Posted by
clairecomm
14 yrs ago
Asia Expat Car Sellers Beware
I have a car listed in the Asia Expat Classifieds. A guy, Asia Expat screen name mark100001, asked me to email photos and the cost, even though both are in the ad. I did it (naive me). He said he loved the car but was out at sea, could he pay through PayPal and have an agent pick up the car. That sounded suspicious so I Googled it and sure enough, common scam. I guess they send the money then report it to PayPal as a fraudulent charge.
Luckily I am paranoid by nature.
Just wanted to spread the word to beware.
Please support our advertisers:
Paranoid is better than sorry ^_^
Please support our advertisers:
I did alert Asia Expat and they have blocked access to this site by mark100001.
But of course, scammers can pop up with another name rather easily--it is like Whack a Mole.
I hate to use cliches but...If it sounds too good to be true...
Please support our advertisers:
I posted a car ad last week and I have already received 2 spam emails from the following 2 users -- mark100001 and Kathrine Coaedy (my spelling of the last name may be wrong). "Kathrine" also asked for my paypal account and email. Please be alert!!
Please support our advertisers:
We have reported to the HK Police - We asked his phone number & gave us number with Nigerian country code!
Please support our advertisers:
Ed
14 yrs ago
SG Ed gunned a few dudes who were using paypal scams... also we have put a warning at the top of the classifieds... if someone is using asking for cash using paypal assume its a scam... http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/classifieds/
Please support our advertisers:
Also watch out for people who are trying to pass off possibly stolen cars and get you to the ATM quickly. Guy recently offered me a gold coloured Mercedes with silver grey on the paperwork. Was very keen to get my money quick.
Please support our advertisers:
Also watch out buying vehicles from used car dealers. Vin's Motors of North Point (hi Tommy Siu) wound back the mileage on the Toyota we bought from them by around 40,000 km. Only way we discovered this was when a Toyota Service centre who had previously serviced the vehicle told us the mileage didn't match their records. Also told us this practise was rife in HK.
So now our service history document states "Mileage not consistent with previous records".
Thanks again Tommy.
Please support our advertisers:
vak
14 yrs ago
I advertised a bike for sale and got a similar rqst within 24 hrs of posting the ad. Did not even post pics or price in the ad so the guy sent me a PM with his pvt email id. This time the name used is Eric Anderson and here is his message. I had to laugh as his last purchase was a BUS. His email id now is ericanderson20111@gmail.com. Obviously he is smart enough to know that paypal is linked to your email id. I never use my paypal email id for normal correspondence and have an empty acct for paypal as a second tier precaution.
Good news..
The shipper just confirm they can pick-up.
I will pay through paypal to you, cos bank transfer takes 3days to reflect and i will pay charges for shipment added to payment..
That was how i paid last seller as well when i bought a bus and was well good...
If you dont have account with paypal you can get one through Www.paypal.com and sign-up under 5minutes..
I wait your soonest reply cos i am really willing to buy...
Thanks
On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 4:32 AM, eric anderson wrote:
I am happy with the condition and it is ok for me and i will surely buy it.....
Where is the bike park ?
So that i can confirm with the agent if they can pick up at the residence...
Thanks
I wait your soonest reply..
Please support our advertisers:
vak
14 yrs ago
PS. I am very tempted for him to send his agent to me to pick it up and then give him a 20 dollar remote controlled toy in a crate big enough to hold a real bike
Please support our advertisers:
vak
14 yrs ago
Jailinb, i got a reminder from this person as he wants to pay me v quickly. I have given my address as the Police officers flats in TKO police station so lets see if he responds.
Please support our advertisers:
Yes this looks very familiar. You might enjoy the following email exchange with the guy that now lists under j6369jeff@gmail.com. I tried to get some more information on the scam (start from the bottom).
On Tue, Apr 6, 2011 at 11:20 PM, I wrote:
I think you are a big scammer Jeff. Your IP address has been traced and handed to the Police.
On Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 2:10 PM, j6369 jeff wrote:
Paypal is online payment.. so can access anywhere ..
I wrote:
So you don't actually live somewhere. You don't have a bank account. How can you have a paypal account then?
j6369jeff@gmail.com> wrote:
I dont have an account yet here... Can only use paypal..
