I am still looking around at cars to buy, hopefully I will buy some time around December or January. About a month ago I posted about an internet scam where people over-seas try to get people in America to pay for cars that will be shipped to them from another country.
I have reported this scam to Yahoo! Autos and to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov) but never heard from either and since then I have seen a substantial increase in the number of scams appearing in the Yahoo! Autos listing (autos.yahoo.com). Nearly every "Private Seller" listing is a scam.
The other day I baited one guy for the sole purpose of yanking his chain and today I got a response from him. I'd like everyone to post ideas for ways to screw around with this guy. Anyone with experience with the old Nigerian scam should have some great ideas.
To start, here is the first email he sent me
Hello,
The car is still available for sale and ready to be shipped.
I'm very glad that you like my car and I can only say that you h ave good taste about cars! This car was never crushed, droped or raced,no scathches,no dents and also it has a clear title. I took care of it like it was my own baby. I'm located in London,United Kingdom, and the car is here with me. I've just moved here and I need a new car(a new RHD). I have to sell it in US because don't worth to register the car here because the car is LHD and I have to make a lot a changes to be able to register and drive it here wich will cost me alot of time and money and I decide to sell it back in the States. The car is in perfect condition, with no rust, no damages, never been in accidents. Paymanet will be done in a professionally way trough BidPay. If you don't want to keep it (this is not the case) I will pay the shipping back on my expense and you will have to inform BidPay and they will send you the money back. In case you don't receive the car (this is not the case to) BidPay will refund you the money, 100%. I will manage the shipping of the car at no cost for you. You will pay only the price of the car, $6000 but to eliminate any concerns i will accept a down payment for $3000 trough BidPay but they won't give me the money until they have your confirmation that you have received the car and you want to keep it. You will have 5 day to test the car and after this day if you really love the car you have to send me the remaining balance. If you are interested to go ahead with the deal, please reply with your full name and shipping address in order to contact BidPay to open a case ID# and they will contact you with all the details regarding the payment.Thank you for your interest.
Best regards
So everyone knows, this is in regards to a silver 2004 Audi TT that is supposed to be for sale for $6,000. If anyone is wondering, that is WAY below the fair market value. You'll also notice that his email is very generic and does not specifically refer to the Audi TT.