I exposed a scammer

[MiSdIrEcTeD_1]

I saw a 2001 RT/10 for sale on autotrader for $12,200. :shrug:

Im thinking, "Ok, he is listing it low so that it shows up when someone lists by price.." But then I realized that it was listed in several different cities with different phone numbers. I tried calling a few of them and no one that answered knew what I was talking about. Now I KNEW that the game was on... :yep:

Next, I emailed the bastard. Well, 3 days later I get a reply from a different address, but with the same name. I played him until the end until he basicly called the deal off. Here are the emails... :rofl:

The first email I sent him was via autotrader, so I dont have a copy. I said something to the effect of "please tell me that you didnt mislist that price! lol"

Well he replied, and on goes the story:


Hello
First of all I want to thank you for your interest in my car. I am selling it at this price ($12,200) because I just finished the divorce with my wife and I don't want to see the car anymore because it brings back bad memories. That's why I want to sell it asap. This car is in excellent working condition, no scratches, flaws or any kind of damage, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions and comes with a clear title, clean carfax, the VIN number is 1B3ER65E91V703377
From the beginning you have to know that for the payment I request only secure pay, I prefer the payment to be done using eBay services.
We will use a safe payment method because I am affiliated at eBay and I have a purchase protection account for $20,000. The final price that I want for this car is $12,200 US including shipping and handling.
If you are interested in buying it please provide me your name, full address and phone number so I can initiate the deal through eBay.
I will wait your answer (if you are interested to buy) very soon.
Thank you
Sebastian

The vin checks out as a 2001 Viper alright... Who knows whose or where it honestly is...

My reply:

Sebastian,

What is a good way to get in contact with you about the Viper? Maybe a phone number so we can discuss everything. I am very interested to say the least. Where are you located?

Thanks,

Randy


:lol:
His reply:
Dear Randy,

I'm sorry to disappoint you but the car is already at the shipping company in Reno, Nevada sealed and ready for the shipping. I have a contract with eBay so this deal must go through them. I'm very busy with my job so I can't meet in person with you,that's why I chose to sell my car over the internet. According with the eBay you have 5 days from the time you receive the car to inspect it and decide if you want to keep it or not.
If you want to buy it please email me your full name and address for shipping so I can initiate the transaction through eBay. After that they will contact you with all necessary information about this transaction(terms,buyer protection,payment instructions,invoice,etc.)

Thank you

Sebastian
:rolleyes:

My next reply (with some nice little lies to put him on the spot)

Sebastian,

Thats actually some great news! I have family in Reno, and I know a Viper Technician nearby in California. Where shall I have them go to inspect it?

Looking forward,

Randy


:rofl:
His comeback...
Let me put you through with mmy method
1.First of all I will need the following details from you:
- Full Name
- Full Shipping Address
2. After I will receive the details from you, I will forward them to eBay.
3. After they will process your info, they will send us both invoices. The invoice that will be sent to you will have the details on how to make a refundable payment.
4. eBay will contact me and I will ship the car to you. After you receive the car you will have 5 days to test, verify and do whatever you need to the car. If you will buy, then I will receive the payment details from eBay so that I can pick up the money.
5. If you will decide that you will not buy the car, eBay will refund the money and I will have the shipping company come pick up my car. If you wish to make the transaction, please send me the necessary info so that we can proceed. I look forward to hear from you.
I think that this way we will both be happy and I will be sure that you are interested in buying the cat.

Cat??? lol... wtf... :rolleyes:
Here was my reply...

Sebastian,
Why cant I have someone look at the car? It will only take a minute. Why dont we schedule it for tomorrow? I dont want shipping. I have my own transport lined up. I can have the technician from the dealer take possession of it right there in Reno during the transaction. Let me know what you think,

Randy


I guess that was the dealbreaker, cause here's what he said next:
I'm sorry but you don't seem like you are interested.
I'll just have to look for someone else.

:haha:

Sebastian,

On the contrary, I am very interested. Especially in a car that should be selling for near $40,000 that you are "letting go" for $12,200. I call bullshit on the whole thing and Ive known it from the first moment. I just wanted to see how far you would go for my own entertainment. If you really wanted to sell this car you wouldnt care how it got sold. I offered pretty much a cash transaction in "Reno", and you refused it. All you are out for is some stupid soul to transfer money to you. Autotrader and Ebay will be getting copies of this.

Please DIAF,

Randy


Pretty amazing huh?

Email Address= sebastian.scott29@yahoo.com

autotrader ad= HERE (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=252763930&dealer_id=63396329&car_year=2001&model=VIPER&rnc_prepopulate=&start_year=1992&search_type=used&distance=25&make=DODGE&address=70460&end_year=2009&cardist=28)

dragtimes ad= HERE (http://www.dragtimes.com/classifieds-viewer.php?itemID=150281997611)

It kills me to think that people actually fall for this shit... :lol:

[torquemonster]

:lol:

yeah, some nice guy from "Scotland" wanted to buy one of my cars that I put online to get rid of.

He wanted to send it to his business franchise in Africa.

All I had to do was give him my account # and he'd kindly send money.... likely more than I asked for, then request I send the excess to his "freight company" to cover the shipping... only problem would be the original payment he wired over would bounce in about 2-3 weeks when the banks eventually caught up with it, and my transfer of the "excess" would be gone forever.

Here be his reply to my initial response to his first email :lol:

"Hello Barry,
I am very glad to know that the car is fully equipped and the condition is just what i am looking for cause i have checked the whole specifications listed in your adverts and the price is fine,i want to buy the car for a business merchandise in my branch company in Africa,and i have been buying cars from abroad for years now so i think i know all about buying from abroad especially New Zealand.
Here is how it will be done,i will first make the payment for the car through bank transfer because that's the only way an huge amount can be transferred safely and fast,,after i make the payment i will contact a car-shipping company in my branch in Africa and they will come and pick the car up.
So you don't have to bother about me getting the car after i make the payment,and also you will send all the documents signed by you to me,fully scanned and the car-shipping company will bring along all agreement programs for them to be able to carry the car from your place.
i hope we can do this business as sweet and convenience as possible and i will also be glad to do much more business with you in future.
Thanks
Hope to read from you soon."

Scottish my ass :haha:

[99 RT/10]

How about if we flood his email account with shit. Anyway to get him on a gay porn account that will spam his ass.......................................... :D

[MiSdIrEcTeD_1]

How about if we flood his email account with shit. Anyway to get him on a gay porn account that will spam his ass.......................................... :D


Go for it. :D I posted this back in October, though, so I doubt the email address still works. These guys move from one to the next. As a matter of fact he replied to me from a seperate address than the one listed in the autotrader ad...

[99 RT/10]

Holy crap, noob mistake. So SORRY................................ :D

[v10kingsnake]

You never know, it could have looked like Mike's RT/10.