Ausborne Blog

So, I put my Honda Accord up for sale on Craig’s List today and decided that I’d poke around and see what else was listed. I stumbled across this posting for a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid for only $5600.

My first thought was that it was a scam but I thought I’d engage the seller, just for grins. My initial email read as follows:

$5600? What’s wrong with it?

Two hours later, I received the following email:

Hello, I’m Sgt. David Elter.

This Ford is in perfect working condition. This vehicle engine runs very, very smooth. No electrical problems on this beauty. This detailed vehicle makes the exterior looks like it just came off the assembly line. The car has 45,388 miles on it.
As I know that my current situation is pretty special I want the deal closed only through eBay’s Buyer Protection Program in order for you to be 100% protected. You will make the payment to eBay and they will hold the money until you receive the car. ONLY AFTER you receive the car and you inspect it(for 15 days) eBay will release the payment to me; in this way we are both protected. I am located in Valencia, Spain and I was sent here to improve the military relationships between USA and Spain. One months ago, my wife moved here with me and brought the car with her, but now we have to sell it back in the United States because we can’t register it here; it has US specs and everything, and registering it here in Europe will take for ever. My price on it is US 5,600 $.
If we reach an agreement, I am willing to take care of the shipping to your address. Shipping will take 10 days maximum. I have managed to obtain a low cost shipping, only $600 and I presume it would be fair to split the shipping cost so, we’ll pay $300 each. Meaning, that the car and the shipping/handling will cost you $5,900. I think this is reasonable.
Please get back to me asap if you decide to buy, and include in your e-mail your full name and address where you want it shipped so I can start the deal with eBay. You will receive all the transaction payment and shipping details from them.
Regards

David Elter

A really quick Google search of his email address returned 85 results, all of which were for cars which he had up for sale in different markets in the US. The ad has since been deleted, as have each of his other craigslist ads that I stumbled upon. This is just another reminder of the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The sad thing is that these scammers wouldn’t be doing this sort of garbage if there weren’t people who fell for it.

That said, here’s my advice: “Don’t be an idiot.”