R50/53 What looks like a perfect 03 S on e-bay with a "buy it now'
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
This truely sounds like the pandemic scam running around. Read the response carefully:
$2500 deposit via money order service.
Car in France.
Neither of these points match up with the listing on e-bay.
Add the symapthy seeking tone of the response and it equates to smelling like rancid fish for the foolish appetite.
Put on a full biohazard suit if you plan to go near this guy.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
$2500 deposit via money order service.
Car in France.
Neither of these points match up with the listing on e-bay.
Add the symapthy seeking tone of the response and it equates to smelling like rancid fish for the foolish appetite.
Put on a full biohazard suit if you plan to go near this guy.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 2
From: South Bend, Indiana
Wait a minute, wait a minute! Now we have the
full story-- This guy's brother just died!
Come on MINIacs, have a heart! Let's all pitch in
some money to help the poor guy out.
I'm in for a penny, who's with me?
Dogspeed.
full story-- This guy's brother just died!
Come on MINIacs, have a heart! Let's all pitch in
some money to help the poor guy out.
I'm in for a penny, who's with me?
Dogspeed.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: California S.F. East Bay
Instead of warning the guy, maybe it'd be better to turn him in directly to EBAY. They should know when there's a problem like this, so they can screen for it, and maybe develop a way to nail these guys.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
A little FYI:
I have talked to ebay about this car and another MINI that was the same thing except this dude was leaving to Greece for family emergency. Well, they said the are investigating numerous of these type of cases. The thing is they said they can't be sure that it is them actually selling this things or someone has got ahold of some ebayer's passwords and accounts and is doing it.
So fellow ebayers check you accounts and make sure youre not selling anything that you don't intend to.
B
I have talked to ebay about this car and another MINI that was the same thing except this dude was leaving to Greece for family emergency. Well, they said the are investigating numerous of these type of cases. The thing is they said they can't be sure that it is them actually selling this things or someone has got ahold of some ebayer's passwords and accounts and is doing it.
So fellow ebayers check you accounts and make sure youre not selling anything that you don't intend to.
B
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA
wanna know more?
did some digging in somewhat early in the game, like yesterday
VIN WMWRE334X3TD61666 2003 Mini Cooper
12/30/02 CA 7 MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
01/24/03 STOCKTON, CA MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
02/06/03, STOCKTON, CA MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. TITLE (Lien Reported)
France...yeah, right!
The photos looked like a typical U.S. used car dealer lot (lots of large sized vehicles...suv's, trucks). It would be nice to nab this guy or guys. I remember the location as Henrieta, NY as it was listed on ebay.
did some digging in somewhat early in the game, like yesterday
VIN WMWRE334X3TD61666 2003 Mini Cooper
12/30/02 CA 7 MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
01/24/03 STOCKTON, CA MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
02/06/03, STOCKTON, CA MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. TITLE (Lien Reported)
France...yeah, right!
The photos looked like a typical U.S. used car dealer lot (lots of large sized vehicles...suv's, trucks). It would be nice to nab this guy or guys. I remember the location as Henrieta, NY as it was listed on ebay.
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
Likes: 2
From: Burning-Ham Alabama
To add some fuel to the fire. . .here is the email I received from the seller today:
Hello and thank you for your interest
I want to tell you a few words about the car.
First of all the car is in perfect condition and looks just like in the
pictures.It is in imaculate condition and has no schrach on and hasn't been
involved in any accident.
The motor run very well. The title is clear ,it is not a salvage one. The car belongs to my brother.He died last month in a bike accident. The car is now in France as my brother lived there.I am willing to sell it
and shipp it to any of the UE countries or to US.I will not ship to any
African,Asian or Eastern European countries.
I know that the price is low but i have no use for the car and I want to get
back home as soon as i sell it.
The price I hope to obtain is 9000 $ (this price includes the 25% shipping
to your door and insurance, the shipping cost is 1700$ - 2000$) and if you
agree
with this price we can start to complete the transaction.As i've told you,in
order to proceed with the deal i need a deposit of 2500USD.The payment must
be done using a money order service.
I prefer money order because in this way i will ship the car in the same day
you make the payment.As i've said my brother lived in France and now i
arrived here to take care of his funerals and to solve his problems here and
i want to get back home asap.
You will arrange payment through western union .You receive and inspect the machine you have to send me the rest of the money.The inspection period for
it is 3 days.
