Prob too good to be true, but
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
The lawyers refused to be named for the article in the legal newspaper. They should be disbarred as far as I am concerned. If they are that careless, what kind of mistakes are they making on their cases?
These scams are attempted because they work. They send out thousands of ads, e-mails and eBay listings. Out of the 10,000 or so someone bites.
So yeah, they do work and people fall for them all the time.
Heck, just a few hours ago I was inquiring about a Tom Tom GPS for $150 on Craig's List. [A great price as others were $250, but not a total steal.]
See attached. Jesus, scammers are wasting time on stupid $150 GPS devices. Guess those are the small time con men.
But then again, the con man may be doing thousands of these, across the board of products. Note he could not even take the time to mention the Tom Tom GPS by name. This tells me he is sending this same e-mail whether it be a car or a stupid little GPS device.
Last edited by MichaelSF; Jul 23, 2008 at 08:01 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 0
Tell him you have a friend within driving distance of anywhere in Idaho that would be happy to go to the storage container and take pictures of the car for you. All your friend needs is the necessary information to provide to the staff at the facility so that she can go take a look at the car.
It'd be interesting to find out...
Well apparently Mr. Dennis Waddell or whatever his real name is, still wants to play.
He just sent me another email and wait till you read this one, it is a classic scam type email.
I can't believe people fall for this kind of stuff.
His email is everything below this line.
__________________________________________________ _________
Hello ,
The car is in Idaho, in a sealed container, ready to be shipped. Because my
work requires a lot of travelling, I made sure that the car is ready to be
shipped as soon as I find a buyer for it.I will not be able to meet you to
show you the car, but I am available for any information you may need. Feel
free to e-mail me, I check my inbox very often.
I want to tell you that I am not selling this car for profit or due to lack
of money. All I can say is that some recent events in my life made me change
my perception of certain things, things that I've considered important in
the past. I will donate all money to charity after I sell this car. I am
currently on a trip for UNICEF.
The transaction will be made through eBay company for the safety of both of
us. I've already included the car into eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection, so
I will sell it only through this program.
Here is how the process works:
- you give me your shipping address,
- I start a transaction on eBay Motors,
- they send you the payment instructions,
- you send the money into eBay trust account,
- they confirm me that they received the funds,
- I ship the car,
- you receive the car and approve them to pay me,
- they send me the money.
You'll receive the car papers along with the car.
They will hold the money until the car is delivered to you, with properly
executed title. You will have 5 business days for inspection. If the car is
not like described you will have to ship it back at the end of the 5
business days on my expense, but I am sure that you will love it.
In order to move forward I will need your full name and address.
eBay will get in touch with you with further details and instructions.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
He just sent me another email and wait till you read this one, it is a classic scam type email.
I can't believe people fall for this kind of stuff.
His email is everything below this line.
__________________________________________________ _________
Hello ,
The car is in Idaho, in a sealed container, ready to be shipped. Because my
work requires a lot of travelling, I made sure that the car is ready to be
shipped as soon as I find a buyer for it.I will not be able to meet you to
show you the car, but I am available for any information you may need. Feel
free to e-mail me, I check my inbox very often.
I want to tell you that I am not selling this car for profit or due to lack
of money. All I can say is that some recent events in my life made me change
my perception of certain things, things that I've considered important in
the past. I will donate all money to charity after I sell this car. I am
currently on a trip for UNICEF.
The transaction will be made through eBay company for the safety of both of
us. I've already included the car into eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection, so
I will sell it only through this program.
Here is how the process works:
- you give me your shipping address,
- I start a transaction on eBay Motors,
- they send you the payment instructions,
- you send the money into eBay trust account,
- they confirm me that they received the funds,
- I ship the car,
- you receive the car and approve them to pay me,
- they send me the money.
You'll receive the car papers along with the car.
They will hold the money until the car is delivered to you, with properly
executed title. You will have 5 business days for inspection. If the car is
not like described you will have to ship it back at the end of the 5
business days on my expense, but I am sure that you will love it.
