Autotrader adverts

[WokingWedger]

What is the 'catch'.

It seems many of the adverts that have an e-mail address over the photograph, are very cheap.

Is it that it is a more expensive advert paid for by people 'deperate' to sell their car ?

Or is it something a bit more sinister that I am missing.

I mean some of these are seriously cheap compared with the other adverts.

[Bobby_Mac]

Ah those adverts will be from Scammy Mcscammerson. Its become very common on Autotrader (and others) these days unfortunately.

[WokingWedger]

So what is the scam.

What happens when you make contact ?

Does the car exist when you go and visit ?

[Kiltox]

The car will be in <insert foreign country here> and payment will be by <insert dodgy wire transfer service here>

[Bobby_Mac]

I bet also 'Divorce' will be the reason cited for the much cheapness.. Probably they same reason will also be given to why they arent in the UK and need to use a shipping agent.

[WokingWedger]

So the 'distance from your address ' is a load of rubbish ?

So how does anyone fall for it if you cant see the car ?

[Bobby_Mac]

Im guessing the low low price sometimes erases peoples common sense. I suppose even if they get a 0.1% success rate then its been worthwhile.

[Kiltox]

- just like 419 scams which still claim victims

[CraigyMc]

Bobby_Mac said:

even if they get a 0.1% success rate then its been worthwhile.

You've just summed up everything that's wrong about about marketing in general. It's a shame you're right!

C

[Bobby_Mac]

If you have an email address that you dont use too often, then send them a mail and see the response.

[CraigyMc]

Bobby_Mac said:

If you have an email address that you dont use too often, then send them a mail and see the response.

...and then if it's a live one, have some fun on http://www.419eater.com/

C

[WokingWedger]

Ah, they only have contact via e-mail, so they are after your e-mail address for some reason.

[Bobby_Mac]

CraigyMc said:

...and then if it's a live one, have some fun on http://www.419eater.com/

C

I haven't read that site in ages. I dont think they will ever beat the one where they convinced the scammer to get a tattoo done, which he did by using his passport as collateral

[Bobby_Mac]

WokingWedger said:

Ah, they only have contact via e-mail, so they are after your e-mail address for some reason.

No. They only use email as they are out of the country and a Nigerian dialling code would sound a little too dodgy for anyone.

[CraigyMc]

Bobby_Mac said:

CraigyMc said:

...and then if it's a live one, have some fun on http://www.419eater.com/

C

I haven't read that site in ages. I dont think they will ever beat the one where they convinced the scammer to get a tattoo done, which he did by using his passport as collateral

... http://forum.419eater.com/forum/album_showpage.php... ?

[Steameh]

Could be a rung car as well.

As they say if it looks too good to be true, do one.

[Bobby_Mac]

CraigyMc said:

Bobby_Mac said:

CraigyMc said:

...and then if it's a live one, have some fun on http://www.419eater.com/

C

I haven't read that site in ages. I dont think they will ever beat the one where they convinced the scammer to get a tattoo done, which he did by using his passport as collateral

... http://forum.419eater.com/forum/album_showpage.php... ?

That one looks similiar but not the one. The person originally being scammed convinced the scamee they were from a church and would give them a huge donation of something like 50k but they guy from Nigeria had to join his church and part of the initiation was getting their logo tattoed on his arm. I will see if i can find it.

Edit: Found it. 419 baited

Edited by Bobby_Mac on Sunday 22 May 09:29

[WokingWedger]

I am still missing something.

Do they rely on people paying for a car they have never seen ?

[Bobby_Mac]

WokingWedger said:

I am still missing something.

Do they rely on people paying for a car they have never seen ?

Indeed they do. They must be successful on some occasions or it wouldnt be so common.

[durbster]

Just to explain further, I would guess the reason they put the contact details in the image is because they can include a blacklisted email address that won't be picked up by the Autotrader's scam-filter. If it was in the ad it'd be text that they could identify straight away and block it, but it's very difficult to find text in an image.

So be wary of any ad with text in the image.

Edited by durbster on Sunday 22 May 20:19