I wrote:
I am not comfortable with Paypal. There is too many scammers. People that are trying to take advantage of other people and steal their money. I hear that they have started a crack down on such scammers and that they are arresting these people by tracing the IP address from which they send emails. Pretty interesting.
You must have a home address right if you have an old farm and a beautiful bus to drive on it. Why can't you use your bank there?
wrote:
I am just new in malaysia as i told you i am there for my project building work...I only access my paypal for all payments of what i purchase now...
I bought a bus which i use in my old farm and i paid the seller through paypal and was safe....
I thought you have an account already with paypal..
What i will just need is yur paypal-email.. and i can login complete the transfer..
I wrote:
If it's so easy, let's do a bank transfer instead. That is safer for all of us. Should be no problem for you right? I will pay for the bank transfer fees.
Total amount is HK$ 220K
Regards,
wrote:
I use the same email.... Just send me an invoice for payment...
Or you can as well better send me your paypal-email..
I wait your soonest reply so that i can login complete the transfer today..
I wrote:
OK, What is your paypal name and email?
wrote:
No i have said earlier paypal is best safe way for me on this transaction... Do you want to proceed... Let me know cos i need soonest or i can get another seller..
On Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 9:28 PM, I wrote:
I agree let's not delay any further. Can you pay via Western Union?
j6369jeff@gmail.com> wrote:
> They are outside hk coming from malaysia...
> All we need do now is complete the payment and after payment i will confirm from you the best time you will be around and they can come to pick-up this,...\Firstly now we need complete payment..
>
> This is getting delayed...
> what is your paypal-email ?
--
Hello,
Am interested in your sale, it is a good price and i am ready to buy it .. Let me know if you still have it available.
Thanks.
Please support our advertisers:
Hey guys just got Jeff again, trying to get me to pay shipping costs before my ebay account is credited. Below is his last email. Does anyone know how to stop him, he is a pest and may have conned some people.
"I dont use ebay...
I am not a seller ....
I just need this for church use for my son that is why i buying it....
I will not want this to be delayed that is why i have completed the payment.. Go to the western union and send the shippers fee and once you have send email details to paypal and they can confirm for the instant release of your fund....
You have the proof of your payment transaction completed and funds deducted already pend from my account...
So make sure you go soonest to nearest western union to complete this now.. and paypal can confirm for your funds to be completed today .: j6369jeff@yahoo.com"
Please support our advertisers:
Please support our advertisers:
just to let you know Jeff/Eric is back as Raymond Lui. My latest email from him on his inquiry to buy my car as below :
'I would have really love to come for the viewing but due to my work as a contractor that might not be possible as am on a contract work at the moment under some months and this takes all my time ..I will be responsible for the pick-up by my shipping agent so they will do all paper works and collection so that wont be a problem for you..
I will pay through paypal to you, cos bank transfer reflect 3 days with so much charges.
The last time i but a bus which i use in my farm, i paid through paypal and was good...
If you dont have an account with paypal you can get one now through... Www.paypal.com and sign up under 5 minutes ..
Thank
I await your reply fast because I am really willing to buy ...'
Using a Swedish phone number.
Please support our advertisers:
One more scammer. I am trying to sell an antique desk. I received a text from a "Banky Liu" who wants to pay through PayPal with the exact same verbiage used in the post above.
Started with a text from a UK number and continued in email. I told him/her I am insisting on cash given PayPal scams.
"I would have really love to come for the viewing but due to my work as a contractor that might not be possible as am on a contract work at the moment under some months and this takes all my time ..I will be responsible for the pick-up by shipping agent and collection after payment so that wont be a problem for you..
I will pay through paypal to you, cos bank transfer reflect 3 days with so much charges.
The last time i but a bus which i use in my farm, i paid through paypal and was good...
If you dont have an account with paypal you can get one now through... Www.paypal.com and sign up under 5 minutes ..
Thank
I await your reply fast because I am really willing to buy ..
"
Note to scammers: Don't be too eager... My spidey sense started tingling when he/she didn't even need to see the item and didn't need to negotiate. Then I remembered this thread.
This is quite annoying since I really like PayPal. However given that buyers can go back to PayPal and say they didn't authorize a payment, you can be scammed out of your money.
Two ways to defend yourself:
- Wait with delivery until PayPal has confirmed the payment and you have transferred the money to your bank account.
- Set up an eBay auction. eBay has protections against scamming.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail