Complaint Review: Diane Martin (private seller autotrader) - Internet

RE: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader

Hi, I am forwarding a 90% suspect fraud currently IN PROGRESS. Subject - 2007 fully loaded Prius for $4,900. 'Diane Martin' won't reveal 'her' exact location nor phone number. Found on autotrader in 'hamilton' ontario, supposedly wants sold thru eBay Motor Protection plan via an 'agent' by the name of D. Antonio Bruno, Via Montanelli Indro 164, 00168 Roma, Italy (if you can believe it) Send money transfer to FAX # 248 741 6500. She (he - who really knows?) should have kept the agent in Canada and she/he might have got my money...   (how stupid am I?) 
 
The car is currently being 'housed for shipping in Quebec'. She has limited access to a phone because she's currently in a training camp her platoon due to ship out to Libya on August 22.        yeah, right.
 
My last e-mail to her (actually to the eBay address) was to confirm canadian funds, and wasn't it unusual for an agent to be in Italy? Thought maybe the EBay address would be real but it probably isn't either.  -  probably won't get a reply...   I actually started getting really cold feet on the western union website where I was directed for payment and it PLAINLY states not to use it to transfer funds to unknown people!     PLEASE HEED WARNINGS LIKE THAT.
 
I researched the car and it was made in US but not yet registered in CANADA. Last paperwork for renewal was in 2009 in California...
 
The car has already been removed from autotrader... seems fishy to me - removed before apparent solid sale...   pretty much 100% fraud.


Communication History ----------


 From: Diane Martin [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 8:34 AM
To:  N
Subject: Re: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader
 Hello,

I am very glad to see that my 2007 Toyota Prius is drawing so much attention, I received a lot offers in a relatively short time for it. Let me tell you a few words about my Prius. The general condition of this car is excellent,very well maintained, no damages and no mechanical problems,the engine runs and sounds awesome, with no cosmetic complaints really worth comment. The Prius is the FULLY LOADED model with leather, Navigation, Bluetooth, etc. Includes the full tech package (even back up camera!), this vehicle has literally ALL the upgrades available from Toyota. I have the title clear ( under my name ) in my
hand and the car is ready for it's next owner. The Prius has 115,068 km, year 2007 and VIN# JTDKB20U877693015.

The price of this beauty was reduced to $4,900 (URGENT SALE) as I need to sell this car before 22 August when I will leave with my platoon back to Libya and don't want it get old in my backyard.
The pics speak for themselves, to view a detailed spec sheet on my Toyota Prius and for more info. please use this link :
http://eazyadmaker.com/flyer_page.php?id=20643

I look forward to hearing from you,
Diane Martin
Note : The car is certified & e-tested, MVI until March 2012.

     (Thought it was weird that she's getting lots of offers yet lowering the price! - already way low... - till I read that authorities don't chase anything under $5,000. This sucks.)

--- On Wed, 8/10/11,  N  wrote:
From: Nicole
Subject: RE: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader
To: "Diane Martin" <[email protected]>
Received: Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 10:57 PM
Hi, If you can hold off until Monday, August 15th I would like to purchase your car. I am a shift-working single mom and thats the soonest I can come to Hamilton from Brockville (one hour east of Kingston).I would like to be able to drive away with it on Monday so Ill bring a notorized money order or make a transfer at a Scotiabank in Hamilton from my account to yours thats probably best. Would you also be able to transfer the plates to me as this will greatly facilitate doing this in one day.  Otherwise Ill have a big run around trying to prove ownership, insurance, etc. trying to get plates.

Ive done quite a bit of research on several models (including smart cars and lexus, etc.) in the last few weeks and am quite excited at this opportunity; although Ive never driven a Prius, my 2003 toyota corolla has served me in good stead over the years, and Im giving it to my daughter (shes really in dire need) and she should get another 5 years or more out of it.   You say your platoon is leaving does this mean youre in the armed forces? I dont know anyone personally to thank for all the sacrifices you make in life - so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hope to hear from you soon. I work till 7am and am usually in bed by 7:45 and up @ 13:00  on Thursday afternoon. Home phone is 613 (landline). If we dont answer right away try again dont always answer numbers we dont recognize. I work again tomorrow night 7pm 7am Friday morning. Ill read my e-mail Thursday night and after that I wont be able to read my e-mail.  My work phone is .   Very serious about taking this car off your hands on Monday:   $5,000+.  Nicole  

