More Craigslist scams

I am looking to buy a used car on Craigslist, and when I found a car significantly cheaper than the market value, I sent an email requesting more details.

This is the response:

re: 2006 Honda CR-V SE - $3800
6 messages
David Xxxxxx Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 8:24 PM
To: sale-6bdzy-2212897037@craigslist.org
I could use some more detail on this car like:

What is wrong with the center console and the mirror?
What is the mileage? How many owners? And is it a salvage title?

And where is the car located if I wanted to see it and take it for a test drive?

Thanks,

David
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Sara Hester Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 9:32 AM
To: David Xxxxxx
Thank you for being interested in buying my 2006 Honda CRV SE 4WD. The VIN # is JHLRD78936C042938,with automatic transmission and 51,000 miles on it. It is in EXCELLENT condition; the body and paint are great, no scratches and no dents; the interior is clean; it has never been involved in an accident; the title is clear.

I have recently moved to Portugal. I was hoping to take my car here but when I found out how much shipping and registration would be I've changed my mind. As I'm unable to travel in the near future and I don't have anyone in the US to help me with the sale I decided to make this transaction through eBay. I believe this protects both buyer and seller and it's the right way to do this.

The final price is $3,800. If you decide to buy this car or need further information please get back to me as soon as possible.

Thank you,
Sara

On Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 2:24 AM, David Xxxxx wrote:
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
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this message was remailed to you via: sale-6bdzy-2212897037@craigslist.org
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David Xxxxxx Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 9:36 AM
To: Sara Hester
Ok, please send me the ebay listing.
[Quoted text hidden]
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Regards,

David

Sara Hester Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 11:13 AM
To: David Xxxxxx
Hello,

The shipping arrangements have already been made before moving to Portugal. The car is in OK at the shipping company ready to go anywhere in the United States. It will arrive with all the papers and documents required for registration and the keys. The clear title and the bill of sale will be already signed by me.

The final price you will have to pay is $3,800. The payment will be done through eBay. They will act as a third party in this transaction. You will send the money to eBay and as soon as the payment is confirmed they will notify me to proceed with the shipping. I will ship the car, you will receive it and will have 5 days for inspection, both the car and the paperwork. During all this time eBay will hold the money. If you are satisfied with the car and decide to keep it you inform eBay about this and they will release the money to me. If the car is not as advertised and decide not to keep it eBay will refund you the money, no questions asked, and shipping back the car will be my concern. I think this is more than fair for the both of us. Please take into consideration that I will get paid only after you receive the car and make sure everything is as agreed.

If you decide to move ahead, send me your full name and full shipping address(where you want the car to be delivered )to initiate the transaction and for shipping reservation and you will be contacted by eBay with all info you need regarding shipping and payment instructions.

I will appreciate an answer as soon as possible. Also, feel free to ask me any question you may have.

Thank you,
Sara

David Xxxxxx Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 11:48 AM
To: Sara Hester
Hi Sara,

Why did you move to Portugal?

How long will it take for the suv to get to my house in michigan?
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Regards,

David

Sara Hester Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 4:24 PM
To: David Xxxxxx
Delivery takes about sixteen hours. I am in Portugal with job issues .... email me your shipping details so I can contact eBay and the shipping company, in order to start the procedure. Will it require can your full name and address (WHERE should Be sent to the car). Once I have details I Will Forward Them tissue to eBay and You Will Receive the invoice for this transaction very soon. Will eBay's contact you with more information about the process (payment, Protection policy, etc..) They Will guide you through the process so We Can Successfully complete this deal and in the best Manner! Will I contacted eBay and they send you Instructions send you all very soon. Please contact Be with Them and start the transaction.



Notice how she ignores my question about what is wrong with the car. I could not find a place within Google where to report this scam behavior, and have Google disable her email address. The original ad in Craigslist is no longer there, someone else must of flagged it.


It started looking fishy, so I did a google search and was able to find similar stories, using Google Checkout instead of eBay. 


My questions:

1. Why doesn't Google have a facility to shut down a scammer's email account, and send a note to each person the scammer corresponded with?
2. Why doesn't Craigslist send a note to each person who responded to a scam ad?
1. The ad was removed so it must have been flagged, and the original email went through Craiglist.

I just found this one: http://newshoop.com/craigslist-portugal-car-scam/36708/ the scammer is using the same name.

Where are these scammers from?

Scams on Craiglist and Amazon

This is an article in the New York Times, about a Craiglist scam with a London rental apartment.

The "agent" requests money upfront via a bank wire. and later says the owner/landlord skipped town.
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/burned-a-london-vacation-rental-scam/

Scamming is becoming very popular, one key that has saved me from a scam once, is to have multiple email addresses.

I was selling things on Amazon, and the potential "buyer" requested I send more detailed pictures of the item not using the Amazon facilities. I sent pictures using an email address NOT associated with mu Amazon seller account, lo and behold I got a spoof email saying the item was sold through amazon, please ship it. I knew the email was spoofed as it came to the wrong email address and my amazon account had no reference to the sale. When reporting it to Amazon, they did not seem concerned.

Craigslist scams

Here is the latest one I got:


Computer Repair - Free Estimates (Oakland County)
1 message
Craig Newmark Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Reply-To: craignewmarkk@live.com
To: Subscriber
Dear Craigslist Poster,

This is Craig Newmark. I'm the founder of Craigslist. We have been working with Apple Inc on new promotional giveaways. Basically we are giving away free iPads and other Apple products to randomly picked Craigslist posters. You have been picked as our winner for today. Your Craigslist post id came up in our random pick. You have won a free iPad!!! Please visit our promotional page here and follow the directions to get your free iPad. This is not a scam. After following the directions on our promotional page we will ship you an iPad within 3-4 business days.

Congratulations on winning an Apple iPad (currently valued at $829). If you have any concerns or questions you can contact me by replying to this email. Before contacting me I recommend that you visit our promo page here and sign up for your free iPad so we can reserver one for you.

Thank you for posting on Craigslist,

Craig Newmark
Founder, Craigslist Inc.



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Promo Consulting Inc, 2061 W Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA 92373, United States
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Getting a good deal on a rental car

1. Use your own car insurance if you have an Auto Policy. (Valid in the US)
2. Find any valid corporate group you can be a part of eg. AAA, Costco, etc...
3. Find valid coupon codes
4. Sign up for email from companies
eg. Enterprise has Free double upgrades, 25% off, 9.99 weekends
5. With all of the deals watch out for other charges
a. Airport vs. local pickup will have fewer taxes
b. Newark, NJ vs New York City
c. Tourist taxes
i. Wayne County in Michigan (Detroit) has a stadium tax on Rental cars.
ii. the city of Bloomington has an additional Hotel Tax to help pay for the Mall of America
d. Unlimited mileage vs. 100 or 150 free miles + 0.20 for each additional mile.

I was booking a car on Enterprise's website, and hit a few of these issues.
The $9.99 weekend did not work for me as I was planning on using more than 100 miles per day, in the end I combined a Corporate discount with a promotional code to get a free double car class upgrade.