[SCAM ALERT] Another Car Buying Scam Tactic

ykwon10 on 26/07/2018 - 11:09
Last edited 03/08/2022 - 08:11 by 2 other users

Just putting this out there for those that are unaware of scams out there. I am in the midst of selling my car on carsales.com.au and guess what? I received email below. Instead of oil rig, RAAF now…LOL!

Where is it located at the moment?what's your final price?Why are you selling it?does it need anything to be replace or repair?I'm a Squadron leader at Royal Australian Air Force(RAAF) and i have been currently deployed .I have limited phone access and that's why i prefer the sales through email.Regarding the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT),using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service.I will need your Account name,BSB and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal,this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.With the issue of my details,transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pick up agent..

Await your reply

Regards

Automotive

Comments

ronnknee on 26/07/2018 - 11:13

+6

Sounds like it's the same scam tactic but with a different story?
dcep on 26/07/2018 - 11:15

+7

this is standard story for long time
Ughhh on 26/07/2018 - 11:17

+2

Everything seems exactly the same… Just another job title in the same remote area.
Alarm Bells should be ringing no matter what his "job " is.
ykwon10 on 26/07/2018 - 11:20

Should really tell him to be more creative next time.
Ocker on 26/07/2018 - 11:21

+11

Ask for payment by Western Union, untraceable and if good enough for scammers it must be a good service!
Oz8argain on 26/07/2018 - 11:22

+1

so how does this scam work? looks like he's paying you money? unless he wants to take the car away without money being paid?
- Topdog on 26/07/2018 - 11:26
  
  Yes, I would also like to know how this SCAM works. To me it appears legit? does he claim back though paypal that he did not receive the car or something?
- BOGOF on 26/07/2018 - 11:29
  
  +7
  
  How it works, is the scammer agrees a price for the car, and 'says' he will arrange transport/courier…..But, he says there is a problem, so can he pay you more money to cover the transport and you agree to pay the courier. The scam continues, by sending you a fake paypal (or other) receipt, you think you have been paid, so pay the courier, except its not the courier but the scammer.
  - Cluster on 26/07/2018 - 11:37
    
    +5
    
    Another variation is the scammer 'pays' you too much, sends a fake invoice, and then wants a partial refund of the excess because that money was meant to go to the courier, not to you.
    
    The oil rig scam has been doing the rounds of gumtree/carsales for many years.
  - Topdog on 26/07/2018 - 11:45
    
    Ok so its a fake receipt all together, and you get no money for the car and transport??? And people fall for it? I would be checking my paypal first???
    - [Deactivated] on 26/07/2018 - 11:49
      
      Surely Who has fallen for this fake PayPal receipt ?
    - follow on 26/07/2018 - 11:51
      
      @sidewinder1: almost did. The email looks pretty identical to the PayPal emails. Realised that my PayPal want linked to that account!
    - HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 12:11
      
      +1
      
      Doesn't have to be fake - it can be real…. but from fraudulent funds (hacked credit card, dishonored cheque deposit, etc). That doesn't usually get picked up by the bank until weeks later, and then it gets reversed.
    - buckster on 26/07/2018 - 13:23
      
      +1
      
      @sidewinder1: Everyone who posts a gumtree scam thread
    - Topdog on 26/07/2018 - 13:55
      
      ok thanks all, makes sense now. Dirty Dogs….
    - EightImmortals on 26/07/2018 - 14:41
      
      @Topdog: How does a fake receipt work? Wouldn't a deposit show up your paypal transactions?
      - SlavOz on 20/01/2020 - 07:45
        
        @EightImmortals: I'm also amazed at how someone could fall for this without checking their PayPal account first. Screw a receipt - before I'm doing anything I'll always check whether there is cleared, accessible money in my account. To be extra sure I'll even withdraw the funds right away to make sure they end up in my bank account. Then and only then will I give away the goods or take the buyer seriously. Before that he's just words on the Internet.
        
        Thought the entire purpose of PayPal was the convenience of not having to worry about receipts/pending transfers/etc. This isn't the 70s when you cna just say 'yup i mailed you a check you should have it in a few days'
- HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 12:11
  
  +3
  
  Variation on the cheque fraud scam. Instead of sending you a cheque for [price + transport], they paypal you [price + transport]. They then ask you to pay the transport fee for them.
  
  Of course - you're now paying them with your money, and once you pay, you'll find that the initial cheque/paypal transfer/eft was from a fraudulent source (as the bank will advise you) and that initial cheque/payment gets cancelled.
  
  So as an example, say price is $5,000 and they say transport is $500.
  