In order to move forward I will need your full name and address.
eBay will get in touch with you with further details and instructions.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Awww, he's gonna donate the sale to charity! Along with the bridge sale,
and New Mexico beach front!
So, if a sucker is born every minute,then is a con/scammer a few seconds older?
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
Well here's his latest email:
__________________________________________________ ___
I am glad that you decided to buy it. I can guarantee that but what's most
important, they will guarantee it when they'll contact you. I have started
the transaction with eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection.They will contact you
with further information and details.
I will start the shipping procedure as soon as they confirm that your
payment has been received.
Thank you,
Dennis
__________________________________________________ ___
I am glad that you decided to buy it. I can guarantee that but what's most
important, they will guarantee it when they'll contact you. I have started
the transaction with eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection.They will contact you
with further information and details.
I will start the shipping procedure as soon as they confirm that your
payment has been received.
Thank you,
Dennis
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
Well he did respond to my inquiry as to why the MINI was not on Autotrader.com anymore and he sent me
the same pictures that were in the Autotrader ad.
Here's what he had to say:
__________________________________________________ _______________
Yes I am selling it to you. That's why it's not on Autotrader anymore. Here
are some more pics.
Thanks,
Dennis
__________________________________________________ ___________
the same pictures that were in the Autotrader ad.
Here's what he had to say:
__________________________________________________ _______________
Yes I am selling it to you. That's why it's not on Autotrader anymore. Here
are some more pics.
Thanks,
Dennis
__________________________________________________ ___________
6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,027
Likes: 1
From: Washington State
that's a good idea, but it would probably red flag it for the scammer. I mean, how convenient is it that the buyer has a friend in Idaho? Though perhaps the scammer is just so freakin' dumb that it may not alert him that you're on to the scam.
It'd be interesting to find out...
It'd be interesting to find out...
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 0
Yeah, but if this scammer were smart, which he is not, then he'd realize that MINI Owners are willing to go to those lengths for their cars! Besides, if he can sit in Nigeria and arrange shipping on a fake car in "Idaho" then surely the customer can have friends on the intarwebz!
Coordinator :: Upstate MINIs
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
Well he did respond to my inquiry as to why the MINI was not on Autotrader.com anymore and he sent me
the same pictures that were in the Autotrader ad.
Here's what he had to say:
__________________________________________________ _______________
Yes I am selling it to you. That's why it's not on Autotrader anymore. Here
are some more pics.
Thanks,
Dennis
__________________________________________________ ___________
the same pictures that were in the Autotrader ad.
Here's what he had to say:
__________________________________________________ _______________
Yes I am selling it to you. That's why it's not on Autotrader anymore. Here
are some more pics.
Thanks,
Dennis
__________________________________________________ ___________
I love shutting down scam sites.
If playing along with scammers is such fun, is it possible that scammers are actually doing for the fun of it, and not really for the money. Maybe there's a forum out there somewhere where they tell stories of the most ridiculous scams that they were able to get people to buy into.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
If playing along with scammers is such fun, is it possible that scammers are actually doing for the fun of it, and not really for the money. Maybe there's a forum out there somewhere where they tell stories of the most ridiculous scams that they were able to get people to buy into.
And yes, there are many Sites that discuss scams, what to look out for, how to play along with them, waste their time, etc. Some are Forums, just like NAM.
I have a few bookmarks for some, but I have to go on my road bike. The one I am thinking of is a forum format where everyone discusses scams and tips and tricks on fooling with them.
Here are some Sites:
http://www.scam.com/
http://www.ripoffreport.com/default.asp
http://www.stop-scammers.com/forum/default.asp
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
Well it looks like our scammer (Waddell as he likes to be called) has some anger issues.
Here is his latest email, apparently he didn't like the Police Department address I sent him as my home address.
__________________________________________________ _____________
You feel like playing a?
