Buying a car on CraigsList - Scams - Ruben Campos

Classified Ad Scams: buy a car on CraigsList

Scams and scammers using these names: Ruben Campos, Ulyssess, Kansas
Nightengalemit@aol.com
" he was in the army and was in and out of town because of it."

Are you looking to buy a car on CraigsList? Did "Ruben Campos" claiming to be from Ulyssess, Kansas contact you? Note that he says: " he was in the army and was in and out of town because of it.". That's a clue to a scam right there!

Here are the clues that this is a scam?

1. First, you will notice the syntax and grammar. Often, is it not pathetically bad, it's just plain strange. It looks like it was written by someone who is not a native English-speaker, and writes very rarely in English. This is very typical of scammers, who largely are in Nigeria and have little formal education and probably none in English.
2. Next, he wants to write a check in excess of the required amount. Why? That makes no sense at all. If he hasn't got a bank account, he could always pay in cash or get a money order.
3. Then, he wants the "excess" from the check sent BACK to him or to other individuals, often in many different locations, and always by Western Union or Money Gram! Alarm bells should be going off by now. Western Union wires and Moneygrams are not only untraceable, they're irretrievable. Once the recipient picks them up (which can be done at ANY Western Union office in the world), the money is gone, gone, gone!
4. And then there are the little clues; signs like the strange name and location changes. Maybe, first he's "David Rapheal", then he's suddenly Shawn Nickolas, supposedly in England, yet the first name has an American spelling and the last name is spelled more like an Eastern European or Germanic origin.
5. The scammers typically ramble on about issues (" he was in the army and was in and out of town because of it.") that are irrelevant to such a sale or rental; such as, how they are doing this for charity, or recently moved to the UK, or are traveling in Africa right now. You as a seller / landlord, don't and shouldn't care about these issues: you are trying to find a legitimate buyer or renter for your item at a fair market price. The scammer knows this and is merely trying to cloud the issue and provide excuses for not complying with the basic requirements of a sale. He's also trying to engender trust; one of the key elements of any con game.
6. Scammers frequently refer to "trust", "faith" and God; in ways that no rational person in western Society would ever do in a business transaction, as in, "I know I can trust you", or "my faith in God tells me to enter this agreement with you".
7. Look for the huge number of misspellings, weird use of capital letters, poor punctuation and made-up words. Again, this is typical of the scammer filth who live and operate in Nigeria.

An actual email that illustrate this type of CraigsList scam:

Any highlighted passages below are to draw your attention to typical scam clues:

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Email 1 - from the victim:

Ok so I found this listing on craigs list. its a site people post to sell things. The guy was selling a 2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 for $5000.

I received an email back from him stating the car would be mine.

We had a few discussions over email and he stated that he was def and I couldn't call him. (bell #1 ringing in my head)

he had already told me he was in the army and was in and out of town because of it.

he said his name was Ruben Campos and he lived in Ulyssess, Kansas at 1107 W Nebraska Rd.

i asked him how he became def and he said he was in a car accicent (not in the neon)

so we talked a few more times and i asked him if i could just come out there and meet him. this whole time he wanted me to give him my full name and address and he would just allow worldpay to process the transaction.

well he responded or the "bot" reposnded that he couldnt meet in person and that he was def and in and out of town at a clinc and that he became def from an accident (but not in the fairlane)

DING DING DING

I had been talking to a bot the whole time. This realyl bothers me because i was in teh process of making this happen. I was looking to buy his Neon not a fairlane!

I want to report this and i want this guy brought down surely you can do something i am very scared about this becaue i did give him my name and my address during our convo about shipping..

he went by the email of : Nightengalemit@aol.com

Email 2 - from the scammer:

Read from the bottom up (reverse order)

The car is at my brother in law because he work for DAS and he will help me with shipping The car is in a a warehouse of DAS, ready for delivery.So i prefer to use worldpay and shipping process because I'm not in town,I had an accident and I lost my hearing. I go every day to do treatment here at a clinic. Don't worry the accident wasn't in the Fairlane.My keyboard is my friend so please ask me all the questions that you might have and i will try answer everyone of them..So if you want to buy my car I will need your info and I will start the deal.If we will have a deal you will have one week for inspection and after this week we will close the deal.

Thanks

Brad Pitt wrote: No not at all I was just wondering. I'm sorry. What would you think about me actually coming out there and handing you cash this weekend?

