I received texts from this number saying they wanted my car after seeing it on craigslist. He is an oceanographer, will be traveling soon, and wants to buy it asap for his son. After supposedly putting my asking price of $7,900 into my pay pal account, I became suspicious when they said that I would have to western union the guys who came to pick up the car $900 as a pick up fee. So I guess I would have ended up with no car, no money, and out $900? although the phone number they used was 571-357-5495 he also called besides texting. I told him that would get back to him after checking with paypal. he then called again I told him that we could do any other type of transaction but not pay pal. never called or text again.
I received texts from this number saying they wanted my car after seeing it on craigslist. He is an oceanographer, will be traveling soon, and wants to buy it asap for his son. After supposedly putting my asking price of $7,900 into my pay pal account, I became suspicious when they said that I would have to western union the guys who came to pick up the car $900 as a pick up fee. So I guess I would have ended up with no car, no money, and out $900? although the phone number they used was 571-357-5495 he also called besides texting. I told him that would get back to him after checking with paypal. he then called again I told him that we could do any other type of transaction but not pay pal. never called or text again.
got a text message from person from phone # 205-332-1925 claiming they are from Maxwell Air Force. Person reports interest in buying my car and person sent me two texts which read, (first text message) "Hello did your 1997 Honda .... still available for sale...what is the condition ? do let me know Asap" (2nd text message), "Your asking price is quite reasonable and am ready to make the purchase right now and am not local right now am still in service in Maxwell Air force.I can only pay through PayPal at the moment as i do not have access to my bank account online, but i have it attached. So kindly get back to me with your PayPal email address for the payment to my PayPal account and i will start making an arrangement concerning the pickup at your place once you got the money in your account"
This seemed like a scam. It started making me concerned if person could access my paypal account and start making distributions. I changed my paypal security protocol and changed my bank accounts so only a small balance bank account is linked to paypal.
I tried calling this person as I had contact phone number. I was forwarded to a generic female voice mail that noted extension was 12053321925. I will be notifying Craig's List regarding this situation. Thank you for all of your posts. Very helpful. best, jth
I just got the very same message in a response to a Craigslist ad I posted for a car I'm selling. Thanks for posting what was sent to you, it confirmed my suspicions.
Craigslist Scam:
The scam works like this. They think your item as described is perfect. They might ask a few questions about it, and then will pay your asking price, sight unseen, because they are never around close by to come look at it. They will give you an extra $40 or $50 to old it for them. Then they tell you they will send a cashier’s check or money order for that amount plus extra for the “shipper”. They ask you to wire that extra money by untraceable means such as Western Union or Moneygram. The check or money order turns out to be bogus and you end up out the money you sent plus the bank fees. Also, if the check is big enough you may end up being charged criminally. Take the check and the envelope it came in to the post office and have them forward it to the postal inspectors.
In the case of them using PayPal, the same thing happens. They send a fake email looking like it came from PayPal, get you to pay the shipper, and then find out that the e mail was fake and no money is available.