The scam thread ..all motors scams in here!

Sam Kade · 21-07-2008 6:52pm

kceire wrote: »

if somebody emails me about a car on carzone i ignore it or send back something silly. not the most grown up thing to do i know, but i have never sold a car on carzone to a guy that emailed me.

I wonder why :rolleyes:

L-M · 21-07-2008 8:22pm

Got an email from a potential customer about a car we had for sale. He explained how he leved in england and was happy wit the price we were asking, and said all the charges of exporting etc. would be taken care of by him. I forget now how he said he was going to pay, i think it was bankers draft or something. Replied to the email with "Sorry the car is sold" lol. End of story.

DJ Hafez · 24-08-2008 3:14pm

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Golf/car/1181778/

vs

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Golf/GTI-25th/1112845/

Preset No.3 · 24-08-2008 4:59pm

New BMW X6 for €30k????

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/X6/car/1181052/

A-Trak · 24-08-2008 10:06pm

TommyT wrote: »

This has got to be a wind up. No one is that stupid? Pay for a car without seeing it???

Scammers are idiots, but the only reason they keep posting ads is that there are bigger idiots out there unfortunately.

Evening Herald 22/08/08 wrote:

CONSUMERS are being warned of the dangers of buying cars online after one internet buyer was the victim of a motoring scam.

Gardai in the stolen vehicle unit said they were investigating an incident where a member of the public bought and paid online for a car which was never delivered. This is just one of many online scams involving cars, according to gardai

Full article here

You'd nearly feel sorry for the guy.

BostonB · 25-08-2008 12:44am

I had a few emails from scammers on carzone. I reported a few to carzone, no reply from them. Unless they get serious about this, its going to hurt their website.

TempusFugit · 12-09-2008 7:47pm

Check these out for obvious scammers. Called each of them and they are all invalid numbers. They do communicate by email! This is really damaging Carzone. I would really hesitate to buy from a private seller on Carzone if this type of scammer continues to proliferate:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Lexus/IS250/car/1199155/ Sold (Tel: 1 6675112 Rings out)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Lexus/IS250/car/1204062/ Readvertised Again the next day (Tel: 1 8082000)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Audi/A6/car/1204037/ (Tel: 1 8082000)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Saab/9-3/car/1204107/ (Tel: 1 8082000)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/CLS-320/car/1201370/ (Tel: 1 6709621 Not in Service)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/CLS-320/car/1204387/ (Tel: 1 8960092 Engaged tone)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Audi/TT/car/1204187/ (Tel: 1 8960092 Engaged tone)

The telephone number (01 8082000) is for Enterprise Ireland Biotechnology Commercialisation Group!

Biro · 13-09-2008 12:13am

TempusFugit wrote: »

Check these out for obvious scammers. Called each of them and they are all invalid numbers. They do communicate by email! This is really damaging Carzone. I would really hesitate to buy from a private seller on Carzone if this type of scammer continues to proliferate:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Lexus/IS250/car/1199155/ Sold (Tel: 1 6675112 Rings out)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Lexus/IS250/car/1204062/ Readvertised Again the next day (Tel: 1 8082000)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Audi/A6/car/1204037/ (Tel: 1 8082000)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Saab/9-3/car/1204107/ (Tel: 1 8082000)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/CLS-320/car/1201370/ (Tel: 1 6709621 Not in Service)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/CLS-320/car/1204387/ (Tel: 1 8960092 Engaged tone)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Audi/TT/car/1204187/ (Tel: 1 8960092 Engaged tone)

The telephone number (01 8082000) is for Enterprise Ireland Biotechnology Commercialisation Group!

I don't understand that though. They use someone else's car pics, then advertise them with either the original (genuine) sellers number or a made up one like above. What can they possibly gain from this waste of €30?

