New Craigslist scam?

[T.Low]

I'm trying to figure out how this can be a scam; add says '04 suburban, blah blah blah, $4700. Picture looks great. I figure it's a typo. Must be $14700, maybe even $24700. Or maybe it has 300k miles on it, because mileage isn't listed.

I email the guy saying

Your suburban is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I can meet you anytime Thursday to look at it.

Please call me at 360-389-0376

Thanks,

Tom




He responds with this:


Hi,

The vehicle is still available for sale, price as stated in the ad $4,700. It's in perfect working order, no damages or scratches, it wasn't involved in any accidents. You will inspect the vehicle before the payment will be made. I temporarily moved in Chester, MT with my work and I have the vehicle with me. I am selling the vehicle under market value because I need to pay the bank or they will take my house. Email me back if you're interested and have further questions.
Specs: 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN LT 4X4 // Miles: 68,430 // 1 Owner // Clear Title // Engine: 5.3L V8 MPI // Transmission: Automatic // Ext&Int Color: Summit White with Tan Leather Interior // Heated Seat // Homelink System // Moonroof // 12v Power Outlet - Body Side Moldings - Carpeted Floor Mats - Center Arm Rest - Center Console - Child Proof Door Locks - Compass And Temperature Display - Cup Holders - Luxury Seats - Power Adjustable Pedals // Tires & Wheels: BFGoodrich Tires - Tire Size: 265/70/R17 - 100% Tread Remaining - Wheels , 17" Aluminum Wheels // Roof Rack // Garage Kept // NON-Smoker





I never asked him about the vehicle, but thats all he talks about, I already told him its exactly what I want. He never answered me about "when can I see it".

He refers to it as "vehicle", never Suburban, just like in the old "shipping" add scams so that they can attatch the text to an add for any car or truck. Only in the "specs" section does it say suburban. It's totally looks like a prepared text spam.

What is the angle, here? If he temporarily moved to MT, why did he place the ad on Bellingham Craigslist, 12 hrs away? Are the prospective customers suppossed to get antsy that the guy will sell it to someone else before he makes it back to Bellingham, so we all send him deposits for it, each of us thinking we are the only buyer, and of course, never hear from him again? I don't see how this can work.

I will play it out, and of course not part with any $ until I've driven it and seen a real title with a VIN that matches the VIN on the vehicle.

Any reccomendations?

[astrozam]

My spidey senses are tingling :-k His response seems too canned. I'm not sure how mortgages work in the States, but I'd never put my house up for collateral so I could get a vehicle loan, and if he got a loan from the bank for his vehicle ( which he MUST have in this story ) then why not just give the vehicle back to the bank and the money you now save on vehicle payments goes towards you're mortgage so the bank doesn't walk in and take it over?

However, If his vehicle is paid off and is as nice as he says, then why wouldn't he just take it to the nearest dealer and be done with it, grab the fast cash and pay the bank to protect his house?

[ihatemybike]

I'll say scam and might be fun to mess with the guy through emails.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

What you should do is tell him you'll take it but that you can't send just the $4700. Tell him you must pay him more than asking because you need to hide some money from your wife. Tell him you'll pay $6,700 and he is to bring you the Suburban and $2000 in cash (100's work fine!) since he placed the ad near your home and your other truck is broken so you need this one ASAP.

[Smiliesafari]

If you are honestly interested in this vehicle then go for it. If not then just hit the delete button. Don't send any money. Pay attention to the details. You're smart enough to not fall for a scam.

[mdmead]

I googled some of the response you received and came up with this:

http://asdfhj.com/craigslist-scams/84

Everytime I find a suspect Craigslist ad, I google it. Amazing how the same ads are running in different parts of the country!

[thevalleyboy]

It's a scam - he/she is only interested in selling to you with a money transfer - trust me this person does not want cash - and if they do they do not have title. It's that same up here in Calgary - someone moved to Edmonton - 3hours north needs to sell but need the money wired/electronic transfer - they probably just took a photo of someone's vehicle in a parking lot or reposted another add complete with VIN - it's a total scam - they will not give you photo ID or their real name. That is my opinion - and I work with an x-cop from Calgary and he is still really connected with the boys on the force - this is the most recent scams - that and the rent cheque scam - they send you a cheque for 2 much (more than damage and rent) and then want some paid back - the cheque then bounces and your out cash - be careful - only deal local - truck seen, title searched, and ID proven that matches the pink slip

[Kidhauler]

looks like a scam smells like a scam its probably a scam. Tell him to drive the truck to you as you have cash in hand. If he is real he would be willing to drive it to you for a sure sale. If it is a scam he will fade off into the sunset.

[dunedog]

Tom,Tom,Tom.....I'm a little surprised and a bit disappointed.

What,... oh what, has married life done to your brain?

But,.........I just happen to have some land real cheap in southern Florida if you're interested.....!!

[T.Low]

Where in FLorida? How much property? I love it down there!!!


Maybe the reason why he's selling for so cheap is because he has so many? A friend did a Craiglook search for Suburban $4700 and it revealed that the dude has placed the same add in all these towns:

Holland, MI
Columbia, SC
Chicago, IL
Norfolk, VA
Reno, NV
Kalamazoo, MI
Dallas, TX
Fort Wayne, IN
Elko, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Bellingham, WA
San Antonio, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Houston, TX
Tampa FL
Athens, GA
Peoria, IL


Well, I figured as much.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

the dude has placed the same add in all these towns:

Holland, MI
Columbia, SC
Chicago, IL
Norfolk, VA
Reno, NV
Kalamazoo, MI
Dallas, TX
Fort Wayne, IN
Elko, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Bellingham, WA
San Antonio, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Houston, TX
Tampa FL
Athens, GA
Peoria, IL

What the heck? Must be NY isn't worth the effort. I feel slighted. Oh wait I know why...he couldn't afford to pay the taxes on that much free income.

[Moreforles]

and I have an RV that runs on air.... (as long as its costing down hill...... ) and my 98 also runs on air (and antifreeze) as long as your going hill too...)

[Moreforles]

or when listing something on craigs list for sale, someone contacting me wanting me to down load a video and some kind of software to view the video... I'm selling Astro/Safari doors and a set of running boards.... he has asked me twice already to look at video, so he doesn't buy the wrong thing.... the doors and running boards are interchangeable with any year I believe... although some body molding is different on the 96 and up years....

[Moreforles]

or when listing something on craigs list for sale, I'm selling Astro/Safari doors and a set of running boards.... he has asked me twice already to look at video, so he doesn't buy the wrong thing....

I finally tried watching his video (since no one else seems to need any astro/safari doors) and like I thought.... it uploaded some crap on my computer, "BING" search program, and still cant get it completely off my computer.... DONT VIEW anyones video if they ask... either they want to buy or look at what you have or not.

[mdmead]

or when listing something on craigs list for sale, I'm selling Astro/Safari doors and a set of running boards.... he has asked me twice already to look at video, so he doesn't buy the wrong thing....

I finally tried watching his video (since no one else seems to need any astro/safari doors) and like I thought.... it uploaded some crap on my computer, "BING" search program, and still cant get it completely off my computer.... DONT VIEW anyones video if they ask... either they want to buy or look at what you have or not.

I don't know if it will help, but a few weeks ago I picked up something similar on my computer and could not rid myself of it using my antivirus or malware programs. I finally found ComboFix and it took care of my issues.