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-   -   Watch for this Scammer... SL500 (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-sl-discussion-forum/243162-watch-scammer-sl500.html)

cphilip 01-20-2009 08:49 PM

Watch for this Scammer... SL500
 
I ran into this one nearby on Craigs List the other day. Seemed too good to be true right?

Well it looks like it is going to turn out to be too good to be true. Very first email response starts talking about Moneybookers...

Now... the car does exist. Somewhere and probably was or is being sold by someone. Probably for a lot more money than this though. It shows up mostly as being in PA and then NJ. But the VIN is real so they must have "harvested" the info.

Original Picture and info link on Craigs List

http://picasaweb.google.com/nmngbfgdb/1990MercedesBenz500SL31913MilesMintNav#slideshow



Here are my exchanges so far:


From: "Philip Carroll" <cphilip@XXXXXX.net>
To: sale-985475501@craigslist.org
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 9:27:40 PM GMT -06:00 Central America
Subject: @@@1990 Mercedes Benz 500 SL#@@@@ - $3800 (augusta)

Do you have any pictures of the seat install? Not sure I understand the work
done.

How is the condition of the motor, transmission, heat and air? Everything
working? Any records available for it?


Reply:


On 1/20/09 4:40 PM, "loum61657t@comcast.net" <loum61657t@comcast.net> wrote:

Let me tell you a few words about the car.It's a 1990 Mercedes Benz 500 SL, in perfect condition, with no need for additional repairs, no scratches, dings, special marks whatsoever, never been involved in any accidents. The interior looks great. It has 31,913 miles.It has a clear title ready to be signed and notarized on your name.The price is not negotiable , $3,800.00 is my last price.I sell the car at this price because I cannot enjoy it due to my job(I work as a dealer on a cruise ship) and I'm a single woman and I have nobody close who can use it.
All documents, including owner's manual, clear title and a bill of sale on your name will be provided along with the car.Also about payment and shipping I will use only Moneybookers vehicle protection program so we can both be protected.I just need your full name and address so i can open a case.(with no further obligation or fees).

Thank you

Here are more pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/aqxqwwe/Mrcedes?authkey=ILg_MU2Yuko#slideshow


Now here is where i realize its a scam but I am going force her to tell me I cannot come see it:

I am actually close enough to view the car. I am in South Carolina in the upstate. But it is an hour or so drive away so I wanted to check a few things out first.

I see the car spent time in NJ and PA. So I want to ask about any rust issues that might be there. Is is showing any evidence of paint blistering or rust? Those are areas where they use a lot of road salt. So I have to ask.

It shows it is in Augusta. Is it a Georgia or South Carolina title?

Is there a good day of the week (or weekend) and time that the car can be viewed and driven?

Phil



I am asking to come view the car. And of course I expect "Her" to have some reason it cannot be seen but I am also going to be assured that I will be protected by this payment service. I'll post back when I hear. I plan to string her along

My main reason for posting this is I am certain they will post this up in many other places for sale. If you see it, be very careful but report back where you find it.

If its real I am buying it! But its not real... I am 99.9% certain of that right now. But will pursue. Then I will flag it eventually to get it off.

Roncallo 01-20-2009 09:05 PM

OK

I'm totally lost. Why would you assume she will not let you go to see the car before you even ask her?

cphilip 01-20-2009 09:12 PM

I asked and am betting on the reply being no... for some reason. I will let you know. Heck, if I am wrong I will buy the car, Cash money but... my money is on it is a scam.

But just google any part of this part of her reply: "I will use only Moneybookers vehicle protection program so we can both be protected"

You will see whats up.

I fully expect her to say its in storage at some location and she is "on the cruise ship" and cannot show it. But she will assure me it will be safe and protected and delivered to me. Something along that lines. It has been done many times before. She has already laid the ground work for it all. Just google Moneybooker... and start reading and see. You will soon find its the latest to be a victim of scam users.

elau 01-20-2009 11:12 PM

Your link only shows the pictures of the car so I do not have the chance to read the full advertisement from Craig List. I do notice, it has the American Service Center badge in the back. So it tells me the car comes from Northern Virginia, but I don't know whether it was sold new from ASC or not. If you can convince her to give you the VIN to "run things over" with carfax, you may contact ASC and see if the dealer will tell you more about the car.

cphilip 01-20-2009 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elau (Post 2085014)
Your link only shows the pictures of the car so I do not have the chance to read the full advertisement from Craig List. I do notice, it has the American Service Center badge in the back. So it tells me the car comes from Northern Virginia, but I don't know whether it was sold new from ASC or not. If you can convince her to give you the VIN to "run things over" with carfax, you may contact ASC and see if the dealer will tell you more about the car.

The Vin is given in one of the pictures. And I ran it. It is a real car. But that doesn't mean this person owns it nor is selling it.

Already I have done a car fax is why I commented on the fact the car itself is real. And I told you already that there is such a car but that is easily harvested from another add if she wanted to do so. Her Craig list simply post a link to first picture series. Nothing much more than tat. Which gives the VIN and then its all email

cphilip 01-20-2009 11:45 PM

Ok, it must have been flagged by someone else and removed as its no longer on Craigs List - Augusta GA. Just the links I saved exist.

JimFreeh 01-21-2009 07:12 AM

Same add showed up in the Hampton Roads Craig's list two weeks ago.
Car was in CA, but the owner would ship it for free, if I bought it.

If it's too good to be true, it is.....

Jim

deanyel 01-21-2009 09:37 AM

There unfortunately isn't room here to identify all the CL scams - somewhere around 15 percent of all CL ads are scams, most are deleted within minutes of being posted. Most of them are just interested in getting your email address, phone number, etc.

cphilip 01-21-2009 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh (Post 2085193)
Same add showed up in the Hampton Roads Craig's list two weeks ago.
Car was in CA, but the owner would ship it for free, if I bought it.

If it's too good to be true, it is.....

Jim

Thanks Jim. I knew someone somewhere had to have also seen it. They don't do these things just once.

cphilip 01-21-2009 12:45 PM

I take that back... is still there...

Help me flag it off if you will

http://augusta.craigslist.org/ctd/986786193.html

elau 01-21-2009 10:42 PM

It is flagged for removal.

cphilip 01-22-2009 11:41 AM

Thanks folks. Its been removed. Watch for it elsewhere...


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