The famous Craigslist (or any other source) Ebay Motors escrow scam is still going strong. I am still getting many search engine hits from it, and even after two years, it remains my single most popular post.
In short, it works like this:
- You answer an ad which has a car for sale that seems "too good of a deal to pass up" or perhaps too good to be true.
- The seller says the car is in storage, and will be shipped to you. The stories vary, lately the most common one is that a military guy has to sell his car because he is shipping out, and he has to due it long distance.
- The seller demands that you send Western Union or a similar non-traceable payment to an "Ebay Motors Agent", using the Ebay Motors Protection Program. They even send you an official looking email.
- If you make the mistake of sending money, you are hosed. There is no Ebay Motors Vehicle Protection program. There are no agents, and Ebay does not use Western Union.
- Never pay anyone for goods using Western Union, it is probably a scam
- There is no Ebay Motors Vehicle Protection escrow program
- Ebay Motors does not use agents
- Ebay does not accept Moneygram or Western Union payments directly
- If the story seems fishy (vehicle in storage, guy overseas) it probably is fake
Useful Links:
- Ebay Motors information on the scam.
- Western Union fraud page
- Moneygram fraud page
- Internet Crime Complaint Center
