Selling my Brother's SEAT Leon - one attempting to scam me!
Discussion
I'm currently handling the slae of my brother's SEAT Leon having listed it on PH, and more recently on Autotrader.
The other day, I received an email query throught AT, from a person called BARBARA ZOLA with email address babaarazo@gmail.com.
The person is attempting to scam me, so this is just a polite warning to ignore this person!
Anyway, "she" sends me the following emailing
Why is she discussing "shipping" - makes me think this person has tried a scam in Ebay.....
Furthermore, if her preferred method of payment is a Banker's Draft, why does she not know a BD is immediate, not taking 3-5 days to clear
Add all this to the fact she hasn't answered my questions, and repeated requests from her, it's all looking like a load of BS!
Anyway, being a suspicious, I reply with this:
At not point have I ever mentioned leaving the V5 in the glove box, and now she wants to payment the generous sum of £8,700!
So what next? Can I report this to Autotrader? Judging by her last response, she's obviously getting her information confused, possibly with other potential scam victims. So AT do anything?
I was thinking of sending her a simple response of "F*CK OFF". Can the minds of the PH collective think of anything else more interesting to send her?
I know this is a very long email, but thought you guys may wish to know about it, if your selling car. Also it's worth a giggle at how stupid some scammers think their victims can be!
Darren
The other day, I received an email query throught AT, from a person called BARBARA ZOLA with email address babaarazo@gmail.com.
The person is attempting to scam me, so this is just a polite warning to ignore this person!
Anyway, "she" sends me the following emailing
BARBARA said:
Message:
Good Evening,
I am really interested in your Vehicle listed for sale on auto trader website.
I will like to know if you still have it for sale.
Are you the first owner?
Did you have all the paper work and the receipt of purchase for documentation?
What is your last asking and the present condition?
The area for the pick up and lastly the rea son for offering it for sale.
Thanks and i look forward to hear from you today ASAP
Cheers
Barbara
I reply as my brother....Good Evening,
I am really interested in your Vehicle listed for sale on auto trader website.
I will like to know if you still have it for sale.
Are you the first owner?
Did you have all the paper work and the receipt of purchase for documentation?
What is your last asking and the present condition?
The area for the pick up and lastly the rea son for offering it for sale.
Thanks and i look forward to hear from you today ASAP
Cheers
Barbara
My response said:
Hello Barbara,
Apologies for not emailing you yesterday, but this is the soonest I've been able to pick up my emails since the day before yesterday.
Thank you for your interested in my SEAT Leon, and "Yes" the car is still for sale.
I am the only private owner. Before me, the car was Castlegate's Demonstrator for the first 3,000 miles of it's life - Castlegate is Norwich's SEAT main dealer.
I have a folder of all bills for the car, but I shall check in morning to ensure the receipt of purchase is included, before I can give you a definate answer.
May I please ask for a clarification of your question "What is you last asking and present condition?"?
The car is in VERY good condition. There are one or two chips on the bonnet, and a single 1" scratch on the offside rear C-pillar.
For some reason, Autotrader didn't include a link I posted in the advert which contains more photos. However, please look at the following links for these extra photos: http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/iluvmercs/S...
The area for pick up will be the Dereham to Swaffham area in Norfolk. Where are you based?
The reason for sale is that I have purchased a new car, so the SEAT is no longer required.
Many thanks for your email of interest.
If there's anything more you wish to know, or if your would like to view the vehicle, then please don't hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Peter Gee
Yesterday it continues...Apologies for not emailing you yesterday, but this is the soonest I've been able to pick up my emails since the day before yesterday.
Thank you for your interested in my SEAT Leon, and "Yes" the car is still for sale.
I am the only private owner. Before me, the car was Castlegate's Demonstrator for the first 3,000 miles of it's life - Castlegate is Norwich's SEAT main dealer.
I have a folder of all bills for the car, but I shall check in morning to ensure the receipt of purchase is included, before I can give you a definate answer.
May I please ask for a clarification of your question "What is you last asking and present condition?"?
The car is in VERY good condition. There are one or two chips on the bonnet, and a single 1" scratch on the offside rear C-pillar.