 From: Diane Martin [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 7:22 PM
To:  N
Subject: RE: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader Hi,
At this moment I am on a military base getting ready for Libya. This mean that I do a special training program and I am not allowed to get out of the unit or give calls whenever I want. The Toyota Prius is already at the shipping company in Chicoutimi, QC ready for shipping. The shipping can't be a problem because is already paid. So the price is $4,900 shipping and handling included. You will receive the Toyota Prius along with all the documents including signed title on the front and back (notarized signatures) and the notarized bill of sale so you can easily transfer the registration in your name. All you have to do it to visit your local MTO office(with the papers provided) and transfer the registration in your name, it's very easy. Because it is a large transaction and my current situation is pretty special I want the deal closed only through eBay, using their Business Purchase Protection Program. The payment will be handling by eBay and you will benefit of 7 days inspection period ( have it check) and the option to accept or reject the Toyota Prius. In order to move forward and register the transaction at eBay I will need your full name & full shipping address, after that they will contact you with all necessary information about this transaction ( terms ,buyer protection ,payment instructions ,invoice,etc. )
Thank you,
Diane

(the price is $4,900 when I offered $5000+ to keep ahead of the competition! - several people are paying for the same car - more than likely - but I still plowed ahead ignoring this OBVIOUS warning sign!)

--- On Thu, 8/11/11, From: Nicole Subject: RE: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader
To: "Diane Martin" <[email protected]>
Received: Thursday, August 11, 2011, 9:07 PM

Hello again, Im a little confused because I got the impression the car was in Hamilton from the original advertisement.  I ran the VIN number through carproof, and it turns out its not registered in Canada   So, this will be some extra work and cost to import from the US (even though its already here) I think.    So, are you in Hamilton?

So, to be clear youll have the car shipped to my address and Ive got 7 days to inspect before I purchase?   Or, do I send the money through E-bay who holds it while the car is shipped and formally accepted    Is this how it works to protect us both?    And the shipping is prepaid regardless of how far it goes?

I really like the idea of owning a Prius, and never thought Id be able to afford one, but I have to admit Im a little leery of not seeing it and/or you in person before doing a transaction like this over the internet But Im game so my full name is   and my home address is   Brockville, Ontario    After tonight you can e-mail me at      this is my sons address.  Hope it works  

(notably does not respond to her actual whereabouts nor my comment regarding registration in Canada)

From: Diane Martin [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 10:21 PM
To: Subject: RE: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader Hello again,

I got your info and already sent it to eBay hoping they will contact you soon with all the details.
After you will hear from them please email me back because I need to know for sure if this is a done deal!
I will do my best for this deal, hope you'll do the same.
Allow me to explain the payment & testing terms and I am asking you to confirm your agreement:
I have a contract with eBay so this deal must go through them. (??!) However, I completely understand your desire to see the Prius and probably have it check before you buy it. But you don't have to worry about this since this is covered by ebay's purchase protection plan. According to them the inspection period is set to 7 working days, which means you have plenty of time to test the car and have it checked before you decide to keep it or send it back. I am sure that it won't be the case to send the Prius back.Yet if this happens, the shipping co. will bring back the car at no cost for you and no questions asked.
The payment process will be very simple. It will all be handled by eBay. So mainly you have know that the money will be sent to an eBay agent that will handle our case. The transfer will be verified by the eBay agent and as soon as it confirms they will instruct me to send the car over. After this trial period, let the eBay agent what your final decision is. If you keep the car, ONLY then they will release the money to me and the deal will be closed.
Regards,
Diane
Note : All this information you will receive in detail from eBay in the payment invoice.

    
From: Date: Fri, Aug 12, 2011 at 12:34 AM
Subject: RE: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader
To: Diane Martin <[email protected]>
 
Hi, I am copying this to my newly created g.mail account so people can reach me at home (I cant access my work account from anywhere as its behind a firewall) So, give eBay this gmail address, and my home phone is . When I turn the key (or press the button!) consider it a deal  -  it will take about one day. Thanks for your patience,    Nicole