Is this a car scam?

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A

Alienwho

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
6,766
0
76
While browsing autotrader I came across a 2000 Audi TT for about $7000. My first thought was that they must have forgotten the 1 in front, making it 17000. But figuring it was worth a shot, i sent them an email making sure the car was ok and didn't have any problems and confirming the $7000 price tag.

Well I got a response today, here it is:
Hi,

Thank you for your interest in purchasing my car.I have worked in USA for the past 6 months and I purchased the car there.My company wanted me back home, so currently I'm in UK.
I didn't bring it home with me because the car's steering wheel is on the left side, and so it's difficult driving it around the UK.The vehicle is in good condition, has no technical damage at all, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects, no smoking, remaining warranty
available.It's fun and robust to drive. Technical inspection and emissions testing is
passed and stamped as well.It has title of ownership, cleared of any obligations or fees and comes with all the documents you need to register it.The car is now located at the AutoTrader.com warehouse in Denver, Colorado.The car will be shipped and insured by AutoTrader.com and Square Trade.AutoTrader.com will act as a 3rd party for our transaction.
You will not have to pay additional taxes for this.To be able to receive or pick up the car you'll have to make a $2,900.00 deposit. After you inspect the car if anything seems wrong you'll be
able to receive a refund from AutoTrader.com.Please send me your full name and shipping address to forward them to AutoTrader.com.They will contact you with all the information you need.Thanks for your interest, please feel free to email me any questions or concerns you may have.


Respectfully regards
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So what's your take?

<edit> Actually now that I look at other TT's, there are a lot that are this cheap. WTF? Why is such a supposedly nice car that is only a few years old has has 50k miles for sale for only 6 or 7 thousand dollars?
 
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AdamSnow

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2002
5,736
0
76
Call Autotrader and confirm they have the car...

I'd walk away if it were myself, but if you want the car for a price you could always do further research with the company not the person.
 
FoBoT

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
yes

SCAM!
SCAM!
SCAM!
SCAM!


http://autotrader.com/help/cms_article_page.jsp?article_id=16659#sales_process

Does AutoTrader.com play a part in the sales process?
No. Our job is to connect prospective buyers and sellers, but we do not play a part in the sales process. All discussions, negotiations and agreements are strictly between the individual buyer and seller.

We do recommend you read our Fraud Awareness Tips for buyers and sellers for common-sense advice on making a transaction via the Internet.
Click to expand...
Have AutoTrader.com customers received spoof emails?
Spoof emails are a common problem for online services. Unfortunately, our company is not immune from this type of fraud. Some of our customers have reported receiving spoof emails from senders posing as AutoTrader.com representatives. These spoof emails urge our sellers and buyers to:


Complete the sale or purchase of a vehicle listed on our site.
Wire money for some type of bogus deposit.
Reveal financial account information to the sender.
Pay money to claim a bogus sweepstakes prize.
Back to top

How can I spot a spoof email?
Rule number one?use common sense. And keep in mind:


If the email describes a deal that is too good to be true, it probably is.
If an email that appears to come from AutoTrader.com solicits a payment or financial account information, it?s a scam. We only ask for such info when you?re placing an ad on our website.
If an email refers to some program or service that is not clearly described on our website, it?s probably a spoof.
You?ll be more likely to spot a spoof email if you know what we do and don?t do on our website:

We don?t get involved in transactions between buyers and sellers. We?ll never send you email urging you to complete the sale or purchase of a vehicle listed on our site. We won?t ask you for a deposit or for information about how you intend to pay for a vehicle.
Click to expand...
We don?t warehouse or ship vehicles for sellers. We?ll never ask you for a deposit or payment for the purchase or shipment of a vehicle supposedly stored in an AutoTrader.com warehouse?it doesn?t exist!


What should I do if I receive a suspicious email?
If you receive a suspicious email that appears to come from AutoTrader.com:

Don?t just delete it! Report it to us first.
Forward any suspicious email message you receive to customersupport@autotrader.com.
Don?t change the subject line or send it as an attachment?doing so could hamper our investigation.
If you?ve been targeted by a spoof email or other form of online fraud, you can also bring it to the attention of federal and state law enforcement agencies by filing a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center.
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Alienwho

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
6,766
0
76
Well there is no way i'd actually go through with this, it is WAY too shady. I just found it interesting all this talk of an autotrader warehouse and the price of the car. But I have found many other TT's for the same price, now i'm just confused.
 
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chambersc

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2005
6,247
0
0
get the VIN and run a check. CERTAINLY that's in your right. most places on autotrader provide the VIN in the description.
 
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Alienwho

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
6,766
0
76
Ok I sent an email to autotraders scam place.

I also sent the guy back an email, saying the following:




I appreciate the quick and informative reply.

I am currently in the process of moving to Nigeria and would like to take this car with me. It will not be possible for me to put a deposit down in the car at this time, because that money will be use in transporting myself to my home land. Please send me your paypal address so the transaction can be met.

Please ship the car to:

1337 Macs street
Gonorfour, IE Nigeria 15667
Nigeria, Africa

On arrival I will paypal you $7400, including $2800 for shipping costs and another $4 for your trouble, bringing the payment ammount to $9604.


respectfully willingfully,

D
 
A

alien42

Lifer
Nov 28, 2004
12,872
3,300
136
Originally posted by: Alienwho
Ok I sent an email to autotraders scam place.

I also sent the guy back an email, saying the following:




I appreciate the quick and informative reply.

I am currently in the process of moving to Nigeria and would like to take this car with me. It will not be possible for me to put a deposit down in the car at this time, because that money will be use in transporting myself to my home land. Please send me your paypal address so the transaction can be met.

Please ship the car to:

1337 Macs street
Gonorfour, IE Nigeria 15667
Nigeria, Africa

On arrival I will paypal you $7400, including $2800 for shipping costs and another $4 for your trouble, bringing the payment ammount to $9604.


respectfully willingfully,

D
Click to expand...

nice
 
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