So, if a sucker is born every minute,then is a con/scammer a few seconds older?
this is very true. I will spend some time on tracking down your IP (you know I can) and have a 6 ft vodka drinking russian at your door.
Here is his latest email, apparently he didn't like the Police Department address I sent him as my home address.
__________________________________________________ _____________
You feel like playing a?
So, if a sucker is born every minute,then is a con/scammer a few seconds older?
this is very true. I will spend some time on tracking down your IP (you know I can) and have a 6 ft vodka drinking russian at your door.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,027
Likes: 1
From: Washington State
Call your local PD and ask them if you can file a report of his threat with them, just in case he's serious.
I don't see much point in you continuing to waste your time with this scum, but you could inform him that to use your IP address to find your real address will require computer tampering on his part, which is a federal offense, and you would be happy to point the FBI to his IP address, which they can legally use to track down his location and will gladly show up on his doorstep, and if he's even in the United States they will seize his computer and all other electronics on his property, weather they are his or not, and he will never see them again.
Hope he doesn't have any contraband material on that PC, otherwise, he could go to jail for a very, very long time. *nodnod*
I don't see much point in you continuing to waste your time with this scum, but you could inform him that to use your IP address to find your real address will require computer tampering on his part, which is a federal offense, and you would be happy to point the FBI to his IP address, which they can legally use to track down his location and will gladly show up on his doorstep, and if he's even in the United States they will seize his computer and all other electronics on his property, weather they are his or not, and he will never see them again.
Hope he doesn't have any contraband material on that PC, otherwise, he could go to jail for a very, very long time. *nodnod*
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Well it looks like our scammer (Waddell as he likes to be called) has some anger issues.
Here is his latest email, apparently he didn't like the Police Department address I sent him as my home address.
__________________________________________________ _____________
You feel like playing a?
So, if a sucker is born every minute,then is a con/scammer a few seconds older?
this is very true. I will spend some time on tracking down your IP (you know I can) and have a 6 ft vodka drinking russian at your door.
Here is his latest email, apparently he didn't like the Police Department address I sent him as my home address.
__________________________________________________ _____________
You feel like playing a?
So, if a sucker is born every minute,then is a con/scammer a few seconds older?
this is very true. I will spend some time on tracking down your IP (you know I can) and have a 6 ft vodka drinking russian at your door.
Unless the vodka drinking Russian works for free [and pays for his own transport to Anywhere, U.S.A.], I don't think you need to be sleeping with one eye open.
Maybe he already had the money spent or you messed up his financial planning. Shame on you.
Last edited by MichaelSF; Jul 25, 2008 at 11:27 AM.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Well it looks like our scammer (Waddell as he likes to be called) has some anger issues.
Here is his latest email, apparently he didn't like the Police Department address I sent him as my home address.
__________________________________________________ _____________
You feel like playing a?
So, if a sucker is born every minute,then is a con/scammer a few seconds older?
this is very true. I will spend some time on tracking down your IP (you know I can) and have a 6 ft vodka drinking russian at your door.
Here is his latest email, apparently he didn't like the Police Department address I sent him as my home address.
__________________________________________________ _____________
You feel like playing a?
So, if a sucker is born every minute,then is a con/scammer a few seconds older?
this is very true. I will spend some time on tracking down your IP (you know I can) and have a 6 ft vodka drinking russian at your door.
For those of you who think the scammer is serious, don't be silly. This guy is running for cover so fast. Do you really thinks he wants his activity reported to U. S. law enforcement? He is deleting his trail as we speak.
If anything, the con man is the one who is worried, concerned that law enforcement may track him down.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
After he made his threats I sent him the FBI website link for Internet crimes and asked him if he thought they could track his IP address.
I'm kind of disappointed, I was looking forward to meeting this 6' drunk Russian in hopes that he was talking about a Blonde Female Russian.
I'm kind of disappointed, I was looking forward to meeting this 6' drunk Russian in hopes that he was talking about a Blonde Female Russian.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 0
After he made his threats I sent him the FBI website link for Internet crimes and asked him if he thought they could track his IP address.