  They pay you $5,500. (You're +$5,500)
  
  You pay transport $500 (You're +$5,000)
  
  (1) gets cancelled (You're -$500)
  - zonra on 26/07/2018 - 12:20
    
    +3
    
    Also
    
    4 . You’re at -1 car as well
    - HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 13:01
      
      +3
      
      I'm not actually sure how many of these scams actually want the goods. There's no actual courier who comes to pick up the car - you'll pay who you think is the courier, no one will show up, and then you're just out the money usually.
tre180 on 26/07/2018 - 11:53

+3

Yours sincerely, Wedge Antilles
zonra on 26/07/2018 - 12:06

Same old scam, different words.
bobbified on 26/07/2018 - 12:50

+1

RAAF, Oil Rig worker, alien that can't land their spaceship near your place… same shit.
jellykingdom on 26/07/2018 - 13:03

I had the same one, worked in Darwin with the army
- Neenie Beamer on 26/07/2018 - 18:22
  
  That's Life magazine published a story about this guy approximately 3 years ago. I kid you not. He said he was an RAAF worker on deployment, Darwin area, fooled a WA housewife into putting her red Ford Falcon onto a car carrier and sending it to him, she lost around $12k worth. Anyone else recall that article?? He even sent her a driver licence photo of some other random poor person for ID purposes… used the old fake PayPal screenshot trick…
macca9123 on 26/07/2018 - 13:26

What is it with all these deployed workers purporting to be from Darwin all the time?
There's certainly no evolution in their storyline…
- DarthAntz on 26/07/2018 - 14:02
  
  Not much evolution in darwin either….
  
  joking, its a lovely part of australia, check it out sometime. Barramundi and chips
star-ggg on 26/07/2018 - 14:05

How do they scam with the EFT?
- HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 15:02
  
  EFT transfers aren't instant, and even a transfer that's cleared isn't guaranteed, because a bank has to balance convenience and security - once a transfer passes the first level of checks, the bank will clear it.
  
  The scam works because the actual transfer is actually legit. The scam happens because the source funds themselves are fraudulent, either a bad cheque, or a hacked CC, etc. Once that's discovered, the first bank notifies the second bank (the victim's bank) and the second bank reverses the transfer.
[Deactivated] on 26/07/2018 - 14:46

+1

In the above example if you pay the shipping fee of $500 to them & then $5000 gets reversed bcos of fraud can't you in return request your $500 back bcos of fraud & go on your merry way?
- HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 15:05
  
  The full $5,500 gets reversed not just the $5,000.
  
  And while you can request it back, the bank wouldn't help you. They only reverse the initial transfer because the transfer itself was fraudulent. Your transfer of the $500 isn't fraudulent - you actually had that money in your account, you intentionally transferred it to the destination account.
  
  (And the scammer won't let you transfer it using a way that you can appeal to, like Paypal for example.)
  
  Your only options would be to lodge a police report (good luck) or sue them yourself (also good luck).
  - Ughhh on 26/07/2018 - 18:10
    
    +1
    
    For the $500 courier fee, afaik, they request that payment via Western union.
[Deactivated] on 26/07/2018 - 15:25

Yes $5500 gets reversed of which you can argue to PayPal $500 is your legit cash in the fraud which you had no knowledge or part of as such return what's yours. Which they can easily do if the bank said its a fraud.
So won't you get your $500 back without much of a hassle?
- Ughhh on 26/07/2018 - 18:13
  
  Afaik, the scammers request the courier fee to be transfered via Western union. So no point in arguing with PayPal - if you did fall for the scam.
Masterpupil on 26/07/2018 - 17:21

What about the transfer documentation? I have not sold a car for a while, but I thought that the transfer documents required each party to provide details of their license, address etc, so in doing the transfer document, you have to produce a license (or at least the seller should sight it).

Also, it seems like this scam is clearly obtaining financial advantage by deception (if for example the source of the transferred funds were not legit i.e. stolen credit card, then criminal intent could be established by the fact that the source of the funds was stolen), so then how does the theft register the car, if it is stolen, as the whole transaction is tainted by the initial theft/deception?

I assume this scam works, because otherwise people would not do it, but I am trying to understand how they end up free and clear with a car.
- Ughhh on 26/07/2018 - 18:02
  
  The scammers don't care and don't want your car , hence why they don't check if the car is a lemon like genuine buyers do.
[Deactivated] on 26/07/2018 - 18:22

Take the money and tell him the good news - you'll personally drive it to him/her at her chosen time and place!
PinzVidz on 26/07/2018 - 18:24

RAAF eh? AFP next?
- [Deactivated] on 26/07/2018 - 18:25
  
  KFC
  - yah00 on 21/03/2022 - 21:54
    
    RR
dylo on 26/07/2018 - 18:37

Isn't this old news?
Brucet on 26/07/2018 - 20:40

This is old scam.It was happened once.
varunynr on 27/07/2018 - 08:48

Would be great if the defence man sends cash through the courier to pick the car. Try doing that next time.
marquise on 27/07/2018 - 10:38

If this scam is so common, why don't the police set up a honeypot and wait for the scammer to rock up?
- Ughhh on 27/07/2018 - 10:52
  
  +2
  
  Because even the police know the scammers aren't interested in the car, they just want the money. Plus, there's too many and they mainly operate overseas. It's like the aust police trying to set a honey pot for the "ATO who wants to be paid with iTunes gift cards"
  
  This kind of scam is very common and old
  - marquise on 27/07/2018 - 12:36
    
    ok instead of police, we can have men with baseball bats waiting instead?
    - Ughhh on 27/07/2018 - 14:01
      
      If you want, doubt there will be anyone for you to hit, you'll just be wasting more time. The courier guy doesn't exist. No ones coming to meet you or pick up your car.
    - marquise on 27/07/2018 - 14:25
      
      @Ughhh: oh right! I'm following now. Silly me
gth on 27/07/2018 - 12:16

Jurisdictional issues probably prohibit the honeypot approach.

