I was cruising Craigs List a day or two back and ran across an obvious scam ad for a Ford 5640 for a bargain basement price of just $2900. Even the pictures posted were stolen from ebay. I had a few spare minutes so I wrote and said I wanted to purchase the tractor. Below is the messages, no doubt you will get a laugh. Needless to say it's obvious these people never take the time to read what you write, they just reply hoping your dumb enough to send them money.Me:
I would like to buy your tractor. Them:
I'm from Orlando, Florida.
How do you prefer to make this transaction?
I'll wait for your reply! Best regards! Me:
Your listing is gone, where did it go? I want to see more pictures and know about shipping to Texas. Them:
I offer free shipping if we will make this transaction through eBay Protection Program.
I prefer to use eBay Protection Program because is more secure and 100% safe for both. Transaction process:
1. I'll send the tractor to eBay.
2. They will inspect it and will send you the notification and invoice with the payment details.
3. You will send the money on the eBay officer name.
4. They will confirm your payment and will delivery you the tractor in 3 days.
After you will receive and you will inspect it if all is ok then eBay will release the funds to me. If you agree with the terms then send me your complete name and address and I'll ship you the tractor today. I'll wait for your reply! Regards!
Me:
Howdy,
Do you accept rubber checks? I have one ready to ship to you ASAP. I assume shipping via boat would be best for you? Where is your nearest port for shipment? How much do I need to make the rubber check out for, and who do I send it to?
I anxiously await your reply,
Loonie Toones
523 Lobotomy Circle
Knotachanse, Texas
Them:
I have started the eBay process! Now go to a MoneyGram location and send the money on the eBay COD officer name and addess. Payment address (eBay COD officer name and address):
First name: Christopher;
Last name: Spencer;
Address: 2145 Hamilton Avenue;
City: San Jose;
State: California;
Zip: 95125;
Country: United States; Now I'll wait your reply with the payment confirmation from MoneyGram!
After you will send the payment please fax the Reference Number and the payment details from MoneyGram to the eBay center at: (206) 666-2857 Regards!
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ __ Needless to say I have not replied and won't. Oh, and they also sent me a forged message from Ebay. Looks pretty real too, it's no wonder people get ripped off so easily. Notice the names don't match, but then when your so excited about finding such a bargain and hoping no one else beats you to it who really notices details such as that? The fake message from Ebay: Verified Member Profile eBay Member: Samantha Hall An eBay Member in good standing since 05-02-2003. Identity and/or Contact Information Verified. Continues to meet strict Membership Criteria. Committed to Dispute Resolution and Mediation. Purchase Protection
Coverage up to $20,000 Case ID: 4507874176 Buy with confidence on eBay Motors! eBay's Vehicle Purchase Protection program protects your vehicle purchase against fraud and material misrepresentation. Registered e-mail address: cametamegastore@cametastock.com Vehicle Purchase Protection Ensures that you receive the vehicle you paid for, with coverage up to $20,000 against fraud or material misrepresentation. The program covers cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, boats, watercraft, off-road vehicles and trailers. Your vehicle purchase is protected for up to $20,000 or the vehicle purchase price, whichever is lower. Buy Confidently with our Vehicle Protection Programs Vehicle Purchase Protection
Ensures that you receive the vehicle you paid for, with coverage up to $20,000 against fraud or material misrepresentation. Condition Guarantee by Seller
Provides added confidence that the vehicle’s condition is accurately described and protects you if it is significantly different. Extended Warranty
Protect your vehicle from unexpected repair bills. The Seller has selected Vehicle Purchase Protection in this transaction Buyer Loonie Toones should feel confident purchasing from eBay Member Samantha Hall. eBay Member Samantha Hall has been verified by eBay Safeharbor Team and is committed to customer satisfaction and resolving disputes via mediation. Vehicle Purchase Protection Overview The Vehicle Purchase Protection program protects your vehicle purchase against fraud and material misrepresentation. This program is provided by eBay Motors for FREE on all eligible transactions completed on eBay Motors. There's no sign-up, opt-in, or registration necessary. The following types of fraud and material misrepresentation are covered: Paying for a vehicle and never receiving it; Sending a deposit for a vehicle and never receiving the vehicle;
Paying for and receiving a vehicle: that was a stolen vehicle at the time of the transaction; with an undisclosed or unknown lien against its title; of a make and/or model that is different than what was described in the seller's listing; without receiving the title for that vehicle from the seller, if it is impossible for you to obtain a title from the appropriate Department of Motor Vehicles; whose title is subject to an undisclosed salvage, rebuilt/rebuildable, unrebuildable, reconstructed, scrapped/destroyed, junk, lemon, manufacturer buyback, or water damage title brand at the time of the sale;
with a model year that is different than the model year described in the seller's listing;
with an odometer reading that is different than the odometer reading described in the seller's listing Your vehicle purchase is protected for up to $20,000 or the vehicle purchase price, whichever is lower. Payment Instructions Payment must be submitted via Money Gram.
If you are not familiarized with Money Gram Transfer services please visit: www.moneygram.com Pay for the transfer with cash at a local Money Gram agent. Money Gram Agent locations are independent businesses that provide money transfer service to their customers on behalf of Money Gram. In the United States, Money Gram Agents are primarily retail locations - grocery stores, check-cashers, mail box centers, drug stores, travel agencies and depots and other retail locations.
Independent Money Gram Agents may impose different limitations on the maximum amount that can be submitted per day. For this reason, in case of a larger amount to be sent, we recommend that you go to more than one agent and submit the total sum in separate transfers. Click here to locate the agents in your area. Purchase protection and refund Transactions with this seller are covered by purchase protection against fraud and description errors. For your safety this account was locked today, for a 30 days time period. The Seller is unable to withdraw any money from it within this period. Should you need a refund for this transaction, the insured amount will be taken from the seller's purchase protection account and sent to you. The refund is sent to your bank account, by check or money order. The way you are refunded is at your sole discretion. Refund requests are processed within 48 hours. Purchase Protection Coverage Here are the situations suitable for a refund request: • If the vehicle doesn't arrive and/or the seller stops communication after the payment is received; • If the vehicle you receive is clearly different from what you purchased in a way that significantly affects its value or utility. (The eBay Claims Administrator makes this determination in its sole discretion and may require you to provide a written statement from a qualified appraiser, at eBay's sole discretion); • If your vehicle arrives in a much longer period than the one you agreed on (more than 15 days from the payment clearance day) ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -- Sincerely, Howard Marshall
eBay Motors Financial Department ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -- Samantha Hall`s Selling Standards Disclose pricing, shipping and return policies in a clear and accurate manner Disclose contact information, if requested to do so by a buyer Respond to disputes filed and participates in mediation, if buyer requests Commits to meeting eBay Motors Standards Copyright © 1995-2008 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
| 
