Whatta ya' think...SCAM or paranoid (YJ buy)?

[cebeu]

Pokin' aroud for a toy to hammer on, Wrangler YJ pre-07'. Being selective simply because I can (don't need it and I'm setting the requirements to buy).

Long story-short...Cars.com, found the proverbial "to good to be true" opportunity so...my radar is "on." Sent a note asking where and when stating I'm a cash buyer, here's the response that I was definately not expecting as I presumed in the local market (Denver Metro) based on my search criteria;

"Hello there,

Sorry for this late reply, the jeep is still for sale. My name is [DELETED by cebeu] and I am the legal owner of this jeep.The jeep is in great conditions, clear title. I have all the documents and service records.It has only 72,720 miles and is in excellent running condition. The price of the jeep is $[[DELETED by cebeu] (shipping fees included)

I am a psychiatrist and I work for the US Army. I am located in London, United Kingdom and I was sent to conduct a psychological and behavioral health research to maintain the mental health and well-being of soldiers and families but before leaving US I stored the jeep in to a shipping company warehouse from Miami FL.

I posted the jeep for sale all over the US (nation-wide ad), so you may see it at another location. I hope the jeep location has no negative effect on you because shipment is included in the jeep price ($[DELETED by cebeu]) and will cost you nothing more.
The jeep is insured in case of damage and it takes 3-5 days to be delivered at your door.

About the payment, because my current situation is pretty special, for your safety I want the deal closed only through eBay Motors Buyer Protection. If we use the eBay BPP services you will have an 7 days inspection period prior buying the jeep.
In this way you have the chance to inspect the jeep before pay me, and I will be comfortable when I'll ship you the Wrangler.

Let me know if you want to move forward, in order to set up the transaction with eBay
I will need your shipping address in the following format:Receiver Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip Code

For more pics: [deleted by cebeu]


Thank you,
Cpt. [DELETED by cebeu]

While I have deleted the price trust me...well-under market expectation and the pics I have inspected show a high-quality product.

I read this reply and I think...fuuuuuccckkkkkkkk...gotta be scam bullshit here because...well...I just don't trust anybody [tin-foil fanboi], let alone a great deal such as this and where I can't reach-out and grab somebody by the throat if need be.

Thoughts? Run away? Seen this type of thing before? [Twist]

[Elhuero]

seems scammy to me.

Even if its legit, I have heard stories of ebay doing nothing to help people who got scammed. So if anything goes wrong you might not be able to rely on them for help.

[Hoosier]

SCAM SCAM SCAM

The reason Ebay Motors and Craigslist say to never pay for a car to be delivered. I followed down one too, it felt fishy. I asked for the VIN number so I could run a CARFAX. The VIN they gave me didn't match the vehicle described, so I started googling it. I found almost exactly the same text in the message.

If they can't tell you where the vehicle is located for you to look at it, it's a scam. If they want cash to ship it, it's a scam.

H.

[Zundfolge]

If you look at cars on Craigslist, it says in giant purple letters at the top of the car section:

[OFFERS TO SHIP CARS ARE 100% FRAUDULENT]

[cebeu]

Yup...got it and thanks fellas...scam confirmed...thread can die.

[theGinsue]

"Thread can die"?

"Thread can die"?

The thread is only 42 minutes old and there's so much more we can repeat about the probability of it being a scam.

No fair!

[Flower]

ETA/BTW: The grammer was actually pretty good for a scam, until:

In this way you have the chance to inspect the jeep before pay me, and I will be comfortable when I'll ship you the Wrangler.

[Glock Shooter]

100% fraud. This scam went around on Craigslist until they posted info on the scam.

Here's a link I found on the full MO of the scammer.

http://www.examiner.com/x-41492-Topeka-eBay-Advice-Examiner~y2010m4d15-Craigslist--eBay-car-scam-How-it-works

[Irving]

Don't be a pussy. Go for it!




















Everyone else already got to say, "SCAM" 100 times before I read the thread. :(

[cebeu]

Damn...tough crowd... ;)

You guys are just more well-rounded than I. Never in my life have I accessed eBay or Craigslist...or Angie's list or any other shit like that, I just don't use those sites/services so I've never seen the "shipping fraud thing" for autos. But...but...I have purchased from Gunbroker. I do buy online from mainstream retailers quite often though.

Anyway...the saga continues...now I'm just dickin' with this fucker and I'll look at reporting the email addy's being used to eBay and cars.com. I have no expectation that anyone will do anything but what the hell. I told the phantom dickweed via reply "I'll be in Miami next week on-business, send me the facility address and the name and number of "her" selling agent, I'll meet them in-person." Ok...I'll actually be in Chi-town and not Miami but I'm curious what kind of response I'll get. heh heh

Now on to more important matters..."So I have this opportunity to buy into a cash settlement for a long-lost Nigerian tribal prince...for $5K I can..."

[theGinsue]

Damn...tough crowd... ;)

You guys are just more well-rounded than I.


I think he just called us fat. Of course, it's true, but no one ever likes to hear it.


(I'm gonna go away and pout now).

[cebeu]

Can't listen to my own suggestion and let this die but...since I stated "no expectations" above I thought you folks might find this interesting...Cars.com reacted swiftly and with integrity...KUDOS to them.

(and...no Ginsue...not "Fat"...I meant "Phat!" ;) )

Here's the response;

From: Reportascam@cars.com <reportascam@cars.com>
Subject: Case 0194xxxx: Your inquiry regarding a possibly fraudulent listing on Cars.com [ ref:00D3WKx.5004AuzaX:ref ]
To: "[snip]" <snip>
Date: Friday, June 25, 2010, 12:45 PM


Good afternoon,

Using the information you provided we were able to locate the ad and have determined it not to be a legitimate listing. It has been removed as fraudulent. While we are very sorry that you encountered this unfortunate situation, we are grateful that you have taken the time to bring it to our attention.

If you see any other suspicious advertisements or have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for using Cars.com.

[name deleted by cebeu]
Cars.com Consumer Support

[cowboykjohnson]

wow glad to hear they actually did something about it.

[DD977GM2]

If you think there is doubt, probably is a scam