Too good to be true!

CaptLimey · 01-02-2012, 20:33

Caravans offered at ridiculously low prices e.g. 2007 twin axle Hobby - 1500Euros!

Here in France there are many adverts on a free site for caravans at prices well below their market value. When contacted, the advertisers are always out of the country and have left the caravan with an agent/friend/relative who will bring it to your address for the sale, providing you supply your full name, address and mobile and fixed phone numbers. Some request payment when the caravan is delivered either by cash or Western Union transfer. They are clearly scams, either involved in ID theft or trying to extort money. Has anyone experience/information of this type of scam?
Rgds CL

(RIP) PLANK · 01-02-2012, 21:09

It used to happen on ebay here a lot, it once hit a stage where people were actually lifting photos and details form a listing and advertising it again, while the same listing was still running! in one case a very nice camper valued at £57k (and legitimately listed as such) in Lancashire was advertised again in Italy for £34k and in France for £29 with the same photo's and details!

Seems to have gone quiet in recent years though

CaptLimey · 01-02-2012, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLANK

It used to happen on ebay here a lot, it once hit a stage where people were actually lifting photos and details form a listing and advertising it again, while the same listing was still running! in one case a very nice camper valued at £57k (and legitimately listed as such) in Lancashire was advertised again in Italy for £34k and in France for £29 with the same photo's and details!

Seems to have gone quiet in recent years though

Hi Plank.
Much the same technique here, the photos are clearly of 'vans in dealers websites or yards as there is no sign of personal gear in any of them. I was wondering how these scammers hope to extort the cash without handing over the goods, anyone know?
CL

(RIP) PLANK · 01-02-2012, 23:34

I don't know, but i think, the plan is to get the 'mug' to pay up as much as possible either as a deposit or the whole amount, or even just shipping fees. for instance if they asked for a small deposit i.e 10% through some electron inc means or bank transfer, it would still add up. People are often victims of their own greed!

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 01-02-2012, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLANK

I don't know, but i think, the plan is to get the 'mug' to pay up as much as possible either as a deposit or the whole amount, or even just shipping fees. for instance if they asked for a small deposit i.e 10% through some electron inc means or bank transfer, it would still add up. People are often victims of their own greed!

sounds like those foreign lotteries where you pay for you winnings to be 'shipped'.

rustic · 02-02-2012, 11:38

Hmmm... Western Union Transfer..... enough said

Most scammers use this as it's not that traceable after payment, or something like that.... Nearly as good as cash to a stranger.

PayPal would be safer.

If it's too good to be true.........

It usually is......

For this one, who would go abroad at their expense to view it?
If it's stolen, then when you get to the port, it might be confiscated, you end up in prison, you loose your money, and they walk away scot free...

Of course it might be a genuine sale...........

bobhope · 02-02-2012, 11:51

I had a similar experience a few months ago when i was looking to buy a trailer on gumtree.
I asked to meet up with the seller but just got emails back saying he was a clothes designer and was unable to meet up , but wanted me to send money via ukcash . even sent me an invoice to show DHL was going to deliver it for me . all bogus of course .

If its to good to be true , it probably is. I just spammed him with a load of abuse.

CaptLimey · 02-02-2012, 20:03

Thanks for the replies guys.

Bobhope you've gone that one step further and requested the obvious i.e. a meet with the seller and/or to view the item offered. Not surprisingly you received a fob-off.

I've emailed numerous alleged sellers and have, so far, received eight replies which are clearly, without exception, all scams. Therefore I have not sought to follow hem up.

My research objective is to prove that caravans (and for that matter any other item on freebie websites) offered at well below average market price are usually scams and not representative of true market values.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

Rgds CL

(RIP) PLANK · 02-02-2012, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptLimey

Thanks for the replies guys.

Bobhope you've gone that one step further and requested the obvious i.e. a meet with the seller and/or to view the item offered. Not surprisingly you received a fob-off.

I've emailed numerous alleged sellers and have, so far, received eight replies which are clearly, without exception, all scams. Therefore I have not sought to follow hem up.

My research objective is to prove that caravans (and for that matter any other item on freebie websites) offered at well below average market price are usually scams and not representative of true market values.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

Rgds CL

An interesting point, the scammers are creating a false low in the market. Maybe it's a capitalist caravan trader conspiracy to depress prices and buy up some bargains

CaptLimey · 02-02-2012, 22:10

Spot the deliberate mistake!