For some reason, Autotrader didn't include a link I posted in the advert which contains more photos. However, please look at the following links for these extra photos: http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/iluvmercs/S...
The area for pick up will be the Dereham to Swaffham area in Norfolk. Where are you based?
The reason for sale is that I have purchased a new car, so the SEAT is no longer required.
Many thanks for your email of interest.
If there's anything more you wish to know, or if your would like to view the vehicle, then please don't hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Peter Gee
BARABA said:
Good Morning,
Thanks soo much for your mail.
I really appreciate all the details you provided for me regarding the sales of the Vehicle
Please do get back at me with the LAST ASKING price that you will accept for the Vehicle so that we may=2 0be able to proceed from there.
Cheers
Barbara
Thanks soo much for your mail.
I really appreciate all the details you provided for me regarding the sales of the Vehicle
Please do get back at me with the LAST ASKING price that you will accept for the Vehicle so that we may=2 0be able to proceed from there.
Cheers
Barbara
My reply said:
Hello Barbara,
I can confirm that I do have the original bill of sale, as queried in your original email.
The lowest price I can offer the vehicle for is £5,300.
Kind regards,
Peter
Her following, long-winded reply makes me suspicious, as she says she wants to pay me the full £5,500, including advert fees. AT doesn't have any fees! And why is she going against all human instict of getting a deal?!I can confirm that I do have the original bill of sale, as queried in your original email.
The lowest price I can offer the vehicle for is £5,300.
Kind regards,
Peter
BARBARA said:
Good Evening,
Thanks for your quick response and am also excited to hear from you that the vehicle is still available for sale.
And thanks for the information you just gave about the vehicle and am quite delighted to hear from you that the vehicle is still in great conditions.
The reason why am purchasing this vehicle is because My self and my partner just need one additional vehicle.
We have a large company Vehicle, which i would be driving along with our forthcoming twins.
Please i want you to email me more pictures aside from the one on web advert page if is still available both the exterior and interior.
Due to my condition i will not be able to view the vehicle at present because i'm heavily pregnant with set of twins,and the distance as well.
My personal circumstances do not allow me to travel,like wise my husband is away on a business trip.
According to the Features of the vehicle and the Full Description of the vehicle which i saw on the advert page i'm fully satisfied.
I want you to accept my offer of £5,500 inclusive the advert fees just because I know what the worth of the vehicle ,and also for you to reserve the vehicle for me.
The only way you will release the vehicle to any one is when the cash is in your hand, i.e. payments cleared at bank, and withdrawn.
I am located at Holyhead in Isle of Anglesey
I will only required your full name and your postal address, so that the bankers draught could be posted to you via royal mail.
My preffered method of payment is by bankers draft in a (GBP) which may take 3 to 5 working days to Clear. Please note that you will only release the vehicle until you have received confirmation from your bank that the payment has been given value and cleared.
I hope to hear from you today in order to proceed further with the payment and shipping arrangements as soon as possible.
I look forward to hear back from you today.
Cheers
Barbara
What's the point of her giving me some background? Making her more beliveable?Thanks for your quick response and am also excited to hear from you that the vehicle is still available for sale.
And thanks for the information you just gave about the vehicle and am quite delighted to hear from you that the vehicle is still in great conditions.
The reason why am purchasing this vehicle is because My self and my partner just need one additional vehicle.
We have a large company Vehicle, which i would be driving along with our forthcoming twins.
Please i want you to email me more pictures aside from the one on web advert page if is still available both the exterior and interior.
Due to my condition i will not be able to view the vehicle at present because i'm heavily pregnant with set of twins,and the distance as well.
My personal circumstances do not allow me to travel,like wise my husband is away on a business trip.
According to the Features of the vehicle and the Full Description of the vehicle which i saw on the advert page i'm fully satisfied.
I want you to accept my offer of £5,500 inclusive the advert fees just because I know what the worth of the vehicle ,and also for you to reserve the vehicle for me.
The only way you will release the vehicle to any one is when the cash is in your hand, i.e. payments cleared at bank, and withdrawn.
