Watch out for the following:

1. A potential buyer has a certified check for more than amount you are asking for the car/part
2. They want you to cash the check
3. They want you to send the overage amount to their "agent" who will pick up the car.

FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD!

The bank will figure out it is a bad check (certified or not) and when they do they will take the full amount OUT of your account.

Just delete the email! Don't waste your time.

Peter

Peter G., Bill and I were just at the bank yesterday and they have those same instructions posted at the bank to warn people about this kind of fraud.

I understand that another part of the problem is a cashiers check drawn on a foreign bank. These can take MONTHS to clear ( and in the case of fraud- to bounce) and even a prudent seller that waits weeks will get burned! The fault lies in our banking system that does not inform us when a check has cleared, only when it does not!!!
Demand a check drawn on a US bank , any reputable foreign bank will have a connection with a US bank to enable them to issue a check in US dollars drawn on a US bank. Such a check will clear in days.

I received a similiar request about a month ago . They were replying to an ad I had in Hemmings listing a car for sale. I forwarded it to the publisher/editor of Hemmings and received a great reply thanking me for the details and outlining their on going investigations into this problem. I guess it is happening more than we realize. Sooner or later, someone will fall for the scam-----IF ITS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE---

Thanks---------Sky

You are right.. I am trying to sell my 1967 98 LTS and some guy from Nigeria wanted to get me a check through his agent and you know the rest of the story.. Cash works for me

Not necessarily!!!!!!

A close friend of mine was approached by the "Nigerian Scam" a couple of years back, and decided to just "play along with it" to see what would happen. Sure enough, he got a cashier's check in the mail, drawn on a bank in Nashville, TN. His bank ran a verification on the check, it was a counterfeit check, with forged signature. Interestingly, the check was mailed from a Maryland suburb of Washington DC as well. Just because the check is "drawn" on a US Bank is no guarrantee of its validity.

The USPS Postal Inspector Service has the check now, and the envelope it came in, and given that it appeared, upon inspection by an Indiana State Police detective that the envelope was actually licked for sealing, they have the idiot's DNA as well. Haven't heard any further on it, but then, the scammer never bothered my friend any further either. I sold his '68 Javelin for him on eBay last May, and it went to an attorney in Wisconsin who is a retired state trooper as well.

Art

Oh, a simple solution! Have the teller verify that any large check is good. By the way, most banks, when presented any check for a large amount, particularly if the amount is over a certain percentage of the depositor's balance, will hold the funds until that check clears--but they can, and will, contact the issuing bank for you, to determine if it is good.

Art

Here are some bad cashier checks I received for the
sale of a vehicle. I knew it was a scam from the way
the e-mail was worded, but I played along to see what
they looked like and how many they would send before
they gave up. I got seven. They look real, but I called
the banks they were drawn on, and they were all bogus.
I didn't deposit them in my bank, as I didn't want to
be charged for returned checks.

Send those checks, or copies, to:
USPS
FBI
Secret service
Dept. of revenue in the state the checks were drawn, and/or mailed from.

These scoff-laws need to be penalized for thier actions, don't sit back and ignore, they'll take advantage of someone else, maybe a friend, or fellow forum/club member.

Is this a new scam?

I've been asked to e-mail scanned pics of my old car title; both sides.
This after numerous questions and requests for photos, which I answered.
His English is good and everything is worded right. But I'm always leery.
It would be possible for someone to addvertise my car for and take payment
for a much smaller sum?
Has anybody heard anything on this type of scam?

With the technology of color copiers being what it is today, I would think they could make a copy of your title and alter it in any way they choose for the express intension of defrauding someone including you! My opinion, DON'T SEND THEM PICTURES OF YOUR TITLE!!!!! Carl

Last year friend of mine bid on and won a Big Block Chevelle on Ebay.
The seller wanted him to immediately send $1000 (this was a Thursday night)
The car was supposed to have been in Georgia about 500 miles away.
My friend said he would pick the car up Saturday and pay in full Cash.
The seller didn?t want to do that he wanted $1000 now. My friend tried to explain if he sent $1000 Friday it wouldn?t be there by Saturday so it made no sense.
While arguing with the guy Friday over why it made no sense to send $1k
He then got and Email from another guy saying his friend owned that Chevelle and it wasn't for sale. The pictures and description on Ebay were from an older issue of Car Craft. He didn?t loose anything but he could have if he hadn?t been planning on a quick road trip to pick it up.
They traced the email address a ISP in Canada, but nothing was ever done.
Whether the guy lived in Canada or just used that email who knows.

I also heard of a similar scam with a Snowmobile.

So yes, it does happen.

I hate crooks and I would do anything in my power to send them to jail!!

....................Steve

So far twice I have had an "opportunity" to buy a friend's Amphicar who lives in the UK. Both times they sent photos and were very convincing, except for the fact they sent photos of David in his Amphicar and claimed to be him. Dave did not know he moved to Canada... twice! I played with these guys for about a month. If nothing else, I had fun (blind copying Dave on the emails) wasting thier time and then dropped the bomb on them informing them they are being traced by the police. Humm, never heard back from them!