I'm more curious about the recipient withdrawing the funds before the scammer reverses the transaction. What then?

The whole point of the new funds transfer system being so fast is they should have enough identifiable information on the sender that they can chest the funds with confidence.
- Ughhh on 27/07/2018 - 14:08
  
  Either
  
  You actually get funds into your account, most likely from a hacked account. Bank will reverse the money, if you withdrew the money, then your account might go into the negatives.
  
  The money never actually landed in your account. The receipt you got from "PayPal" was fake, they're hoping you're greedy and gullible enough to not check your PayPal account and pay the "courier" via Western union with your real money (or similar payment system with zero protection).
kangeroo2 on 27/07/2018 - 13:23

Yeah I have had that BS from some guy who was on an oil rig in WA. Said he would pay me by paypal, I said no and after toing and froing with emails, I said to him why don't you give the cash or a bank cheque to the agent who is going to pick up the car? Never heard from him again.
Rocket32 on 17/08/2019 - 22:41

I got exactly the same message as the top one aside from the fact that he is no longer in the RAAF, he is now a FIFO worker. He was able to produce a fake drivers licence when asked too. Now going by the name Kim Phillips and using [email protected] as the email. Beware!!
Onur01 on 30/09/2019 - 01:15

+1

I just received one of these emails. First time selling a car wasn't sure what's going on. Sent over bank details, will anything happen in terms of hacking into my account etc. I noticed it was a scam because I got the second in the same format but different emails.. :/
Constructivist on 03/10/2019 - 17:50

Thanks for this thread. Was corresponding with a [email protected] and I came upon this thread thinking the situation was too strange to be true. Now I know!
AlmostScammed on 06/12/2019 - 09:59

Same old story - this time he is working in the WA mines!!
Watch out for George Manuel - [email protected]

From my friend George:
"I was about to make the payment when i had a little problem with the pick up arrangement, My pick up agent says I will need to pay for the pick up fee before they can schedule pickup date, they charged $1,850.00 AUD for the pick up, but the problem is they only accept Skrill Transfer for the form of payment

I have tried to see if I could get the money sent to them through Skrill website, but unfortunately my credit card as expired and I am not back in town yet to request for another one, I will add the $1,850.00 AUD to the amount I am transferring for your item and you will help me to make the Skrill Transfer of the freighting fee through Skrill online. through www.skrill.com is very easy to set up. I will appreciate your help here and thanks for your understanding.

Regards,
George"

Nice try George …!
bondbaby007 on 14/01/2020 - 13:43

Same scam and got my details through car sales.
The person is now using the name Kim Phillips and email address [email protected]
Claims to be a remote worker working on oil riggs based in Darwin.
Thank you to your posts
maroske martin on 16/01/2020 - 18:14

What a disappointment. I received the following email from [email protected]

Where is it located at the moment? what's your final price? Why are you selling it? does it need anything to be replace or repair? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining Oil and Gas and we are presently in remote area .We do not have access to phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with internet messaging facility. Regarding the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT),using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. With the issue of my details, transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pick up agent. If you are not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and i will buy Unregistered.

Await your reply

Same scam in 2020. Thanks to all who posted on this forum. You saved me time and money.
- GusTheBusDriver on 22/01/2020 - 15:05
  
  Created a Carsales ad and I received a txt message a couple of hours later from a guy called Kim - which i believe was generated from Carsales itself.
  
  The first message was…
  "I'm interested in your vehicle you listed ,contact me to ([email protected]) if you still have it."
  
  I found this thread after a quick search of his email address and thought i'd post this.
  
  I have just created a new email address and i now endevour to entertain his scam. lol
  - PaulyD on 24/02/2020 - 17:47
    
    Used the same email and email address to me this morning.
markandallan on 19/01/2020 - 14:43

I have just had same guy try it out on me. I did give him Bank Account details as seemed legit at first and thought how can I loose if fund go into my account.

I was sus so contacted bank and the bank suggested setting up a seperate account just for this transaction just incase.

This george said he was going to pay and got the same BS regarding expired credit card and pay courier for him with extra funds he would send through so I could pay courier through Scrill.com

This is his latest email name: [email protected]

Here are his messages:

Thanks for getting back,i'm cool with the price likewise the condition as described on the advert,I work on a remote mine site in Perth WA presently. and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to phone at the moment, which is why I contacted you with internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Nab bank account,please get back to me with your PayPal details so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin NT after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct

Regards,
George

We good to go now,I will transfer the fund into your account soon. Please am trying to sort out with the pick up agent though am having little problem with them now but hope to sort it out soon. i will email you when am done with the payment.

