Car sales scam?

[BobSay]

I placed an add on Craigslist, received a text asking about the car and indicated he was interested. He states he is in the military and won’t be able to see the car, however he asks for my PayPal email and name. He will send the money and have the car picked up. Does this have the smell of a scam? 

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

YES >>>

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and always seem to be in the military or working offshore so unable to pay any other way.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.

It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

If the item requires shipping they will tell you that they will pay you extra and you must pay the agent via western union / moneygram BEFORE the funds are released to you. They are not interested in the car, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

They also threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[BobSay]

Awesome - Thanks

[kezcar]

a new name to be on the look out for is Rosly Goodchild.

I just received this email after I advertised my car for sale on carsales.com.au

"Thanks a lot for the email. I'm away at sea at the moment, and we are presently offshore in New Zealand on project. We do not have access to phone at the moment,its 15days off and 15days on,which is why I contacted you with internet messaging facility. Where is it located at the moment? I will like you to get back to me with the present condition,How many owners has the car had?How many kilometres has it done?Has it ever been in a crash?Has it been kept in a garage?Does the car has Roadworthy Certificate? and i want it delivered before my arrival.I won't be able to come for the inspection due to the nature of my work and i would have called but our calling is restricted.Regarding the payment,  pls get back to me with your final asking price and your bsb and acct number  so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your PayPal email.,. I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct. Please dont bother to reply back if you are not okay with my payment method. Regards 

G"

I replied that I have reported them as a scam but not really sure what else I can do except warn people on pay pal.

Good luck

[BobSay]

Thanks - the text I received had similar content.

[Darren1]

Also watch out for Nicole L

Her email was the same word for word as I saw on another complaint.

Thanks for getting back to me, i just want to make sure nothing has been left out and just so you know i am buying it as a gift. I will be buying this for the price you have listed it for. Payment will be sent using PayPal and i will handle the PayPal surcharge as well. I will arrange with a shipping company to have this picked up at your location once i have paid as i am out of town at the moment. Am a marine engineer and due to the nature of my work, phone calls is restricted and i can ONLY DEAL VIA PAYPAL,so you can send me your PayPal email account so i can send the money at once and its easy to sign up for one just log on to www.paypal.com, Note: i'll also include the Shipping company's fee to the money am sending you and you will pay them on my behalf, so kindly Get back to me with your PayPal email account so i can proceed with the payment thanks.

Sends a txt message first asking condition of car and service history. Then asks you to send details to email 

[Doug_8]

I received an email from a Rosyln Goodchild, after placing my car for sale on CarSales. Exactly all of the usual story. Working offshore in New Zealand and can't view the car, will send an agent to pick up the car once the funds go through. She wanted either my PayPal email or my bank account details.