If you are going to try a scam, don't try it with a rare vehicle, go with something they made lots of. I know the majority of Amphicar owners as I am a board member of the club! Thieves are not usually a smart lot anyway.

..

I think I might have almost been a victim of fraud.Some of you may remember that I had an Ad posted on this site (FS--1951 Buick Special), well about two months ago a man by the name of Peter Reiss contacted me and was interested in the add the first email went like this. Hello

I am interested in buying the 1951 Buick Special that you have placed for sell now, and I would want to enquire about the present condition of the above mentioned, as well as some detail about you. I expect this timely enough.

As for the payment, I would need you to get back in touch with the last asking price as I will be paying with a cashiers cheque.

Lastly, please forward to me your full company's (or house address, telephone and fax) details as I will subsequently prefer reaching you through these facilities.

Yours interestingly,

Peter Reiss.
So I Responded to it, and continued communtications until the check showed up last Friday May 12, 2006.Thsi is another email from said buyer:
(Theresa,

Thanks for your continued understanding.

You see, I have just gathered that the much awaiting cashiers cheque was probably lost or was intercepted in transit, so for this reason, I have asked my wife again issue and mail you the cashiers cheque since on Wednesday. Hopefully it will get to you before Saturday, next week. Please bear with us and sorry if that have brought you any inconvinience.

As prestated, subsequently a recommended shipper will be directed to liaise with you for immediate transfer of the Buick to my wife there. My wife have issued and made payment over the amount requested adding ($8000.00 to) the shipper's professional fees etc. So, after the cashiers cheque being cashed (I hope you absolutely adhere to my earlier advise to simply instruct your banker to enable it being cashed as to avoid possible cumbersome banking payment process delays) you deduct your money and on my behalf you will assist to send the shipper's fees (upfront) to enable him proceed on expected immediate shipment of the vehicle to Canada.

Not to digress, I will email you appropriate details on how to liaise with the shipper on receiving an update about the newly-sent cashiers cheque to your nominated contact detail.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Peter Reiss)
We put the check in the bank and gave it seven days to clear, then contacted Peter again on Friday. and then he sent this email, and at 9am Saturday Morning my phone was ringing it was the shipper Oba Ray demending his money 3,2500.00 within an hour. His voice was middleeastern.

(Theresa,

Thanks for your reconsideration.

As things stand now, I have discussed with the recommended shipper to liaise with you and make necessary arrangement for conveyance of the Buick here.

The shipper's retainer fees is just what is bothering on our arrangements to proceed with shipment of the Buick there.

So, in view of our previous communications with the shipper--Mr.Oba Ray--I will advise you give him an opportunity to substantiate his proclaimed wherewithal. As far as I am aware he have reasonable knowledge on how best to handle such transactions and knows exactly what is required.

Meanwhile, the shipper has been intimated on your matter and we have forwarded to him necessary details on how to meet with you or your grandfather in lieu of your getting to transmit his fees to him.

You see, as things stand now, Mr.Oba Ray (the recommended shipper) have just intimated us he has since been assigned to make pick up of similar vehicle as ours there in your region, Plainfield Connecticut. He mentioned however he would be in Plainfield by Friday for pick up; and similar vehicle idling waiting for conveyance.

For this reason, he advised us to instruct you to send the Money such as for commissions, taxes, custom duty and all other fees by MONEYGRAMS to him immediately as to commence with all needed transfers where he s been invited for meeting with the sellers of the vehicles he s been asked to convey to different designated destinations. This is because already we have had one other vehicle bought but due for shipment here, so after permissible deduction--of your monies,$8,000.00-- send by MONEYGRAMS what you have left to the shipper. Ask your grandfather do that on my behalf I wouldnt mind offering you/him a commision of say...$100.00 by making sure thats done without any delay. Thus please simply send his fees to the provided details below:

Private Shipper: OBA RAY
Address: 35859 RD 222, Wishon,
California 93669

The $100 will serve as remuneration for your assistance in getting the rest of the money being sent to our shipper. Charges or commisions for transference of the expected money by the shipper should also be deducted after all. With MONEYGRAMS, its not more than $100 or + to secure a telegraphic transfer of such amount you are to send. Atleast an $120.00.

So, with $100.00 as commision for your assisting me and the MONEYGRAMS charges (say.. $150.00) for Money Tranfer to the shipper is $250.00. To add your buick's monies $8,000.00 it equals to $8,250.00. So it is just $8,250.00 (or a little lesser amount) is expected to be deducted and the remainder to the shipper.

Lastly, I asked Mr.Oba Ray for a telephone number to enable you both have discussions on these issues but regretffully said he does not have a working phone at present and which its still being worked on there in Wishon, California and instead assured me he would be in Plainfield to carry out inspection and then proceed with pick up etc as scheduled.

Just send me necessary details as stipulated as soon as you have sent him ($3,250.00) the money by MONEYGRAMS (@ any walmart) there and thereafter I will transmit details to him from here.