TempusFugit · 13-09-2008 12:45am

Its usually a variation of the following story:

1) Irish man moves to Europe with his car.
2) Discovers that it is awkward to drive a RHD car on mainland Europe and needs money to buy a LHD car.
3) Has difficulty selling the RHD car in Europe.
4) Offers RHD car for bargain basement price on Carzone.ie
5) Punter sees car on Carzone and tries to contact bogus seller.
6) A few emails later...Only problem is Irish man has no money to ship it back to Ireland!
7) Another few emails later...Tries to con you into wiring him some money to ship it back so you can inspect it!

There are other variations of the same theme where they try to get your bank account details.

It takes a few emails back and forth before they get to the part about wiring the money. I love reeling these scammers in. It's become a blood sport with me.

I wish Carzone would do something about these guys.

Esel · 13-09-2008 2:52am

TempusFugit wrote: »

I love reeling these scammers in. It's become a blood sport with me.

Your analysis of the sequence of events is a bit suspect for someone who claims experience in the scammer-baiting field, tbh.

Mc-BigE · 13-09-2008 9:43am

nice one TempusFugit, id reckon the scammers emailed the real buyers and said they buy the car, asked for there details and photos of the car, then posted there own ad.

CARZONE is making money out of all this and should also be a small bit responsible for putting unchecked sellers on their website.

it wastes genuine buyers time and damages genuine sellers prices of their car by having cheaper (scammers) prices being quoted to them by genuine buyers.

question for carzone experts: if someone says their car is sold on carzone,and then puts another add up the next day, are they using the same €30 ad, or is it €30 every time they do it (like the lexus IS250 above)

kwikksilva · 17-09-2008 12:17am

What do ye make of this... i am selling my car and have been going back and forward with this guy, and he hasn't rang me, and he has not seen the car, yet he is offering me a draft already...

I said "Owner Emigrating" on my ad.. could he be just looking for my address to fleece the place? as he would know from the ad that i am leaving soon.

I have an awful bad feeling about this guy, who offers money first??? and THEN inspects the car afterwards!

I have not sold a car privately before.

Thanks for your mail.

I have just contacted my fiduciary agent to pay for the car by bank draft for 10000euros as a deposit for the car and the balance of 2000euros will be paid in cash when coming to collect the car,the draft will be Issue from Ulter bank and it will only take 2 to 5 days to clear into your account,the draft will gets to you early next week and Inspection will be done on the car by Mid next week. I need this car for my family and I need to act fast in buying it,I will need you make available all the relevant documents for the car .

The Following details will be needed by the Bank to issue out the draft to you:

1, Full Names

2, Full Address

3, Phone Numbers

Reply.

Regards

MacGyver · 17-09-2008 12:20am

sounds like a scam to me

Zube · 17-09-2008 12:27am

He will "accidentaly" write a draft for €500 more than necessary, and then he'll ask you to refund the €500 by Western Union. Next day, the Draft will turn out to be worthless.

galwaytt · 17-09-2008 12:34am

Scam.

Tell him you don't accept draft's. Only cash - or Western Union

(what's good for the gander, eh ?

Matt Simis · 17-09-2008 12:35am

I got one too, several mails then:

Thanks for your mail.

I have just contacted my fiduciary agent to pay for the car by bank draft for 9500euros which will be from Ulter bank and it will only take 2 to 5 days to clear into your account,the draft will gets to you early next week and Inspection will be done on the car by Mid next week.

I need this car for my family and I need to act fast in buying it,I will need you make available all the relevant documents for the car .

The Following details will be needed by the Bank to issue out the draft to you:

1, Full Names

2, Full Address

3, Phone Numbers

Reply.

Regards

---

fom: stevensteword@yahoo.com

caesar · 17-09-2008 12:37am

SCAM, got one myself.

wil · 17-09-2008 12:46am

A very definite scam
Bank cant even tell you if bank draft is kosher until it is processed.
What I've heard them do before is get a draft for a small amount then alter the details, so the draft is genuine and so will initially check out but the amount is a a fraction of the full payment. I dont think the bank gets this info until processed so they cant tell you the amount is genuine until much later.

You are suckered in to thinking it might be genuine by the offer of some cash.

I wonder have they done this one on the Real Hustle, they have done a few similar.

