WOT Help on Car purchase via eBay -- SCAM???
hookem
Posts: 971 ✭✭
Sorry for the way off topic question. My sister is looking to buy a car on eBay via an ad she found on Craigslist. She asked me to look at it knowing that I deal with eBay a lot. I have never used eBay motors. I have to say this seems fishy to me but then again I have no history with eBay motors payment process. Of course he is claiming he moved to Portugal with his wife due to his job and the car is currently with a shipping company. Please look below and let me know your thoughts.
I am concerned about the payment via Western Union instead of PayPal for protection, the fact that the car is not listed in eBay motors, and of course the "great deal" that she seems to be getting. Again, he does not have the car listed on eBay but claims to be using eBay as the entity to handle the money. She also got an email from eBay showing buyer protection (could be fake but looks like high quality graphics).
Here is what his original email stated about the payment process before he sent the invoice:
Let me show you how this works:
1. -After you'll give me your full name and shipping address(where you want to receive the car),I'll initiate the transaction
2. -eBay will contact you with all info you need regarding shipping and payment instructions
3. -You will confirm the payment to ebay
4. -I will contact the shipping company to start the shipping( I'LL PAY THE SHIPPING COSTS)
5. -You'll receive the car in front of your door with the bill of sale received from eBay.
6. -You'll have 5 days inspection period; after inspection period,if you are not satisfied,contact ebay and send the car back,you will not be charged for shipping it back!
7. -If you decide to keep it ,just contact ebay to release me the funds, I will not receive any money until you have received and inspected the car.
This is the process. If you agree with these terms send me your full name and your full home address and I will initiate the transaction with eBay. They will send you the payment instructions and shipping details.
Here is the invoice she received via email. Unfortunately the graphics don't show up via a cut and paste.
eBay Motors sent this message to Roseann McAXXXX(roseann_mcXXX@yahoo.com).
Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay.
Here's the invoice for your item, Roseann McXXXX
Invoice for VPP Transaction Case ID 380409284159 between Daniel Carter (danielcarter74@gmail.com), as the Seller, and Roseann McXXXX (roseann_mcaXXXX@yahoo.com), as the Buyer. Please follow our instructions to complete the transaction safely.
Seller:
Name: Daniel Carter
Address: Rua Padre Américo 25
Lisboa, Lisboa
1600-864
Portugal
Buyer:
Name: Roseann xxxxx
Address: xxxxxxx
Pflugerville,
TX 78xxx
United States
Transaction Details:
Case ID: 380409284159
Date: Jan-09-12
Status: Payment Pending
Item: 2004 Saab 9-3
81,545 Miles
VIN : YS3FB49S141041679
Price: US $1,600.00
Quantity: 1
Insurance: Yes
Shipping: Included
Shipping to*: Roseann Mcxxxx
xxxxxxxx
Pflugerville,
CT xxxxxx
United States
*Please check the details for an accurate delivery in order to avoid delays.
Payment must be submitted via Western Union Money Transfer (standard money transfer form) to an eBay Motors Agent in charge of this transaction. The eBay Motors Agent will secure the payment until the Buyer receives, inspects and accepts the vehicle. Or, if it is the case, the Agent will refund the payment to the Buyer.
Local eBay Motors Agent*:
First Name: MINICA
Last Name: VISAN
Address: Rua Ferreira Borges 97,
eBay EU Agency,
Financial Department,
room 139
City: Lisboa
Zip: 1350-128
Country: Portugal
*The Western Union Money Transfer will be sent using this name and address.
Payment:
Invoice # : 380409284159
Due Date: Jan-10-12
Subtotal: US $1,600.00
Shipping: US $0.00
Sales Tax: 0
Deposit: 0
Total: US $1,600.00
How to make the payment
Click below to find the nearest Western Union office:
Find Agent Location
Send the payment using (standard money transfer form) to the eBay Motors Agent's name and address (found below) as payment details.
E-mail* eBay Motors Financial Department at:
(support@vppsafebuy.com)
the following payment information:
Case ID and Invoice #;
Reference Number - 10 digits number found on the payment receipt;
Sender's Name and Address;
Receiver's Name and Address;
Total Amount Sent.
Fax* the Western Union payment receipt to eBay Motors Financial Department at:
+1 (913) 548-0603.
