Scam or no? Kinda seems like one.

So I came across this truck, contacted the seller and this was the email that I received.

"Hello,
My name is Molly, My
1999 Toyota Tacoma is still for sale. It has 76,571miles and automatic transmission. 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 engine 3.4 Liter V6 4x4 runs very good and the automatic transmission shifts perfectly. Has a clean and clear title in my name and there are no liens or loans on it. This truck was used by my husband who died 4 month ago. The price was reduced at $2,000 because I'm in a hurry to find a buyer. I need to sell the truck before the 18th of this 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 my truck. Hate to sell it but its not worth keeping insurance and paying storage fees for a year.
My truck right now is located at our military base in Cavalier, ND, stored with all the papers and is ready to be shipped.
As I've told you,I'm in the army with my military medical team and right now I am in a military base. We are training, getting ready for leaving the country. Before leaving I had prearranged the deal with eBay services so my presence isn't necessary. The delivery process will be managed by me. I think I can have it there at your home address within 2-3 working days. It will come with a clear title and reg. You will have 5 days to test and inspect the truck prior to make any purchase. 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 please include in your next email your contact info for eBay (full name, shipping address and phone number), so we can get the ball rolling.
To support my argument regarding the condition of the Tacoma, I've attached more pictures to this email.
Have a great day,
SGT. Molly Carter"

Seems a little fishy to me and I was curious if anyone else had come across a scam like this?

Ben

 

Scam for sure. Easy to check but just forget about it.

 

Scam..
Play with them, send some prank calls...
Then report them to the proper authorities.


This is a common scam mostly used for selling or renting houses online. Thing is, even when you report them, they will probably never get caught.. SO I say mess with them as much as you can. It's some piece of shit who makes a living scamming people for money.

I was looking to buy a house a few years ago and got an email like this telling me to go check out the house, told me it's unlocked and to go inside and see if I like it before I send the downpayment.. Went to go check out the house, and the owners dad showed up right after I got there.. Owner ended up being a SGT at the local PD LMFAO, they thought I was trying to break in, like 20 police cars showed up, but after a few minutes everything was figured out. So after that experience I have a personal hate for scammers.

 

Absolute Scam.

Alert words:

Ready to be shipped

My presence isn't necessary

I like to string these fakers along though they will suddenly stop replying when they realize you are not falling for it.

Ask which base in ND it's located at.

Mention that you were in the military too and may know someone there who could pick it up for you so no bother with shipping.

That will likely be the end of the conversation.

 

Definitely a scam. Usually if the price is too good to be true, it is. I seen tons on these postings on craigslist and Facebook. Truck is in immaculate condition, low miles, and the price is thousands below what it should be. Always a scam.

Deal in person, face to face, cash only, title in hand. That's the only safe way to buy from craigslist.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/craigslist-scams.496495/

 

This, I screw with them like crazy. They are committing felonies, so they deserve no respect in my eyes. Most of them will never be caught, and probably live in another country.. So I think the wisest choice is to prank them in every conceivable way

 

Cavalier is an Air Force base.

 

If it sounds too good to be true... 99.8% chance that it is a scam. The only $2000 Tacoma is going to be rolled, stripped and probably stolen. Also... stolen valor is now a punishable offense... Hopefully these people are found and hit with every possible law they break.

 

Tell them to ship it, if after drive it for a few days pay em. Simple don't send a dime till truck is in your possession.

 

Whatever you do don't post their email/phone number in a m4m craigslist add, that would be really immature...

 

For some entertaining reading, this type of scam is called a 419 scam.

419eater dot com is for people to post stories of how they trolled one of these scammers.

One of my favorites is the guy who convinced the scammer to make a sign for the International School of Wombat Felching

WARNING: many of the 419eater trolling stories are NSFW

 

"getting ready for leaving country"... hmmm. English is clearly not this person's first language.

 

Not even a question, that right there is 100% a scam.

 

Definitely a scam, not even an original one. Run away.

 

http://www.katylee.com/blog/2008/01/13/used-car-buying-scam-from-military-personnel/
Good read.
Play along but don't wire the money, EVER! Please post your conversations, this will be enjoyable.

 

Ask for her unit and commanding officer's name.

 

It's a station in the middle of potato heaven

 

I've never been there. My brother-in-law retired there, stayed and is still there.

 

I'm playing along, thanks for all the replies! This is going to get fun before the end!

Ben

 

When i worked at H-D, would get a call now and then from someone who bike a bike off the bay. Could not discuss the account due to privacy. We could not help the buyer. Taking a chance buying sight unseen.
Duane