Think we are being SCAMMED in Austin!

[janarooke]

There was a posting on the AS Classifieds on Friday about a 30' FC for sale here in our area. I wrote a quick note saying that we would be interested, but need to see some interior and more exterior photos. Today, I got an email back and there are photos. At least one or two of the photos have been posted with other ASs. So, I am thinking this we are being scammed. The unit is way under priced and the ad on the classifieds was not on the site Friday night. I am going to post the email I received in hopes that someone can give me a clue. It just sounds too fishy. Thanks! Jana

"Hi,

The unit has absolutely no mechanical problems, no leaks, it is in perfect condition.
If you have the money ready I will sell it today for $15,000, the delivery is included in the price.
I am selling it because my husband died and I don't need it anymore.
Because I am not able to close the deal myself, I want to use an online third party escrow company for the deal, the unit is in their possession, ready to be delivered to its buyer with all the documents.
Let me know if you want to buy it and I will explain you the deal.

Thank you!
Laura" Laura Boel <laura51boel@gmail.com>

[Landrum]

Absolutely a scam. Stay away.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Rjpuckett]

If it is too good to be true, it probably isn't.

[Jim Lee]

after you buy that, I got a john deere tractor for sale too....that scam is all over cl

[Belegedhel]

Welcome to the forums!

We've seen this similar scam over and over again. You will find a trailer on some form of classified ad site that looks absolutely great in the pictures, and the price is unbelievably low. When you get an email back form the seller, they will explain that the trailer is on a remote island where it cannot be inspected, but the cost of the trailer includes delivery to your door. They are only selling because of a horrific family loss, and in order to protect YOU, they propose to use a bogus Ebay escrow service, etc., etc.. Best just to flag those ads soundly, if you have the option, and move on.

Good luck in your search.

[janarooke]

You are all just justifying my initial gut reaction. Just didn't think there would be a follow up email with photos! Thanks so much. We went to Alumapalooza this year (2014) in Jackson Center to ask loads of questions. We met so many wonderful people! Well, we are on our way now. DH brought home a pickup on Friday, so now we will have an AS as soon as possible. We have been reading the forums and blogs of so many 'streamers and each has been so helpful. We just can't wait to live rivited!!

[DKB_SATX]

That definitely has many hallmarks of a scam. Never take seriously a "seller" who doesn't have possession of what they're supposedly selling.

Has the particular ad you were looking at been removed? Any time you are suspicious of an ad, please PM a moderator who's online (at the bottom of the Portal page you can see who's online, and moderators are shown in boldface type) and/or email classifieds@airforums.com with the URL of the ad in question.

[roscoe210]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

That definitely has many hallmarks of a scam. Never take seriously a "seller" who doesn't have possession of what they're supposedly selling.

Has the particular ad you were looking at been removed? Any time you are suspicious of an ad, please PM a moderator who's online (at the bottom of the Portal page you can see who's online, and moderators are shown in boldface type) and/or email classifieds@airforums.com with the URL of the ad in question.

I mentioned in earlier post late last week that there was a motorhome for sale on the classifieds that is being run by the same gal. I emailed her back and forth a few times just to see what she was up to. Please pass along to whomever is in charge of classifieds. I'm not able to post links yet or I would attach. It's the 370 out of Illinois posted on Friday I believe.

[AWCHIEF]

Other thread on subject,

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f318...re-125592.html

[janarooke]

Sent all the info to the classified moderator. Thanks!

[Aktundra]

Common scam for a variety of vehicles. From my experience it usually follows this pattern

A CL add for a motorcycle, vehicle (and apparently travel trailer ) goes up in some town around the country. ( I routinely check towns before an upcoming business trip)

It runs for a few days before any responses are sent, to collect a bunch of contacts. As soon as the first response goes out, experienced CL'ers immediately identify the scam and flag the add, but the scammers have a pile of contacts to cultivate

The first reply is generic, rarely addresses any specific questions asked by the potential buyer, and usually contains grammatical errors or odd choice of vocabulary. Sometime the first response is simply a forward to a "sister" or the actual seller ( presumably because the email address has already been flagged)

By this point the add has usually been removed, but the scam continues with those that bit. Second reply by scammer, again is rather generic, rarely addresses any specific questions raised in previous emails. This message emphasizes a "smooth transaction", in spite of not really providing any answers or details on the vehicle

If the dialogue continues, the next response describes some reason the seller and the vehicle are in different areas (military service, offshore platform, divorce, had to leave the country .....). The bogus trust account "smooth transaction", full refund if not happy after delivery, blah, blah, blah

[cwf]

Welcome!

Well done!