailed from
Nigeria. The idiot made it out to "Ima Theivering." I called the small
Iowa bank that it was written on and they said that over 700 people that
they knew about had been scammed by this group of thieves.

The bank tried to have the FBI help them, but apparently the Feds
just have too many cases of internet fraud to attempt to pursue
these types of cases. Every person is on their own.

The crook was so ****** off that I never sent him his money. I got
threatening e-mails until I told him I was sending everything to the
FBI.

http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/internetschemes.htm

[Hoverbug]

Good shot Howie! The Burea may not be able to deal with it now but at least the crooks have been identified. Hooah!

[melon]

LampShade
All I can tell you on the matter is...SWEET AVIATOR PIC!!!!
Seriously though, I just sold an Honda Odyssey Buggy to a guy in Canada. He sent me a cashiers check, I took it to the bank and made sure it cashed, then waited a few days, and shipped the buggy up to him. I didn't feel like the deal was fishy and I told him to send the cashiers check a few days early to make sure it cleared the bank.
But, the flip side is, if you don't feel good about it there is probly a reason. I would go with your gut.

Rod