I'm kind of disappointed, I was looking forward to meeting this 6' drunk Russian in hopes that he was talking about a Blonde Female Russian.
I'm kind of disappointed, I was looking forward to meeting this 6' drunk Russian in hopes that he was talking about a Blonde Female Russian.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 930
Likes: 2
Here is my email chain with "Mr. Waddell, the drunk Russian. He sure is lazy. I can't get him to send me an email from his "ebay" contact. I keep telling him I need to leave the country to help my new friend liberate some cash from an oppressive government. See if you can pick out the other scam I reference in the email chain.
Now he's sent me a picture of the title that doesn't even have a STATE on it!! I've given him 48 hours to complete the deal. Lets see where it goes....
_____________________________________________
(Scammer)
Hi,
Thank you for your interest in my car. The car is still available so please
let me know if you are still interested in buying it! It has a clear title,
it is in an excellent condition, no dents or scratches, it was always
garaged and regular maintenance and oil changes were done in time. It hasn't
been involved in any accidents or flood damage. The engine runs very well. I
assume you already know the price but if you want more photos or a Carfax
report just let me know! I don't want to offend you but the car is priced
for a fast sale so please, if you intend to apply for a loan or financing,
do not reply.
Thanks,
Dennis
(ME)
Hello Dennis.
I am still interested in the car. Is there a time I can set up to view it?
(Scammer)
Hello ,
The car is in Idaho, in a sealed container, ready to be shipped. Because my work requires a lot of travelling, I made sure that the car is ready to be shipped as soon as I find a buyer for it. The price already includes the shipping fees.I will not be able to meet you to show you the car, but I am available for any information you may need. Feel free to e-mail me, I check my inbox very often.
I want to tell you that I am not selling this car for profit or due to lack of money. All I can say is that some recent events in my life made me change my perception of certain things, things that I've considered important in the past. I will donate all money to charity after I sell this car. I am currently on a trip for UNICEF.
The transaction will be made through eBay company for the safety of both of us. I've already included the car into eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection, so I will sell it only through this program.
Here is how the process works:
- you give me your shipping address,
- I start a transaction on eBay Motors,
- they send you the payment instructions,
- you send the money into eBay trust account,
- they confirm me that they received the funds,
- I ship the car,
- you receive the car and approve them to pay me,
- they send me the money.
You'll receive the car papers along with the car.
They will hold the money until the car is delivered to you, with properly executed title. You will have 5 business days for inspection. If the car is not like described you will have to ship it back at the end of the 5 business days on my expense, but I am sure that you will love it.
In order to move forward I will need your full name and address.
eBay will get in touch with you with further details and instructions.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Dennis
(ME)
Thanks Dennis. I'd like to get this finished as soon as I can. I have to travel out of the country to help a friend with some financial issues he is having. He's having problems with the government in the country that he lives in and wants me to help him out. I leave in a week to go help.
How soon do you think we can complete this transaction?
(Scammer)
I think it will be no more than 7-8 days.
Dennis
(ME)
I hope we can complete this deal in less than a week!
I have some contacts with a trucking company here. What I would like to do is send you the money for the car and shipping (whatever the container costs) plus an additional $1,500 US for your troubles. I would like you to arrange to have the container loaded onto one of our transporter trucks and then pay the driver in cash for the delivery. This helps me avoid some fees in my state.
Let me know if that works for you and I can start the process of arranging for the truck and driver.
>>>>
(Scammer)
The car is already at a shipping company and the shipping is already paid so it would be hard to back out with them. As I said it will not be more than a week before our transaction is completed.
(ME)
Oh that is too bad. I really want this to work out, but I would also like to skip the fees I'll get from my state when the container gets here. Could you deliver it to another state close to mine and I will meet it there and drive it across the border?
When will ebay contact me? I have an escrow company that we can use that is cheaper than ebay? That would save you some money. Can we use them? How will you want me to pay? I have cash in hand, but no paypal account, so I am concerned about ebay. Are you concerned?
