Playing Craigslist Scam O RaMoma

[Groovy2]

Today was fun and Exciting Playing --Craigslist Scam O RaMoma --

Saw a van on Craigslist -
Called the number in the ad -No Answer -
left a voice message - also contacted them thru email -

About 12 hours later I got This email response -
>>>>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello there,

Glad you are one of the people interested in buying my Roadtrek 190 Versatile.
I'm selling it because I'm serving in Offutt AFB, Nebraska but I was promoted and transferred to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage Alaska for a 3 years period, so I don't need it anymore at this time. Let me give you a few details about it: very good shape, no mechanical issues, no scratches nor dents and it has never been involved in any kind of accidents.
Has only 91,577 miles, its automatic, Refrigerator, Microwave, Two burner gas cook-top with exhaust fan, Customized hooks to hang Norelco automatic drip coffee maker, Front seats swivel to face rear.
Not interested in a trade .
I have a clear title, free of any liens or loans on it, under my name. A scanned copy can be provided.

Also, I've attached you some more pictures with the RV to this email.

If you are interested in buying it or if you have any questions, please reply to this email.

Sgt. Kristina

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I emailed them back -
maybe 15 minutes later got This email reply-
Including pictures of van ---
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Hi there,
I will do my best to walk you through the process. As I told you in my first email, I recently got promoted and transferred to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage Alaska for 3 years.
The RV is located in Omaha, Nebraska, but i advertised it on other states also to get more exposure and sell it faster.
The RV is already at the shipping company, ready to be delivered to its future new owner.
The deal is handled by eBay so I don't have much to do about it. Using eBay`s Purchase Protection Program, you get free shipping, at your place in 4-6 days. In addition, you get 5 days to try it out before buying it, and if you don't like it, you can send it back at my expense. For more info on how it works, I can ask eBay to send you an email with more details on how to buy it.
They will contact you shortly, as soon as have your personal details.

If you would like to receive the email from eBay with all the transaction information, please reply with your whole name, address and contact phone # and they will contact you right away.

Thanks,
Kristina

[stanw909]

Sgt.Kristina ?. I served in USAF for four years and went by senior airman Watkins. I guess they're a lot less formal now a days.

[stanw909]

I could understand why they would want to sell the rig. Nothing to see in Alaska compared to Nebraska.

[booster]

I always like the way they try to use the Ebay buyer protection plan on Craigslist as a way to make you feel safe.

[BobB]

Sounds familiar. Craigslist. Used vehicle. Military personnel. Need to sell now.

Google those words with "scam" and there are several sites (fightthescams.com for one) listing all these.

[Groovy2]

Craigslist has a Lot of scams going on - I have bought and sold many things on craigslist and there is always scams going on but right now smart phones and vans seem to be at the hot items -

Today I was looking at a online webpage for a Dealership that had about 10 vans with mechanical odometers - they had many pictures of the vans and most included a good clear picture of the odometer milage - Every One of them the numbers were crooked and out of place - and almost for sure the mileage has been turned back -

When I was a kid I met a car salesman who's job was to turn the milage back-he showed me his tools - Crazy looking bent screwdrivers -
Im sure it took a lot of practice to get the numbers to come out straight enough to pass a trained eyes inspection -

On new cars with digital odometers it take less than 5 minutes to set the mileage back to whatever you want --
and there is No way to tell it has been done -
look on youtube for - Odometer adjustment tool -
tool plugs into the cars scanner port -
Its now so simple a child can do it first try -

When I purchase cars I look at the gas and brake pedal rubber for wear to judge the milage - Now that doesn't even work - both rubber replacement pads come in a set for a few dollars from china -

If anyone has a good tricks for telling True milage pass it on to me -

[stanw909]

Carfax works for me.

[mumkin]

My trick is to always buy new...

[skagitstan]

Originally Posted by mumkin

My trick is to always buy new...

At least the dealer says it is new...


Stan

[Davydd]

Buy new and no dealer. I saw and inspected my van before it was converted.

[Groovy2]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Buy new and no dealer.

How do you buy new and no dealer ??

[sebtown]

I prefer to buy used and low mileage with verifiable service records. I've had no worries and no hassles with any of my last 6 vehicles including my Interstate.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by Groovy2

How do you buy new and no dealer ??

I know... buy direct from factory like Sportsmobile... Advanced... Phoenix Cruiser... and a few other out there.

[mrshowtime3]

lol I just came across this same scam, guess its pretty common. Craigslist is mostly a wasteland anymore.

[Davydd]

I bought a car and sold a boat on Craigslist. It is by far the best medium for doing so locally from my experiences. Long distance and sight unseen I would be leary.

[Groovy2]

Camper vans are real hot item and the scammers know it---

I have been looking on ebay and I have seen vans with
over 4500 page views - many with 2000 to 3000- Crazy amount of views -

way more views than any other item I have seen on ebay -

[Jostalli]

I buy and sell 4-5 cars per year for fun and profit. Craigslist is still the best source for buying and selling.

[stanw909]

Craig's list is getting tougher to search on though because if you search for a Class B there are these jerks that put words in their ad that makes them come up in Class B searches. If I was looking for a Class A or a Class C or a trailer or a dump truck then I would type that in the search. It used to be if I searched for a Class B and there were only a few in my area then it would find them all over SoCal. Now there are always plenty of " Class B's " in my area. I hope this doesn't happen in your areas. Even though I have my B, I still like to snoop and found a good one for my buddy.

[mlts22]

Best of all worlds is to buy new and watch the upfitter do the work.

I have had bad luck with CL. A few years ago, when selling an old musical instrument, I brought along a friend (off-duty peace officer), the buyer demanded he pay with a temporary check with an out of state bank, and got physically violent and tried to snatch the instrument (quickly solved by the person I brought along). When I was buying a tape drive, the buyer had the serial number filed off... but I did see an asset tag in a picture that was still glued on (which meant it was "borrowed" from a local business), from there, I promptly handed the saved pictures I had and all info to the local police department.

I also tried CL for buying a travel trailer back in 2010-2011. All duds. One trailer had the black tank dropped, another was used by a college fraternity for a drunken party... and was sealed for six months after that. After looking at a trailer where the door handle came off in my hand (that much water damage), I gave up on that venue of trying to buy stuff.

[skagitstan]

We just sold our trailer on CL. Proceeds are basically paying for Annie's conversion.
We and the buyer did everything by the book, and the deal went very smoothly.
The buyer emailed us a few days ago to find out where we bought a free-standing step we kept..said how they were happy with the trailer.

I've sold cameras, lenses, as well as garden and woodworking gear on CL. All went well. Just make sure it's local cash only, and be careful to avoid queries from Nigerian princesses.
I never have bought anything CL listed, so I can't say how the process goes from that end.

Stan