Craigslist Scam! When it seems to good to be true...............it probably is.

Aaron L · Apr 27, 2017

A fantastic deal showed up in my local CL listings. A 1990 Ford 3910 with an FEL in excellent shape for $1500? No freakin' way! Smelled like a scam. I emailed the seller and got a response. I then did some searching to see if I could find a CL/eBay/Tractorhouse/etc listing with the same pics and/or description. My google-fu was strong (for once) and I got my answer. Looks like I'm not bringing home a deal-of-the-century Ford this weekend after all...

:thumbdown:

Here's the CL listing:

Hydraulic 199 Manual Ford & LqT8H

Here's the email response I got from the scammer. It also contained nine of the pictures that are in the original eBay listing:

Hi,

My name is Kellie, and I'm emailing you about 1990 Ford 3910 Tractor 2WD with only 1439 Hours, 3 Cylinder, Diesel Engine. Never had or need any paint/body work done, garaged keep always, without any mechanical problems, tires and wheels are in great shape as well, electric is working perfectly. The 50 HP engine runs very good. This tractor has been used by my husband who died 4 month ago. The price was reduced at $1,500 (price firm) because I'm in a hurry to find a buyer. I need to sell the tractor before the end of the month, when I will be leaving on military duty with my medical team out of the country for a year and do not want to store it. Hate to sell it but its not worth keeping insurance and paying storage fees for a year.

Regards,

Kellie Bennett

Recent original eBay ad that the scammer(s) pirated the pictures and description from. Wasn't hard for me to find it, as they kept the original odd number tractor hours count (1439) instead of coming up with a new one or rounding up (say 1440 or 1500). I did a google search for "Ford 3910 2WD 1439 hours" and came up with this:

FORD 391 with 729 Loader..Barn find!!!.1439 original hours | eBay

1990 Ford 3910 2 wheel drive tractor with 7209 front end loader....one of the last 3910's made..manual 2 range transmission, 8fwd,2rev..rear tires are loaded..You have to see this tractor to believe it..It is in absolute incredible condition...One owner tractor, always stored inside...all original condition, hasn't been messed with at all....all paint and decals are original....comes with original owners manuals for tractor and loader...I have more photos available...tractor starts, runs, drives just as it should..everything is tight, steering, loader, brakes, pto, 3 point hitch, all work as they should...no issues, no drips or leaks,,,,really nice, clean, beautiful tractor..

I'm curious to see what their next email will be. Directions to send money via Western Union? Directions to a remote place where they can rob me of my $1500? Who knows.....

CalG · Apr 28, 2017

tell them there is cash bonus waiting when the driver shows up with the tractor Off the bed and in the yard!

japody · Apr 28, 2017

First clue that it's a scam is that the email address is always a gmail account. They cannot be traced.

Aaron L · Apr 28, 2017

CalG said:
tell them there is cash bonus waiting when the driver shows up with the tractor Off the bed and in the yard!

Ha! That's a good one.

Aaron L · Apr 28, 2017

japody said:
First clue that it's a scam is that the email address is always a gmail account. They cannot be traced.

Yeppers. That was one of the many red flags. The tiny pic in the CL listing and the funky title were also flags....

Looks like I got a response from the 'seller'. Will go read it and get back to you folks....

Aaron L · Apr 28, 2017

It's getting better.....

Hi again,

Right now I'm in a military base. We are training, getting ready for leaving the country. The delivery process will be managed by me. I think I can have it there at your home address within 3 working days. It will come with a clear title and reg. I am a member of the eBay buyer protection program and using this service you will get a 5 days testing period after delivery. During that 5 days testing period I will not be getting any money. I need to know if you are interested so I can ask eBay to send you the details on this deal. If interested just email with your legal name (your right full name 'cause it will appear on the papers), full postal address where you want the tractor delivered and your cell phone # where you can be reached so we can get the ball rolling

This is in response to my second email asking where the tractor is located. "In a military base"??? They have no way of knowing where I live. I could be in Hawaii. Gonna get the tractor there in three working days eh?

Hmmm.......

Cataclysm · Apr 28, 2017

Obviously their trying to steal you I.D.

Play them hard and waste their time. Turn the tables on them by saying your going to check shipping prices and you need their information and the location of the tractor, you know, to "get the ball rolling". Oh, a phone number would help facilitate.....

Ask for a copy of the current "clear title and reg" for your bank. Request their account numbers so you can deposit payment directly into their bank.

Might be good for a laugh or two.

Aaron L · Apr 28, 2017

I emailed again stating that I needed the location of the tractor for shipping costs, and because I wanted to examine it before purchase. Haven't heard back.....

Kinda feel dumb for giving my email address and cell # to them in the first place (when I sent my original email response to the CL ad) when it was obviously a scam. Guess they can't do too much with that info other than provide it to spammers and such. My email address, name, and cell # are already out there anyways. My cheapness/desire for a good deal clouded my judgement.....

CalG · Apr 28, 2017

Aaron L said:
I emailed again stating that I needed the location of the tractor for shipping costs, and because I wanted to examine it before purchase. Haven't heard back.....

Kinda feel dumb for giving my email address and cell # to them in the first place (when I sent my original email response to the CL ad) when it was obviously a scam. Guess they can't do too much with that info other than provide it to spammers and such. My email address, name, and cell # are already out there anyways. My cheapness/desire for a good deal clouded my judgement.....

Your valid phone number was good for 75cents to the phone scammers that just want to record you saying "YES" When asked if you want to speak to someone regarding a warrantee.