This seems like a common scam, mainly originating in Africa. I had a couple
of these when trying to sell my wife's Suzuki Wagon R+ recently. I followed
one up, out of curiosity, being careful not to give the guy any more
information about me than he already had from the advert. I then forwarded
the replies to my local police.
The most suspicious thing was that he was prepared to pay #8000 for a #4000
car - the balance to be paid by me to the shipper. Well, I never head of
shipping to Africa costing #4000, and anyway he could buy a new Wagon R+ for
that price! Interestingly, the police reckoned that this was not
necessarily a way to con me out of my money, and it was possible that if I
went through I'd end up not losing money. The main aim is money laundering,
or even just an attempt to get money out of countries (like Nigeria I
believe) where it is illegal to take money out. The #8000 I would be given
would be 'dirty' money, but if I then gave $4000 to the shippers, who would
pass it back to the originators, that money would be out of the country and
'clean'.
Naturally, I didn't go ahead, and ended up using the car as a trade-in
against its replacement (for far less than I wanted to sell it privately,
and this African was offering me!).
Richard & Daffy
-----Original Message-----
From: Brian N [mailto:brian@beachcitygas.com]
Sent: 07 September 2003 07:02
To: spitfires; triumphs
Subject: Fraud messages
Here are the messages I received from the ad for the 79 Spitfire on
Classic British Cars, aka Global Village Ads. You will note that none
of these "buyers" made an offer. They strangely want to know my "last
price" or just want to send money. When I asked for further contact
information, such as a phone number to contact them directly, I get no
response. I suspect these are mostly from the same person clumsily
operating under different aliases. The names are sometimes spelled
differently from the same person. Even the most legitimate sounding
inquiries turned cold as soon as I asked for real live contact info.
I have sold lots of stuff. Spend two decades in sales professionally.
These just smell rotten to me. Maybe something is legit and I am just
missing it.
====================================================
-- Hi,am interested in buying your car.which cost price is $5900 .if you
dont mind to sell it for me.reply to give me your prefered method of
payment.since am buying from you, i will like you to remove your ad from
the site,so someone else wont bid for it.Thanks and God BLESS.
--Sir, I am BRNNO WILLIAMS,a dealer of fairly used vehicle based in
Johannesburg,the capital of South Africa.I got your contact in my bid to
buy fairly used vehicle.I hereby request that you send the pictures and
the firm price of the above mentioned vehicle via my e-mail so that i
can ascertain the condition before making my order.I am looking forward
to hearing from you as soon as possible. Thanks. Yours Sincerely, bruno
williams
--good day, my name is denis maxwell,i am a car dealer based in
netherland,i am interested in buying your car,i.e the 1979 Spitfire 1500
and i am willing to pay $6,000 for it.so i want you to give me more
details,working condition of the car as well as send more pictures.i can
arrange for the shipping of this car.i wil be waiting for your quick
response and then we proceed from there. thanks. Mr Denis. this is my
email:denissgolo@yahoo.co.uk let me have your email address.
-- Dear seller, i saw your advert on the internet and i am interested in
purchasing your car i will like to know your last selling price. i will
make my payment with a cashiers check ,moreso is there any phone number
i can reach you please let me know as soon as possible Thanks
--Goodday, We are an automobile procurement concern that specialise in
the purchase and shipping of vehicles to our numerous customer in Middle
East, Europe,and US and we get paid in commission,after payment has been
confirmed by the seller to the buyer. As present we have a client
interested in purchasing your 1979 Triumph Spitfire for the total amount
of $5,900 as stated in your advert. We will arrange for the pick up of
the car once payment is confirmed cleared by you. Please acknowledge the
offer and we will inform the buyer of your confirmation of acceptance to
sell and have the funds remitted to you as soon as possible. NOTE: My
client is a diplomat here in Europe,Our office is located in West
London, United Kingdom. You are to contact the sales department via fax:
44 709 2044513 or alternatively through email for further briefing. Best
regards, Brian Lloyds CEO/ DIRECTOR LLOYDS AUTOMOBILE LTD.
--thanks for the response concerning the car,i also saw the pictures and
i believe that the car is in a great shape.like i told you i am based in
holland,but intend to pay with a check drawn from an american
bank,through my contact in the states that owns me some money{$10,800}he
will be sending the check to you,when check has been received and
cashed,then i will inform my shipper to contact you concerning the
shipping of the car.also you will send the overpayment which will be
needed for shipping to my shipper.if you are willing to assist with this
transaction,then get back with name and address as well as your
phone,where the check will be sent,so that i will have him issue the
check immediately,as i need to have this car pretty soon.awaiting your
reply.
thanks.
--Name: perfectwilliams
Subject: about your car
Date: 09/05/2003
Message: sir, am intrested in buying your car,can you pls send me your
firm price?thanks
--Thanks for getting back so quick.Kindly give me in detail the
condition of the car or probably get the pics sent into my box.Get back
to me ASAP
MICHEAL WAYNE
--Name: george williams
Subject: urgent reply
Date: 09/05/2003
Message: Dear Seller, Thanks for your mail,i tried calling your number
but it did not go through i think it will be appreciable if we can
communicate on the internet before i could get my line fixed.i will need
you to send me the name you will want the check to bear and where you
want it sent to i really need this machendise very urgently because my
customer has threateaned to purchase it from another seller if i cant
get it for him and i think you are the only person online that has the
exact thing he is looking for and i really need to get it for him
because this is where i earn my living i have already arrange for how
the item will be picked up after making the payment to you i will await
your response Thanks N.B....... I WILL LIKIE YOU TO REPLY ME DIRECTLY TO
MY E-MAIL ADDRESS
--Name: Tom
Subject: Pricing
Date: 09/06/2003
Message: Hi, Just saw your car ad and am interested in purchasing will
like you to get back to mw with your last price. Tom
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