PS:Please confirm the price once again because i don’t want any misunderstanding

Regards,
George.

I was about to make the payment when i had a little problem with the pick up arrangement, My pick up agent says I will need to pay for the pick up fee before they can schedule pickup date, they charged $2,500.00 AUD for the pick up, but the problem is they only accept Skrill Transfer for the form of payment

I have tried to see if I could get the money sent to them through Skrill website, but unfortunately my credit card as expired and I am not back in town yet to request for another one, I will add the $2,500.00 AUD to the amount I am transferring for your item and you will help me to make the Skrill Transfer of the freighting fee through Skrill online. through www.skrill.com is very easy to set up. I will appreciate your help here and thanks for your understanding.

Regards,
George

Not sure how he ends up with any money but definatley a scammer.
chelseadame on 07/02/2020 - 09:33

This scam is still being used today. Looking on Carsguide.com yesterday to buy a vehicle we noticed here was a difference between the headline for a vehicle for sale in Melbourne " 2012, Hyundai, I30, Active Registration: 1BL6RK and the narrative which said "2014 Hyundai i30 Trophy Automatic registration 1BL6WC" advertised for $6,500 too good to be true. I sent of an enquiry anyway & got a reply from the seller claiming to be [email protected] there was even a photo attached showing the alleged person holding their drivers licence. She said she was currently in Tassie so was the car, with her squad for special training and was going to NZ at the end of the month for 3 years. She promised to arrange delivery of the vehicle to my house at no cost to me & let me keep it for 7 days & return it if I was not happy. However the payment would be made to a company called Escrow.com who would hold the payment & not release it until I was totally happy with the vehicle. I did not go any further through with the sale as I certainly don't want to deal with a third party and I smelled a rat as I know their are no air force bases in Tassie I also have friends in the defence force & this is a bullshit email address. I have contacted carsguide.com and they have immediately taken down the ad. I just thought you ought to alert buyers on your website to look out for this still going only using Escrow.com instead of Western Union or Paypal
PaulyD on 24/02/2020 - 17:40

Same guy just tried to scam me with a car I just advertised on carsales.com.au. Same name but working FIFO in Darwin. I asked for a copy of his drivers licence (for the transfer form) and he sent me on with the address of Durak, NT. Date of birth in 1958.

His email was almost identical to that at the start of this post. He also rang me this morning (first contact) and sounded quite convincing. The emails that followed were quite a different tone.

Glad I google his name and city (Kim Phillips Darwin) and this scam alter was the first item!!. Thanks
Tamagotchi Breeder on 25/02/2020 - 15:56

Latest version:

SMS sent from +61491605182
Timothy Martin
[email protected]
NT Drivers License supplied.

Email:
"Thanks for getting back, am pleased with the condition as described on the advert,I work on a remote site,Does it have any history I should be aware of and why are you selling?

Regarding the payment, i will be paying you through PayPal or ETF (Bank Transfer),please get back to me with your BSB, Acct name & Number so i can process the payment, you can alternatively send your PayPal payment details as i can also pay into your Paypal acct.

I've contacted my agent who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Palmerston City after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.

Await your reply"
moniqhaha on 31/03/2020 - 23:06

Latest version:
Renee Fitzgerald <[email protected]>

Where is it located at the moment? what's your final price? Why are you selling it? does it need anything to be replace or repair? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining Oil and Gas and we are presently in remote area .We do not have access to phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with internet messaging facility. Regarding the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT),using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. With the issue of my details, transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pick up agent. If you are not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and i will buy Unregistered.

Await your reply

Regards

Have reported to [email protected]
karibu16 on 22/05/2020 - 13:00

He is at it again, just put a car up this morning and within an hour got a text and asked to converse through email - [email protected]. sound to good to be true so we googled "George Manuel Darwin" and bingo Scam Alert !!

Thanks for getting back,i'm cool with the price likewise the condition as described on the advert,I work on a remote mine site in Perth WA presently. and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to phone at the moment only fair since the NBN took over the sat service from Skymesh, which is why I contacted you with internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Nab bank account,please get back to me with your PayPal details so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin NT after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.

Regards,
George
reganmills on 04/07/2020 - 19:57

+1

Happened to me today. I Posted an advert on carsales.com.au and within an hour a message arrived from +49 191 011 which read:

"Is your car for sale and what's the lowest you can go on the price? get back to me via my email ([email protected]) Thanks"

I wrote 'Shantel' an email with some questions, and they came back with the following:

Thanks for getting back and exactly what I'm looking for, I just got a job with Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. Beetaloo Basin, Northern Territory, Australia and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to phones at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility. I am already in talks with the courier that will handle the pick-up and delivery to my new house here in Darwin.

As regards the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using paypal instant bank wire transfer service, linked up with my ANZ bank account, I will need your bank details and I will make the payment through paypal facility to your bank account, all I will need is your acct number, BSB number and acct name.

Thanks….
Await your reply

It sounded suss to me, so I googled the situation and found this Ozbargain page. I copied the web address and sent it back to them.

