Complaint Review: Craiglist - Internet

My husband and I were browsing through craiglist.com looking to buy a vehicle. I then emailed the seller through her email which is [email protected] on November 10th by 9:23 p.m. that I was intersted in buying the vehicle that was posted on craiglist web page is http://miami.craigslist.org/ mdc/ctd/1459957816.htm , which was a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado LS for $4,300. She then replied on November 11th at 10:06 a.m.stating that, "she just went through a divorce and would like to sale the vehicle as soon as possible she specified the vin# 2gcek19t731180444 , 96,100 miles, and etc. of the vehicle. Then I confidently investigated the vin# with carfax.com and it reported to be in a good condition and it is in Ohio with its current owner.However, before the end of point of sale I negotiated the price and she finalized price to $4,000 U.S.dollars. Then I went ahead and proceeded with the order and an email from ebay motor financing notified me with an invoice and Annie which is the seller to transfer the money which this was notified roughly at night on November 11th.

Therefore, I did the wire transfer for the amount of $4,000 US dollars to the bank given which is Woodforest Bank Account Name:Janice Lang Bank Address:1831 S. Dr. Martin L King, Greenville, MS 38701 Account No.:8145006196 ABA Routing No.:314972853 Country:United States stated on ebay financing motor invoice on November 12th roughly at 10:56 a.m. from my bank Chase. When I got back to my job. I then sent the seller and the so called ebay the confirmation/receipt of the wire and then roughly an hour or two passed by and I got no answer until around 1:37 p.m. an email confirmation was received of payment from the so called ebay financing motor company and I was already reporting myself to my bank and requested to stop the wire.

I am sorry to say that you were scammed. Not by Craigslist and not by eBay. You fell victim to someone operating a variation of the 419 scam, also known as the Nigerian scam.

The operators use a variety of names so it does little good to look for a specific name and they are known to use a number of websites such as Craigslist, eBay, dating sites, etc. It is more effective to focus on how the scam works so that others may learn to avoid becoming a victim.

"I then emailed the seller through her email which is [email protected]"

Well, this suggests that the scammers are getting creative. Annie Oakley was a sharpshooter and actress born nearly 150 years ago.

"I was intersted in buying the vehicle that was posted on craiglist web page is http://miami.craigslist.org/ mdc/ctd/1459957816.htm , which was a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado LS for $4,300."

This is another red flag. Scammers will typically bait people by offering an item well below market value. They could post an ad for a vehicle, a camera, a high end computer, etc. The victim is often so excited at getting the item for a good price that he or she may overlook problems with this deal.

"Then I went ahead and proceeded with the order and an email from ebay motor financing notified me with an invoice and Annie which is the seller to transfer the money which this was notified roughly at night on November 11th."

Another red flag. eBay does not have a program that covers vehicles purchased through Craigslist.

"Therefore, I did the wire transfer for the amount of $4,000 US dollars to the bank given which is Woodforest Bank Account Name:Janice Lang Bank Address:1831 S. Dr. Martin L King, Greenville, MS 38701 Account No.:8145006196 ABA Routing No.:314972853 Country:"

Yet another red flag. The truck was put up for sale on Miami's Craigslist page, the truck was in Ohio and someone pretending to be from eBay tells the OP to wire money to a bank account in Mississippi?

OP, you should contact the Secret Service's financial crimes unit. They may not be able to get your money back but they will want the details of your encounter with this scammer.

 Sorry you were ripped off.Bin there.First red flag,Ebay does not honnor Craigs List.Second,never wire transfer,even bank transfer as they work to slow on something like this and they will tell you they could not stop it and they only protect delivery to the account you specified.Good luck trying to get your money as nobody is really interested in helping you and stopping these scammers.