So what's this scam all about?

[TallMark]

I have a car up for sale on here, and I have advertised it nowhere else. Some relatives have just alerted me that they have seen it advertised in their local paper in a different area, for about half my asking price. The phone number given is fake ( unavailable), but there is also an email address ( one of the anonymous web type ones). The scammer has used one of the PH pics, but stripped off the bottom section which has the PH logo. They also just copied my own advert text.

I'm going to report it to the police and the paper. But I'm struggling to see what the scam is. Surely nobody is going to hand over any money for the car without seeing it, and it's 70 miles away from this paper's local area, sitting on my driveway. All I can think, is given the ridiculously low price (about half what it should be), some idiot might be persuaded to send a deposit to secure it without viewing.

Any ideas?

Also, seeing as I'm going to report it via official channels I'd politely request the resident detectives to avoid finding and contacting the scammer right now - I'm sure the temptation is great but I'd rather gather the full picture before embarking on any windups.

[sunbeam alpine]

TallMark said:

..some idiot might be persuaded to send a deposit to secure it without viewing..

Usually this!

[TallMark]

Moved to.. Website Feedback?

I want to know what the scam is!

[omgus]

TallMark said:

Moved to.. Website Feedback?

I want to know what the scam is!

Pretty much what you said.

Low price, looks like a bargain, buyer thinks "I'd better buy this one before some other genius spots it" and sends money unseen, effectively they are fishing for idiots.

[WillB]

It's a huge problem at the moment.

Scam adverts are also on Autotrader, Gumtree, Ebay etc

As said above, it's all about getting people to send a deposit or full payment

Here's a scam advert, usually easy to spot as they have an email address in the pics, or when you enquire they say the car is not available to view.
Asking prices are always VERY low as well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Lotus-Elise-/321017...

Be careful out there!!