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 -----Original Message-----
From: Nightengalemit@aol.com [mailto:Nightengalemit@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:00 AM
To: Brad Pitt
Subject: Re: SRT

Because i don't want to post it on forums.I'm obligate to post it on forums????

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> Brad Pitt wrote:

I'm nervous about this man. I am not going to lie to you. Why didn't

you post it on the SRTforums?

My bank called.. I have the money in my account.

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-----Original Message-----
From: Nightengalemit@aol.com [mailto:Nightengalemit@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:46 AM
To: Brad Pitt
Subject: Re: SRT

Well I have post it nation wide so it appears in local searches too

Brad Pitt wrote:

Why did you have it posted on daytons craiglist? And why did you have it posted on Washington DC craiglist?

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-----Original Message-----
From: Nightengalemit@aol.com [mailto:Nightengalemit@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:37 AM
To: Brad Pitt
Subject: Re: SRT

Yes the shipping will be free all I need to start the deal is your full name and shipping address.thanks.

Brad Pitt wrote: I am sorry to hear about your accident. It must be tough working for the army not being able to hear. I have much respect for those who are part of the military. One of my best friends Tim Leonard is def and he is one of the greatest guys I have ever met.

I am still working the details out on my end. It's a done deal so don't worry, I'm just getting my ducks in a row.

I contacted Worldpay and CarFax and ran a report to check you out. $5,000 is a lot of money to deal over the interent. I am a little paranoid about it.

I have also contacted my bank so I can get the money set up which it will be and they should be calling me soon.

I was wondering how you are getting away with free shipping? And you said the car was in a warehouse, do you have the address for it?

Please get back to me ASAP, as I should have this money ready to go shortly! Thanks man this really is a life changing thing for me!

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-----Original Message-----
From: Nightengalemit@aol.com [mailto:Nightengalemit@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:28 AM
To: Brad Pitt
Subject: Re: SRT

I had an accident and I lost my hearing . I go every day to do treatment here at a clinic. Don't worry the accident wasn't in the Neon.So my keyboard is my friend so please ask me all the questions that you might have and i will try answer everyone of them.So if you want to buy my car I will need your info and I will start the deal.Thanks

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Brad Pitt wrote:

You got a number I can call you on?

Looks like you have a nice house. Which school is it you live by

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-----Original Message-----
From: Nightengalemit@aol.com [mailto:Nightengalemit@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 9:58 AM
To: Brad Pitt
Subject: Re: SRT

Power related goodies:-AGP 60-1 /76 trim t31 Turbo kit-Tial 38mm Black Wastegate-AGP 3" Silver powdercoated intake (stock airbox/hose/filter available) -Spearco HUGE Fmic -Exhaust Depot Hard Intercooler Pipes -Greddy TypeR Bov -Race Ported cylinder head -Oversized Ferrea valves -Eagle Connecting Rods -Wiseco (8:8:1 standard bore) Pistons -Lorenzo 60mm Throttle Body and Adapter -Maxxfab modded (w/manual dump) 3" catless downpipe (stock downpipe/cat available) -MSD Ignition Wires -NGK spark plugs

Electronics/gauges:-Greddy Profec A Electronic Boost Controller -Greddy Turbo Timer -Autometer Pro-comp -30 30psi boost gauge (stock boost gauge available)

Fuel:-Apexi S-AFCII--tuned with pump gas map and race gas map -Walbro 255 Fuel pump -RC 750cc Injectors -Aeromotive rising rate fuel pressure regulator -Braided Fuel Return line -Non regulated stock filter installed

Suspension/stiffness:-PsiFi black Motor mounts(stock mounts available)-Eibach Pro Kit springs-SSR Competition 17x7.5" Silver lightweight wheels -BFG KDWII-225/45/17" tires

Stereo/Others:-Alpine CD Player-8ga power/ground cables-MTX 2-channel amp bridged for sub -12" Boston Acoustics Pro Subwoofer in box -6.5" Boston Acoustics Pro front speakers -Silver Powdercoated Intake Manifold -Silver Powdercoated Valve Cover-letters in clear

Current best dyno: 446whp, 423wtq at 23psi.

