The mechanics of a car scam
I got a letter from a listener to the Ray Darcy show last week. She was tempted by the extremely low price of a car being advertised on autotrader.ie. The car would usually be worth around €20,000 but the seller only wants €7000. She contacted the woman by the email address listed and was told she was selling it so cheaply because she had moved to Spain and the car had its steering wheel on the right hand side so nobody wanted to buy it over there. She was asked to make a 50 per cent down payment to eBay and her money would be kept safely by them until she got the car after which she had 14 days to test/inspect it. “Have you heard of scams like this? Is there any safe way for me to proceed?,” she asked.
No is the short answer. The car is a 2006 Audi A3 with 19,800 miles on the clock. It’s apparently in immaculate condition, has an alarm, a full service history, central locking, electric windows and sounds absolutely great. In fact the only real problem with it is that it doesn’t exist or if it does it is not being sold by Maria in Spain for this kind of price.
I contacted the seller directly expressing an interest in the car using an email address I have set up specially for this purpose – anaiveeejit@hotmail.com.
Here’s the correspondence so far (all the typos are ‘Maria’s’) . . . I’m not sure how I should end it. Send an April Fool’s Day message or keep stringing “her” along? All suggestions welcome.
On 3/25/08, Anaive Eejit wrote:
Hi there
I saw your Audi A3 for sale on the Autotrader website and was wondering if it is still for sale?
Regards, Anaive
___________________________________________________
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:19:34 -0800
From: maria33robinson@googlemail.com
To: anaiveEejit@hotmail.com
Subject: Re:
Hello,
Thank you for your e-mail and being interested in my car because i really need to sell it ASAP ! First of all i would like to let you know why i am selling my car so cheap: one mounth ago i moved in Spain because of my job and now i live here with all my familly. The car has the steering wheel on the right side and nobody wants to buy it in Spain because all the cars has the steering wheel on left side here, so i need to sell it to Ireland because the car is still registered in Ireland and it’s very easy to transfer the registration onto your name, without pay any import taxes or other taxes. Also i need money to buy another car certified in Spain with the steering wheel on left side so i can drive it here, really is not so easy to drive a car with the steering wheel on right side here.
Some words about the car: One Lady Owner, Full (recorded) service history with main Audi Dealer. Extras on this car (not found on a standard A3) include include: Front Fog Lights, 16″ Alloy wheels with 205/55 tyres, Outside temperature display, Front centre armrest, Cruise control, 4 spoke leather steering wheel, Lighting package (interior), Light sensor/Auto headlight function,Coming home/leaving home function, Auto dimming interior rear view mirror, Storage package, Metric seat upholstery.
The price is 7,000.00 EUR including all the shipping taxes and inssurance to Ireland , the car will be shipped by AIR and will arrive within 7 days after the downpayment has been made. Now if you understood me and you are really interested to buy my car, i am waiting your e-mail with your decision and i will provide you with the informations about shipping/payment method.
Best Regards !
___________________________________________________
On 3/26/08, Anaive Eejit wrote:
Hello there
That all sounds great and I am very interested in this car. How would you like to proceed?
Anaive
___________________________________________________
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:58:28 -0800
From: maria33robinson@googlemail.com
To: anaiveEejit@hotmail.com
Subject: Re:
Hello,
I have closed some deals through eBay untill now and everything went OK, so i would like to close this deal through eBay so we can be both protected. Yes i assure you that you won’t have to pay any import taxes. Just the price for the car
I’ll explain you how it is working right now:
1. You have to make 50% downpayment to eBay, your money will be kept in hold
2. I’ll start the shipping to you after they will confirm me that the downpayment has been made
3. You will recive the car within 7 days, after you will recive it you have 14 days to test/inspect it.
4. After inspection period you have to confirm to eBay if you are satisfied with the car.
5. If you are satisfied with the car and you want to keep it they will give me your money and you will send me the rest of money
6. If you are not satisfied with the car, you will send it back(taxes paid by me) and they will return your money because they will hold your money before you will confirm them your decision.
I hope you understand that this is safest payment method. If you agree with that please e-mail me your full name and address and they will provide you with all the informations you need to make the downpayment.
I am looking to hear from you soon.
Thank you.
___________________________________________________
On 3/26/08, Anaive Eejit wrote:
Maria
That seems pretty simple and pretty secure from both our perspectives. My name is Anaive Eejit and my address is Apartment 4, 12 Diggs Lanes, Dublin 2 so just send me some more details and we’ll be able to proceed further.
Anaive
___________________________________________________
Safe Pay (ebay@safe-pay-security-center.com)
Sent: 27 March 2008 10:37:57
To: anaiveeejit@hotmail.com
SafePay Solutions sent this message to (anaiveeejit@hotmail.com ). Instructions! (please read carefully) This e-mail message was sent to you from SafePay Solutions , with the full support of the eBay SafeHarbor Inc.
