Craigslist Scam question

[Dantrag]

Was looking at a car on Craigslist, I noticed a bunch of similar posts after I had emailed one of them. I'm trying to figure out exactly where the scam is. I've never used Google Check out, so I'm not sure what it's uses for. It looks like it's just for online purchases. If anyone knows about these scams or knows how they work let me know. Thanks!

Hello there,

I'm writing you regarding my 2007 Mazda 6 S Grand Touring. My asking price is $2920. It is a 2007 model loaded with everything and currently has
30,100 miles. The car is very well maintained, it has just been completely serviced, the engine runs very good and the automatic transmission shifts
perfectly. I'm selling the car because I don't have time to enjoy it due to my job (I work as a casino dealer on a cruise ship) plus that I have some
financial problems and I need money asap. I have to tell you that I'm currently at work and I left the car in Great Falls, MT at the shipping company
ready to be shipped anywhere. If you decide to purchase it you will receive all the documents of the car, owner's manuals, clear title, bill of sale and
also 2 keys. Regarding the payment, I will use only Google Checkout program. If you are interested this is how it works:

1. You send me your full name, complete address (I need for shipping) and your phone number.
2. I open a transaction with Google Checkout.
3. Google Checkout will contact you with an invoice regarding our transaction.
4 You will send the payment to Google Checkout and they will notify me to ship the vehicle to your location.
5. After you will inspect/drive the vehicle and decide to keep it, Google Checkout will forward me the funds and the deal is done.

Basically Google Checkout will secure the funds until you receive and inspect the car. You will have 5 days inspection period. If the vehicle is not like
described, it will be shipped back on my expense and they will give you a full refund. This way you will be able to inspect the vehicle before committing to
buy it and I know that you have the money and you are not just fooling around. I will wait your reply.

Thank you

[jmc]

Was looking at a car on Craigslist, I noticed a bunch of similar posts after I had emailed one of them. I'm trying to figure out exactly where the scam is. I've never used Google Check out, so I'm not sure what it's uses for. It looks like it's just for online purchases. If anyone knows about these scams or knows how they work let me know. Thanks!

He "opens a transaction with google checkout"

Then someone "claiming" to be with google checkout calls you, to get all your banking information.

[Dantrag]

He "opens a transaction with google checkout"

Then someone "claiming" to be with google checkout calls you, to get all your banking information.

Well, that's simple enough of an answer. I was trying to think how they would get around actually using Google Checkout. Sounded to me kinda like the secret shopper where they send you money and then have you western union the money back and then bounce the check. Anywho, thanks!

[Slapper]

General rule of thumb for craigslist is to deal locally/face to face(in a public area); none of that shipping shit.

[Pikarya]

And bring heat with you.

[The_OG_Nelta]

For car shopping online through craigslist, if its too good to be true, it usually is.
(Did I word that right??)

[Eaglestrike]

For craigslist, if its too good to be true, it usually is.

Ftfy.

[Dantrag]

Yeah, I wouldn't do the shipping thing at all. Even says on their main page "ANY CAR BEING SHIPPED IS A SCAM". Yeah, the cars this scammer post are all too good to be true so I figured something was going on.

[Emirii]

Yes this is a scam, check with the BBB about any suspicious looking craigslist. I work for a news station and we have the head BBB guy from our area on interviews every week, and this was a big topic with him for one of the interviews and described the scam in detail avoid any car deals that don't have a face to face meeting. Usually posts have something to do with "working a lot" or "going to iraq" or other military thing. You never see the car, or your money again.

[Miragemaiden]

Especially with a listed price like that. Someone who needs money wouldn't give away a car for free.

[kyod]

The $2920 w/ 30k miles should have immediately told you it was a scam

[Cephius]

General rule of thumb for craigslist is to deal locally/face to face(in a public area); none of that shipping shit.

Quoted for truth. Never ship anything on craigslist, ever. Local pickup only or bust. If you really wanna explore shipping, have the potential buyer/seller call you *from a landline* (so you can caller ID and verify identity) to discuss the buy. That'll scare off 99% of scammers.

[guartz]

Seems legit.

You should just send him cash to build trust.

[Nephlite]

Seems legit.

You should just send him cash to build trust.

Open an account with Bank of America, then flag the account for suspected fraud transactions and put a watch list on your checks. Send the guy a check and when a cashier scans it, it instantly flags the Bank of America Fraud Division, they notify the cops, cops go and pick the dude up. Entrapment? Or just plain ol' justice served with 5 years of hard time for scamming posing as American soldiers? You be the judge.

[Ddz]

They lost me @ works on a cruise ship, but the car is in Montana, one hell of a commute, lol.

[ZarakiKujata]

Anybody who has been on a cruise ship would know that the casino dealers don't come from Montana...

[sephir]

Sort of a derail here.

I'm selling an item on craigslist and I got an email from a guy who is interested in buying. He says he is from out of town and wants me to ship the item. He is asking for my full name, address, and postal code and he will mail me a certified check. I would much rather deal with someone locally and deal in cash, or paypal. However, hes been the only person to respond to the listing thus far. I would not ship the item out until I received and cashed the check.

So does anyone know about this scam and how it would work?

[Dantrag]

The $2920 w/ 30k miles should have immediately told you it was a scam

I knew it was from the get go, I was more interested in finding out how they were doing the actual scamming.

They lost me @ works on a cruise ship, but the car is in Montana, one hell of a commute, lol.

The list was in Raleigh, NC as well. So yeah... good luck on that one.

Sort of a derail here.

I'm selling an item on craigslist and I got an email from a guy who is interested in buying. He says he is from out of town and wants me to ship the item. He is asking for my full name, address, and postal code and he will mail me a certified check. I would much rather deal with someone locally and deal in cash, or paypal. However, hes been the only person to respond to the listing thus far. I would not ship the item out until I received and cashed the check.

So does anyone know about this scam and how it would work?

Is it a big ticket item? Or just some random nick-knack? My guess is you'd probably end up giving him the info and then they'd rob your place... /shrug that's the only thing I can think of.

[izembo]

its a scam, 100%, almost everything you list on craigslist will get one of these emails, they just send them to everyone trying to get some free shit they can sell

[Avinor]

Sort of a derail here.

I'm selling an item on craigslist and I got an email from a guy who is interested in buying. He says he is from out of town and wants me to ship the item. He is asking for my full name, address, and postal code and he will mail me a certified check. I would much rather deal with someone locally and deal in cash, or paypal. However, hes been the only person to respond to the listing thus far. I would not ship the item out until I received and cashed the check.

So does anyone know about this scam and how it would work?

Often times they'll send a check for significantly more than the item is worth/listing for, and ask you to send back the balance (I totally trust you to do this random stranger!). The check they send you will clear - at first. In a week or two though, you'll find out it was actually worthless and you'll be out however much cash you sent back to them. Often times the item itself has nothing to do with the scam, they just want the cash. If they are trying to scam you out of the actual item though, I still wouldn't trust a 'certified' check, deal with them face to face or at least talk to them on a verifiable line.