I am located at Holyhead in Isle of Anglesey
I will only required your full name and your postal address, so that the bankers draught could be posted to you via royal mail.
My preffered method of payment is by bankers draft in a (GBP) which may take 3 to 5 working days to Clear. Please note that you will only release the vehicle until you have received confirmation from your bank that the payment has been given value and cleared.
I hope to hear from you today in order to proceed further with the payment and shipping arrangements as soon as possible.
I look forward to hear back from you today.
Cheers
Barbara
Why is she discussing "shipping" - makes me think this person has tried a scam in Ebay.....
Furthermore, if her preferred method of payment is a Banker's Draft, why does she not know a BD is immediate, not taking 3-5 days to clear
Add all this to the fact she hasn't answered my questions, and repeated requests from her, it's all looking like a load of BS!
Anyway, being a suspicious, I reply with this:
I said:
Hello Barbara,
I would be delighted to accept your offer of £5,500. However, the vehicle will remain for sale until funds have cleared.
In a previous email, I included a link to a Photobucket page, displaying detailed images of the SEAT. As this will be easier than sending you many photos, please click on the following link to view the extra photos: http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/iluvmercs/S...
You mentioned using the method of a Banker's Draft for payment, while also mentioning it will take 3 to 5 working days to clear. As Banker's Draft's have immediate clearance, did you in fact mean to would be sending a Personal or Business Cheque.
If you could please email me a contact land telephone number, I would be delighted to discuss my address details, as well as any other queries you have regarding the car.
Kind regards,
Peter
This morning, I then receive the following the replyI would be delighted to accept your offer of £5,500. However, the vehicle will remain for sale until funds have cleared.
In a previous email, I included a link to a Photobucket page, displaying detailed images of the SEAT. As this will be easier than sending you many photos, please click on the following link to view the extra photos: http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/iluvmercs/S...
You mentioned using the method of a Banker's Draft for payment, while also mentioning it will take 3 to 5 working days to clear. As Banker's Draft's have immediate clearance, did you in fact mean to would be sending a Personal or Business Cheque.
If you could please email me a contact land telephone number, I would be delighted to discuss my address details, as well as any other queries you have regarding the car.
Kind regards,
Peter
BARBARA said:
Good Morning,
I would just like to clarify exactly what i'm asking you to do so that you will really understand everything.
Once i have all your details below to make the payment out to you first thing on Monday morning, i will also send all my details to you as well in returns, in order to complete the V5 Registration document, you will not be sending it or filling it out until thepayment has CLEARED.
You will require my full name and full address ready to fill out section 6 for the 'New Keeper' when the sipping agent arrives.
You shall also fill out section 10 'New Keeper Supplement'
You have to put the registration form in the glove box with the service history and stuff but then said it needed to be sent to the DVLA? I understand that upon completion of the sale you will be sending it immediately to the DVLA and will not leave it with the car.
The only thing you will be happy to leave in the glove box with all the other paperwork is the 'New Keeper Supplement' section 10 at MY discretion. You must retain section 10.
The vehicle would only be released and the title documents once your bank has confirmed the cleared funds." From the moment your bank confirm the money has cleared the amount of £5,500 for the vehicle is yours, and the shipping agent will be available for collection, after you have contacted me to inform me that payment is cleared.
The shipping agent and my auto mechanic will make use of the funds left to come down to your location for the pick up arrangements i.e shipping expenses and tax.
You will take the fund left to any nearby local western union agency around you and send it to the shipping agent,i shall provide you their details as soon as the funds is cleared into your bank account.
I shall give you £200 for your efforts and transfer charges
I would give you my full information in advance of who i'm sending and the I.D they will be showing you. I will also give them a photocopy of my driving liciense and 1 other proof of I.D (I.E - Utility Bill) as you have only had contact with me. I hope you understand this.
So right now am going to instruct my business associate to send you a payment in total sum of £8,700 in your name and it's going to be post to you via a postal mail which had already cover your asking price and the shipping expenses.
Upon reciept of my email confirming the above details to both our satisfaction, i will be happy to confirm that the vehicle is mine for purchase.