Look here how things are going:
l'm a serious seller with more than 2 years of experience in this field. l'm a fair trader with a very good feedback on ebay which is the proof that l have closed a lot of sucessful deals. You will have to make a deposit of 2500 USD . You will have to go personal
to an western union office with the cash and send the money (the deposit of
2500 USD ) from your name and address to WATH NAME DO YOU WANT (FOR YOUR
SIGURANCE)NEVER CAN TUCH THE MONEY IN THIS WAY ONLY AFTER YOU WILL RECEIVED
THE CAR AND YOU WILL INSPECT IT YOU CAN CHANGE THE RECEIVER NAME WITH MY
NAME.
The transfer only need to be here in France for i can be avaible to check at
my WU agent that you really have the money for this great car .in this case
the money is deposited in westernunion on my adress but on your friend name. .I will ship the car as a gift for my best friend so you will not have to
pay any custom taxes and I hope you will do the same thing when you will
make the transfer because
this way we will not have to pay any other taxes.
After you will make the transfer you will email me the details: -the sender name -the sender address -the amount -the confirmation #-MTCN (money transfer control number) -the receiver name, that you choose to be and the adress. With all this informations i will be able to check the payment and after i will see that it is OK i will send the car right away and you will receive it in 10 days at your door (if not less). Here is my name and my address where you must send the money: First name: Mark Last name: Anderson
Address: RUE LOUIS ASTRUC # 69
Zip code: 13005
City: MARSEILLE
Country: FRANCE
Don't forget to give me your exact adress!!!
Please let me know what you decision asap in order to prepare the shippment and because I have a lot of offers and I can not wait much longer, thanks. Best Regards I shall be awaiting your response. With upmost respect
I want to tell you a few words about the car.
First of all the car is in perfect condition and looks just like in the
pictures.It is in imaculate condition and has no schrach on and hasn't been
involved in any accident.
The motor run very well. The title is clear ,it is not a salvage one. The car belongs to my brother.He died last month in a bike accident. The car is now in France as my brother lived there.I am willing to sell it
and shipp it to any of the UE countries or to US.I will not ship to any
African,Asian or Eastern European countries.
I know that the price is low but i have no use for the car and I want to get
back home as soon as i sell it.
The price I hope to obtain is 9000 $ (this price includes the 25% shipping
to your door and insurance, the shipping cost is 1700$ - 2000$) and if you
agree
with this price we can start to complete the transaction.As i've told you,in
order to proceed with the deal i need a deposit of 2500USD.The payment must
be done using a money order service.
I prefer money order because in this way i will ship the car in the same day
you make the payment.As i've said my brother lived in France and now i
arrived here to take care of his funerals and to solve his problems here and
i want to get back home asap.
You will arrange payment through western union .You receive and inspect the machine you have to send me the rest of the money.The inspection period for
it is 3 days.
Look here how things are going:
l'm a serious seller with more than 2 years of experience in this field. l'm a fair trader with a very good feedback on ebay which is the proof that l have closed a lot of sucessful deals. You will have to make a deposit of 2500 USD . You will have to go personal
to an western union office with the cash and send the money (the deposit of
2500 USD ) from your name and address to WATH NAME DO YOU WANT (FOR YOUR
SIGURANCE)NEVER CAN TUCH THE MONEY IN THIS WAY ONLY AFTER YOU WILL RECEIVED
THE CAR AND YOU WILL INSPECT IT YOU CAN CHANGE THE RECEIVER NAME WITH MY
NAME.
The transfer only need to be here in France for i can be avaible to check at
my WU agent that you really have the money for this great car .in this case
the money is deposited in westernunion on my adress but on your friend name. .I will ship the car as a gift for my best friend so you will not have to
pay any custom taxes and I hope you will do the same thing when you will
make the transfer because
this way we will not have to pay any other taxes.
After you will make the transfer you will email me the details: -the sender name -the sender address -the amount -the confirmation #-MTCN (money transfer control number) -the receiver name, that you choose to be and the adress. With all this informations i will be able to check the payment and after i will see that it is OK i will send the car right away and you will receive it in 10 days at your door (if not less). Here is my name and my address where you must send the money: First name: Mark Last name: Anderson
Address: RUE LOUIS ASTRUC # 69
Zip code: 13005
City: MARSEILLE
Country: FRANCE
Don't forget to give me your exact adress!!!
Please let me know what you decision asap in order to prepare the shippment and because I have a lot of offers and I can not wait much longer, thanks. Best Regards I shall be awaiting your response. With upmost respect
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
This is a SCAM!!!