In this ad

http://www.paruvendu.fr/a/caravaning...810A1KVCACA000

the reply to my email enquiry included further photos that show that the window sticker to the right of the door displays the dealer price of this '04 Hobby 495 as 11950 Euros. The scammer offered to deliver it via her agent for 3200 Euros!

CL

CaptLimey · 02-02-2012, 22:58

"An interesting point, the scammers are creating a false low in the market. Maybe it's a capitalist caravan trader conspiracy to depress prices and buy up some bargains"

PLANK - Good theory

CL

(RIP) PLANK · 02-02-2012, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptLimey

"An interesting point, the scammers are creating a false low in the market. Maybe it's a capitalist caravan trader conspiracy to depress prices and buy up some bargains"

PLANK - Good theory

CL

Silly, but good

I think your clever lateral thinking has exposed another financial burden we all bear as a result of scamers, false low caravan prices

01-02-2012, 20:33	#1
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Too good to be true! Caravans offered at ridiculously low prices e.g. 2007 twin axle Hobby - 1500Euros! Here in France there are many adverts on a free site for caravans at prices well below their market value. When contacted, the advertisers are always out of the country and have left the caravan with an agent/friend/relative who will bring it to your address for the sale, providing you supply your full name, address and mobile and fixed phone numbers. Some request payment when the caravan is delivered either by cash or Western Union transfer. They are clearly scams, either involved in ID theft or trying to extort money. Has anyone experience/information of this type of scam? Rgds CL

02-02-2012, 11:38	#6
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	Hmmm... Western Union Transfer..... enough said Most scammers use this as it's not that traceable after payment, or something like that.... Nearly as good as cash to a stranger. PayPal would be safer. If it's too good to be true......... It usually is...... For this one, who would go abroad at their expense to view it? If it's stolen, then when you get to the port, it might be confiscated, you end up in prison, you loose your money, and they walk away scot free... Of course it might be a genuine sale........... __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

02-02-2012, 22:10	#10
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Spot the deliberate mistake! In this ad http://www.paruvendu.fr/a/caravaning...810A1KVCACA000 the reply to my email enquiry included further photos that show that the window sticker to the right of the door displays the dealer price of this '04 Hobby 495 as 11950 Euros. The scammer offered to deliver it via her agent for 3200 Euros! CL Last edited by CaptLimey; 02-02-2012 at 22:18. Reason: Title update

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01-02-2012, 21:09	#2
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	It used to happen on ebay here a lot, it once hit a stage where people were actually lifting photos and details form a listing and advertising it again, while the same listing was still running! in one case a very nice camper valued at £57k (and legitimately listed as such) in Lancashire was advertised again in Italy for £34k and in France for £29 with the same photo's and details! Seems to have gone quiet in recent years though

01-02-2012, 23:34	#4
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	I don't know, but i think, the plan is to get the 'mug' to pay up as much as possible either as a deposit or the whole amount, or even just shipping fees. for instance if they asked for a small deposit i.e 10% through some electron inc means or bank transfer, it would still add up. People are often victims of their own greed!

02-02-2012, 11:51	#7
bobhope Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: burton on trent Vehicle: 1999 terrano 2.7 se+ Posts: 128	I had a similar experience a few months ago when i was looking to buy a trailer on gumtree. I asked to meet up with the seller but just got emails back saying he was a clothes designer and was unable to meet up , but wanted me to send money via ukcash . even sent me an invoice to show DHL was going to deliver it for me . all bogus of course . If its to good to be true , it probably is. I just spammed him with a load of abuse.

02-02-2012, 20:03	#8
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Thanks for the replies guys. Bobhope you've gone that one step further and requested the obvious i.e. a meet with the seller and/or to view the item offered. Not surprisingly you received a fob-off. I've emailed numerous alleged sellers and have, so far, received eight replies which are clearly, without exception, all scams. Therefore I have not sought to follow hem up. My research objective is to prove that caravans (and for that matter any other item on freebie websites) offered at well below average market price are usually scams and not representative of true market values. Anyone else had a similar experience? Rgds CL

02-02-2012, 22:58	#11
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	"An interesting point, the scammers are creating a false low in the market. Maybe it's a capitalist caravan trader conspiracy to depress prices and buy up some bargains" PLANK - Good theory CL