Haven't heard back since :D
reganmills on 04/07/2020 - 20:19

I should have mentioned in the post above that the full name of the scammer this time was: Shantel Gohier
suchan on 16/08/2020 - 23:10

Happened to me today too. Got an sms regarding my ad on carsales.com asking me to email to this email address and I got this in return.

Thanks OzBargain for posting this here and saved me from pain.

Walter Turnbull

8:58 PM (2 hours ago)

to me

from: Walter Turnbull <[email protected]>

to: me

date: Aug 16, 2020, 8:58 PM

subject: Re: Honda

mailed-by: gmail.com

signed-by: gmail.com

security: Standard encryption (TLS) Learn more

Important mainly because it was sent directly to you.
Where is it located at the moment? What's your final price? Why are you selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining, Oil and Gas and we are presently in a remote area. We do not have access to a phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility. Regarding the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. With the issue of my details, transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pickup agent. If you are not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and I will buy Unregistered.

Await your reply
MuddyClear on 17/08/2020 - 14:07

Is the moral of the story is to accept cash only, not even bank cheques?
- Euphemistic on 17/08/2020 - 14:10
  
  -1
  
  Moral of the story is to never sell your car.
KarlInOz on 23/08/2020 - 22:11

LOL I just love threads like this. I got the SMS requesting my email address, the SMS has no return number, just WALTER. I discovered that when I tried responding to the SMS telling the sender to email me at my email address (which I had just created for this purpose). So now he is Walter Turnbull as the post three above. I'm waiting for the sob story at my disposable email address. Should be able to spin this out for a bit. Email address this time is [email protected] Will he be FIFO, or RAAF or an oil rig worker??
KarlInOz on 23/08/2020 - 22:15

And here it is, he's still in mining LoL…

From walter Turnbull on 2020-08-23 22:02
From walter Turnbull<[email protected]>
To Karl
Date Today 22:02

Where is it located at the moment? What's your final price? Why are you
selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with
the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out
(FIFO)Mining, Oil and Gas and we are presently in a remote area. We do not
have access to a phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with an
internet messaging facility. Regarding the payment, I can pay you through
direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service.
I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not
comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at
www.PayPal.com.au http://www.paypal.com.au/ and I will make the payment
through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it
to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your
account. With the issue of my details, transferring the name of ownership
and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pickup agent. If you are
not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and I will buy
Unregistered.

Await your reply
wrxhoon on 04/09/2020 - 22:14

+1

They normally sent you SMS via a computer so you can't trace their number and location, the SMS will have an email to contact them and it goes from there .
This is mostly how it goes::
"Where is it located at the moment? What's your final price? Why are you
selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with
the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out
(FIFO)Mining, Oil and Gas and we are presently in a remote area."
I even got a copy of a drivers licence, the licence was legit nut didn't belong to the holder, the email had the licence name @ gmail.com. I even questioned the fact that the licence indicated the so called buyer was 66 yo still working in mines but no answer to the question.
When you agree on price ( they don't care about price, I told him $3000 above the advertised amount) Then they ask you to pay around the $1500 mark to the courier company and they will ad that to the total They say they can't do it from where they are. They ask for you bank details and or paypal. They send you a letter signed by Dan Schulman President PayPal, Inc.
"""Receipt Of Payment From Brian Archibald To Your Account.
This transaction is due to appear in your account shortly.
For any questions and other issues regarding this payment, Please reply to this email only and we will gladly help you."""
They ask you to pay the courier via transferwise as they are based in middle east, UAE, etc..
Name:Moussa Traore
Email:[email protected]
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Address: Dubai Mall
Postcode: 97000
IBAN : AE900520001577895940014
Currency: AED
Reference: NISLA
(Incorrect reference will delay the transaction )

I guess they must suck in some people otherwise they wouldn't do it , I went along to see how they work.
I handed all the details to the police here and UAE, I don't know the outcome as yet. By the way they don't want the car all they get is the $1500 ( $1850 in my case).
When you are selling anything and receive an SMS from a computer asking you to reply to email , alarm bells shoul start ringing very loud.
- SK12321 on 03/10/2020 - 20:56
  
  I have received kind of this email in July, they told me they are the new agent to handle my car because the previous scammer who call Timothy Morgan was died due to COVID-19. LOL
mummamiia on 16/09/2020 - 12:23

+1

Brian Archibald is in action again. He is in mining, oil and gas business at the moment.

I have a car listed for sale on Car Sales as well as on Gumtree. Get a SMS from Brian, which in itself is interesting as I have no Brian in my contacts. SMS directs me to send an email to [email protected] if my car is still available.

Email from Brian:

Brian Archibald
Tue, Sep 15, 8:06 PM (16 hours ago)
to me

Where is it located at the moment? What's your final price? Why are you selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining, Oil and Gas and we are presently in a remote area. We do not have access to a phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility. Regarding the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. With the issue of my details, transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pickup agent. If you are not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and I will buy Unregistered.