There have been 3 of these Mini's at an extremely low "buy it now" price on ebay.
The first 2, wanted a 25% deposit sent to Poland, and the Italy. Both gave the same story. Now Greece?? Its got to be the same guy.
I told the 2nd guy, "Great, I'm going to be in Italy tomorrow, I'll bring the cashier check and take delivery, and my friend works for the Italian Government so I'll have him arrange for shipping" He never replied back. what an A-hole
There have been 3 of these Mini's at an extremely low "buy it now" price on ebay.
The first 2, wanted a 25% deposit sent to Poland, and the Italy. Both gave the same story. Now Greece?? Its got to be the same guy.
I told the 2nd guy, "Great, I'm going to be in Italy tomorrow, I'll bring the cashier check and take delivery, and my friend works for the Italian Government so I'll have him arrange for shipping" He never replied back. what an A-hole
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
It's definitely a scam. Check out this site: Car buying Scams
Here's a quote from that site:
Here's a quote from that site:
Watch out for auctions requiring "Bidder Pre-Approval"
You want to bid on the BMW or Harley but there is a not at the top of the auction that says this:
"Note: This listing is restricted to pre-approved bidders or buyers only. Email the seller to be placed on the pre-approved bidder/buyer list."
That's a dirty trick to get you outside the eBay system so the scammer can work you via email. If you email the scum bag to ask how you get approved for bidding, he sends you his template email and tells you to pay via Western Union, or use his fake escrow site that he setup to scam you.
You want to bid on the BMW or Harley but there is a not at the top of the auction that says this:
"Note: This listing is restricted to pre-approved bidders or buyers only. Email the seller to be placed on the pre-approved bidder/buyer list."
That's a dirty trick to get you outside the eBay system so the scammer can work you via email. If you email the scum bag to ask how you get approved for bidding, he sends you his template email and tells you to pay via Western Union, or use his fake escrow site that he setup to scam you.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Just tried to access the e-bay page for this $9k MINI and the response was:
Invalid Item
The item you requested (2469171300) is invalid, still pending, or no longer in our database. Please check the number and try again. If this message persists, the item has either not started and is not yet available for viewing, or has expired and is no longer available.
Invalid Item
The item you requested (2469171300) is invalid, still pending, or no longer in our database. Please check the number and try again. If this message persists, the item has either not started and is not yet available for viewing, or has expired and is no longer available.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
BEWARE! I just reported two sellers on ebay with Mini's and they were scammers. NEVER accept the terms with a Western Union payment and if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Some sellers are somehow stealing other's ebay names and ratings. It appears that the scammer has a good sales record with ebay. Contact LIVEHELP on ebay if you have doubts or better yet, report suspicious behavior.
There was a segment on Dateline regarding this exact scamming. Once the money leaves you, there is NO recourse with W. Union. And mostly, they lie and say they are in Europe and give you a sob story about a deceased or blind relative and they are selling the car to pay for the funeral or medicine. Just be careful!
Some sellers are somehow stealing other's ebay names and ratings. It appears that the scammer has a good sales record with ebay. Contact LIVEHELP on ebay if you have doubts or better yet, report suspicious behavior.
There was a segment on Dateline regarding this exact scamming. Once the money leaves you, there is NO recourse with W. Union. And mostly, they lie and say they are in Europe and give you a sob story about a deceased or blind relative and they are selling the car to pay for the funeral or medicine. Just be careful!
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Funny -- I stumbled across this thread looking for info on ASA wheels (not sure why it came up).
I found another auction from this guy -- also a 2003 MCS, this time with a brother dead in Italy (pictures of the car all showed U.S.-plated cars in the background, btw), with an email almost word-for-word the same as the one posted to this thread. Gotta feel for this guy; tragedy seems to strike his Mini-owning family.
In other news, since emailing this fellow, I now regularly receive spoofed email purportedly from EBay, inviting me to provide my password/etc. for "verificiation purposes" or somesuch claptrap.
I found another auction from this guy -- also a 2003 MCS, this time with a brother dead in Italy (pictures of the car all showed U.S.-plated cars in the background, btw), with an email almost word-for-word the same as the one posted to this thread. Gotta feel for this guy; tragedy seems to strike his Mini-owning family.