*We strongly recommend that you confirm the payment by both e-mail and fax.
Important Notice
For security reasons please DO NOT release the payment details to the Seller or any other unauthorized person.
All the transaction, payment and personal information is considered confidential and will not be released under any circumstances.
Vehicle Purchase Protection program security measures are constantly reviewed and modified given evolving circumstances globally.
Our main and constant priority is the safety of our customers.
If you are not familiarized with Western Union Money Transfer services please visit: www.WesternUnion.com.
Pay for the transfer with cash at a local Western Union agent. Western Union agent locations are independent businesses that provide money transfer service to their customers on behalf of Western Union. Western Union agents are primarily banks, post offices, exchange offices or retail locations - grocery stores, mail box centers, drug stores, travel agencies, depots, other retail locations.
Independent Western Union agents may impose different limitations on the maximum amount that can be submitted per day. For this reason, in case of a larger amount to be sent, we recommend that you go to more than one agent and submit the total sum in separate transfers.
When payment is received, it will be verified and secured into a non-interest bearing trust account. Payment verification process usually takes less than 48 hours. After payment is secured, the Seller is authorized to ship vehicle. The Seller has 5 business days to send the Buyer and eBay Motors Customer Support the tracking number of the shipment. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the Buyer.
The Buyer receives the vehicle and has 5 business days to inspect it. If it is complete and as described, the Buyer should accept the vehicle. If he refuses the vehicle, the Seller will be responsible of shipping back the vehicle.
After the inspection period is over, the Buyer must contact eBay Motors Customer Support with the result of the inspection. If the Buyer refuses the vehicle, the refund will be sent to the Buyer. If the vehicle is accepted, eBay Motors Financial Department submits the payment directly to the Seller within 3 business days.
I am concerned about the payment via Western Union instead of PayPal for protection, the fact that the car is not listed in eBay motors, and of course the "great deal" that she seems to be getting. Again, he does not have the car listed on eBay but claims to be using eBay as the entity to handle the money. She also got an email from eBay showing buyer protection (could be fake but looks like high quality graphics).
Here is what his original email stated about the payment process before he sent the invoice:
Let me show you how this works:
1. -After you'll give me your full name and shipping address(where you want to receive the car),I'll initiate the transaction
2. -eBay will contact you with all info you need regarding shipping and payment instructions
3. -You will confirm the payment to ebay
4. -I will contact the shipping company to start the shipping( I'LL PAY THE SHIPPING COSTS)
5. -You'll receive the car in front of your door with the bill of sale received from eBay.
6. -You'll have 5 days inspection period; after inspection period,if you are not satisfied,contact ebay and send the car back,you will not be charged for shipping it back!
7. -If you decide to keep it ,just contact ebay to release me the funds, I will not receive any money until you have received and inspected the car.
This is the process. If you agree with these terms send me your full name and your full home address and I will initiate the transaction with eBay. They will send you the payment instructions and shipping details.
Here is the invoice she received via email. Unfortunately the graphics don't show up via a cut and paste.
eBay Motors sent this message to Roseann McAXXXX(roseann_mcXXX@yahoo.com).
Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay.
Here's the invoice for your item, Roseann McXXXX
Invoice for VPP Transaction Case ID 380409284159 between Daniel Carter (danielcarter74@gmail.com), as the Seller, and Roseann McXXXX (roseann_mcaXXXX@yahoo.com), as the Buyer. Please follow our instructions to complete the transaction safely.
Seller:
Name: Daniel Carter
Address: Rua Padre Américo 25
Lisboa, Lisboa
1600-864
Portugal
Buyer:
Name: Roseann xxxxx
Address: xxxxxxx
Pflugerville,
TX 78xxx
United States
Transaction Details:
Case ID: 380409284159
Date: Jan-09-12
Status: Payment Pending
Item: 2004 Saab 9-3
81,545 Miles
VIN : YS3FB49S141041679
Price: US $1,600.00
Quantity: 1
Insurance: Yes
Shipping: Included
Shipping to*: Roseann Mcxxxx
xxxxxxxx
Pflugerville,
CT xxxxxx
United States
*Please check the details for an accurate delivery in order to avoid delays.