Cash up front or bank draft well and truly cleared and confirmed(including a bit extra in case bank detects a fraud) before laying hands on the keys.

VH · 17-09-2008 12:47am

scam

bazz26 · 17-09-2008 1:06am

Only an idot agrees to buy a car that he/she has not even seen and then doesn't even bother to haggle on the asking price.

Either an idot or someone trying to pull a scam! If something sounds too good to be true then it usually is.

kikel · 17-09-2008 6:56am

SCAM,
Tell him the head gasket went yesterday but you still want to sell to him because he is an f'n pr1ck. bet he still offer to buy it.

rugbyman · 17-09-2008 7:11am

yes, my nephew had some car parts for sale on e bay. Buyer,foreign name with uk address sent a draft for 3 k. did not even enquire which parts were for sale. He wanted them delivered to Belgium.

Draft bounced, though we did not find out if it was forged or altered.
Could not get him on Phone. Cannot remember what the sting was, but there was one.

victor1 · 17-09-2008 7:16am

these guys are tools, i mean come on does anyone ever fall for these rubbish scams - Anyone??????

kwikksilva · 17-09-2008 7:57am

What a fkn prick....

Thanks guys for your replies....

Matt Simis / caesar its stevensteword@yahoo.com,the same guy.

cyrusdvirus · 17-09-2008 8:33am

kwikksilva wrote: »

What a fkn prick....

Thanks guys for your replies....

Matt Simis / caesar its stevensteword@yahoo.com,the same guy.

Anyone who can hack or hustle into yahoo accounts?

Mai bombing suggestions/tactics also appreciated!

Oh dear..... I detect a thread lock coming up!!

Kotek Besar · 17-09-2008 9:12am

To issue a bank draft, the bank needs the payee's name only. They don't need the payee's address and phone number.

bazz26 · 17-09-2008 9:22am

victor1 wrote: »

these guys are tools, i mean come on does anyone ever fall for these rubbish scams - Anyone??????

Obviously they do or these guys would have given up ages ago.

kwikksilva · 17-09-2008 9:30am

Oh dear..... I detect a thread lock coming up!!

Edited my comment....

However, i would still like to destroy this guys email inbox.

Dolph Starbeam · 17-09-2008 9:40am

Scam

Tipsy Mac · 17-09-2008 9:49am

100% legit, i have sold many cars for many monies this way, i have found giving my bank account and sort code speeds up the process.;-).

Kotek Besar · 17-09-2008 9:54am

Maybe he wants to give you all the 1ps and 2ps that people forget about?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=372Ah0Z_L1w

Anan1 · 17-09-2008 9:57am

kwikksilva wrote: »

Edited my comment....

However, i would still like to destroy this guys email inbox.

You don't really think that's his personal email address, do you?:)

Gumbo · 17-09-2008 10:18am

scam, sure banks only ask for who the draft is to be made payable to, they never ask for adress or phone numbers etc

just have some fun with him.

green123 · 17-09-2008 10:20am

victor1 wrote: »

these guys are tools, i mean come on does anyone ever fall for these rubbish scams - Anyone??????

the original poster almost fell for it . he came here looking for advice about it

Anan1 · 17-09-2008 10:27am

kceire wrote: »

just have some fun with him.

There's no point, these guys have themselves set up like production lines. In the time you waste composing one reply, they've sent 100 emails. Boring as it sounds, the best thing is to just move on.

peasant · 17-09-2008 10:58am

Anan1 wrote: »

Boring as it sounds, the best thing is to just move on.

correct ...and we should do the same

Biro · 17-09-2008 11:17am

A sticky is needed with a title that just says "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck - guess what! It's a F**king duck!!"

Too many "is it scam" threads. Everything is a scam until proven otherwise.
I don't know why people bother with e-mails. If I was interested in buying a car I'd just ring the number in the add. Why would I e-mail someone? I wouldn't even have my e-mail address in the add as anyone who mails or texts aren't really interested.

