Ebay Scam---Detailed Information

[ocaj11]

So, we all know ebay has tons of scams running each day. I bid on a Valtra 6400 Cab Tractor with loader. Of course my bid was too low. While the auction was still going on, I get an email offering me the same model tractor for $21,000. I let the sender know that I would buy the tractor. After a few emails back and forth, I got the following information:

you can make wire bank transfer . here are my bank account details . please let me know if you want that tractor or to contact others persons.
here are my bank details
Account Holder: Brandy P Warner
Bank Name: Davis Trust Company
Bank Address: 227 Davis Ave po box 1429 Elkins, WV, 26241
Account Number: 1319478
Routing Number: 051501134

please reply me when the transfer is ready also scan the receipt from bank so i can be sure that you have deposited the money. also please tell me when you can come to take the tractor... please reply asap because i must to have the deposit to know if must to keep it for you or must to sell to other. thanks, Ms. Brandy

Does anyone know if I can forward this information to someone that might investigate?? Would it be helpful in any way??

 

[fishman]

I'm not sure why you think that is a scam? Might be, but there aren't any obvious clues to me, at least. I wouldn't buy a tractor on Ebay, but lots of folks do. Of course if you buy like this, outside of Ebay, you will have no protection. Still doesn't mean it's a scam, they're just circumventing the Ebay listing fees.

 

[normde2001]

I don't see anything to investigate, unless it's their poor English /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

 

[coveredbridge]

You should forward this information to the bank - Davis Trust Company, www.davistrust.com, phone 304-636-0991. It seems very likely that this is an attempt to use an FDIC insured bank to perpetrate wire fraud. I think Davis Trust, upon receipt of your information, will be obligated by federal law to investigate.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Well I'm going to agree that something MIGHT be fishy but I won't go as far as saying I'm certain.

First is the lack of command of the English language. And I am not talking about spelling (I'd be locked up in jail for my spelling errors) or grammar, I am referring to sentence syntax and structure.

Second is the way it is signed: "Ms Brandy" As Brandy is her(?) first name, it is unusual for an American supposedly living in WV to sign that way. Now it is not uncommon to see that type of signature from English speaking Nigerians (home of many a scam) and a few other non-Americans.

Third is the need for the bank scan. Frankly I transfer money daily, it is one of the main things I do at work, and why I am on the computer so often. . . and there is no reason for someone to have to fax me, or for me to fax them a copy of the transaction. It is on the computer, both on my end and on their end! So that whole process she(?) is asking for is a red flag to me.

Fourth is the lack of a physical pick up address to retrieve the tractor, or at least inspect it. In fact, I'd probably follow up with an email back to her(?) saying I have a friend who will be doing a tractor inspection for me, where can he come and see it??? The reply to that question will be very telling.

Ditto what 'coveredbridge' wrote.

 

[ocaj11]

It's definately a scam, I didn't want to bore you with the details, but I'll list a few here for info:

The Valtra tractor I bid on was a 100HP Cab, 4wd, Front End Loader, lots of options. The bid was at 30,100 when it ended with "reserve not met". This is an EXPENSIVE tractor. The scammer just happens to have one that they will sell me for $21,000 dollars and they are nice enough to include free shipping from WV to AR.

I immediately knew it was a scam because I never contacted this person. They got my email info from the bid history on the legitimate ebay auction and solicited me out of the blue.

Original Message:
i can sell you 2003 Valtra 6400 Tractor 4WD with Valtra 740 Loader for 21,000$ , also free delivery . please reply me if do you want to kee for you or sell to other buyer.

I informed the scammer that I would most certainly buy his tractor, but he needed to give me directions.

Reply: i am located Elkins, WV. and tell me if you can make an deposit so i can keep for you that tractor because i have another customer who want to buy. do you want to keep it for you for sure. thank you. best regards, Ms. Brandy

I replied that I had a friend in Charleston WV that could come pick the tractor up but I needed directions and a phone number. No reply.

Finally, nothing to go on, so I just sent them a mail and told them I had decided to wire all the money and that I was excited about the tractor. The email above is their reply.

So, the question isn't whether or not it's a scam, but what to do with the information and could a law enforcement agency use it.

I'll take the advice and forward to the financial instution.

 

[GeneD14]

There is a branch of the FBI that is devoted to investigating internet fraud. It may worth it to report this to your local office and let them worry about it.

 

[JasonL]

If the email came through Ebay, you can forward it to spoof@ebay.com I had a similar experience when I bid on woodworking tools. After the auction (which I did not win) I received at least 13 emails saying that the item was still available and to contact them. DO NOT DO IT!! If you do through their links they can get your account info. I forwarded them to ebay, and they replied but I don't know if they really do anything. On the positive side, I recently bought my tractor and attachments on Ebay (550 miles away), and had a wonderful experience! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifJason

 

[KenVT]

If anyone ever gets these phony '2nd chance offers'... do a 'view source' on the email, and find out where it actually came from, any email can be created to virtually look like any other email... if you know how.

Scams I've recieved or seen:

Dead relative in another country with money to give away(nigerian)
Ebay tractor: TC30 for $5500, New! reply Email in add was different than users Email, reply email was full of broken English, and the picture was of a TC30 sitting in front of Tarheel Tractor in NC! (his Email said he worked for an airline and could ship it for free, from england... huh, 4000 lbs flown in for free!)
Another is the Email that looks like Ebay, but asks you to input your user and password for verification.

Ken

 

[Tollster]

First off. Always review all ebay feedback left from other purchasers. If they have zero feedback do not permit yourself to be sucked into the oppertunity of a lifetime.
Second. Never purchase anything from anyone that has first contacted you. Its likely to be a scam.
Third. Always follow ebay protocal, there are built in preventive measures to ensure the person you are dealing with is legit.
Forth. from time to time change your passwords and write them down somewhere for recall, and do not have the same passwords for all your accounts.
Fifth. Do not respond to ebay notices or paypal notices through hyperlinks that where sent to you in your mail box. It may be a spoof allowing personal information to be accessed. Instead use the link you always have used and then contact the correct member or personel within the organization. Also cut and paste the erronious email for investigation.
Second guess everything, if it doesn't seem right its probally not.