Await your reply

I'm glad I googled it, as the old saying goes, if it sounds to be too good then it probably is.
SK12321 on 03/10/2020 - 20:53

I have been victimized by those scammer since last year. Do not trust them.
MJJ2020 on 09/10/2020 - 14:00

WalterTurnbull73 is still trying to scam people. This is what I received 8th October 2020.

Where is it located at the moment? What's your final price? Why are you selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining, Oil and Gas and we are presently in a remote area. We do not have access to a phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility. Regarding the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. With the issue of my details, transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pickup agent. If you are not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and I will buy Unregistered.

Await your reply
kenchen27 on 23/10/2020 - 12:26

Hi got one from Brian Archibald

[email protected]

I'm okay with the condition as described on the advert and what's the last asking price?

I work on the North West Shelf in the Rowley Sub-basin in Perth and the reception here is terrible. We do not have access to phones at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

I am more than happy to go ahead with the purchase, that is ok with me, please do provide me with your paypal email address or bank details so that I can go ahead with the transfer to your bank account via my paypal, can you also give me the pickup postcode? so that I can get a definite quote from the carriers. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC.

Cheers
Windscreens on 10/11/2020 - 17:03

Have the same from 9th Nov.
[email protected]

Regarding the payment! I hope I can trust you?

I am happy to proceed with the payment by transferring the amount of the price listed, can you assure me I will not be disappointed? I have a little problem with the freighting arrangement, the freighters said I will need to pay for the freighting fees before they can schedule pre-shipping/ pickup date, they charged $1,700 for the pickup and delivery with some papers they need to sort out for the transport, but the problem is they only accept Transferwise as a form of payment which is sent to their branch office in the UK/DUBAI where they confirm all Commission Payment schedule for suitable Pick-Up Date. , as you what you are well aware of, I am away and do not have access to Transferwise, I tried to pay online but I will need a credit card which I didn't bring along, you can make the Transferwise at www.transferwise.com will it be okay with you if I add the $1,700 to the amount I am transferring? as soon as I have made the payment you can help me make the transfer of the freighting fees through Transferwise? You are not obliged to help me, but I will indeed appreciate your help as I am a little incapacitated here.
cheers

And good effort by the group, googled the guys name and this site came up first with the warning.
ECE on 10/11/2020 - 17:10

Nothing new here 🥳
Brett0123 on 19/11/2020 - 07:50

Another Brian Archibald scam attempt. Thanks to everyone for posting on this website. Your contributions saved me from falling into this trap. Hopefully my post can also assist others.

SMS:

I'm interested in your vehicle you listed, Email me to [email protected] if you still have it

Email:

From: Brian Archibald <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, 18 November 2020 10:34 PM
To: XXXXXXX
Subject: Re: Mercedes C250, Bentleigh

I'm okay with the condition as described on the advert and what's the last asking price?

I work on the North West Shelf in the Rowley Sub-basin in Perth and the reception here is terrible. We do not have access to phones at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

I am more than happy to go ahead with the purchase, that is ok with me, please do provide me with your paypal email address or bank details so that I can go ahead with the transfer to your bank account via my paypal, can you also give me the pickup postcode? so that I can get a definite quote from the carriers. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC.

Cheers
koalabargains on 20/11/2020 - 00:49

From: Simon Peter <[email protected]>

Email 1:

I'm okay with the condition as described on the advert and what's the last asking price?

I work on the North West Shelf in the Rowley Sub-basin in Perth and the reception here is terrible. We do not have access to phones at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

I am more than happy to go ahead with the purchase, that is ok with me, please do provide me with your paypal email address or bank details so that I can go ahead with the transfer to your bank account via my paypal, can you also give me the pickup postcode? so that I can get a definite quote from the carriers. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC.

Cheers

Email 2:

Regarding the payment! I hope I can trust you?

I am happy to proceed with the payment by transferring the amount of the price listed, can you assure me I will not be disappointed? I have a little problem with the freighting arrangement, the freighters said I will need to pay for the freighting fees before they can schedule pre-shipping/ pickup date, they charged $1,700 for the pickup and delivery with some papers they need to sort out for the transport, but the problem is they only accept Transferwise as a form of payment which is sent to their branch office in the UK where they confirm all Commission Payment schedule for suitable Pick-Up Date. , as you what you are well aware of, I am away and do not have access to Transferwise, I tried to pay online but I will need a credit card which I didn't bring along, you can make the Transferwise at www.transferwise.com will it be okay with you if I add the $1,700 to the amount I am transferring? as soon as I have made the payment you can help me make the transfer of the freighting fees through Transferwise? You are not obliged to help me, but I will indeed appreciate your help as I am a little incapacitated here.

