Groundhog Day - Scamwatch Mk 2
Regular readers may remember this post back in 2012 when I was selling a car on line.
I'm at it again (selling a car, that is) and so are the scammers.
Not much has changed. The 2022 pitch is similar. The narrative involves a prospective buyer working remotely who can't make phone or text contact because he's working in an area lacking mobile coverage.
It makes you wonder how the men and women in FIFO situations stay in touch with their families. I'll have to let these people know that they can actually use Facetime. I'd be doing them a favour.
Here are the two emails I received via the Carsales website -
First one (Monday 14th February) -
Glen Young <gleenyoung3@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject:Re: Mazda 3
Regarding the payment,I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.
I have also contacted my courier who will come to pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. As regards the papers, all I will need is a receipt, the rego will have to be done in NT Darwin at my place of residence, so there will be no use for the existing Reg and RWC and i can buy it Unregistered
Cheers
Subject:Re: Mazda 3
Thanks for your response,I am okay with the price, where is it located at the moment? Why are you selling it? Does it need anything to be replaced or repaired? I'm cool with the condition as described on the advert. I work for Fly In Fly Out (FIFO)Mining, Oil and Gas and we are presently in a remote area. We do not have access to a phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with an internet messaging facility.
Regarding the payment,I can pay you through direct bank deposit (EFT), using PayPal instant bank wire transfer service. I will need your Account name, BSB, and Account number. If you are not comfortable with that, you can set up a PayPal account properly at www.PayPal.com.au and I will make the payment through PayPal, this way, all I will need is your PayPal email address.
I have also contacted my courier who will come to pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your account. With the issue of my details, transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the pickup agent. If you are not comfortable with that, you can cancel the registration and I will buy unregistered because I am taking it interstate.
I have limited time on the computer, your quick response will be appreciated.
Cheers
Joanne
The scammers probably use bots, so replying to vent your spleen probably is a waste of time, but reporting them isn't. I did both.
Feel free gentle reader, to use those email addresses to hassle them a little. It will waste their time. They're thieves, so should be wasting time in jail.
These scams have persisted (in my experience) for at least ten years, so they must work occasionally, and the scammers don't get caught.