(Scammer)
The price already includes the shipping costs. As soon as you provide me with your full name and address I will be able to start the transaction. The service is free for all cars that were listed on eBay and mine was 3 weeks ago. They will be providing you the payment details
(ME- Notice I'm having him ship it to the FBI Headquaters in DC!)
Thanks Dennis. Lets get this started.
Ship to:
935 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20535
(Scammer)
I am glad that you decided to buy it. I have started the transaction with eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection. They will contact you with further information and details.
I will start the shipping procedure as soon as they confirm that your payment has been received.
Thank you,
Dennis
(ME)
Ok. How long before Ebay contacts me? Do you have a reference number I can reference (for reference purposes only of course) I can contact Ebay directly or have one of my contacts in the reference business contact them. It may help to expedite the process of completing the sale of the Mini Cooper quickly.
Thank you.
(Scammer)
There is no specific agent assigned to our transaction. I submitted the transaction online. I know it usually takes 24-48 hours for them to process and accept a transaction so I am sure they will be contacting you soon.
(ME)
Ok it's been too long. I need to complete this transaction asap. Let me know who I need to contact.
I'm getting nervous.
(Scammer)
I submitted the transaction again. I already told all the others that the car is too late so please don't back out of the deal.
(ME)
Let's go with my broker. I can have them complete this deal in 24 hours. I have cash in hand and feel like I'm being led on. I can even mail the cash to you if you want.
Maybe you could send me something in good faith so I can feel better about this transaction. Do you have any more pictures of the car? Pictures of the title? Something that will make me more confident with this deal? I have to leave the country this week to help my new friend with his financial problems. He has a relative that recently died and now my new friend is being oppressed by his own government. I need to help him and I want to complete this deal asap.
(Scammer)
Here is a copy of the title to ease your mind. Please let me know as soon as you get word from eBay VPP.
More to come!
Here's the image file of the title that he sent. I haven't done much background checking on it, but I'm more than certain that it's a photoshop job. There is pixelation around his name.
The address is bogus and isn't showing up on any map search. I'm amazed he got the zip code right.
Now he's sent me a picture of the title that doesn't even have a STATE on it!! I've given him 48 hours to complete the deal. Lets see where it goes....
_____________________________________________
(Scammer)
Hi,
Thank you for your interest in my car. The car is still available so please
let me know if you are still interested in buying it! It has a clear title,
it is in an excellent condition, no dents or scratches, it was always
garaged and regular maintenance and oil changes were done in time. It hasn't
been involved in any accidents or flood damage. The engine runs very well. I
assume you already know the price but if you want more photos or a Carfax
report just let me know! I don't want to offend you but the car is priced
for a fast sale so please, if you intend to apply for a loan or financing,
do not reply.
Thanks,
Dennis
(ME)
Hello Dennis.
I am still interested in the car. Is there a time I can set up to view it?
(Scammer)
Hello ,
The car is in Idaho, in a sealed container, ready to be shipped. Because my work requires a lot of travelling, I made sure that the car is ready to be shipped as soon as I find a buyer for it. The price already includes the shipping fees.I will not be able to meet you to show you the car, but I am available for any information you may need. Feel free to e-mail me, I check my inbox very often.
I want to tell you that I am not selling this car for profit or due to lack of money. All I can say is that some recent events in my life made me change my perception of certain things, things that I've considered important in the past. I will donate all money to charity after I sell this car. I am currently on a trip for UNICEF.
The transaction will be made through eBay company for the safety of both of us. I've already included the car into eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection, so I will sell it only through this program.
Here is how the process works:
- you give me your shipping address,
- I start a transaction on eBay Motors,
- they send you the payment instructions,
- you send the money into eBay trust account,
- they confirm me that they received the funds,
- I ship the car,
- you receive the car and approve them to pay me,
- they send me the money.
You'll receive the car papers along with the car.