Kotek Besar · 17-09-2008 11:29am

Biro wrote: »

..I don't know why people bother with e-mails. If I was interested in buying a car I'd just ring the number in the add. Why would I e-mail someone? I wouldn't even have my e-mail address in the add as anyone who mails or texts aren't really interested.

I disagree with this completely. There could be a huge number of reasons why people, such as myself, prefer to make contact via email rather than phone. For example, the buyer may have a speech impediment making phone calls difficult and embarrassing. The buyer may have an accent which puts the seller off (yes, it happens). The buyer may not speak English very well, which again, may put the buyer off. The buyer may be at work and unable to use the phone.

As it goes, I've bought and sold cars recently where the initial (and in one case all) communication has been via email only. No problems at all.

Biro · 17-09-2008 11:37am

benifa wrote: »

I disagree with this completely. There could be a huge number of reasons why people, such as myself, prefer to make contact via email rather than phone. For example, the buyer may have a speech impediment making phone calls difficult and embarrassing. The buyer may have an accent which puts the seller off (yes, it happens). The buyer may not speak English very well, which again, may put the buyer off. The buyer may be at work and unable to use the phone.

As it goes, I've bought and sold cars recently where the initial (and in one case all) communication has been via email only. No problems at all.

Well fair enough if it works for you, but I disagree with you and I'm never going to give my e-mail address. If they're that embarrassed to talk to you, what are they going to do when they come to inspect it? Etch-o-sketch?
You're interested in a car, you ring. It's the best way to do it. Any serious buyer should only ring. You need to be aware and catch out any chancers by not giving them time to reply.
Life's too short for clearing out inboxes full of scam mails.

Anan1 · 17-09-2008 11:39am

benifa wrote: »

I disagree with this completely. There could be a huge number of reasons why people, such as myself, prefer to make contact via email rather than phone. For example, the buyer may have a speech impediment making phone calls difficult and embarrassing. The buyer may have an accent which puts the seller off (yes, it happens). The buyer may not speak English very well, which again, may put the buyer off. The buyer may be at work and unable to use the phone.

As it goes, I've bought and sold cars recently where the initial (and in one case all) communication has been via email only. No problems at all.

Good points. I think it's clear from the actual message whether the person is seriously interested or not. For example, I have a car for sale at the moment, 'no texts or canvassers' stated at the bottom of the ad. Yesterday I got this: 'I know you said no texts but im in the library.i dont suppose 15k euro cash wud interest u 4 the porsche.thanks'. I mean, seriously!:D

Kotek Besar · 17-09-2008 11:45am

Biro wrote: »

..If they're that embarrassed to talk to you, what are they going to do when they come to inspect it? Etch-o-sketch? You're interested in a car, you ring. It's the best way to do it. Any serious buyer should only ring.

Right, so you didn't read my post then? Do you know that a speech impediment is a disability that affects a sufferer's day-to-day life, especially when people don't understand or sympathise, and make jokes, as you have illustrated in your post?

Biro · 17-09-2008 11:45am

Anan1 wrote: »

Good points. I think it's clear from the actual message whether the person is seriously interested or not. For example, I have a car for sale at the moment, 'no texts or canvassers' stated at the bottom of the ad. Yesterday I got this: 'I know you said no texts but im in the library.i dont suppose 15k euro cash wud interest u 4 the porsche.thanks'. I mean, seriously!:D

If I were seriously interested in your Porsche I'd be ringing for an appointment to see it, then making you an offer.

Biro · 17-09-2008 11:50am

benifa wrote: »

Right, so you didn't read my post then? Do you know that a speech impediment is a disability that affects a sufferer's day-to-day life, especially when people don't understand or sympathise, and make jokes, as you have illustrated in your post?

I know what a speech impediment is. I don't joke about it. I asked you a question about it. How will they communicate when they come to view it? If it's somewhat controllable they'll come themselves and I will "as I always am" be patient and communicate well with them. If it's so bad that it prevents much progress in any conversation then I assume they have some other method, usually a friend or family member, who could make the phone call for them.
But no, it's easier for you to turn on me and imply that I'm an ignorant prick who laughs at people with difficulties than to assume that people with any disability has learned to cope and work with it in everyday life.

