Watching eBay--308 Sounds 2 Good 2B True

I was checking out eBay last night and found an 85 308 with 31K miles for a seriously low buy-it now price in the text, but no radio button to "Buy It Now". The text was also explicit about emailing questions to only the MSN.com address. So, I emailed the seller because "if it is too good to be true" it probably is a SCAM? The seller's reply is provided below.

"Hello,
Thank you for your email and sorry for my late reply. First of all the car belonged to my father, he was the first and only owner and after he passed away 7 moths ago, he left the car to me. I can let you know that it has a clean US title, it has no scratches or dents, it has 31000 miles and it runs perfectly, I've took it for a drive before I left US and I didn't drove it since then. Anyway, I have all the receipts and documents for all the work that has been made on it. The car is now in Zagreb, Croatia with me and it is crated as I received it, when I've moved here 1 moth ago because I found a better job. I've tried to register it here but the taxes to make it street legal will go around $5300 US, money that I cannot afford because I want to buy a house, so I've decided to sell it. The total price that you'll have to pay for this car is $14,000 US, price that includes the shipping taxes and the insurance. All of my transactions until now were made under eBay's protection and because of that I wish that we make this deal also with eBay's protection. If you agree with moving forward with the deal through eBay please email me your full name and shipping address. As soon as will I receive these information from you I will forward them to eBay along with the rest of the details in order for them to open a case regarding our deal. I am waiting for your email as soon as possible.
Thanks,
Diane. "

Sounds like a scam to me. She insists on eBay Buyer Protection. Why?

I looked on eBay this morning to find the listing, but could not and I did not save it in my Watch List.

Any thoughts? I also asked her for the VIN, but she did not.....

 

I forgot to mention in the earlier post that the 308 is Red/Tan. She also sent me approx 20 pix.

Also notice that the seller wants my full nane and shipping address, so she can send it to eBay.

This has to be a new form of an old SCAM to get either your money, and/or your identity.

 

Sounds like a scam that somebody arleady contacted ebay about, hence why it has been pulled.

 

Sounds like a sweet deal. Get someone in Zagreb to do a PPI on it, thenyou'll have all the details you need to research the validity of the claims, and proceed from there.

 

people STILL fall for this stuff??

 

No part of the seller's story even makes sense. It seems like if the guy made it slightly more believable he'd have a chance of actually scamming someone and getting their money.

Imagine how you'd feel after wiring $14,000 to Croatia and hoping a Ferrari showed up in your driveway after....probably not very good.

 

The seller replied to my email about the VIN. She also states that the shipping cost will be paid by the seller. Just sounds way too sweet to be true. She did mention that if you pull a CARFAX, it will indicate an accident. It happened in 2004, Wilbraham (MA?), rolled into a tree and damaged a light. She had all the answers. Continues to say that eBay will hold the funds until I receive the vehicle. Then I have 10 days to inspect.

She pulled the ad because someone wanted to buy it, then asked if he/she could make payments......wow, the story just keeping getting better.

Just sounds way tooooo weird.

Here is the VIN. Anyone know the car? Sounds like it was in the NorthEast.

ZFFUA13A3F0058607

The VIN checks out using the decoder. It is a Euro spec car. The seller did not mention that fact, or if she had the proper paperwork for the States, although it was supposed to come from the States. Without the paperwork the value is not there because of the pain to get it????

 

I can't believe these scams still exists, but Ebay has a good eye for that, they usually get removed within hours.

 

Joe, stop....you might end up doing something crazy, like sending this guy a dollar.

I see you live in Savannah. Go look at CarReaper's Euro GTB QV for sale. It's an actual car, he lives there in Savannah, and he'll let you drive it before you buy. It's nice.

 

Yes, I know Mike and looked at his 308.

This eBay 308 is a curiousity, just can't see dropping a dime on that dream, but it is interesting to follow.

I have another email out to the seller asking for more reasons why I should give her my name and address and not eBay and oh, how can eBay be involved when their is no active eBay listing? I asked for the eBay listing number 3X now and nothing.

Lots of reasons why this deal has a funny smell....

 

This sounds almost exactly like a posting and follow-on email I received a couple years back on a jaguar I was looking at. That ad was pulled almost immediately too. Pretty much guarantee it is a scam. I don't believe e-bay has a provision for holding money. David

 

Run Forest, Run!

 

"Diane" is a guy from Nigeria. Simply ask for a contact phone number because you want to ask some more detailed questions. Also ask for a copy of the title to be faxed to you. If you are not sure if it is a scam, this will prove it. They will have some stupid reason to not fax or be able to take a phone call. Or you can continue wasting your time as they string you along.....

 

Someone feel free to correct me, but from what I know it would cost a fortune to import that car into Croatia.

Ad has been pulled from ebay.

 

Take a closer look at the shots she sent to you Joe. These shots are the same, exactly the same of the car sold a few weeks ago for 24.500 Buy it Now. Just the one sold by Nick Forza... You can see the right car in the post from 9 July "Anyone have 25K Lyin' Around" opened by Wazie:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256231

And the eBay link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-Ferrari-308-GTS-QV-Low-miles-Great-deal_W0QQitemZ200379714316QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2ea78fcb0c&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245#v4-30

Of course, is a scam.
End of the story...