In other news, since emailing this fellow, I now regularly receive spoofed email purportedly from EBay, inviting me to provide my password/etc. for "verificiation purposes" or somesuch claptrap.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh
here is a little more info for you guys on this type of thing. These scams run much deaper than the auction we're looking at. It starts with an email (apparently from ebay) requesting an ebay member follow a link to confirm their email address. These emails actually link to a "grabber" site, where when the member "confirms" their user name and password, the site keeps the info and bounces you back to the front page. With that, the scammers are setting up auctions using good buyers ratings.
I know this, because my sister was a victim of this. She did as the email said (they're very convincing, using ebay logos, and domain names that appear to be valid) The emails said that this was necessary to correct an error or something. Ebay actually contacted my sister (for real) to tell her that someone was using her account in a fradulant way.
Ebay gave her a new user name and gave her all of her original ratings. I saw her account from after the guy got a hold of her info, and he was getting slammed by people who were getting ripped off. Ebay (and possibly the FTC I think) actually prosecuted this particular guy. They can track the poster's IP address, and find them.
Just remember, as with any other scam, they may get away with it once or twice, but will get NAILED hard eventually. I hope it's worth it while it lasts. A-holes!
I know this, because my sister was a victim of this. She did as the email said (they're very convincing, using ebay logos, and domain names that appear to be valid) The emails said that this was necessary to correct an error or something. Ebay actually contacted my sister (for real) to tell her that someone was using her account in a fradulant way.
Ebay gave her a new user name and gave her all of her original ratings. I saw her account from after the guy got a hold of her info, and he was getting slammed by people who were getting ripped off. Ebay (and possibly the FTC I think) actually prosecuted this particular guy. They can track the poster's IP address, and find them.
Just remember, as with any other scam, they may get away with it once or twice, but will get NAILED hard eventually. I hope it's worth it while it lasts. A-holes!
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
It's called "phishing" and e-bay gets the phishing sites shut down just as fast as the scammers put them up.
I've popped over to some of the links in the e-mails out of curiosity (never filled out a form). I've seen sites that ask for e-bay username, password, charge card numbers (and the security number on the back), mother's maiden name, SSN, bank account numbers, bank routing numbers, even Driver's License numbers!
It's not a new scam either, more than 10 years ago people claim to be with AOL used to send out messages asking for member's user names, passswords and the charge card that their service was billed to...
These aren't just e-bay scams, it's a full on attempt at identity theft. And even more insideous some bold phishers, have been calling on behalf of "fraud departments" for credit card companies trying to get information as well.
I've popped over to some of the links in the e-mails out of curiosity (never filled out a form). I've seen sites that ask for e-bay username, password, charge card numbers (and the security number on the back), mother's maiden name, SSN, bank account numbers, bank routing numbers, even Driver's License numbers!
It's not a new scam either, more than 10 years ago people claim to be with AOL used to send out messages asking for member's user names, passswords and the charge card that their service was billed to...
These aren't just e-bay scams, it's a full on attempt at identity theft. And even more insideous some bold phishers, have been calling on behalf of "fraud departments" for credit card companies trying to get information as well.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 0
From: A Van Down by the River
This is ridiculous! And quite scary, I might add! I use ebay all the time and thank God have not been scammed or ripped off yet.
<<In other news, since emailing this fellow, I now regularly receive spoofed email purportedly from EBay, inviting me to provide my password/etc. for "verificiation purposes" or somesuch claptrap. >>
That's pretty freaky. You should notify ebay! That person is still trying to scam you! What a load of crap.
<<In other news, since emailing this fellow, I now regularly receive spoofed email purportedly from EBay, inviting me to provide my password/etc. for "verificiation purposes" or somesuch claptrap. >>
That's pretty freaky. You should notify ebay! That person is still trying to scam you! What a load of crap.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, Nevada, USA
Offer to buy the car but tell him you will place the money with an escrow company and when he delivers a clear title they will give him the $$, subject to an inspection of the car by you of course. I bet you never hear from him again..................mgg
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
>>how many different ways do you spell SCAM ?
One way is EBAY.
I have heard so many scam stories from Ebay I am amazed people use them. They are never responsible and you have no recourse with them. I will never do business with Ebay. I use the net all the time to buy stuff. But never on Ebay.
One way is EBAY.
I have heard so many scam stories from Ebay I am amazed people use them. They are never responsible and you have no recourse with them. I will never do business with Ebay. I use the net all the time to buy stuff. But never on Ebay.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
I disagree, I do believe it is possible to safely do business on e-bay... But you must do due diligence and make sure you know who you're dealing with and what they are selling...
