I am a frequent craigslist browser always looking for a good deal.
Mostly boats, campers and vehicles.
Lately I have notice tons of scams that look like this:
"Hi,
My name is Beatrice, and I'm emailing you about 1996 Ford Bronco XLT for
$1,700. This car has been extremely well maintained with a full service
history. It has 100,824 miles but is excellent condition. It has a Engine
V8, Fuel: Gasoline, Drivetrain: 4WD Transmission: Automatic that shifts
perfect. It runs and drives perfect because it has been very good taken
care of. Never been involved in any accidents. It was always garage kept.
Recently serviced witch all receipts. Car is ready to be driven .
If you are interested in buying it or if you have any questions, please
reply to this email.
Pictures available upon request.
Thanks,"
Here is a follow-up with the scam after I ask to view the vehicle:
"I've attached more pictures with my car. The only thing it's I'm selling
this car is because my husband died 3 months ago (he was very sick) and
this car brings me bad memories and that's the reason why I want to sell it
asap...Me with my daughter decided to sell the house and we moved to my
parents trying to start a new life. The car is already at the shipping
company sealed and ready for delivery.. The car is there because someone
agreed to buy it, but he had a family emergency and finally gave up. Anyway
he already paid and prepared shipping for him as he was out of state so the
car can be delivered for free now in the United States.
I will use eBay in this transaction for our protection. I will make the
deal through their vehicle purchase protection program because this way
they can ship for free the car. If you are not aware of this program, you
should know it eBay offer 7 days inspection period for the buyer. So you
will receive the car in a few days and you will have the chance to test and
inspect it for 7 days.
In case you won`t be satisfied, you can cancel the deal and ship the car
back on my expense. But I assure you it won't be the case.
I have to fill out a form on eBay and i need your full name, full shipping
address and your cell so they can register you as my potential buyer for
the car and after that they will contact you to explain the entire
procedure of the deal.
Hope to hear from you soon,"
I have had a very similar reply for boats and campers. One common aspect is no contact info except for a gmail address.
I have seen someone else discovered this scam and is posting warnings for others on craigslist.
It really is a shame to see a free webmail service abused by scammers.
This is probably an organized scheme as different email addresses are used.
Here is a glimpse at the problem for governments:
What can we do as consumers to stop this?
I have reported these addresses to craigslist and the local police and that don't help. They couldn't care less.
Mostly boats, campers and vehicles.
Lately I have notice tons of scams that look like this:
"Hi,
My name is Beatrice, and I'm emailing you about 1996 Ford Bronco XLT for
$1,700. This car has been extremely well maintained with a full service
history. It has 100,824 miles but is excellent condition. It has a Engine
V8, Fuel: Gasoline, Drivetrain: 4WD Transmission: Automatic that shifts
perfect. It runs and drives perfect because it has been very good taken
care of. Never been involved in any accidents. It was always garage kept.
Recently serviced witch all receipts. Car is ready to be driven .
If you are interested in buying it or if you have any questions, please
reply to this email.
Pictures available upon request.
Thanks,"
Here is a follow-up with the scam after I ask to view the vehicle:
"I've attached more pictures with my car. The only thing it's I'm selling
this car is because my husband died 3 months ago (he was very sick) and
this car brings me bad memories and that's the reason why I want to sell it
asap...Me with my daughter decided to sell the house and we moved to my
parents trying to start a new life. The car is already at the shipping
company sealed and ready for delivery.. The car is there because someone
agreed to buy it, but he had a family emergency and finally gave up. Anyway
he already paid and prepared shipping for him as he was out of state so the
car can be delivered for free now in the United States.
I will use eBay in this transaction for our protection. I will make the
deal through their vehicle purchase protection program because this way
they can ship for free the car. If you are not aware of this program, you
should know it eBay offer 7 days inspection period for the buyer. So you
will receive the car in a few days and you will have the chance to test and
inspect it for 7 days.
In case you won`t be satisfied, you can cancel the deal and ship the car
back on my expense. But I assure you it won't be the case.
I have to fill out a form on eBay and i need your full name, full shipping
address and your cell so they can register you as my potential buyer for
the car and after that they will contact you to explain the entire
procedure of the deal.
Hope to hear from you soon,"
I have had a very similar reply for boats and campers. One common aspect is no contact info except for a gmail address.
I have seen someone else discovered this scam and is posting warnings for others on craigslist.
CL BOAT SCAMS GONE WILD!!! - boats - by owner - marine sale
IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND USE CL , I HOPE YOU NOTICE ALL THESE LAME @#@$ ADS ! IT'S NOT ONLY IN THE...
norfolk.craigslist.org
This is probably an organized scheme as different email addresses are used.
Here is a glimpse at the problem for governments:
Nigerian ‘Scattered Canary’ gang exploits CARES Act with fraudulent unemployment claims
Adding COVID-19 exploitation to its nefarious arsenal targeting governments, the Nigerian Scattered Canary criminal gang most recently attempted to exploit the CARES Act on May 17, filing two fraudulent unemployment claims through Hawaii’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations website...
www.scmagazine.com
What can we do as consumers to stop this?
I have reported these addresses to craigslist and the local police and that don't help. They couldn't care less.