Is this a scam? Ebay related

[dannym]

I was looking at this car on Craigslist:

Infiniti Q45 Fully Equiped 2005 - $4400 (orlando)

Date: 2010-04-22, 8:37PM EDT
Reply to: sale-sjerq-1705510059@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]


FULLY equiped:Upgraded premium 18" wheels, Sat radio, AC/Heated seats,sensor cruise control,Executive package, Tape and CD changer, Navi, back up camera, new tires, sun roof, Tan Leather.

Location: orlando
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

tThis is a reply e-mail I got:
Hi,
I am selling this car because my platoon has been sent back to Afganistan and don't want it get old in my backyard. The price is low because I need to sell it before April 29. It has no damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects. It is in immaculate condition, meticulously maintained and hasn't been involved in any accident..I do have the title , clear, under my name.Vin#JNKBF01A35M100204.The car has 67,000 original miles.
It is still available for sale if interested, price as stated in the ad $XXXX . The Q45 is in Billings , MT , in case it gets sold I will take care of shipping. Let me know if you are interested, email back.
Regards!!!

As I've told you at this moment I am in Billings, MT in a military base getting ready for Afghanistan. This mean that I do a special training program and I am not allowed to get out of the unit or give calls whenever I want.The shipping can't be a problem because I can do it at no cost for you. You will receive the car along with all the documents including title, bill of sale, full service records and more .Because it is a large transaction we will complete the deal only using an authorized third party like eBay, using their Business Purchase Protection Program.The payment will be handling by eBay and you will benefit of 5 inspection time period (test drive) and the option to accept or reject the car on my expense. If you are still interested just send me your full name and shipping address. I will forward your info and they will notify you about our deal.

What do you think?

Danny

[Jim B.]

At first glance it has the ring of truth, and the use of the english language is better than in many scams, BUT ... all the ELEMENTS of the scam seem in place too.

Have you googled to verify the existence of a Military base in Billings MT.?


The car needs a PPI and an in-place inspection, for that kind of money.

Believe me,once your check clears the bank, he will be a tougher customer than you ever were!! Just like a car dealer, maybe worse.


The Q45 is a good road cruiser by Nissan, and they are to me, the Japanese version of the Ford Crown Vic and my Mercury Grand Marquis; often overlooked, inexpensive to run dollar for mile, and insure, super comfortable and roomy, parts reasonably easy to find at junkyards

And pretty safe too.

But I would be leery of one like this with 18" aftermarket wheels and huge subs, all that kind of crap.

Close call, in my opinion, as to whether to buy. I would be inclined to pass though, it is too much money to lose.

"Trust but Verify" at the very least. Where is his ISP?


Hopefully others will chime in. This is only MY opinion...I really don't know.

[powerpig]

It's a scam. There are thousands of posts like this on craigslist.

[caa337]

I almost got pulled into one of these scams
They even have a email they send that looks JUST like an ebay escort email but they didnt have a ebay account and ebay doesn't offer escort services. They normally come up with stupid excuses about how they got divorced or moved outta the country and they will ship it to you after you send the money to another person.

Stay away from scams like that, One time i asked for a cell number and they said they don't have on.. Its a scam

[TX76513]

These are pretty easy to sort out - tell the seller you happen to be in Billings and would like to see the car. Watch how quick a scammer backpaddles.

[JollyRoger]

Does not seem to be any military bases in Billings....

http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/localList.php?local=27&locTGroup=Military_bases&direction=down&sec=0&stateAbbv=MT&stateName=montana

The point of the scam is to get your down payment to hold the car. You send them $500 and then he disappears.

I like the idea of telling them you are in the neighborhood. Tell them you are on a temporary assignment for the FBI.

[okyoureabeast]

There is a marine, navy, and army reserve station in Billings MT as per google, but I don't know if they're just centers or what.

Just bid as normal on the vehicle. Don't stray from Ebay's safety measures and pay with a debit/ credit card to be safe when the deal goes south.

[halman2228]

Tell him you're near the car and want to see it.

I doubt you'll see any reply that makes sense.

They like to use our service people as a play on sympathy...

While looking for a horse trailer, the scam being pulled on me was "I am on a relief mission for (such and such Chritian organization) and can only communicate via e-mail...."

Right.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

There is a marine, navy, and army reserve station in Billings MT as per google, but I don't know if they're just centers or what.

Just bid as normal on the vehicle. Don't stray from Ebay's safety measures and pay with a debit/ credit card to be safe when the deal goes south.

Walk away.

I got a good deal on a Mercedes 180D sedan from a guy who was leaving the country for several years service with the govt but to be on the safe side, I had a friend look at it first. It was exactly what he said, so the cash exchanged hands, the car got dollied to storage and I got the title.

BUT-- you have to do some checking and have a plan that protects you as well.

[DieselPaul]

The bluebook on the car $17,720. There is priced for a cheap sale, and then scams. I understand needing money fast, but at like $14,000 the car would be a quick sale and a smoking deal. Why would he cheat himself out of the $10,000?

[TnBob]

The key is the supposed collusion of craigslist and ebay. NO such arrangement exists !

ALL ebay payments now go thru paypal. To my knowledge they have NEVER gone thru ebay. Ask ebay, they will tell you that 'Ebay is a platform for trading' nothing more or less.

I mean come on.. Lowes wont even take a Home Depot gift card ! Why would craigslist be using a non existent payment system with ebay anyway ??

[DieselPaul]

Ebay now owns paypal afaik. Maybe that's what he meant? But I agree, why would you mix ebay and craigslist.

[POS]

Easily too much risk - pass.

[cscmc1]

Scam. The language in that second paragraph screams non-native speaker, and it's the classic "Ebay brokered" scam scenario.

[Pavka007]

SCAMMMMMMMM.

read eBay policy: They DON'T have or offer Business Purchase Protection Program, there is not such a thing.
eBay don't offer ANY kind of money transactions service ANY. They are using PayPal (eBay company)