Payment must be submitted via Western Union Money Transfer (standard money transfer form) to an eBay Motors Agent in charge of this transaction. The eBay Motors Agent will secure the payment until the Buyer receives, inspects and accepts the vehicle. Or, if it is the case, the Agent will refund the payment to the Buyer.
Local eBay Motors Agent*:
First Name: MINICA
Last Name: VISAN
Address: Rua Ferreira Borges 97,
eBay EU Agency,
Financial Department,
room 139
City: Lisboa
Zip: 1350-128
Country: Portugal
*The Western Union Money Transfer will be sent using this name and address.
Payment:
Invoice # : 380409284159
Due Date: Jan-10-12
Subtotal: US $1,600.00
Shipping: US $0.00
Sales Tax: 0
Deposit: 0
Total: US $1,600.00
How to make the payment
Click below to find the nearest Western Union office:
Find Agent Location
Send the payment using (standard money transfer form) to the eBay Motors Agent's name and address (found below) as payment details.
E-mail* eBay Motors Financial Department at:
(support@vppsafebuy.com)
the following payment information:
Case ID and Invoice #;
Reference Number - 10 digits number found on the payment receipt;
Sender's Name and Address;
Receiver's Name and Address;
Total Amount Sent.
Fax* the Western Union payment receipt to eBay Motors Financial Department at:
+1 (913) 548-0603.
*We strongly recommend that you confirm the payment by both e-mail and fax.
Important Notice
For security reasons please DO NOT release the payment details to the Seller or any other unauthorized person.
All the transaction, payment and personal information is considered confidential and will not be released under any circumstances.
Vehicle Purchase Protection program security measures are constantly reviewed and modified given evolving circumstances globally.
Our main and constant priority is the safety of our customers.
If you are not familiarized with Western Union Money Transfer services please visit: www.WesternUnion.com.
Pay for the transfer with cash at a local Western Union agent. Western Union agent locations are independent businesses that provide money transfer service to their customers on behalf of Western Union. Western Union agents are primarily banks, post offices, exchange offices or retail locations - grocery stores, mail box centers, drug stores, travel agencies, depots, other retail locations.
Independent Western Union agents may impose different limitations on the maximum amount that can be submitted per day. For this reason, in case of a larger amount to be sent, we recommend that you go to more than one agent and submit the total sum in separate transfers.
When payment is received, it will be verified and secured into a non-interest bearing trust account. Payment verification process usually takes less than 48 hours. After payment is secured, the Seller is authorized to ship vehicle. The Seller has 5 business days to send the Buyer and eBay Motors Customer Support the tracking number of the shipment. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the Buyer.
The Buyer receives the vehicle and has 5 business days to inspect it. If it is complete and as described, the Buyer should accept the vehicle. If he refuses the vehicle, the Seller will be responsible of shipping back the vehicle.
After the inspection period is over, the Buyer must contact eBay Motors Customer Support with the result of the inspection. If the Buyer refuses the vehicle, the refund will be sent to the Buyer. If the vehicle is accepted, eBay Motors Financial Department submits the payment directly to the Seller within 3 business days.
Hook'em
0
Comments
For me, Western Union is the biggest red flag of them all. Your sister is out nothing at this point, tell her to walk away, and sleep easy.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
>
Successful transactions on the BST boards with rtimmer, coincoins, gerard, tincup, tjm965, MMR, mission16, dirtygoldman, AUandAG, deadmunny, thedutymon, leadoff4, Kid4HOF03, BRI2327, colebear, mcholke, rpcolettrane, rockdjrw, publius, quik, kalinefan, Allen, JackWESQ, CON40, Griffeyfan2430, blue227, Tiggs2012, ndleo, CDsNuts, ve3rules, doh, MurphDawg, tennessebanker, and gene1978.