S.I.R · 17-09-2008 11:52am

kwikksilva wrote: »

What do ye make of this... i am selling my car and have been going back and forward with this guy, and he hasn't rang me, and he has not seen the car, yet he is offering me a draft already...

I said "Owner Emigrating" on my ad.. could he be just looking for my address to fleece the place? as he would know from the ad that i am leaving soon.

I have an awful bad feeling about this guy, who offers money first??? and THEN inspects the car afterwards!

I have not sold a car privately before.

Regards

Why wont everyone stop posting scams ?? its clear from the get go... jesus, we irish people make it so easy to b e scammed >.>

TwoShedsJackson · 17-09-2008 11:52am

Who the hell uses the phrase 'fiduciary agent' in a legitimate private email. If you were both high powered bankers or something, yeah, but that alone tells you someone ran it through his online thesaurus

Biro · 17-09-2008 11:58am

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Who the hell uses the phrase 'fiduciary agent' in a legitimate private email. If you were both high powered bankers or something, yeah, but that alone tells you someone ran it through his online thesaurus

Not to mention Ulter bank!

Kotek Besar · 17-09-2008 12:12pm

Biro wrote: »

I know what a speech impediment is. I don't joke about it. I asked you a question about it.

You said "If they're that embarrassed to talk to you, what are they going to do when they come to inspect it? Etch-o-sketch?" I assumed that this 'question' was rhetorical (?)

Biro wrote: »

How will they communicate when they come to view it? If it's somewhat controllable they'll come themselves and I will "as I always am" be patient and communicate well with them.

Good to hear it.

Biro wrote: »

If it's so bad that it prevents much progress in any conversation then I assume they have some other method, usually a friend or family member, who could make the phone call for them.

Why should a buyer have to get someone else to call the seller on his behalf, when he could quite easily make his own enquiry, via email?

Biro wrote: »

But no, it's easier for you to turn on me and imply that I'm an ignorant prick who laughs at people with difficulties than to assume that people with any disability has learned to cope and work with it in everyday life.

That's how you came across, Biro. And you're right, I'm sure that most people who have any form of disability do learn to cope with it in everyday life. Using email instead of the telephone is a clear example of this.

Matt Simis · 17-09-2008 1:01pm

S.I.R wrote: »

Why wont everyone stop posting scams ?? its clear from the get go... jesus, we irish people make it so easy to b e scammed >.>

Not everyone is an internet vet and/or a cynic. If you moved completely out of your element, a bit of communal support is a lifesaver. This particular scammer was asking normal questions in the first few mails (NCT, service history), so it looked only mildly fishy.

Also, since he is using the same email address to at least 3 people here, there would be some benefit to shutting it down. A more "professional" scammer would likely setup lots of email accounts and use different ones per scam.

Sizzler · 17-09-2008 2:09pm

I rang one of these clowns the other day, purely for the entertaiment on behalf of a mate that wasnt sure if it was a scam (LOL)

The guy supplied a UK number, it took 30 secs to start dialling, cue west african guy trying to remember which alias he used to email my mate !
I told him the car was BOLLIXED and it had the wheels stolen "My friend I do not know anything about cars, I want it for my wife and will still buy it, just send me email" I kept asking him questions and he kept saying "send me email, send me email" lol :pac:

Biro · 17-09-2008 2:24pm

benifa wrote: »

Why should a buyer have to get someone else to call the seller on his behalf, when he could quite easily make his own enquiry, via email?

That's how you came across, Biro. And you're right, I'm sure that most people who have any form of disability do learn to cope with it in everyday life. Using email instead of the telephone is a clear example of this.

Re read my post, because you're coming across as the ignoramas here. How the hell can they e-mail me when they're standing there in front of me looking at my car? In case you have memory of below 4 seconds then you should have remembered that I started that question with "How will they communicate when they come to view it?"
But again, you're far too interested in lambasting me for something that you have a bee in your bonnet over than waking up and opening your eyes and listening to reason.

The scam thread ..all motors scams in here!

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