Complete your SafePay transaction in 5 easy steps:
1. Buyer and seller agree the transaction terms and selling price. Seller contacts SafePay with the transaction details.
2. SafePay accepts the transaction and offers purchase protection to the buyer (if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either the buyer or the seller).
3. The buyer sends payment to SafePay. After the payment is made , the buyer must notify SafePay sending the payment details ONLY to our email address: ebay@safe-pay-security-center.com
4. Buyer receives the merchandise and has five days to inspect it. If it is as expected and as what agreed over, the buyer should accept the merchandise. If he refuses the merchandise by any valid reason, the buyer must ship the merchandise back to the seller at the seller’s expense within three business days.
5. Upon the inspection period, buyer must contact SafePay with the result of the inspection. If buyer refuses the merchandise, a full refund will be sent to the buyer in maximum 10 days from the date that buyer inform us about canceled the transaction.
It is recommended to send the payment as soon as possible, because your purchase protection plan is valid for 10 days only. Sending the payment by any other method of payment will void this transaction and your right to a refund.
Submit the payment with Western Union Money Transfer. Western Union Money Transfer is designed mainly for sending cash to friends and family in need, so telling them you are sending the money to an SafePay seller will prevent your money transfer to go through and you will be unable to complete this transaction. Western Union Money Transfer is the only service that has ultimate authentication of the identity of the receiver of funds. Several IDs and utility bills are required before the funds are paid. Therefore, no one else but your seller can pick up the money. Your payments cannot be lost in the mail, like money orders or checks.However, Western Union Money Transfer is designed mainly for sending cash to friends and family, so telling them you are sending the money to an SafePay seller will prevent your money transfer to go through and you will be unable to complete this transaction.
SafePay Agent Details
First Name: Edward
Last Name: Harris
Street: 246 High Holborn
City: London
Zip code: WC1V 7EX
Country: United Kingdom
___________________________________________________
RE: Payment Notification Case No#16006907579
From: Anaive Eejit (anaiveeehit@hotmail.com)
Sent: 30 March 2008 19:06:32
To: Safe Pay (ebay@safe-pay-security-center.com)
Here are the details you requested. I look forward to getting the car.
Regards, Anaive
Sender’s name and address:
First Name: Anaive
Last Name: Eejit
Address: Apartment 4, 12 Diggs Lanes
City: Dublin 2
Country: Ireland
Receiver’s name and address:
First Name: Edward
Last Name: Harris
Street: 246 High Holborn
City: London
Zip code: WC1V 7EX
Country: United Kingdom
Money Transfer Control Number
1741939821
Amount
€3,500
___________________________________________________
Date: 30 Mar 2008 11:48:53 -0800
From: maria33robinson@googlemail.com
To: anaiveeejit@hotmail.com
Subject: Re:
Hello again,
Ok. Thank you. I don’t receive any e-mail from eBay. Do you send the payment details to eBay? If the transfer is ok you will receive the car at your home address next week.
Have a great weekend!
___________________________________________________
Date: 30 Mar 2008 02:29:20 -0800
From: maria33robinson@googlemail.com
To: anaiveeejit@hotmail.com
Subject: Re:
Hello Anaive,
Please tell me if you make the payment. Thank you.
___________________________________________________
From: Anaive Eejit (anaiveejit@hotmail.com)
Sent: 30 March 2008 19:08:03
To: Maria Robinson (maria33robinson@googlemail.com)
Hello there
I have sent the money to ebay via Western Union as requested and sent all the details to ebay including the MTCN. I look forward to hearing from you about the shipping of the car.
Regards, Anaive
___________________________________________________
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:29:20 -0800
From: maria33robinson@googlemail.com
To: anaiveeejit@hotmail.com
Subject: Re:
Good morning Anaive,
Thank you. Doday I will stait the shipping of the car. Now I will wait the confirmation e-mail from eBay. I will e-mail you later. Have a great day
___________________________________________________
Payment Notification Case No#16006907579
From: Safe Pay (ebay@safe-pay-security-center.com)
Sent: 31 March 2008 09:07:27
To: Anaive Eejit (anaiveeejit@hotmail.com)
Dear Anaive Eejit,
Your transfer is not valid. Please check again the money transfer control number. And e-mail us back with the scaned paper.
eBay Safe Pay Security Center,
Customer Support.
Safe Trading Tips - Buy with Confidence SafePay will not ask you for sensitive personal information (such as your password, credit card, bank account
numbers, Social Security numbers, etc.)
___________________________________________________
RE: Payment Notification Case No#16006907579
From: Anaive Eejit (anaiveeehit@hotmail.com)
Sent: 31 March 2008 19:06:32
To: Safe Pay (ebay@safe-pay-security-center.com)
To whom it may concern.
What do you mean, “not valid”. I sent the money to the safepay agent yesterday evening and was assured the transaction went smoothly. Unfortunately I do not have access to a scanner but I am resending the details you requested. I look forward to getting the car.
