Overseas car scam..

[deilenberger]

I've spotted (and lead on a bit to see what the scam is) a number of these from various sources.

Typical hook - something like a 2000 M3 (there was no such car) on someplace like CarsDirect or Ebay - with a price about 1/3rd what the car should go for.

When you start corresponding with the "owner" - you get a message back that they and the car are in some foreign country (so far - UK, Greece and Romania), and they desperately need money so they're selling the car cheap.

If you respond with any interest - they start telling you how they will ship the car to you via Lufthansa or FedEx (who does have vehicle transport) on receipt of (1) export taxes OR (2) deposit. They always claim the shipping cost is included in the price of the car (I got quotes from FedEx on two of the cars - the shipping cost was ore than they were asking for the car :-)

If you ask if a friend of yours in the country they claim the car is in can come inspect it for you - - they basically ignore this and then start pushing for the $$$, claiming you'll see the car in 4 days.

If you really push for inspection - they just disappear.

Ebay seems to spot these fairly quickly and they go away - CarsDirect needed to be told about it - and then they did pull all (and there were several) that were on their site.

In the case of the 2000 M3 - aside from there not ever being a 2000 M3, the photos were lifted from an EBay ad (the scam ad was on CarsDirect) as I suspect the VIN# was. I got a BMW dealer friend to run the VIN through BMW's history - and it was a '97, recently bought by someone via an Ebay auction, and happily residing in New York.

If it sounds too good to be true..

Don

[DeclanM]

Here are the details of the car scammers

http://carsdireot.com = [ 216.136.232.176 ]
Domain Name.......... carsdireot.com
Creation Date........ 2005-03-05
Registration Date.... 2005-03-05
Expiry Date.......... 2006-03-05
Organisation Name.... Phillip Movagahr
Organisation Address. 732 La Brea Ave.
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. Los Angeles
Organisation Address. 90036
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES
Admin Name........... Phillip Movagahr
Admin Address........ 732 La Brea Ave.
Admin Address........
Admin Address........ Los Angeles
Admin Address........ 90036
Admin Address........ CA
Admin Address........ UNITED STATES
Admin Email.......... [email protected]
Admin Phone.......... 1.5542624529
Admin Fax............
Tech Name............ YahooDomains TechContact
Tech Address......... 701 First Ave.
Tech Address.........
Tech Address......... Sunnyvale
Tech Address......... 94089
Tech Address......... CA
Tech Address......... UNITED STATES
Tech Email........... [email protected]
Tech Phone........... 1.6198813096
Tech Fax............. 1.6198813010
Name Server.......... yns1.yahoo.com
Name Server.......... yns2.yahoo.com

We have the vehicle 2002 AUDI S8 at CarsDirect warehouse in Denver, Colorado. The car was inspected and insured by CarsDirect.
You will be allowed to buy or inspect the car when the payment of USD $3,500.00 refundable deposit by MoneyGram Wire Transfer will be completed to CarsDirect.
When the wire transfer is completed you will have to send us the transfer details for validating the shipping. The transfer details become confidential and we will release it only when the car arrives and you are fully satisfied with it.
The car will be shipped in just 3 business days from the day after we receive the payment confirmation from you.
If the car does not correspond to your expectations and seller description, a Carsdirect team will come to pick-up the vehicle within 5 business days, offering you a full refund for the deposit. For more questions please contact your seller or contact us by e-mail.






Transaction ID:

Total price: $26,990.00 (shipping and insurance included)

Amount to be wired: USD $3,500.00 (will be deducted from the total amount)

Please complete the payment by MoneyGram WIRE TRANSFER for our financial officer:


First Name: Dean

Last Name: Ashton

Address: 6230 Tower Road

City: Denver

Zip: 80249

State: Colorado



*For this you have to go personally at any MoneyGram store.

*The seller accepted to cover all the MoneyGram transfer fees.

After you complete the payment please send the MoneyGram transfer details by replying to this e-mail.

Please write in your e-mail subject: Deposit payment from YOURNAME.

Please send us the following details:

1) MoeyGram reference number.
2) Exact sender's name on file with MoneyGram.
3) Your street address on file with MoneyGram.
4) City and state where you sent the money from.
5) Amount sent.


Car status: INSPECTED

Car details :

2002 AUDI S8

Car condition: Very good
Doors: 4 doors
Transmission: Automatic
Interior: Tan
Exterior: Blue
Year: 2002
Warranty: Existing (3 years) / 50,000 mile Service Agreement
VIN Number: WAUGU44D62N001678
Title: Clear
Condition: Used
Inspection: Yes
Engine: 8 - Cyl.

Seller description was verified by our specialists.

Vehicle description status: VERIFIED

We will reply with details within 24-48 hours after receiving the payment confirmation e-mail from you.

For any questions please contact your seller or contact us by reply to this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Sarah Gibson,
CarsDirect.com



************************************************** **********
***You may reply to this e-mail.***

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CarsDirect.com is the best place to buy new cars online. We offer low, no-haggle prices and have a huge selection of new and used cars. To find the guaranteed CarsDirect price for any new vehicle, begin by selecting the make and model in the drop-down menus above.

If you choose to buy a new car online through CarsDirect, a Vehicle Specialist will contact you quickly.

If you prefer to buy from a dealer, we will match your needs with a member of our authorized dealer network near you. Your VIP dealer representative will work with you to find your vehicle and negotiate a low price.

Thousands of happy customers buy cars through us every month. Who knew it was so easy to buy new cars online?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What's new at CarsDirect.com?

Newsletters ( )
If you haven't already subscribed to the CarsDirect.com newsletter,
sign up today to get updates on new models, hot tips on rebates and
incentives, and more valuable car-shopping information. Simply sign in to My
CarsDirect and click on the "Newsletter" tab.

Incentives & Rebates Center
( )
Save up to thousands of dollars with manufacturer incentives and
rebates.

Research Center ( )
Visit the CarsDirect.com Research Center, where you'll find vehicle
reviews, comparisons, safety info and more.

[monty]

HI anybody in touch with the John Diallo expeditions???the shipping company in spain !!

[Cath]

I got a e-mail from Mr John Diallo from Sierra [email protected] wanting to invest towards real estate properties, Hotel, Construction Works and Agriculture in New Zealand
his Private E mail [email protected] . Is this a Scam?
Regards

[J. Tberry]

Recently saw an ad on autotrader listing a 99 M3 for about $3000. Kelly blue book said that vehicle was worth about $14,000. The seller claims to live in scotland and that the car is in the US. They want to use moneybookers.com for the transaction but this deal also seems too good to be true.

[DrewRit21]

I just got the same one...are you gonna act on it?