Await your fast

Kind Regards

Email 3:

I have now completed the payment through PayPal internet banking. I sent $35,800.00 in all to your bank but the money is pending with PayPal and it will not be credited into your account because of the excess payments of $1,800.00 I added meant for pick up so kindly go through your e-mail address for notifications messages from PayPal. Note: the PayPal messages may land in your PayPal SPAM, or JUNK mail, so please check all the mail folder of your email address for the messages from PayPal and go through it very well. You have to send $1700 to my pick up agent's office via Transfer-wise so that PayPal can release the money into your account as soon as you have emailed the Transferwise receipt details to them. I added an extra $100 to cover the charges which shouldn't be more than $20-50 but just to be sure I added $100.As stated in my previous mail. You can send the money online at www.transferwise.com.au

Here are the details to complete this

Name: Bel Deban
Email: [email protected]
Sort Code:04-03-72
Account Number:02248256
Address: Shoreditch Street
City: London
Post Code: E1 6AX
Country: United KINGDOM
Currency:GBP
Reference: ZXMX

Kindly pay with credit card/Debit Card for fast processing and forward the transfer wise receipt to PayPal once you have it sorted

Cheers
Davloid on 04/01/2021 - 10:27

Hi Everyone,

Same deal for me and good old Brian Archibald.

Posted on Carsales, received the email:

———— Original message ————
From: Brian Archibald <[email protected]>
Date: 3/1/21 9:54 pm (GMT+10:00)
To: wdavies <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Sonata

I'm okay with the condition as described on the advert and what's the last asking price?

I work on the North West Shelf in the Rowley Sub-basin in Perth and the reception here is terrible. We do not have access to phones at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

I am more than happy to go ahead with the purchase, that is ok with me, please do provide me with your paypal email address or bank details so that I can go ahead with the transfer to your bank account via my paypal, can you also give me the pickup postcode? so that I can get a definite quote from the carriers. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC.

Cheers

I told him to check the transfer cost first before I went ahead and gave "him" my bank details.

I then asked are you at Karatha? I did a job near there at Pannawonica.

He then sent back:
Second email

Hi,

I'm satisfied with it. Kindly send me details for payment so I can arrange for the transfer.

Kind Regards

I got suspicious when he did not respond to some of my banter - googled his name and here I am .

Thank you all for posting this information -very useful.

I hope others search before paying anything. It must be profitable or they wouldn't continue running the scam.
Its brilliant in simplicity and no tech needed.

What have others said back to the clown once they figured out it was a scam?
I'd love to say Screw You!
Wondering if I can trace the origin of the messages. I almost told him in the first email I was part of a cybercirme prevention unit in my job but thought better of it.

Cheers
Wayne
brendanm on 04/01/2021 - 18:29

+1

You guys are wasting your time posting emails. What's the point? You don't need to know a name (they are fake anyway), you just have to use a tiny bit of common sense. If someone wants to buy your car in a very weird way, it's likely a scam.
ScamTheScammer on 22/11/2021 - 10:45

Got the same today, he texted me first then emailed me….

Simon Peters <[email protected]>
Sun 21/11/2021 23:34
View with a light background
Reply
Reply all
Thanks for your response, confirm the asking price again,where is it located at the moment? Why are you selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining and we are presently in a remote area. We do not have access to a phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment,I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come to pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT Darwin at my place of residence, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC and i can buy it Unregistered

then this

I have a little problem with the freighting arrangement, the freighters said I will need to pay for the freighting fees before they can schedule pre-shipping/ pickup date, they charged $1,500 for the pickup and delivery with some papers they need to sort out for the transport, but the problem is they only accept Worldremit Money Transfer or Skrill Money Transfer as a form of payment which is sent to their branch office in the United Kingdom where they confirm all Commission Payment schedule for suitable Pick-Up Date. , as you what you are well aware of, I am away and do not have my credit/debit with me, I tried to pay online but I will need a credit/debit card which I didn't bring along, you can make the worldremit Money Transfer or Skrill Money Transfer at www.skrill.com or www.worldremit.com will it be okay with you if I add the $1,500 to the amount I am transferring? As soon as I have made the payment can you help me make the transfer of the freighting fees through Worldremit or Skrill Money Transfer? You are not obliged to help me, but I will indeed appreciate your help as I am a little incapacitated here.

Await your fast

I knew it was a scam straight away, there is also a legitimate Simon Peters in the NT!!!
Kel1204 on 20/03/2022 - 15:06

I got this message today. Thank you for all posting this here and allowing me to realise it is a scam. Apparently this scam still goes on in 2022.

Where is it located at the moment?Why are you selling it?Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired?I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert.I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining Gold in Tanami, we are presently in remote area .We do not have access to phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with internet messaging facility.Regarding the payment, I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT),using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service.I will need your Account name,BSB and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal,this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.
I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.With the issue of my details,transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pick up agent.If you are not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and i will buy Unregistered.

Await your reply

Regards
Sscoffield on 08/04/2022 - 10:10

I got one this morning….

On 7 Apr 2022, at 10:39 pm, Glenn Young <[email protected]> wrote:

Thanks for your response, confirm the asking price again,where is it located at the moment? Why are you selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert.I work on a remote mine site presently. and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to a phone at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment,I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.

