Dealing with overseas buyers?

[aznfto]

Hi all, i've recently decided to put my car up for sale and see if anything bites. Its listed on here but also on gumtree and i received a reply from a penny.stevens4@gmail.com. I decide to email them back and what do u know i turns out to be a person from Malaysia, heres the email

Hello,
Thanks for the swift reply, I am pleased with your price but I want you to get back to me with more pictures of it because i am presently in Malaysia on business trip and could not come over to check it out,but don't worry as i am willing to handle the pick up of this vehicle through a legitimate shipping agent based in Malaysia, it will be picked up after payment, so i really need to know the mode of payment because i need this vehicle urgently. Hope to read from you asap.

This FTO being my first car and all i don't have any idea how the transaction process goes, let alone when dealing with people overseas. Could anyone give me a few words of wisdom, cause this almost seems too good to be true.

[Supplanter]

Overseas buyer + willing to buy without seeing it + paying through paypal/money transfer = scam

It's not looking good so far.

[aznfto]

I can only conclude this transaction only via paypal,i have been burnt via cheque and bank transfer before,that is why i selected paypal(www.paypal.com.) as a mode of payment because paypal is the best online payment,so both of us could be on the safer side,i am a woman of integrity.i am honest and don`t cheat people out of their money. awaiting your decision because i really need to pursue this buy sincerely.
Thanks

Just got this email and then saw your reply, guess i'll stop replying to them now

[Supplanter]

Or string them along

[spency]

try get a "deposit" out of them to hold the car... lol

[topgun]

try get a "deposit" out of them to hold the car... lol

Yeah good idea, that should then tell you if they are possibly genuine!

[aznfto]

heh guys, well i tried, heres the emails so far

aznfto:Hi, yes my vehicle a Gumtree is still available, are you interested?

scammer:Hello,
Thanks for the swift reply, I am pleased with your price but I want you to get back to me with more pictures of it because i am presently in Malaysia on business trip and could not come over to check it out,but don't worry as i am willing to handle the pick up of this vehicle through a legitimate shipping agent based in Malaysia, it will be picked up after payment, so i really need to know the mode of payment because i need this vehicle urgently. Hope to read from you asap.

aznfto:I was hoping for a cash transaction, as i was not planning on selling it to somebody overseas. Since I have not dealt with such a transaction, if you could suggest a method of payment?
Please find attached a few more photos.
Also if there are there any other specific pictures you would like to request, please don't hesitate?
Scammer:
I can only conclude this transaction only via paypal,i have been burnt via cheque and bank transfer before,that is why i selected paypal(www.paypal.com.) as a mode of payment because paypal is the best online payment,so both of us could be on the safer side,i am a woman of integrity.i am honest and don`t cheat people out of their money. awaiting your decision because i really need to pursue this buy sincerely.
Thanks

aznfto::If i get my money via paypal, how would you receive the car?
Do you need more pictures?
Also if you are genuinely interested, do you have any associates whom can purchase it on your behalf?
Or i'm afraid i'll have to ask for a deposit of $500, as to confirm your legibility.
Thanks.

scammer: it is the shipping agent that will come and pick it up after i have send the payment to you

[topgun]

String them along for ages!!!

[Kustom]

$500?! No way ask for more.

[SchumieFan]

i still dont get the scam?

[spency]

$500?! No way ask for more.

he has no intention of selling the scammer the car.

$500 seems legit deposit and not trying to rip them off, its free money anyways

[BorepYano]

the scam is that they'll send you a fake email "from paypal" saying the money is being head by paypal, and will be transferred to you when you can provide the certificate of loading (or whatever it is called), which you can only get as you put the car onto the ship (essentially).
long story short... scam scam scam!! and you will never see the $500, you might get a fake email "from paypal" saying that u've got it though lol

[I8A4RE]

^^^^^ This. They will not deposit ANY money to you.

[koolio1234]

What can we learn from all this? Overseas buyers or sellers are generally scammers. Unless you actually buy at auction in japan with proper paperwork etc etc

[spency]

pretty much, yeah.

[bushido]

Just received a call from someone interested in buying my bike.

Main points that attracted my attention;

1. Private number
2. Buyer sounded very flustered
3. said he was in Afghanistan
4. Wont be able to pick up bike until next month
5. wants agent to come and have a look at it
6. wants to put deposit on bike
7. didnt mention anything about using paypal (which these scams often do??)
8. email has been given.

Is this bloke a scammer?

I thought they send you scam emails?

I told him I would send him an email if I wanted to sell it to him. Maybe I should ask him for a direct bank deposit $500?

[aza013]

Well for him to give the info about where he is and also company he is with would say to me it's not a scam.
Also I have take out some info from your post for reasons I am sure you can work out.

[brad_gpx]

Just received a call from someone interested in buying my bike.

Main points that attracted my attention;

1. Private number
2. Buyer sounded very flustered
3. said he was in Afghanistan
4. Wont be able to pick up bike until next month
5. wants agent to come and have a look at it
6. wants to put deposit on bike
7. didnt mention anything about using paypal (which these scams often do??)
8. email has been given.

Is this bloke a scammer?

I thought they send you scam emails?

I told him I would send him an email if I wanted to sell it to him. Maybe I should ask him for a direct bank deposit $500?

be careful
if he says he cant give you his exact location it may be this guy

[topgun]

He owes me $20 for a badge!!

[I8A4RE]

Just received a call from someone interested in buying my bike.

Main points that attracted my attention;

1. Private number
2. Buyer sounded very flustered
3. said he was in Afghanistan
4. Wont be able to pick up bike until next month
5. wants agent to come and have a look at it
6. wants to put deposit on bike
7. didnt mention anything about using paypal (which these scams often do??)
8. email has been given.

Is this bloke a scammer?

I thought they send you scam emails?

I told him I would send him an email if I wanted to sell it to him. Maybe I should ask him for a direct bank deposit $500?

Just be carefull mate and DONT use PAYPAL