Best 1/4 mile: 11.73@ 120mph--before built motor

MODS:

Performance:

-Stock ECU(ditched Stg 1)

-3" Maxxfab catless downpipe with manual dump plate

-Greddy Profec A

-Exhaust Depot hard IC pipes/ greddy type R bov

-AGP 3" cold air intake

-PSIFI dogbone motor mounts

-AGP 60-1 turbo kit

-RC 750cc injectors

-Walbro 255 fuel pump

-SAFC II

-Aeromotive FPR, return line setup.

-Race ported head

-Oversized Ferrea valves

-Wiseco Pistons (8:8:1-standard bore)

-Eagle Rods

-Lorenzo 60mm throttle body and adapter

-Spearco BIG FMIC

-NGK spark plugs

-MSD Ignition wires

OTHER:

-SSR Competition 17x7.5" wheels and 225/45/17 BFG KDW2 tires

-Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs.

-Kosei K1 Racing 15" wheels with MH 26/6/15 slicks(for track)*being

sold seperately from car

-Greddy Turbo Timer

-Alpine CD player, JL Audio amp, 12" Boston Pro Sub.

-Silver powdercoated Intake manifold and Valve Cover.

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Brad Pitt wrote:

Also what are the mods you had on the page what is current on the car?

Brad Pitt

Project Manager

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Nightengalemit@aol.com [mailto:Nightengalemit@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 9:04 AM
To: Brad Pitt
Subject: Re: SRT

Hello,Let me explain you how the Worldpay process works.The process works something like this:1. You send the payment deposit to an WorldPay representative.2. Worldpay will confirm me that you have made the deposit.3. I will ship the car so you can Inspect, test and make a decision if you will keep it or not.4. If you will not get exactly the same car that you have viewed in the ad, and also a clean title you will receive all your money back from WorldPay.5. If everything is ok Worldpay will get the approval from you to release me the funds.If you agree with this process please let me know your full name and address and I will forward the details to Worldpay.

>Best regards,

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Brad Pitt wrote:

My name is Brad Pitt and I am a SRT owner. I got in a little over my head on the loan and having this one would be huge for me.

I have always taken care of my SRT I have had her for over a year now. 

This is going to be life changing even getting your SRT, as it will help me live so much easier and better.

You have my word I will take great care of her and if you want I will keep you updated on any mods, ect.

I am working with my bank and my car loan place on the details.

I for sure want this car so please don't let anyone else snag it from me.

I am not familiar with worldpay.

Please send me the information on yourself and the details with worldplay.

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-----Original Message-----
From: Nightengalemit@aol.com [mailto:Nightengalemit@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 6:23 AM
To: Brad Pitt
Subject: Re: SRT

/First of all,I must apologize for my reticence with selling my car.I love this car and it means a lot to me.I am forced by a bank loan to sell it so I need the money and I must do that.I need to know you,even if that means by email before i sell you the car.Even if i seem a little paranoid,i will not sell this car to anyone.I took very good care of her and i feel very attached to her.

The price is $5000,the shipping costs will be free anywhere in the continental US or Canada.I don't want to offend you by anything but if we are going to complete the sale we are going to use worldpay which will cover the purchases up to 20,000 USD.My time is limited due to my job in the army so I decided to use a service from worldpay.Before leaving I had prearranged shipping with eBay and DAS so my presence isn't necessary. The car is in a warehouse of DAS, ready for delivery.If you agree with my terms,i will need the following details from you:

full name and addressshipping address

After I will have all this details I will contact worldpay to inform them about our agreement and to start the program to protect us.If this is ok with you and you want me to explain how the process works,please email me and i will do that.Some details and options:2004 DODGE NEON SRT-41B3ES66S64D619648SEDAN 4 DR2.4L L4 DOHC 16V / FRONT WHEEL DRIVE 19870 miles Transmission:Manual Engine:Turbo Fuel type:Gasoline Interior:Black Exterior:Silver Standard equipment:Rear Spoiler,CLOTH SEATS,Power Door Locks,CD,AM/FM

> Radio,Air Conditioning,Power Windows,4DR SDN SRT-4, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE,Dual Air Bags,Turbo You can see more pictures by click on the link below :http://www.fototime.com/users/Nightengalemit@aol.com/

Thank you and i will wait for your email.

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Brad Pitt wrote:

Man I know I have been blowing your email up but I gotta have yourride!

I'm Brad Pitt.

I have a garage to keep it in. I will take care of that car!

Please get a hold of me! LOL PLEASE!