Well, first off, don't feel silly because this is nothing new.
419 scams have been going on, in one form or another, for 50 years, the internet has just made it easier for the scammers to reach their target.
Before, everyone used to get letters, from doctors, lawyers, scientists, bankers, etc in foreign countries, mostly Africa, more specifically, Nigeria, saying that so and so had died, and either claiming you were a distant relative, or that no other next of kin could be found, so they came to you as you had the same surname.
If they got a reply they took it to the next level, which was asking you to send them money to get the paperwork needed to transfer the funds into your account. Some start out small, requesting $5 for for fuel, or stamps and writing supplies and work their way up, some go for the kill straight away. Either way, it has the end result. They get money and you get nothing.
Now with the internet, its so much easier. Instead of sending 10 letters for maybe 1 reply, they can go to a internet kiosk send out emails to hundreds of people (names are usually bought from higher up people) and sit back and wait.
Car scams are similar. They were quite primitive before, but now they're advanced.. Its not just cars either, I've seen boats, caravans, trucks, bikes, computers, iphones, etc anything of value. They all work on a common theme though.
1. The car and seller are nearly always located in 2 separate places.
2. The car is usually overseas on at least interstate, if by chance it is in the same state as you, it can't be viewed as its in a shipping container, or held in customs, etc.
The main thing is this though. EVERYTHING needs to be done as QUICKLY as possible and in secrecy. They will ALWAYS tell you it needs to be finalized quickly because they're moving/dying whatever and that you can't tell anyone.
Going Ford is the Going Thing.
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