Gee, you think this guy is trying to rip me off?

[hoyaguru]

I put a 2004 Ford Taurus up for sale last week in the local Auto Shopper, which also puts a listing online. Almost immediately I got the following email:

*******************
This Message Is From: MR COLE WILLIAMS
Email: colewilliams_dbt@yahoo.ca
Phone: 10003 (206)3331252

Message: HELLO,

MY CLIENT HAS INTERESTED IN YOUR CAR,CONTACT ME IF IT''S STILL AVAILABLE.TAHNKS AND AM WAITING FOR YOUR RESPONSE SOON.
*******************

So I emailed him and told him it was available, gave him the Blue Book value ($9420) and the price I am selling it for ($8850). This morning I received the following email:

*******************
Subject: Payment statues/shippinginformation....CONSIDER YOUR CAR SOLD.
Hello Mr David

I have forwarded your vehicle information to my client and after evaluation and due to time constraint on the fact that we are running short 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 his transaction,he hopes the engine is serviced and oil changed too .He cant wait to see the car parked in his garage.
However,My client made out a certified cashiers check of ($17,420) before he travelled to germany for death of his daughter ,for a previous car and its shipment charges etc,but it was unfortunately sold.The amount on the check he deposited for the car is bigger than what should be paid to you now, so the check is now meant for the total expenses which includes the purchase of your car,the pick up of the car from its present location and the shipping charges/other necessary shipping arrangements. However he has instructed us to carry on with this transaction. So you're required to deduct the cost of your car ($9,420) and send the balance of ($8,000) to the Agent (our shipper ) for him to be able to offset shipping & tax charges, and other cosmetic repair costs.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 shipped to my customer.and also conclude other necessary shipping arrangements.so you dont have to bother yourself about the pick up and shipping arrangements.
Please Confirm this and provide name,address and phone number for check payment to be delivered to you via fedex courier .
Thanks and am waiting for your response soon.
Regards,
Mr Cole Williams.
*******************

Sounds like the old Nigerian scam, doesn't it? I owned an online business and ran into something like this, the guy actaully sent me the check. I took it to the bank and told them what was going on, they checked it out, it was a total forgery, no watermarks or any security features.

 

[dsity]

for a ford taurus? nahhhh

 

[BurnItDwn]

Yes, this is obvious fraud. And unfortunately if you complain to the police or FBI, they will do nothing about it because it's out of their jurisdiction or because you didn't fall for their scam.

 

[BoomerD]

Sounds like a good deal...Just be sure to tell them there will be a 25% charge for your handling of the clien't money...(after all, you're entitled to make something for doing their work)

Let us know how it works out for ya...

 

[CrackRabbit]

Wait someone is offering you nearly 20 grand for a used Ford Taurus?
Take the money and run baby!

 

[JEDI]

hm...

 

[mrrman]

I would get a model car and send it to them

 

[Pepsi90919]

That guy is getting pretty worked up over a Taurus...

 

[dbk]

Obviously it's a scam, if the guy is going through that much trouble for a Ford Taurus. No offense. :laugh:

 

[hoyaguru]

Here's what I sent him back:

***********
Mr. Williams,

I also work for a client, my client finds it easier to settle business this way. As my client is the seller of this vehicle, he has instructed me to sell it to your client in the following manner: You must take the check for $17,420.00, cash it, and bring me $8,850.00 in cash, and I will have my client sell you the car so that you can bring it to your client. My client will NOT accept a personal check, Money Order, cashier's check, bank check, or Traveler's check, my client will ONLY accept cash. My client will also only accept the cash at a bank of his choice, where my client will have me tell a teller to verify that the bills are legitimate. At that time, my client will sign over the title to your client, and our deal will be done. If this is not possible for you to do, you are welsome to send the cash via FedEx delivery, and upon receipt the vehicle will be ready for pickup. This is the ONLY way my client will do business. please let me know when you are ready to meet me at the bank, or email me the FedEx number of the package of cash you are sending me.

Mr. David
******************

I'm guessing I won't be hearing from him again. I just did a Google of the phone number included in his first email and found THIS. Guess this has been going on for a while now.

 

[dbk]

Originally posted by: hoyaguru
Here's what I sent him back:

***********
Mr. Williams,

I also work for a client, my client finds it easier to settle business this way. As my client is the seller of this vehicle, he has instructed me to sell it to your client in the following manner: You must take the check for $17,420.00, cash it, and bring me $8,850.00 in cash, and I will have my client sell you the car so that you can bring it to your client. My client will NOT accept a personal check, Money Order, cashier's check, bank check, or Traveler's check, my client will ONLY accept cash. My client will also only accept the cash at a bank of his choice, where my client will have me tell a teller to verify that the bills are legitimate. At that time, my client will sign over the title to your client, and our deal will be done. If this is not possible for you to do, you are welsome to send the cash via FedEx delivery, and upon receipt the vehicle will be ready for pickup. This is the ONLY way my client will do business. please let me know when you are ready to meet me at the bank, or email me the FedEx number of the package of cash you are sending me.

Mr. David
******************

I'm guessing I won't be hearing from him again. I just did a Google of the phone number included in his first email and found THIS. Guess this has been going on for a while now.

Nicely done, with humility I might add. :laugh:

 

[doze]

Nice reply .... I had a similar email regarding some euro tail lights I was selling online. I told them that if they want to send extra money that is ok with me, I will cash the check and keep the extra money or upgrade them to overnight shipping. I got no response.

 

[Revolution09]

scam

 

[jjones]

You should have just told him everything was fine and that could he please send the check via FedEx because if you didn't have it within one day, you were going to have to go with another buyer. Maybe, just maybe, he might have thought he had you on the hook and wasted his money sending the check via FedEx.

 

[BoomerD]

When I sold my son's Saab last 2 years ago, I got TONS of replies like that...you'd have to pretty stupid to fall for it...but I guess many still do...