Is This A Scam? How Does It Work?

[ToraToraTora]

OK I listed a car for sale on Gumtree and within a few minutes I have this very foreign sounding gentleman calling me, asked a few questions that were already answered in the ad, and asked for my best price. He also repeatedly mentioned he was going to export it. I gave him my best price and he countered with what I probably would have accepted had there not been scam alarm bells ringing in my head. I said no politely and we ended the call. 2 mins later he texts increasing his offer by £100 saying he would come today and collect. Am I being neurotic? does anyone see a scam here?

[Bazile]

Tell him to bring hard folding with him

[ToraToraTora]

I just have a bad feeling about the whole thing so I'm not selling to him at all.

[Jackdaw33]

If he comes today and collects with cash in hand then I see no problem. By cash I mean moolah, not a cheque. However if he has any other conditions then I would be very suspicious.

[ToraToraTora]

As for folding baz I think it may be a fake note scam.

[ToraToraTora]

I can't really nail it down but the whole thing just seems wrong somehow.

[Jackdaw33]

Could possibly be. I wouldn't know a fake note from a real one unless it was headed Bank of Toytown.

[melv16]

I was just going to say that, 3t's. I know someone who was scammed with counterfeit money... Beware!

[Bazile]

Could be tora
Have a look at his hands for ink streaks :-)

[Bazile]

Seriously though - I don't know how much money we are talking about here
If it's hundreds probably nothing to worry about
However thousands in cash would be suspicious

[Mamyalynne]

If it doesn't feel right then you do right to ignore him, I have refused sales in the past.

You just know something is untoward.

[ToraToraTora]

it's 3 to 4k, I just had a word with someone I know in the motor trade and he said that there are people buying cars to export for parts because they cannot get them in their country, does that seem a feasible explanation?

[Jackdaw33]

In any case, who buys a car unseen without any independent inspection by a qualified mechanic? You are right to have your doubts.

[fiction-factory]

I'm just wondering what sort of response w you were hoping for when you placed the advert? If you were expecting people to come and have a look first and then make an offer, then I agree that is what woyld normally happen, but I've had people commit to buying things like a three piece suite based on just a photo

[fiction-factory]

It's possible a non-scammer might make such an offer so you sace it and then come and inspect it and possibly find reasons to try to get the price reduces

[Guilbert53]

This is a well known scam.

They will ask if they can pay by Pay Pal for example and then you get a "fake" email from Pay Pal saying the money is in your account and they take the car but no money is forth coming.

Or they do a similar scam with Western Union or other payment method and you finish up losing the car and getting no money.

They are all scams, particularly if they buy unseen or if they say it is for export.

[Guilbert53]

Following on from above, do searches on "car buying scams on Gumtree" or similar phrases, loads of examples

Here are some examples

https://www.confused.com/sell-my-car/tips-for-selling/avoiding-online-car-selling-scams#



https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Access-and-security/Gumtree-scam-stilll-going-on/td-p/1327906

[fiction-factory]

Yes, that is a well known scam. I would only accept cash for a car and when i did this I waited until the bank teller had paid in the cash and given us a receipt. I don't think TTT has said what the suggested payment method was here

[ToraToraTora]

ok thanks all, guilbert that does look like what was being attempted here.

[snowshoe1]

IT SOUNDS PRETTY FISHY TO.. I HAVE TRIED TO SALE A HARLEY ON CRAIGSLIST, AND GETTING RESPONDS JUST A FEW MINUTES AFTER POSTING IT..LIKE YOU, ASKING QUESTION THAT WERE POSTED WITH THE ITEM..I FEEL THIS IS A SCAM,DON'T EVEN REPLY TO HIM ANYMORE, AND HE WILL STOP BOTHERING YOU..IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE TO SALE,THEY WILL ASK FOR YOUR ADDRESS AND COME IN PERSON TO LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE FOR SALE..

[gulliver1]

Jekyll and Hyde, eh.