Is this a scam?

[betsylips]

I found a listing for a Maxda CX-5 at the following address: REMOVED

It is listed at $5000 and only travelled around 78000kms.  I sent a message to email REMOVED and got a response from a Samantha Kelly claiming to be in the Australian Air Force selling the car she was awarded in a divorce settlement.  She said she is being deployed and selling car to give money to her mother who is going to be looking after her kids.

She says she has a deal with ebay where they'll ship the car to me for 5 day trial and she won't get the money until I'm satisfied with the car at the end of the 5 days at which point ebay will release to her the money I have paid.

Is this a scam?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[margaremakeham-kirchne-0]

I’ve got someone in NT- airforce wanting to buy my car by bank transfer. Very Aussie name but their grammar suggests NESB. Has anyone heard of this?

[misscomatots]

Scam my mum caught out this morning - she called them out on it and the ad is now gone.

Reverse image search took us to a Gumtree ad for the vehicle being sold for $32k

RAAF email address format is @airforce.gov.au and the louise in the email has no e.

Very clever, but fortunately with two nerd children, mum has learned how to spot a scam 😄

_____________________________

From: Tina Lewis <tinalouislewis@airforce-raaf.com>
Sent: Saturday, 27 February 2021 10:51 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: 2016 Toyota Kluger Gx (4x2)

Hi,

Thank you for your email, as I've mentioned in my post, at this moment I am near Devonport TAS in a military base, waiting to be deployed in New Zealand, I am doing a special training program each day and I am not allowed to get out of the unit or give calls whenever I want, my phone number it is 480005606 - You can write me a message but I do not know when I can respond, so the best will be if you answer me by email. My last price including shipping to your address will be $13,800 (It will not take much more than 2-3 business days to receive the car). Because it's a large transaction, we will complete the deal using eBay Motors coz I already prearranged the whole process with them, the money will be paid via bank transfer, so you will deposit the money online directly to eBay Motors and they will hold and secure your money during the entire transaction. I repeat, they will hold and insure your money until you receive the car in good condition and will release the funds to us only after you decide to keep the car and normally register it, into your name. If by any reason (the car has any hidden damages or it is not as described by me) you can reject the deal, When this happens, eBay will refund you in full, you can rest safe in the knowledge that eBay is one of the most trusted and secure escrow services across the globe. If you wish to go further, let me know your details (full name, full address and home phone number) so I can open a transaction with eBay Motors and declare you as a buyer, I will need your details also to transfer the registration over, eBay will then contact you and explain the whole process in detail. You must know that eBay will contact you without any obligation to buy or pay some fees - The fees will be paid by me.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards.
Tina Louise Lewis  

[crystal6866]

i had the same situation offered to me different name( Sienna Reid ) but same information.... bloody scammers!!

[simons0374]

Great pick up on the missing "e" in her name! I got an email from that email address today about a Mazda CX-5.

And gov email from a ".com" address just rings alarms..

----------------------

I'm sorry for taking so long to reply, the car is still for sale. It's in very good condition, no accidents, the engine and automatic transmission works perfect, it's a fantastic car, driven only 69,982 kilometers. I'm selling it for $8950 because I'm involved in a project in New Zealand and I need money as soon as possible, I will move there by the end of this month and I will not come back for the next 3-4 years so it would not be a good idea to keep the car in the garage for a few years without being used. Right now, I'm located near Devonport, TAS. Our squad is doing some special training here but if you are interested to buy the car, I can deliver it to your home address with our RAAF truck (transport insurance is included). You will have a 5 working days inspection period so you can take the car to a mechanic and test it before I receive your money. Also, it will come with a roadworthy certificate and VIC rego, registration paid until 18 March 2021.

Regards,
Tina Louise Lewis

[indashna]

Oops! I got the same email too - and Thank God I checked here - I knew it was too good to be true, so it isn't - but it looked so tempting that I almost wanted to send my details!!

A guy posted an ad for a Honda Civic 2017 VTi-Lx top end model on sale for just AUD $6220 - he said it was for his sister, and had given an email address to contact her directly.

When I enquired about the car on the email address, here's the response I got initially:

===================

Hello,

Well let me just jump right into it. I just got divorced and the Honda was awarded to me in our divorce. I have a low price ($6,350) because I want to sell it before March 14th ideally. 

I have a deployment coming up and would prefer to have my mother who is taking care of my children, have the cash instead. 

Now, a few words about this 2017 Honda Civic VTi-LX 1.5 L turbo engine. It will come with Roadworthy Certificate and Rego so you don't have to do the running around Registration in Victoria, paid until 21 April 2021. In perfect working condition, with nothing mechanically wrong - like new! This Honda has 24,302 kilometers on the clock.  

This Honda has a clear ppsr showing no accident history, no stolen history & no money owing on the Honda. Transmission type: Automatic. 

Owned by non-smoking family with no pets, interior always clean and tidy. 

If you decide to buy it, you'll receive all the papers, owner manual, keys, a buy-sell contract already signed by me and the clear title. 

I've attached photos showing the overall condition. Let me know if you have any questions

===================

After this I asked if I could inspect the car, and she replied with this:

===================

Hello again, as I've told you in my first e-mail, I'm in the Air Force with my medical team and right now I am on a military base. We are training, getting ready for leaving the country. 
Before leaving I had prearranged the deal with eBay I chose to hire them to take care of the whole selling process as I cannot leave the military base. The delivery process will be managed by me.

Working with the RAAF, allows me to deliver the Honda anywhere in Australia for free.  
I think I can have it there at your home address within 1-2 working days. You will have 5 days to test and inspect the Honda, prior to making any purchase. During that 5 days testing period I will not be getting any money.  
Only when you give the confirmation to eBay that you are satisfied by the Honda and wanna keep it, they will release the funds to me, otherwise, they will refund you the full amount of money without any question, and you can ship the Honda back on my expense.I need to know if you are interested so I can ask eBay to send you the details on this deal. If interested please include in your next email your contact info for eBay (full name, shipping address and phone number), so I can notify eBay that you are selected as my possible buyer and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure. 

Warmest Regards,
Ciara

===================

The part where she says it'll be shipped it for free coz she's in the RAAF, and that eBay will hold the funds until I'm satisfied with the car, almost got me wondering if eBay does provide such a service!! 🙂

[bellalulu2011]

Yes it's a scam' I've seen the exact same text for several different cars

[madcar_7986]

I just got the same message!

[donald7a]

Yes this is a scam tried to get me as well with the red for good luck honey got your number

[donald7a]

Yes definitely a scam different cars changing in prices all in airforce. What a joke. I sent a nice message back and haven’t heard a thing.
Nice try honey got your number now

[donald7a]

Yes this is a scam tried to get me as well with the rav 4. good luck honey got your number