Possible Scam?

Witch · Nov 28, 2012

I know this is totally unrelated to anything on this site but I am trying to sell a car for my grandmother. I put up an ad on the local Craigslist and specifically stated that will do CASH ONLY DEALS. This one guy keeps messaging about the car and says that he is in the marines and will have a pick up man come pick up the car for him. He insists on paying through PayPal . Is there any possible way this can be a scam? I am really skeptical about the whole thing, the guy seems a bit off. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

NefRider · Nov 28, 2012

Witch said:
I know this is totally unrelated to anything on this site but I am trying to sell a car for my grandmother. I put up an ad on the local Craigslist and specifically stated that will do CASH ONLY DEALS. This one guy keeps messaging about the car and says that he is in the marines and will have a pick up man come pick up the car for him. He insists on paying through PayPal . Is there any possible way this can be a scam? I am really skeptical about the whole thing, the guy seems a bit off. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

Anyone who insists on Paypal only should be a red flag. The only way I would allow that pick up man to come pick up the car is when I have cash. Either by a check that has been cleared or cash on hand. I am skeptical if they insist o. PayPal. Talk to him and see how he responds to certain questions ... You can get a better feel.

Be weary.

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NefRider · Nov 28, 2012

I forgot to add: let us know how things pan out.

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Witch · Nov 28, 2012

He said he is a marine officer and is on duty right now at sea. He said he has no access to his online bank account and that's why he needs to pay through PayPal..

Zandit · Nov 28, 2012

If he has access to Paypal, but not internet banking, that sounds suss!

calialex · Nov 28, 2012

Scammmmmmmmmmmmmm! I'd keep on waiting for someone else to hit u up, remember that happened to my friend when he tried selling his psp...

NefRider · Nov 28, 2012

Zandit said:
If he has access to Paypal, but not internet banking, that sounds suss!

Maybe he has special innernet access for payPal only? Ever thought I that haha! He is a marine ...

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Witch · Nov 28, 2012

Yeah, things are just too weird. And I only put up 1 ad on my most local craigslist and somehow this guy is from South Carolina? I don't even know how he would've looked at it or found it. And anyways, who would buy a car, sight unseen? I just flat out told him cash or I couldn't do it and he gave up trying to convince me to use PayPal. Ha.

Witch · Nov 28, 2012

For anyone in the PA that may be interested, heres the car for sale hhaha.

http://scranton.craigslist.org/cto/3437270795.html

jkv45 · Nov 28, 2012

That's a common scam that's floating around Craigslist everywhere.

Witch · Nov 28, 2012

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the info! Damn scammers ha

Big Kaw · Dec 2, 2012

Ask him what unit he's with and where he is deployed to. Then ask him what's his tank and where he trained. Of he can't answer these questions then he's not a Marine. Then ask him what brand his dress shoes are. If he doesn't say "bates" he's lying.
Lol. It's really easy to pick out posers from real Marines.
Reason being, I'm a Marine. Lol

NefRider · Dec 2, 2012

Big Kaw said:
Ask him what unit he's with and where he is deployed to. Then ask him what's his tank and where he trained. Of he can't answer these questions then he's not a Marine. Then ask him what brand his dress shoes are. If he doesn't say "bates" he's lying.
Lol. It's really easy to pick out posers from real Marines.
Reason being, I'm a Marine. Lol

Lets find out if you are a poser or Marine. Answer me this ... What shoes are your dress shoes?

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Big Kaw · Dec 2, 2012

Mine are bates. Size 11. The ones that come out the box shinny. My unit is 3/23 weapons company. I'm an 0341 mortar man. My rank is e-4 corporal. I trained in Parris island South Carolina then went to school of infantry at camp Geiger in Jackson North Carolina.

NDog65 · Dec 2, 2012

I don't think the shoes question is a good one. If the person took any form of ROTC or JROTC they would know, but all of the other questions would crack him.

Big Kaw · Dec 2, 2012

Even better. Ask him what do we use to clean our rifle. It's called clp. But no amount of google searching will tell you that.

Witch · Dec 3, 2012

Hhaa. Just to let you all know, I did ask him some of these questions and he totally avoided every single one of them! He obviously has nothing to do with the Marines. But anyway, I hopefully have now found a buyer for the car. The bank was closed so now I am supposed to call them tomorrow to meet them at a notary!

NefRider · Dec 3, 2012

Big Kaw said:
Even better. Ask him what do we use to clean our rifle. It's called clp. But no amount of google searching will tell you that.

Why not BigK? I thought google has everything.

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Big Kaw · Dec 3, 2012

I did too. But I was searching google one day so I could order a bottle of clp for my personal use at home. But I couldn't find it ANYWHERE. Btw CLP means cleaning lubricant protectant.

Witch · Dec 3, 2012

Well it turns out the guy who was interested and all ready to buy the car has since backed out. And as for the marine, he has since given up. It turns out stories like his are a dime a dozen, I'm now up to 4 similar stories where people are out of state, cannot call, only have limited online access, and want to pay through PayPal/send me a check in mail/etc and will have a shipping company come pick up the car. If I woulda known this is what I was getting myself into I would have told my grandparents I couldn't sell this car. But anyways, if anyone is interested in a 96 Buick Skylark for $2000, hit me up. Need to get this thing out of their garage.