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.

[countessalmirena]

If it’s too good to be true, not only is it a scam but the slightest interest shown by you will signal you are good scammable material.

Don’t put a target on your back.

[isis-witch]

word for word what we got 

[davewil1964]

What a shock.

These scammers have obviously scored a lot of mugs, including people here, so why would they change a winning formula?

There are obviously enough greedy people, trying to cash in on an alleged misfortune, to make the scam worth the (minimal) effort.

[countessalmirena]

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@countessalmirena wrote:

This isn't a single-person scam. The scammers involved are part of a criminal syndicate, either as members or as employees. They work from a script, which is why you'll see the same modus operandi and the same sorts of replies.

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I want to make this very clear, because these scams (and others that also target people who just don't have their scammy-whammy detectors up and running) are a disgusting and ruthless plague where the most vulnerable are often the favoured targets.

The scammers are WORKING FROM A SCRIPT.

Literally.

A script will have been written. It is for sale to any scamming call centre, scamming criminal group, scamming lone ranger, scamming WFH start-up group, or scamming cockroach.

The script will include all of the listing templates and instructions on how to tweak them. It will include links to sites where genuine car/boat/vehicle ads can be downloaded and adapted. It will include links to the authoritative publications that list market value for s/h vehicles, and formulae or suggestions on how to arrive at an unrealistically low price that will have potential scam victims salivating.

It will include email and text/SMS communication templates.

It will include phone call templates.

It will include recommendations on how to push through the sale, and what to say in order to convince the victim to finalise the deal/make a payment by bank transfer.

It will include "what to do and say if the customer seems to be getting suspicious". (And it's not... "Give up and don't try to scam the victim any more." No. It's "This is what you can do to make the victim become compliant again.")

It will have all of that.

So... please do not be surprised at the "word for word" script, or any little detail changes (tweaked slightly as needed). It is very highly organised. It's run by ruthless people who don't care if you're sick, old, disabled, poor, naïve or distressed.

The number one way to spot a scam is ... IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

Please, don't believe in the amazing value car fairy. She does not exist.

If you're looking for a vehicle, expect to pay somewhere around market value. Much less than that, and it's just ... too... good... to... be... true.

[tenkomori]

Haha, this is what I got for the response of enquiry about used car.

Hello, sorry for the late reply, I was very busy with work!

Well let me just jump right into it. I just got divorced and the Hilux was awarded to me in our divorce. I have a low price ($7,400) because I want to sell it before March 6th 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 2010 Toyota Hilux. It will come with Roadworthy Certificate and Rego so you don't have to do the running around Registration in VIC, paid until 01 January 2023.

In perfect working condition, with nothing mechanically wrong - like new! This Hilux has 81.495 kilometers on the clock.

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

Owned by a non-smoking family with no pets, the 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. 

Royal Australian Air Force Sienna Reid

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

this has already been posted here, but it is worth repeating:

DO NOT ENGAGE WITH THESE SCAMMERS.  THEY ARE GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.

YOU MIGHT FEEL THAT BY EMAILLING OR MESSAGING YOU ARE HAVING FUN KNOWING YOU WILL NOT BUY, BUT THERE IS OTHER INFO THAT IS VALUABLE TO THEM (LIKE EMAIL ADDRESS ETC)

These scammers are well resourced.  It might feel bad not replying, you may feel you are being rude, but just delete emails or messages from them without opening or reading them.

[fairdinkumdan]

yes its a scam!

[davewil1964]

Fair dinkum?

Whodathunk.

[romieee]

It's a SCAM!

I received one today, scripted almost exactly like the one above but changed slightly. It was a Toyota land cruiser advertised on FB market place. When asked if I could arrange for an inspection, this is what I got.

....... as I've told you in my first email about deployment, I'm in the services 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. I think I can have it there at your address within 2-3 working days. You will have 5 days to test and inspect the car 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 with the car and want to 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 car 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 we can get the ball rolling.
Thank you and waiting for a reply!

I hope no one falls for this **bleep**, I've blocked his email!

[davewil1964]