I'll need your data for the payment, viz;
FULL NAME.... POSTAL ADDRESS.. MOBILE PHONE #.....LAND PHONE #
Many Thanks, I await your response
Cheers
Barbara
And here we have the BIG reveal.I would just like to clarify exactly what i'm asking you to do so that you will really understand everything.
Once i have all your details below to make the payment out to you first thing on Monday morning, i will also send all my details to you as well in returns, in order to complete the V5 Registration document, you will not be sending it or filling it out until thepayment has CLEARED.
You will require my full name and full address ready to fill out section 6 for the 'New Keeper' when the sipping agent arrives.
You shall also fill out section 10 'New Keeper Supplement'
You have to put the registration form in the glove box with the service history and stuff but then said it needed to be sent to the DVLA? I understand that upon completion of the sale you will be sending it immediately to the DVLA and will not leave it with the car.
The only thing you will be happy to leave in the glove box with all the other paperwork is the 'New Keeper Supplement' section 10 at MY discretion. You must retain section 10.
The vehicle would only be released and the title documents once your bank has confirmed the cleared funds." From the moment your bank confirm the money has cleared the amount of £5,500 for the vehicle is yours, and the shipping agent will be available for collection, after you have contacted me to inform me that payment is cleared.
The shipping agent and my auto mechanic will make use of the funds left to come down to your location for the pick up arrangements i.e shipping expenses and tax.
You will take the fund left to any nearby local western union agency around you and send it to the shipping agent,i shall provide you their details as soon as the funds is cleared into your bank account.
I shall give you £200 for your efforts and transfer charges
I would give you my full information in advance of who i'm sending and the I.D they will be showing you. I will also give them a photocopy of my driving liciense and 1 other proof of I.D (I.E - Utility Bill) as you have only had contact with me. I hope you understand this.
So right now am going to instruct my business associate to send you a payment in total sum of £8,700 in your name and it's going to be post to you via a postal mail which had already cover your asking price and the shipping expenses.
Upon reciept of my email confirming the above details to both our satisfaction, i will be happy to confirm that the vehicle is mine for purchase.
I'll need your data for the payment, viz;
FULL NAME.... POSTAL ADDRESS.. MOBILE PHONE #.....LAND PHONE #
Many Thanks, I await your response
Cheers
Barbara
At not point have I ever mentioned leaving the V5 in the glove box, and now she wants to payment the generous sum of £8,700!
So what next? Can I report this to Autotrader? Judging by her last response, she's obviously getting her information confused, possibly with other potential scam victims. So AT do anything?
I was thinking of sending her a simple response of "F*CK OFF". Can the minds of the PH collective think of anything else more interesting to send her?
I know this is a very long email, but thought you guys may wish to know about it, if your selling car. Also it's worth a giggle at how stupid some scammers think their victims can be!
Darren
Edited by iluvmercs on Friday 2nd October 14:10
Jon951 said:
Thanks for that link - I missed that!
Darren
cwis said:
iluvmercs said:
cwis said:
OP, copy and paste the message source from a mail by the scammer and lets see if they are using the web interface....
The only imformation I have is the person's email - no IP address, and the original email was sent through the AutoTrader website.babaarazo@gmail.com
Darren
Darren
cwis said:
iluvmercs said:
Just the initial contact was through AT. As when sending an email through a PistonHeads profile, you send the initial message and any reply goes straight the personal email address of the original sender.
Darren
OK - forward to me any mail she sent direct to you and I'll have a peek. Forward the mail as an attachment. Right click the mail, save as, and then attach to a mail to me. Darren
I'll post up here what I did so anyone will be able to do it. Use a subject like gassing.
If anyone else wants me to locate them, send a mail too! (Not from gmail!) I'll do the first 5 with gassing as a subject. Please stick your screen names in here in the mail as I don't want to publish your email addresses.
list@mancuska.com - It's pretty well spam protected....
I sent them back a less-than-helpful reply and I've heard no more from "Barbara Zola".
Now I just need to shift the car - SHAMELESS PLUG
Darren
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