Dave
VIN: YS3FB49S141041679
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warranty Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wty Start Date: 04/29/04 Branded Title: NO
Expiration Date: 04/29/08 No Charge Maint: YES
Expiration Mileage: 50000 Wty Status Code:
PT Expiration Date: N/A PT Expiration Mileage: N/A
Buyback Vehicle: NO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vehicle Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Year: 2004 Selling Dealer: 2009
Model: 9-3 LINEAR 4DOOR/304:304 Key Code: DA1089
Ext Color: BLACK/2QU:170 Engine #: B207LFA284546727
Int Color: CHARCOAL GRAY APPOINTED LEATHER/PCB82I:K02 Transmission: 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPO Vehicle: NO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recall/Service Campaign History
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Campaign Campaign Repair
Campaign # Campaign Description Complete Expires Dealer Claim #
15019 SR RECALL 15019 - REPLACE BRAKE SERVO VACUUM PIPE YES 2019 6239851
15026 SR RECALL 15026 - FRONT SEAT BELT NO
15437 SC CSC 15437 REPLACING KEYS YES 08/31/07 2019 6206231
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warranty Claim History
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair Failed Repair
Date Mileage Claim # Part Failed Part Description Dealer
03/14/08 45472 8041401 52167 GYRO SENSOR 1102
03/14/08 45472 8041402 38350 REMOTE CONTROL 1102
03/14/08 45472 8041403 44531 ECM 1102
03/14/08 45472 8041404 35159 BULB, SIDE MARKING LAMP 1102
03/14/08 45472 8041405 43240 SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR 1102
03/14/08 45472 8041406 36101 BCM CONTROL MODULE 1102
12/07/07 41161 7024111 35119 HALOGEN LAMP, HEADLIGHTS 1102
12/07/07 41161 7024112 10004 TRANSMISSION - CK BASED ON CUSTOMER COMPLAINT 1102
12/07/07 41161 7024113 38397 BATTERY 1102
10/10/07 37926 7009831 84210 EMBLEMS 1102
10/10/07 37926 7009832 84210 EMBLEMS 1102
07/25/06 28245 6294601 35119 HALOGEN LAMP, HEADLIGHTS 2019
07/13/06 27909 6773911 11230 SERVICE 30,000 MILES/48,000 KM 2009
04/26/06 21068 6252692 35110 HEADLIGHT ASSY 2019
04/26/06 21068 6252693 35119 HALOGEN LAMP, HEADLIGHTS 2019
03/29/06 18922 6239851 15019 RECALL 15019 - REPLACE BRAKE SERVO VACUUM PIPE 2019
03/29/06 18922 6239852 35119 HALOGEN LAMP, HEADLIGHTS 2019
03/29/06 18922 6239853 35110 HEADLIGHT ASSY 2019
01/06/06 15686 6206231 15437 CSC 15437 REPLACING KEYS 2019
11/22/05 14000 5803721 11730 ROADSIDE REPAIR NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY 7987
07/12/05 12106 5615911 11293 FIRST INTERMEDIATE SERVICE 2009
02/11/05 8795 5075501 36425 SWITCH, POWER MIRRORS 1662
07/24/04 3120 4474031 36332 WIPER BLADE ASSY 2009
07/13/04 2869 4468601 11202 30 DAY CHECK 2009
07/13/04 2869 4468602 43216 INDICATOR COVER 2009
07/13/04 2869 4468603 36332 WIPER BLADE ASSY 2009
<< <i>In all seriousness, if you and/or your sister could not immediately tell this was a scam I would suggest avoiding making ANY purchases on CL and quite possibly avoid the Internet all together.
I feel sorry for you and your sister...dumb and dumber! When someone clicks on the CL car link the first thing to comes up are warnings against everything the scammer requested. Miss it?
CL WARNING LINK!
How to recognize a vehicle scam attempt on CL:
Shipping a vehicle to you is suggested by seller
eBay Motors or another intermediary is specified by seller
Payment by Western Union or a money wire is requested
Price is unusually low (fraction of blue book value)
If you see these tell-tale signs, flag ad as "prohibited" and avoid
Offers to ship a vehicle are virtually 100% fraudulent
eBay has no involvment in craigslist for sale ads, and any eBay or similar emails or web pages you receive are fake
Never use Western Union or wire transfer to pay for goods - only a scammer will ask for this, and any funds sent will be lost
Do not buy vehicles sight-unseen, regardless of low price. The vehicle does not exist, and any money you send will be lost.
Stories about divorcees or departing servicemen needing to sell quickly at a low price are generally fraudulent
If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
More information is available for avoiding scams >>
Nice to meet you. This guy must be a damn genius gump.
Yup.
The minute I got to "and he moved to Portugal" I knew it was a scam. Sure there was a .000001% chance it wasn't a scam but that's about it.