Examples Of Recent Emails Scams

Latest scam advert dated: Wed 2010/02/24

Example 1

Good day. I would like to alert you to a scam that is happening on the website, a friend of mine tried to buy a car recently, and the deal was too good to be true but in any case the guy's story was convincing. I then decided to also look for a car . but noticed the returned e-mail message was the same sad story my friend was told. The advert is the following. We have noticed that there are a lot of cars listed by this individual.

You can find the ad on the following link, (http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201008186525805)

It has also been brought to our attention that there is a scam being used to target individuals as follows:

A potential (genuine) buyer emails the (scam) 'seller' regarding a specific vehicle that they have seen on the site. The 'seller' then returns an email to the potential buyer claiming that the vehicle is overseas or is stored at the third party company and the buyer must pay a deposit/transfer before the vehicle will be shipped to them or to secure the sale.

Please be extremely vigilant when buying / selling a vehicle online

1. Always be suspicious of a vehicle with a low price
2. Always be suspicious of an advert that does not have a telephone number or has an uncontactable telephone number
3. Never click on a link from an unknown source
4. Never send payment to an untrustworthy source
5. Links such as these are nothing to do with the Auto Trader. The fact that Auto Trader is mentioned does not mean that Auto Trader are affiliated in any way to these sites

Auto Trader does not partake in any other process apart from advertising the vehicle. We are not connected at all to any payment process

Example 2

Genuine buyer:

Is this car still available? What is the problem with it?

Fraudulent seller: (terrymk@webmail.co.za)

Hi, yes, the vehicle is till for sale. There is no problem with it. It has 230,000 km and the price is R34,500. I'm selling at a >lower price because I am originally from United Kingdom. I had a work contract in South Africa and I needed a car so I >bought this one. Unfortunately my work contract has ended before I expected so now I moved back to United Kingdom >where it's quite hard and expensive to transport this car and register it so I have decided to sell the car there (because it's >still registered in South Africa) and buy another one here in UK. The vehicle is stored at autotrader.co.za which will help >me make the sale.

If you want to move forward with the transaction this is how it works: The car is already stored at autotrader.co.za. Once you agree I'll forward your details to them. They will contact you with >further informations. You'll also receive a tracking number from a shipping company that they work with so you can track >the transaction. After you get the tracking number, I believe you must confirm the payment so they can deliver the vehicle >to your address. The company will HOLD the money until you receive and inspect the car. Once you have received the car >you got 5 days to inspect it. After the inspection period has ended you will have to decide if you want to keep the car or not: - If you are satisfied with the car autotrader will forward the payment to me; - If you are not satisfied with the car for any reason the shipping company will send the car back to me and autotrader will >refund you the money.

If you agree to move forward I'll need you contact details (full name, address and phone number).

Have a nice day! Terry

Example 3

Genuine buyer:

Hi, I'm interested in this vehicle. Is it still available?

Fraudulent seller: (pampowell@gmx.com)

Hi, First of all I want to thank you for your interest. If you are willing to proceed with the transaction, we will use the services >provided by eBay to supervise the transaction. My car is now in Cape Town and i will ship from there to all South Africa. >Ship will take between 1 and 3 days and it will be shipped with a truck. Maybe your next question will be why i sell at this >price R 166000 and to avoid this i want to advise you that i just finished the divorce with my husband. When the divorce >was finished i own this car. Now i will move to my parents home for a while and i don't need this car. I used last month >and of course the maintenance was done a month ago. This car is in excellent working conditions, no scratches, flaws or >any kind of damage, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions and comes with a clear title, and transferable >warranty. Like i told the final price is R 166000 including shipping and handling. In case that you are interested regarding >my car then send me your full name and shipping address(street, city, zip code, ID Number, country)  so i could contact >eBay with your details to send you more info and all the details.

Thank you and have a lovely day.