Craigslist: Spot The Fraud
 

This is a newer Baja Outlaw check the ad, it looks just a bit fishy.
THe email and responses start lowest down and scroll upward.
See if you can figure out if there is fraud in this and how it will come about.

http://miami.craigslist.org/boa/150063416.html

dregsz wrote: Can you send me the link to the craigslist ad again
please.
Thanks
Evan

--- Steve wrote:

> Evan, here's the deal:
> You send me $6000 in an escrow account and I will
> ship it to you are give it to you to come pick it
> up.
>
> The price for the boat is $12,000 USD.
>
> I am curently in Europe because of my work. Once
> the payment is confirmed I will come back to take
> care of paperwork.
>
> I've attached the pictures of the boat and to be
> more easy for you, I've made a self-extract archive.
> I hope you will like the pics.
> If you are ready to buy it, and agree with
> www.escrow.com please register on them so we can
> start the transaction.
>
>
> dregsz wrote:
> I'm open to using Escrow.com
> I have my own boat transport company.
> I'm willing to put a small deposit in Escrow. Pay
> for
> the boat in cash at pick up, using the security of a
> local bank office so I don't need to carry large
> sums
> of cash.
> You can discount the fee you would pay for delivery
> off the price of the boat.
>
> Why does the ad have 2 prices, one at $45K and the
> other 12K?
>
> I will arrange for a survey and inspection of the
> boat
> at my expense. The licensed surveyor will need to
> inspect the titles for boat and trailer at my
> request.
>
> Can you send the link to the ad again?
> I can't find it in my favorites.
>
> Thanks
> Evan Ginsberg
>
> --- Steve wrote:
>
> > Hello ,
> >
> > The price is correct. I am selling because of
> > personal financial problems.
> > The boat is in immaculate condition, no scratches
> > and hasn't been involved in any accident. The
> engine
> > runs very well. The title is clear.
> > The boat is located in Alberton. I will pay for
> the
> > shipping fees.
> > I require half of payment prior to shipping and
> > the balance after you receive it.
> >
> >
> > If you will decide to buy the boat, i would like
> to
> > close the deal through a reputable escrow service
> > that will hold the funds until the buyer receive
> it,
> > inspect and accept the boat. The most reputable
> > escrow service in the world is www.escrow.com and
> i
> > want to close the deal through it.
> >
> > Best Regards,

Re: Craigslist: Spot The Fraud
 

I'm not exactly sure how the scam works but here are a few facts. $45000 boats don't sell online for $12000.

The phone number goes to a searay dealer that owns the boat. This guy doesn't own the boat.
(I checked and alerted them that thier inventory is being used for a scam)

It would seem on it's face that the guy is using escrow.com so it will be safe but the scam has to be that you let too much time elapse and the escrow company gives him the funds before you notice they are gone. there would probably be somekind of confidence scam right before that date asking for a little more time.
Or when you never recieve the boat, he swears it was shipped and your case goes toward arbitrattion and you will settle by giving up about $3k so as not to have to deal with the arbitration process or give up half to get back the other half... something like that.

I saw something not quite as slick w an HTM 24 that was on Craigs for an impossibly low sum and the email back said the boat was in Indonesia and blah blah blah.... because people ship thier HTMs to Indo all the time.

I don't think I have it all figured out, but I'm sure this is about the jist of it.

Re: Craigslist: Spot The Fraud
 

click on the link and "flag" the ad it takes several flags to get the ad removed

Re: Craigslist: Spot The Fraud
 

I think whenever I see the letters USD that I know its a scam anymore.

When I do business on or offline, I never have to mention USD.