Regards, Anaive Eejit
Sender’s name and address:
First Name: Anaive
Last Name: Eejit
Address: Apartment 4, 12 Diggs Lanes
City: Dublin 2
Country: Ireland
Receiver’s name and address:
First Name: Edward
Last Name: Harris
Street: 246 High Holborn
City: London
Zip code: WC1V 7EX
Country: United Kingdom
Money Transfer Control Number
1741939822
Amount
€3,500
___________________________________________________
RE: Payment Notification Case No#16006907579
From: Safe Pay (ebay@safe-pay-security-center.com)
Sent: 31 March 2008 11:57:50
To: Anaive Eejit (anaiveeejit@hotmail.com)
We call at the Western Union and your money transfer control number don’t exists. We need the correct information and the scaned paper.
___________________________________________________
That’s classic.
Comment by Colm | March 31, 2008 at 12:55 pmpayment via Western Union, of course!
Comment by Justin Mason | March 31, 2008 at 1:33 pmConor, you have to get a picture of them! Preferably with car.
By the way, I am the heir to a vast fortune and just need a few bob to bribe some bank officials and, and…..
Comment by anonymoose | March 31, 2008 at 6:10 pmIf ‘Maria’ is in Spain then why is she asking you to send the payment to Edward Harris in London? Are there really people out there who fall for this kind of thing?
Comment by Breda | March 31, 2008 at 7:42 pmHi Conor,
I have just booked accommodation with Siblu (campsites in europe)for campsite called Le Montourey in the Cote D’Azur. They have three websites siblu.ie, siblu.com & siblu.fr. Each of the websites quotes different prices. The cheapest being through the UK office. (which I had to phone as they kept directing me through their website back to the Irish website!!!) The most expensive being the Irish website. I have booked a 2 bedroom excellence mobile home with air conditioning, linens, towels, equipment damage waiver and carbon offset scheme. The sterling price is 1,358 pounds (1853euro) and the Irish website quotes 2,248 euro for the two bedroom excellence with all the same extras but without the air conditioning. If I went for the exact same accommodation without air conditioning on the Irish website I would have to pay 400 euro extra for the pleasure. Can Siblu explain because their representative could not!!!!!!! also for linens etc the french will have to pay 97 euro while because I am Irish have to pay 130 euro for all the same extras!!!! Rip off the Irish - they see us coming!!
Thanks,
Comment by Rona from Dublin | March 31, 2008 at 9:17 pmRona Dublin
Conor. A friend has sent me this link. I am disgusting that you think I am a scam person. The people in autotrader checked my authentic before allowing ad. I have made enquiry with local solicitor office who advice that our communication between you and me is legally binding. Expect formal letter from there office. I am saddened by this affair. You have caused me many upset.
Maria
Comment by Maria Robinson | April 1, 2008 at 10:51 amHa ha. Very good. Ed Harris should know better than to be getting involved in scams like this. Him being a Hollywood star and all.
Comment by narocroc | April 1, 2008 at 11:37 amKeep us posted on how you finish it off. Maybe send her a doctored copy of a Western Union moneygram.
Of course the best example of scam-baiting ever (in my humble opinion) is the Harry Potter Handwriting Scambait
Comment by Dave | April 1, 2008 at 12:26 pmhttp://419eater.com/html/joyce_ozioma.htm
Conor - You NEED to get a picture of them with the car. It cannot end without it.
Comment by Shane | April 1, 2008 at 3:37 pmThe can will be shipped by AIR? Did no one else notice that?
Also, eBay specifically prohibit payment via Western Union on their websites.
Comment by laura | April 1, 2008 at 4:15 pmWhen something similar happened to me inconnection with a camera I was selling last year on eBay, I took the following action. Having reacted to what I thought to be a genuine buyer, I proceeded to complete the deal only to be alerted to the scam by the suspicious payment which required that I send the camera before receiving any payment. So when I didn’t complete the deal, I was immediately deluged by emails telling me how wrong I was, etc. This, I tolerated for 2 days before replying that the AntiScam Unit of the local police had taken over the case and I included the Phone number of that Police Dept should they wish to proceed further. Never heard another word.
Comment by John Mack | April 1, 2008 at 6:54 pmNo chance of me getting “Maria” to pose alongside the “car”. She’s on to me - see post above. Who woulda thought she read me blog!
Comment by Conor | April 1, 2008 at 8:40 pmIf you pay out the money, you will get a car … Either a picture of it or a toy car … (hence the “Air” shipment)
Comment by Richard C | April 3, 2008 at 7:10 pmHey i recently came across one of these scams. It was a ford focus 06 for €6,000. All emails i receded from seller where identically the same to the ones above. I sent an email saying that i didnt get my car loan and i am currently getting in contact with ebay so that this person can be stopped. I would advise that nobody gets involved with this person.
Comment by Ray | April 18, 2008 at 12:35 pm