Nyntrak wrote So, I was on craigslist searching around for a vehicle in the $2,000 range to replace my 99' Dodge Durango. I found a pretty slick 2002 Mitsubishi Galant for only $2,000. It was about a 45 minute drive away from my house. This looked to good to be true of course. I contacted the seller, and they told me they would like the money transferred through eBay. I asked why I couldn't just meet them. They said they had moved. They kept asking for my housing address and full name over and over. After talking to my parents about this, my mom had said she read something about tons of eBay scams. I went on google and searched eBay scams. I found out that eBay does, in fact, NOT handle money. Nor do they deal with craigslist. (The two were actually in court against each other.) I read one of the e-mails sent by a scammer, and to no surprise did it look exactly like the e-mail i received, only difference was the name of the vehicles.

Long story short:
I found a car on craigslist, seller wanted money sent through ebay, ebay doesnt handle money nor deal with craigslist ads. Scammer is sadface, because they were close to getting another $2,000.

How the scam works:
Scammer takes a vehicle, gets its real vin number. Posts ad on craigslist.
Scammer is contacted by someone wanting the vehicle. They give a story about why they can't meet and say to use ebay to seal the deal because it is "ultimately safe for you the buyer and and I, the seller.
buyer receives a fake email to look like its from ebay (fake transaction id aswell)
Buyer is told to transfer the money via "wire" or Western Union.
Why not do this? Once the money is sent IT CAN NOT be retrieved for any reason what so ever.
Scammer receives money and is on to scam the next person in line.

Thk god u did research! U could have been in the hole. I mean bad!

Yeah never trust Craigslist

Seems I can't trust a regular dealership either. I understand a car at $2,000 isn't going to be "sick", or "cool". But i'd rather have something that doesn't sound like i'm doing drive-byes every time i press down on the gas peddle.

M4sniperz18 wrote never by from graiglist or small websites

Its craigslist and I wouldn't exactly call it a small website when the domain is worth about $85,000,000. That is hardly a small website, I would say this is a pretty large website and it probably isn't worth nearly as much as craigslist.

There are hundreds of scams now-days, you have to be very careful, specially when buying cars on the internet. Just make sure you can view it first and try to pay on collection and you should be fine.

dang dude, good lookin out, i got scammed $600 D:

x1NV1S1BL3x wrote

The safest way is to go to a car dealership. No way to get scammed there.

Not true. I bought my durango for $3,000. They said there was nothing wrong with it, and it had been kept up with repairs, checks, and all that shit. Test drove fine, about a week later, the engine knocks so damn loud, and people are afraid their going to get shot by a gang hiding in my truck or some shit. Lol.

oh wow that would have been terrible

lol at least u didnt get that car...i had one for just a tuner, and stock its really bad

Thats why craigslist is dumb. Nuff said.