Check the feedback!, and don't just look at the number, read what people are saying! I was interested in a product but unsure of it's authenticity. The seller appeared to have good feedback (98% positive, with well over 300 responses), until I read the comments...
Most of the good feedback remarks didn't mention the product the seller was selling... Merely that the item shipped fast and was well packaged... Or that the seller was responsive... Many of the remarks even stated that they were written before the merchanse was received!!!
Those that did comment on the item, were disappointed...
You can be safe on e-bay... if you take the time to know who you are dealing with... Realize that if the cheapest you can find an item for sale is $125, but somebody is selling it "new" with a by it now for $50, it may be too good to be true...
Check the feedback!, and don't just look at the number, read what people are saying! I was interested in a product but unsure of it's authenticity. The seller appeared to have good feedback (98% positive, with well over 300 responses), until I read the comments...
Most of the good feedback remarks didn't mention the product the seller was selling... Merely that the item shipped fast and was well packaged... Or that the seller was responsive... Many of the remarks even stated that they were written before the merchanse was received!!!
Those that did comment on the item, were disappointed...
You can be safe on e-bay... if you take the time to know who you are dealing with... Realize that if the cheapest you can find an item for sale is $125, but somebody is selling it "new" with a by it now for $50, it may be too good to be true...
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
>>>>how many different ways do you spell SCAM ?
>>One way is EBAY.
>>
>>I have heard so many scam stories from Ebay I am amazed people use them. They are never responsible and you have no recourse with them. I will never do business with Ebay. I use the net all the time to buy stuff. But never on Ebay.
I resent this ... I have sold a few things on eBay and tried very hard to be honest and helpful. One time I accidentally mailed the wrong thing - the guy needed it quick so no time to mail the right thing so I just refunded his payment in full.
I have bought lots of things too and only had one issue where I returned a damaged part and it was lost in the mail from USA to England ...
eBay is as trustworthy as any other auction or flea market type place. More so than many since you *do* have feedback about people.
I have had my credit card details stolen just filling up with gas - if you are paranoid with eBay then I guess you *never* buy anything from anyone except maybe cash from family members?
Life has risks. Be smart and minimize them.
>>One way is EBAY.
>>
>>I have heard so many scam stories from Ebay I am amazed people use them. They are never responsible and you have no recourse with them. I will never do business with Ebay. I use the net all the time to buy stuff. But never on Ebay.
I resent this ... I have sold a few things on eBay and tried very hard to be honest and helpful. One time I accidentally mailed the wrong thing - the guy needed it quick so no time to mail the right thing so I just refunded his payment in full.
I have bought lots of things too and only had one issue where I returned a damaged part and it was lost in the mail from USA to England ...
eBay is as trustworthy as any other auction or flea market type place. More so than many since you *do* have feedback about people.
I have had my credit card details stolen just filling up with gas - if you are paranoid with eBay then I guess you *never* buy anything from anyone except maybe cash from family members?
Life has risks. Be smart and minimize them.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,241
Likes: 0
From: USA
If you are bidding online on a high ticket item...get
a phone number. Then do a reverse lookup up and
get an address. Then if it is a scam you can always
go and get your money back.
(with a gun,of course)
I've gotten both cars and motorcycles on Ebay and no
problems. Yet.
a phone number. Then do a reverse lookup up and
get an address. Then if it is a scam you can always
go and get your money back.
(with a gun,of course)I've gotten both cars and motorcycles on Ebay and no
problems. Yet.
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I too, had inquired of the seller and received a reply from him that I was approved to bid.
Then about the time this thread was started, I received a notification from eBay's loss prevention department advising me that the auction in question was suspended and the seller was being investigated.
The gist of that message, if I decided to pursue this item after it was cancelled was: BUYER BEWARE!
Did anyone else receive such a message from eBay?
And as for those who distrust eBay as a safe and reliable venue to buy and sell, I strongly disagree.
I have bought close to 500 items on eBay, I've only been burned once.
Not too bad, IMO.
Then about the time this thread was started, I received a notification from eBay's loss prevention department advising me that the auction in question was suspended and the seller was being investigated.
The gist of that message, if I decided to pursue this item after it was cancelled was: BUYER BEWARE!
Did anyone else receive such a message from eBay?
And as for those who distrust eBay as a safe and reliable venue to buy and sell, I strongly disagree.
I have bought close to 500 items on eBay, I've only been burned once.
Not too bad, IMO.
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