I have also contacted my courier who will come to pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT Darwin at my place of residence, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC and i can buy it Unregistered

Cheers
dmur on 15/07/2022 - 19:52

Yep … got this last night - they are still trying hard

On Thursday, July 14th, 2022 at 10:41 PM, Glenn Young <[email protected]> wrote:

Thanks for your response, confirm the asking price again,where is it located at the moment? Why are you selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert.I work on a remote mine site presently. and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to a phone at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Nab bank account,please get back to me with your PayPal details so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.

I have also contacted my courier who will come to pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT Darwin at my place of residence, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC and i can buy it Unregistered

Cheers
Watto45 on 26/07/2022 - 16:23

Yeh I received the same from Glenn Young. I have his photo Licence but Im gathering its not him. He nearly sucked me in too.
lovetodiscuss on 02/08/2022 - 13:02

Tell him he can talk to you while flying the fighter jet or just call you on a satellite phone. You are waiting for his call… :))
Brodo Faggins on 02/08/2022 - 21:46

🔴 REMOVE THE SCAM LINK IN DESCRIPTION
ChaosDogg on 08/09/2022 - 11:45

Got this one today:

From: Bradley Coulta <[email protected]>

Thanks for getting back,I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert or is that anything I need to know about it? I work on a remote mine site in Karara Mining Perth WA presently. and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to phones at the moment, only fair since the NBN took over the sat service from Skymesh, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Nab bank account,please get back to me with your PayPal details so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Araluen NT after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.

Regards,
Bradley
Foxtail on 09/09/2022 - 09:14

I had one when selling my car for $23K, guy said he was on a fishing boat said he will pay via Paypal and have a friend collect car, I said no, must pay direct deposit or cash in full, never heard back from him, I sold it locally 2 weeks later.
Casey Jones on 28/12/2022 - 18:21

yeh, scam still going strong.

Hey Mate,
I got a mail from the pick up agent now that I will need to pay for the freighting fees before they can schedule pre-shipping pickup date, they charged $370 for the pick up and delivery but they only accept payment before they can pick up the item from you and the method of there payment is bank or Bitcoin as mean of payment from headquarter office due to the covid 19.

As I do not have access to the nearest post office or store and also not with my card Can I add the shipping fees to your item fees and you will be of help to paid the shipping department I need a respond from you about it because I can not make multiple payment via my business merchant PayPal account to different account from here I will be glad if you can reply me soon.about your decision.I will indeed appreciate your help as I am a little incapacitated here.

Thank you !!!
- Casey Jones on 28/12/2022 - 20:51
  
  Curtis Jonathon <[email protected]>
  
  Above buyers details.
nedrum on 04/07/2023 - 10:31

July 2023 and it's still going strong as ever. Great to have this pop up as the #1 result during a google search. Wording for my scam…

*Why are you selling it? Final asking price? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired?Your Postal code? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work on a remote mine site presently. and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to a phone at the moment, which is why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment, I will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Nab bank account, please get back to me with your PayPal details so i can process the payment, you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.

I have also contacted my courier who will come to pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT Darwin at my place of residence, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC and i can buy it Unregistered.

Cheers*
Forgot69 on 31/07/2023 - 14:20

Let's add another to the thread, eh?

[email protected]

Why are you selling it? Final asking price? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? Your Postal code? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work on a remote mine site presently. and the reception is terrible. We do not have access to a phone now, so I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.

Regarding the payment, I will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Nab bank account, please get back to me with your PayPal details so i can process the payment, you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.

I have also contacted my courier who will come to pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT Darwin at my place of residence, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC and i can buy it Unregistered.

Cheers
DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 31/07/2023 - 23:28

But why would a brave pilot need to scam people?
JABegood on 14/08/2023 - 13:46

I have had the same message over the weekend from Matthew Hart <[email protected]> and I was sent a picture of Matthew Hart's NT current driver's license.

I sent an old account number which has no access to any of my money and the scam continued with PayPal receipt of car price plus $1,300.00. But had to send $1,300.00 to a Revolut account before receiving my money and I don't have a PayPal account!

Hopefully people are wise to sending money before receiving it but the licence was legit.

Below are those details:

Below are the courier's bank details:

Name: Louise Grant
Sort Code: 08-71-99
Account Number:10101663
Address: Shoreditch Street
City: London
PostCode: E1 6AX
Country: United KINGDOM
Currency:GBP
kaboom mel on 01/09/2023 - 13:11

Got the same message from Matthew Hart <[email protected]>

Why are you selling it? What's the final asking price? Does it need any repairs or replacements? Could you please provide your postal code? I'm okay with the condition described in the advert. Currently, I work on a remote mine site with poor reception, so I had to contact you using this internet messaging facility. For payment, I can pay using PayPal. Alternatively, if you don't have a PayPal account, you can provide your BSB account name and acc number. I've also made arrangements with my courier to pick up the Vehicle once the payment is cleared into your account. Regarding the papers work, I only require a receipt. I will register the vehicle at my place in Darwin, so there's no need for the existing registration or RWC. I'll purchase it unregistered. Thank you and cheers!

[SCAM ALERT] Another Car Buying Scam Tactic

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