Informations most required are: Reference No./Control Number (8 digits). Amount sent, and Full Name of Sender. Please note.

For further enquiry please do not hesitate to reach me.

Peter Reiss)
Please tell me what you think, He has not emailed me since, he couldn't pick up the car. If you should have any experince with this sorta of thing please email me dragonflidreams23@yahoo.com Sorry in advance, I hope I didn't break any forum rules I am just real shook up, and upset about this.

Theresa,

I think you are lucky to still have the car and your money. I will be willing to bet the check will eventually bounce as it can take up to a month to go through the channels.

This sounds like a new version of the same scam.

The Check, didn't bounce instead we got a letter from our bank stating that check was a counterfeit check. I am so glad to have followed my gut feeling on this one.

be careful even with cash.i knew of someone who sold a car for cash.then about 20 minutes later was almost robbed in a home invasion .everyone was caught but since guns were involved it could have had a very bad ending.big money do your business in a bank.

IN GOD WE TRUST ... EVERYBODY ELSE , IT'S CASH . IS IT OKAY TO QUOTE AMERICAN CURRENCY ?

you know guys , i sell alot of stuff on e/yab and havent been burned yet ... watch ... next time i get drilled !!! in soft voice ... " grasshopper , you have much to learn ... " .

A friend of mine has a great ebay business and sells alot of cars and parts for clients. He has a posative rating over 1,400. He sold a car through ebay for a close friend of his. The winning buyer paid for the car and the car was delivered with no problem. A week or so later My friend the original seller gets an angry email from a guy In Australia. Turns out he recieved a second chance offer from someone who he thought was the original seller( my friend). Not True!! Cut a long story short the poor guy in Australia made arangements to send him the full amount for the car. About $2,500.00 for the car and another $4,500.00 for shipping the car to Australia. So $7,000.00 was sent through Western Union to this scammer guy down south. Poor Bob (the seller) was freaking out. Neither Bob nor the Australian guy found out who Stole the money! So watch your Butt don't get screwed by jerks like this.

I get about two of these a week. The second chance offer should come through ebay or don't bother with it.

I have posted the two cars here again and edited the ads with the information I was asked not to post the relivent information concerning the fraud, and again was informed I was wroung for posting unique case information in the ads and in the forum.

In short all I can post are the links see how these two poeple have posted the ad.

Even though I have proof of guilt I can not say they are guilty

See for your self I know what I posted was true.

http://www.classiccarmall.net/index.php?a=2&b=760 <-- suspect add

http://www.heritageclassics.com/astonmartin/55glddb24/Page.html <-- this is were the car really sold

Pay close attention to the pictures and see what was changed to hide were they came from

http://www.classiccarmall.net/index.php?a=2&b=757 <-- suspect add

Use the seearch engines and you will see they were sold along time ago for alot more money

Please take note of the emails and numbers be very aware

I have done all I can, I want them to stay for all to see and learn

I have contacted the Houston Secret Service, and card companies in this matter that is all I legally can say. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I know what it is because I got a charge back notice on both ads, I refunded the moneies so I did not have to pay for the charge back. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

It is what it is

I guess what really makes me real angry is once the credit card company gets the money back from us the investigation is over and the case is closed

No further action is taken, keeping this in mind numerous cars sites are burned on a daily and I mean Daily. Over and Over we take the hit when is law enforcement going to step up to the plate and take action.

There is no incentive for the credit card companies to take action they make money both ways.

Just look at how many palces these cars are posted

Here is yahoo link there are nine sites with this car on it, that is nine more sites that got burned at an average price of about 50 bucks

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=1965+Mu...-501&dups=1

And before some one says use paypal done that get burned on a regular basis because the paypay accounts are comprimised by unaware paypal users responding to the paypal letter your account has been suspended.

I take credit Cards with all the rules Set to very strict

I require every thing to match Name, cvv2, address, State, Zip

The ones I get are people who got there identity stolen from a dumpster or their mail box from leaving there mail in the box over night or dealing on line with these under designed E-commerce sites with these cheap packages.

I have over 43,000 in to my site in T & M, software and security and dedicated servers.

Only to have a fruadster come to my site with very vaild information, I can not prevent this from happening, all I can do is to continue to call each person placing the ad, if I dont get some one who matches the name and and answers the phone I void the transaction.

The last two had phones in the names of the people.

I bought an Antique car on E-bay through an auction house. I went up to Michigan to see it before I paid. Looked nice, I paid & had the car shipped home. I received title 5 days later. I went to change iy to my name and found out title# & vin# don't match.
Six weeks later I finally get it in for appt. with State Highway Dept. for them to check it.
Seems that this nice looking car is a product of several vehicles, none of which is from
title I now hold.
My only option (if I want to keep & not try the court thing) is to declare this as 2006 parts car
not the 1928 I thought I bought - so I won't be allowed in Car Shows or Vintage or collector plates
because it will be a 2006.

Moral: Check Title to VIN number on car BEFORE you pay. :-(