Is this a scam?

[dunderchief]

Hi there,

I've been trying to sell my car for a couple months now. I recently listed it in autotrader, and 2 days after it listed I received an email from an individual expressing interest. We've corresponded several times, and finally came to a mutual price agreement. Then I got this email:

> How are you today, i just finished talking with the buyer as he's currently
> out of town and like the saying every car has it's owner. well am glad to
> tell you he has accepted your price, however he hopes the BMW is just as you
> described, with the oil changed, tyres still new and generally in good shape.
> However he said the payment will be in a cashier's cheque to the tone of
> $10,750 which was previously issued out by him just last week for the
> previous vehicle i told about he wanted but unfortunately turned out not to
> be as the seller said it was at the pick-up day. So the cheque since being
> more than your price will now cover for both your price, shipping charges and
> any other bills from this transaction.
> So you are required upon cashing the check, to deduct your price $6,000 and
> send the remaining $4,750 overdraft to the shipping agency he intends using
> via money-gram or western union, so as to enable offset their bills, shipping
> charges and arrangements.
>
> Once the transaction is concluded, the agent will be coming for the pick up
> of the BMW from its present location on an open vehicle and then drive to a
> pre-paid shipper for shipment, and also conclude other necessary shipping
> arrangements. so you don't have to bother yourself about the pick up and
> shipping arrangements, while title papers and other necessary documets will
> be signed and taken care of by the agent.
>
> So please Confirm this and provide name, address and phone number for check
> payment to be delivered to you via courier services.
>
> Charles....
> NB: please get back to me immdiately so that we can wrap this up & feel free
> to ask me any questions.


This email to me bears a striking resemblance to some of the scams I've seen on the internet. Is there a way I can protect myself from ending up without a car and without any money, cause I definately don't want that. Thanks a lot.

-Steve

[Stewart E]

Hi there,

I've been trying to sell my car for a couple months now. I recently listed it in autotrader, and 2 days after it listed I received an email from an individual expressing interest. We've corresponded several times, and finally came to a mutual price agreement. Then I got this email:

> How are you today, i just finished talking with the buyer as he's currently
> out of town and like the saying every car has it's owner. well am glad to
> tell you he has accepted your price, however he hopes the BMW is just as you
> described, with the oil changed, tyres still new and generally in good shape.
> However he said the payment will be in a cashier's cheque to the tone of
> $10,750 which was previously issued out by him just last week for the
> previous vehicle i told about he wanted but unfortunately turned out not to
> be as the seller said it was at the pick-up day. So the cheque since being
> more than your price will now cover for both your price, shipping charges and
> any other bills from this transaction.
> So you are required upon cashing the check, to deduct your price $6,000 and
> send the remaining $4,750 overdraft to the shipping agency he intends using
> via money-gram or western union, so as to enable offset their bills, shipping
> charges and arrangements.
>
> Once the transaction is concluded, the agent will be coming for the pick up
> of the BMW from its present location on an open vehicle and then drive to a
> pre-paid shipper for shipment, and also conclude other necessary shipping
> arrangements. so you don't have to bother yourself about the pick up and
> shipping arrangements, while title papers and other necessary documets will
> be signed and taken care of by the agent.
>
> So please Confirm this and provide name, address and phone number for check
> payment to be delivered to you via courier services.
>
> Charles....
> NB: please get back to me immdiately so that we can wrap this up & feel free
> to ask me any questions.


This email to me bears a striking resemblance to some of the scams I've seen on the internet. Is there a way I can protect myself from ending up without a car and without any money, cause I definately don't want that. Thanks a lot.

-Steve

[Johntee540]

This is a classic scam. There are several websites out there dedicated to scamming the scammers. I think this is called the 407 Scam or something like that. It is a problem as it plays on peoples basic sense of greed.

One guy in Philadelphia lost $10,000. and a new Lexus LS400 that shipped out of the country before he figured out it was a problem.

Steer wide right of these guys - JT

[Sweetwater]

YES

[632 Regal]

saw these many times.

[all2kool]

I have collected two checks - both counterfeit - in the last 6 months for a 260Z and a Porsche I have sold. This is a classic scam and if you are dumb-assed enough to fall for it you deserve to lose your money. I don't mean to sound harsh, but come on, are you really this flucking gullible? I have some land in Florida.........

[Tiger]

Did you put it in a picture frame to display it to your friends?

[1000_eyez]

I went through it at one time when I was selling my jeep. I actually received a cashiers check...took it to my bank and they said it's a counterfiet. Don't do it!

[DueyT]

You could do this...Scamming the scammer...the P-p-p-powerbook.

Sell him a B-b-b-b-MW!

Cheers,
Duey

[infinity5]

wow, that has to be the funniest thing i've read in a long long time. excellent. i only wish they had reached the guy. didn't they finally get his real number? hehehehe.. man that made my night.

i can just imagine making a b-b-bmw maybe glue some BMW roundels on a kia.. geo.. ha!

You could do this...Scamming the scammer...the P-p-p-powerbook.

Sell him a B-b-b-b-MW!

Cheers,
Duey