I'm new to all of this

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 5

I found this site because I think I've come into contact with a scammer on craigslist. I was looking for a vehicle and it seemed like a really good deal do I contacted them( with my personal email address) and gave my real cell number Shocked

they claimed to be in the military and out of the country and due to leave for Iraq in a couple of weeks so really need to get rid of the vehicle. They claim the purchase would be fine through ebay motors and they will pay shipping and give me 10 days to decide if I really want the truck but they need my full name and address to get it to me. I did not give that info and even told them I've never bought of of eBay so don't know how it works. I asked for more info on how I would receive title and how the process works and even said I don't want to get scammed. Am I in any danger with them having my number and email address? And how should I handle it if they do respond to my questions? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 5

Yes, 'Mary Kobs' has responded and says the vehicle is on a military base in Washington. After doing some investigating this is definitely a scam! They are still asking for my name and address so I guess I'll come up with something good to mess with them and maybe waste some of their time.

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:51 pm

Hi, as they have your RL details, the best thing to do is just drop them - don't tell them you know it is a scam, just stop responding to emails and calls from them

If you can post the details of their emails at our sister site scamwarners.com then that will help warn other victims they may be targetting.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 5

Thanks for the advice. Should I be concerned about the info they do have?

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 2:21 pm

No, it's not going to be a problem sashafierce.

I have baited these scammers using fake personal details to uncover and report the money laundering accounts they use, and for doing that you earn the 'piggies' you can see in my soggy line.

The only drawback is that these scammers are desperately dull to bait and they require a lot of effort. I may return to them at a later date.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 5

I don't know if I will have the time or knowledge to do that but here are copies of the emails I received and the scammers email address. Feel free to go get em! 'her name' is Mary Kobs and the email address is [email protected] Copies of the emails are posted below:-)
Hello,

This 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, runs and drives excellent. This four wheel drive, SUV has three rows of seats for seven passengers. The truck has been extremely well maintained with a full service history, Only 102,000 miles! Transmission is Automatic, Engine 5.3L V8 SFI. Everything works in the truck, lights, gauges, radio, windows, locks, a/c blows ice cold, etc... It has no leaks or drips and does not smoke at all, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions with a clear title free of liens. I bought it when i was serving in Fort Lewis, Army base in Washington and now I am deployed in Thailand. The truck will be delivered from Fort Lewis, WA. I will take trucke of the shipping.

I have dropped my price to $2,500 (purchase price) since this is an Urgent Sale! and I need to sell it before February 4th, when I will be deployed in Afghanistan with my platoon replacing the troops scheduled to come home.

If you're interested to conclude this purchase in a timely manner email me your: Full Name and Shipping address, to open a case with eBay. They will contact you to explain the entire procedure. The financial part will be managed by them, which means that you will have a 10 days inspection period before committing to buy the truck. Using eBay Motors service we are both 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.

Hope to hear from you soon!Please take a few moments and read my email carefully, I know it is long, but I will explain all the details about the vehicle and the transaction. At the moment I am deployed in Thailand making final preparations before deploying to Afghanistan. The vehicle will be delivered from WA, USA. I will take care of the shipping.

The vehicle is already at our Military Logistic Department in Fort Lewis, Washington ready to go. The Logistic Department will deliver the vehicle to your home so there is no charge for this delivery. Since the vehicle is in a military base, with no access you can not go there and take it, only the Logistic Department can deliver it, because is in their custody. Shipping may take anywhere between 3 to 5 days depending on the destination. All the documents you need for ownership, title and bill of sale will be provided along with the vehicle.

For the payment I would like to use eBay Motors as a third party. They will keep your money into a protection account until you get the vehicle and will release it to me after inspection period is over and you agree to keep it. So, this is not a blind transaction, you can see the vehicle before committing to buy and to eliminate any concerns you will have 10 days to inspect it. If you decide not to keep it eBay will refund you the money, no questions asked, and shipping back will be my concern. I think this is more than fair for both of us.

I need to start the official procedure and eBay will contact you about this. If you are interested in buying it just mail me back with:
- Your Full Name - Required by eBay (You'll receive important guidelines + instructions from them.)
- Your Shipping Address and Phone Number - Required by the Logistic Department (They will call you with delivery/pickup instructions 1 day ahead so you can communicate what time schedule work best for your to receive the vehicle).

Thanks, hope to do business with you soon!

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:54 pm

Wow great price for a 2007 Tahoe! Rolling Eyes

I don't see a scam in there anywhere! Rolling Eyes

Yep it is scam. They win, you lose. Might toss a bone to them in any event since the rest of mine are cooling down quite a bit. Maybe at least slow them down!

I will let you know!

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 8:29 pm

This is one we saw a lot of a couple of years ago. It is a succesfull scam that relies on a fake Escrow or Ebay site as a convincer. They can be baited with good results but it is fairly routine work.

As b8er mentioned, best to leave this one alone. If you'd like to join in a bait, read around the ones in progress, see how it's done, and give it a shot, and if you wish to join it our mentoring program is at your disposal. Welcome to Eater Cool

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 5

Thanks for your reply!

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:24 pm

I'll give these guys a good go, see how far I can take them. I'll get an IP trace on that email and see where it comes it from if possible. BUT if they are professional as a money laundering scam then they are possibly using a VPN or the IP will probably come out as Redford, Virginia the Microsoft Data Center. I don't think that this is in the USA as well you know.

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:15 pm

Poke sent to Mary.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 12:04 am

It's not really important where the mails come from even if you can find out.

These scams usually present two types of targets: a fake Escrow site of some kind, and as a likely secondary target at least one mule. Standard procedure for flags and piggies applies. Go all out for these and you'll make good headway, but these sort of operators tend to be all about the business, relying as they do on a proven, lucrative commercial model. If you try sending them off getting tattoos or building pyramids they will drop you hard. Keep it on the rails and straight bait convincingly, and you can beat them up nicely.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 12:44 am

^^ Thanks for that gunner. Straight at the target is my pick for this one.. No other modalities. Just racking up piggies and pain!

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 3:08 am

You mean Redmond, Washington, right? You can tell them from the whois record; it contains "Microsoft" or "Hotmail" or the like.