Craigslist 2002 4x4 for $2880...interesting reply

[cplvc]

I was searching for a Yakima rack and a nicely designed ad on Craigslist showed up since it has a Yakima rack on it. "2002 4x4 Auto 4runner $2880" in Orange County, CA craigslist today around 1:15 pm, I don't see that ad anymore. I think I was one of the first to reply to the ad.

Since it sounded to good to be true, I asked the basics. Does it have an engine, transmission, tcase and title? I got the reply below. Would you guys trust this reply? I think its too good to be true. I even gave them my phone number but they didn't send me theirs. The OC or SD CL ad isn't showing up but the email they sent has pics in Photobucket.
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Hello,

My name is Sheridan Blair, I am emailing you regarding the 2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4 that I have for sale.
The car is in perfect condition , with no need for additional repairs, no scratches, dings, special marks whatsoever, never been involved in any accidents. The interior looks great (NO SMOKING). It has 88,669 miles , automatic transmission,6 Cylinder 3.4 Liter, gasoline ,silver exterior and gray interior . I have a clear and clean title for it , no liens or loans ready to be signed and notarized on your name ...
I'm selling my son's car , who died in Iraq two months ago and I want to get rid of it asap because the sight of it makes me think of him often and often and the pain is too great . Put yourself in my shoes and you'll do the same (selling the car of your dead son, no offence) !!!
As you probably noticed , the final price that i want for this car is $2,880 if you will buy it today or tomorrow .
Here are the pictures with the car:
http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/af286/sherida2x/
(if the above link does not work copy and paste it into a new web browser window)

Let me know where are you located and any other details you need about it.

Thank you,
Sheridan
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Sounds too made up....I also had seen the same ad in San Diego CL this afternoon.

[4x4mike]

Indeed it's an interesting reply. Quick google search of KIA and orange county and Blair didn't turn up anything but that doesn't say much. The price is by far too low and kind of random. If he doesn't want to make money off of it why doesn't he give it to someone?

[cplvc]

I was wondering about that odd ball price as well. BTW...I apologize if I offended anyone by the post, I support our troops. The story may be true, just not sure what to trust with all the CL heists going on.

[slomatt]

It makes you wonder if his son's birthday was 2/8/1980 which would explain the price. Or possibly there is some other association.

- Matt

[cplvc]

I hadn't thought of that take on that odd price. Regardless, I e-mailed them back to meet tomorrow I'll see if I get a response to go see it.

[Robinhood4x4]

The ad does raise some flags, but it's hard to say. For example, the license plate is covered up so you can't even see the color. There is no front license plate and as you know, CA requires a front license plate. Look at the background, it looks like where ever this picture was taken, there are lakes or ponds everywhere. Again, it's hard to say because there are places in Socal that look like this.

Their reply should shed some light on things.

[gabe]

The ad does raise some flags, but it's hard to say. For example, the license plate is covered up so you can't even see the color. There is no front license plate and as you know, CA requires a front license plate. Look at the background, it looks like where ever this picture was taken, there are lakes or ponds everywhere. Again, it's hard to say because there are places in Socal that look like this.

Their reply should shed some light on things.


If you are from out of state, and are stationed in California, you don't have to have your car tagged in California. And a lot of states don't have tags in the front of the vehicle. It's a possibility that this person might be in California handling all of their son's belongings and wants to sell really quick.

I'm not sure what a "CL heist" is, but I would be really cautious. Most people bring a lot of cash with them when they are going to possibly buy a car. And this person might be counting on that, so they can rob you when you get there.

[4x4mike]

It makes you wonder if his son's birthday was 2/8/1980 which would explain the price. Or possibly there is some other association.

- Matt


Maybe there is still a loan out on it and that's the balance. The dad might just want to get the vehicle out of there and paid for. Instead of showing up with a lot of cash let the guy know that if you're going to buy it that you guys will have to go to your bank. That means day light hours, people around and getting him on camera. That's how I bought mine.

[Crinale]

very good chance thats a scam. Iv seen several ads like that... i was looking at a Honda CR-V once that was listed in LA with a similar story, when i declined, the same ad showed up in New Jersey, then Dallas... Mike has the best method tho: if/when you go meet this guy, bring NOTHING with u cept ur keys and ur drivers license, cuz if he is trying to rob u, he wont get much, then take him to your bank.

edit: oh, also, try to get a VIN number, and do your own searching on it before any commitments are made.

[cplvc]

Scammer! I can't believe people make up stories to scam the unsuspecting. Thank you guys, you were right. Thanks for all the good advise.

I should reply that I work for ebay's Montana division and I'll be able to handle the transaction without any issues. :shake:

Here's their reply to my "meet today" email.
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Hello again,

I`m located in Helena,MT (the car is here with me) right now because i got a new job here,the thing is i`m very busy and i don`t have time to stay and meet with all my potential buyers, that is why i gave to a shipping company that will ship it to the next owner(on my cost). I will make the deal only to eBay. I am a member of the eBay buyer protection program and using this service you will get a 5 days testing period after delivery. During that 5 days testing period I will not be getting any money. I need to know if you are interested in buying it so I can ask eBay to send you the details on how this works. If interested please include in your next email your contact info for eBay ( full name, full shipping address ) so we can get things started.

Thanks and have a great day,
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senders email address sheridan769@comcast.net
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As most of you suspected and what I thought initially, too good to be true!

[Osiris]

This will be a scam. I was searching for a VW TDI in CT and found on for $2500 instead of $6500. Perfect condition, but it was located in FL somewhere ready to ship. The story was that it was sold with a deposit, but the previous buyer could not get the loan to go through and it was crated and ready for shipping as they said. It was a scam, I know it and this one might be the same type of thing. Notice the mispelling of "offense" when talking about why she is selling it. The mileage is probably made up because typically people will double hit numbers when quickly making up a number so you get a lot of repeat figures when you see made up numbers. The grammar in the last sentence isn't correct and seems weird when the rest of the ad is correct grammatically. You also have to buy it "today or tomorrow" to get the "special price or deal." They are preying on your desire for a good deal and take your money and run. I would not even travel to meet these people if they agree to meet you under the condition that you arrive with "cash in hand."

run away...run away...


You posted that it was a scam as I was writing this.

[corax]

Dan had a bit of fun with a similar scenario back in March:

Need Some Car Buying Advise | Update: Scammer Revenge
Hey all,
I found a 2000 4Runner for sale that I'm pretty interested in. It's a good deal with fairly low mileage and a 5spd . . . . (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=8768.0)


"I had some discussions with eBay and they told me that they can help me and you to finalize this transaction fast and safe. I want to tell you that we will use eBay in this transaction in order for both of us to be 100% protected and insured by them. eBay will supervise this transaction so there won`t be any problems. They will take care of the shipping and all the small details. You will get the car and you will have 5 days of inspection in which you can decide if you buy the car or not. If you won`t like my car (not your case) you notify eBay and you send the car back on my cost,if you want to keep it you announce eBay to send me the money (payment method and all the details will be set up by eBay) and you keep the car."

[DHC6twinotter]

lol....yeah. I got the flu and quit messing with "Laura". I should send her and email again. It was kinda fun. :D

[habanero]

When I see one of those I google up the email addy and usually a ton of like ads pop up on craigslists all over the country, then I flag those that haven't already been.

[cplvc]

That's a great idea Habanero, I'll do that next time I come across a CL scammer.