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Spotting a scammer email to your classified ad.  Bottom

  • Just a reminder to watch out for criminal scammers when you place an ad on the classifieds.

    The classifieds are great and very active, tons of catamaran boats and parts get sold there.

    It's easy to get excited when you've placed an ad and get that great "contact seller" email enquiring about your item. If you don't place a lot of online ads you might not recognize the signs that you are being roped into a scam.

    The initial email is almost always strangely formal and specific.

    Here's a real example that was just reported.

    Quote
    Dear username:
    Ad Title: 2010 Weta #357 For Sale

    From: rayhou

    I am interested in buying your 2010 Weta #357 and would like to receive additional information about it and pictures if available, i would like to pay with PayPal.

    Regards.

    Link to your ad:
    https://www.TheBeachcats.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=15807


    Notice two things,
    • The way the scammer matches the "your 2010 Weta #357" with the ad title, who does that? Real initial enquiries are more casual.

    • They say they want to Buy and how they want to pay, without asking any questions about the item itself. Real buyers have specific questions about the item even if they really do want to buy it now, and payment isn't the first thing mentioned.


    If you end up answering a contact email that is a scammer because you weren't quite sure and it might be legit, the next email will tell the tale. They will be more interested in explaining why they can't meet in person or talk on the phone and there will be some fishy stuff about payment. here's the real followup email to the Weta contact.

    QuoteGood to hear back from you, i work with Baker Hughes Process and Pipeline Services (offshore oil and gas platforms) at this moment i am presently working offshore i wont be able to check the boat am buying this for my brother as a surprise gift so am willing to offer you the amount you requested, sometimes access to regular emails and phone calls are very poor in offshore due to inefficiency of phone and internet connections, more so we are often constrain from accessing the internet or making phone calls, i insisted on PayPal because i don't have access to my bank account online and i don't have internet banking too, but i can pay from my PayPal account, you don't need to bother yourself about the shipment because i have a pick-up agent that will come for the pick-up and they will also determine and secure the shipment, get back to me with your PayPal email address so that i can make the payment, i will also need your full name and phone number.


    Basically complete double-talk BS with nothing about the boat or part they supposedly want to buy.

    If you continue after this, the next step in the scam is some form of request that you "help them out" by letting them pay you more than you ask to cover "expenses" and you can refund the difference later, they will trust you. icon_eek

    Hope that helps someone avoid contact with these a$$holes. It's an unfortunate part of any online advertising.

    --
    Damon Linkous
    1992 Hobie 18
    Memphis, TN

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  • If anyone has something to add to help spot scammers, please share here.

    --
    Damon Linkous
    1992 Hobie 18
    Memphis, TN

    How To Create Your Signature

    How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

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  • I think you've laid down the main tell-tales. Not meeting in person, odd payment arrangements, little interest in the object being sold...
  • I got the same response to a boat for sale ad yesterday, identical second message. I was going to message you to the tactic, but you beat me to it..

    --
    John

    Nacra 5.0
    CT
    --
  • Went thru exactly what was explained about but with a car not a boat. It was.... "I'll have movers pick it up and I will send you a certified cheque." I got the cheque took it to my bank and it was fraudulent. I then went to police station and reported it. The police told me to discontinue contact with the buyer and to avoid the temptation of being nasty thru email or texting. I did what they told me to do, and all went well. Now, if I'm selling anything, I can spot the scammer emails in a second. Be cautious, don't forward and personal info and make up something to discontinue conversations in a positive way.

    I only accept cash and meet buyer in a public neutral place when I can... And trust your instincts!

    --
    Frank
    Prindle 15/Hobie 16/Hobie 14T
    --
  • Latest scammer is
    barr.holyizi81
    they have been banned but contacted a lot of ads.

    If you have already emailed this scammer I'd advise having no more contact.

    --
    Damon Linkous
    1992 Hobie 18
    Memphis, TN

    How To Create Your Signature

    How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

    How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
    --
  • I've dealt with a few of these guys over the years for things other than boats. The first thing you have to keep in mind is that they're not interested in whatever it is you're selling - that's why they don't ask any questions about it. You may think that they're trying to scam you out of your boat, but they're not, because they have no use for it and don't need the extra hassle of picking it up, moving it, trying to resell it, etc., and the attendant risk of getting busted while doing so. They're after one thing, and one thing only: Your money, and from the greatest distance possible. So there's always going to be some hook that involves them overpaying you (for some complicated reason) and having you send the excess back (after which, of course, you find that the original payment was bogus and you're out what you sent), or you covering some "expense" that they'll theoretically reimburse you for, or similar.

    Also, hallmarks of these communications are the bad grammar, broken English, and odd inconsistencies in their story. This, interestingly, may be intentional (according to some analyses I've read), the logic being that if you're prepared to ignore those things, it indicates to them that you're an easier mark than otherwise.

    If you've got time on your hands you can always entertain yourself by stringing them out as long as possible with your own complicated stories (one I spun involved a severe snowstorm and a dead horse - I dragged that guy out for months). But if all you want to do is get rid of them, the word "mugu" is useful.

    [edit]

    If you're interested in a glimpse into the scammers' mentality, I recommend Will Ferguson's 2012 book "419". It's fiction, but well-researched and realistic. I have an extra copy, so if we meet up for a sail this summer remind me to bring it along for you.



    Edited by jonathan162 on May 29, 2020 - 12:58 PM.

    --
    Southern Alberta and all over the damn place.
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    1981 SuperCat 20 "Roberts' Rockets"
    1983 SuperCat 19
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    And now a Unicorn A-Class that I couldn't resist rescuing at auction.
    H18 & Zygal (classic) Tornado - stolen and destroyed - very unpleasant story.
    Invitation and Mistral and Sunflower and windsurfers w/ Harken hydrofoils and god knows what else...
    --
  • The really sad thing is that at the end of the scam they will send a name and physical address to send the extra money to and law enforcement does nothing with this information.

    --
    Pete Knapp
    Schodack landing,NY
    Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
    --
  • I have gotten a few of the first emails... I always respond, "sorry I deal with cash and in person, if you're still interested call me on the phone provided in the ad.."

    Pretty much ends there..

    Thanks for the PSA Damon... always a good reminder.

    --
    John Schwartz
    Ventura, CA
    --

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