They will hold the money until the car is delivered to you, with properly executed title. You will have 5 business days for inspection. If the car is not like described you will have to ship it back at the end of the 5 business days on my expense, but I am sure that you will love it.
In order to move forward I will need your full name and address.
eBay will get in touch with you with further details and instructions.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Dennis
(ME)
Thanks Dennis. I'd like to get this finished as soon as I can. I have to travel out of the country to help a friend with some financial issues he is having. He's having problems with the government in the country that he lives in and wants me to help him out. I leave in a week to go help.
How soon do you think we can complete this transaction?
(Scammer)
I think it will be no more than 7-8 days.
Dennis
(ME)
I hope we can complete this deal in less than a week!
I have some contacts with a trucking company here. What I would like to do is send you the money for the car and shipping (whatever the container costs) plus an additional $1,500 US for your troubles. I would like you to arrange to have the container loaded onto one of our transporter trucks and then pay the driver in cash for the delivery. This helps me avoid some fees in my state.
Let me know if that works for you and I can start the process of arranging for the truck and driver.
>>>>
(Scammer)
The car is already at a shipping company and the shipping is already paid so it would be hard to back out with them. As I said it will not be more than a week before our transaction is completed.
(ME)
Oh that is too bad. I really want this to work out, but I would also like to skip the fees I'll get from my state when the container gets here. Could you deliver it to another state close to mine and I will meet it there and drive it across the border?
When will ebay contact me? I have an escrow company that we can use that is cheaper than ebay? That would save you some money. Can we use them? How will you want me to pay? I have cash in hand, but no paypal account, so I am concerned about ebay. Are you concerned?
(Scammer)
The price already includes the shipping costs. As soon as you provide me with your full name and address I will be able to start the transaction. The service is free for all cars that were listed on eBay and mine was 3 weeks ago. They will be providing you the payment details
(ME- Notice I'm having him ship it to the FBI Headquaters in DC!)
Thanks Dennis. Lets get this started.
Ship to:
935 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20535
(Scammer)
I am glad that you decided to buy it. I have started the transaction with eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection. They will contact you with further information and details.
I will start the shipping procedure as soon as they confirm that your payment has been received.
Thank you,
Dennis
(ME)
Ok. How long before Ebay contacts me? Do you have a reference number I can reference (for reference purposes only of course) I can contact Ebay directly or have one of my contacts in the reference business contact them. It may help to expedite the process of completing the sale of the Mini Cooper quickly.
Thank you.
(Scammer)
There is no specific agent assigned to our transaction. I submitted the transaction online. I know it usually takes 24-48 hours for them to process and accept a transaction so I am sure they will be contacting you soon.
(ME)
Ok it's been too long. I need to complete this transaction asap. Let me know who I need to contact.
I'm getting nervous.
(Scammer)
I submitted the transaction again. I already told all the others that the car is too late so please don't back out of the deal.
(ME)
Let's go with my broker. I can have them complete this deal in 24 hours. I have cash in hand and feel like I'm being led on. I can even mail the cash to you if you want.
Maybe you could send me something in good faith so I can feel better about this transaction. Do you have any more pictures of the car? Pictures of the title? Something that will make me more confident with this deal? I have to leave the country this week to help my new friend with his financial problems. He has a relative that recently died and now my new friend is being oppressed by his own government. I need to help him and I want to complete this deal asap.
(Scammer)
Here is a copy of the title to ease your mind. Please let me know as soon as you get word from eBay VPP.
More to come!
Here's the image file of the title that he sent. I haven't done much background checking on it, but I'm more than certain that it's a photoshop job. There is pixelation around his name.
The address is bogus and isn't showing up on any map search. I'm amazed he got the zip code right.
Sounds like you can also backtrack their ip.... but why waste your time? Simply place a call to the good uniformed folks at your "home" address, since you've now got him on some form of attempted interstate fraud, as well as making threats of violence - in writing! That FBI idea is a good one - time to act...
Now where's that popcorn-eating smiley emoticon?
Now where's that popcorn-eating smiley emoticon?