 

I don't mean any offense by his Joe, but all you are doing by contacting this guy even if you are not going to give this a single dollar is substantiating his scam, making him more likely to perpetuate the scam, possibly costing some unsuspecting soul his wallet.............unless of course you are going to scam the scammer which can lead to hilarious results.

 

Scam all the way!! Beware!!

 

thank you.

Joe and his lovely wife have visited me and have seen the blue GTB QV.

he really wants a 328, me thinks!

 

Yeah, I always knew it was a scam, but needed a laugh today, so I followed the smell....

 

According to the Ebay Comptroller General of Nigerian International Affairs, you have been contacted regarding your confirmed obligation to purchase said Ferrari 308.....

 

Bwahahahahha

now thats funny, right there



I love the nigerian style scams....and those who still fall for it astound me

 

It seems that the car is back to the eBay listing with different seller, but the same fake car in fact.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-308-1985-Ferrari-308-GTS-Quattrovalvole-perfect-condition_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem4a9ae1722cQQitemZ320426045996QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

 

Yes, that is a fact! It is the same car/pix, same typo in the price, but different ebay seller. The email address is the same.

WOW !! I guess that W.C. Fields said it best: "Their is a sucker born every minute..."

eBay security should be aware, but could not find the right button to push in an attempt to report this alledged mis-representation.

 

Sounds like what I was offered when I asked for info in Auto Trader about a car in Toronto



RE: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader‏
From: Ryan Harris ([email protected])
Sent: September 24, 2009 6:21:16 PM
To:

Hello there and thanks for your interest,
The car is in perfect working condition.It has no scratches on and hasn't been involved in an accident, no rust.
The motor runs very well.The car was always garaged and never been smoked in.The interior is very clean.
Also I want you to know that the car is fully paid off, it's not under leasing or bank liabilities.
I decided to sell the car at this price $16,500 CAD because i need the money urgently.
I hope to find a buyer as soon as possible.I attached some pics for you.
Where are you located? because I have list the car on many locations so I can sell it asap.
If you have any further question please do not hesitate to ask in order to make this a successful deal.
Best Regards

1970 Ferrari GRIFO
VERY RARE BEAUTIFUL ISO GRIFO IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
Mileage: 86,000 Body Type: Coupe
Transmission: Manual
Number of Cylinders: 8 - Cyl.
Interior Colour: Black
Type of Title: Clear VIN: GL630054
Exterior Colour: Silver
Fuel Type: Gasoline


rom: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subject: Important Sales Lead from AutoTrader
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:24:32 -0400



SALES LEAD - Received from AutoTrader

FERRARI 250 GT 1970 Contact Information


Name: Mario
Phone: () - ext: ext
Email:

Question
Has this car just been painted? What part of the city are you in? How long have you had the car & has it been restored?

Ad Details

[..lgDealer..]: [..dealer..]
:
Price: $16,500.00



***NOTICE he gave me the vin # of car (after I Emailed him that I wanted to see iit) & I found this http://motorcities.com/vehicle/07CLI321201491.html

I had no idea car was this expensive.

 

So later on he sent me this Email--notice now the car is in Quebec. Letter is quite similar to one on this forum.

Hello,
I am sorry for answering with such a delay but I received many offers from potential buyers and it took some time to browse them.
I want to tell you that the car's price is $16,500 CAD with shipping/handling includedand and it is not negotiable because the car is perfect condition.
The car is in my garage in Alma, Quebec. I would be glad to meet with you but my job is not offering me this chance..
Because of my job I am traveling a lot and I can not stay home and expect to meet potential client.That is why I've choose the internet way to sell it.
If you are interested I want to use eBay to complete this transaction. Ebay will support us in finalizing this transaction giving us all the support and confidence
that a buyer and a seller need and also an insurance of $50.000 CAD. I will explain some of the advantages:
You will not fully pay for the car until you receive it and inspect it.No money first to me, i will receive money after you will receive the car
The car will be delivered within 4-5 days to your home by DAS Auto Shippers and you have a 5 days inspection period.You can go with the car an
check it at what dealership you want.I will take care of the delivery to your door and of the transportation fees.
If you decide to continue with this transaction and you have the necessary funds I explain you the payment and shipping process.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards, Ryan


This guy is not too bright & for a name like Ryan his English is a little suspect.

So I sent him this Email back

Ryan looks like we have same dilema as I travel a lot also. GOOD news though is that I will be working in Quebec City on & off for the next month (with a little stint in New York & London. Give me your address & I can come to Alma as it is quite close to Quebec as you know & I can give you a cetified cheque on the spot if the car is ok. The car looks really good & I will up the selling price to $17,000 if it's ok if you agree. Have to pack now as I am leaving for New York this evening but I will be checking my Email.
I am really excited about this & I know we can connect.