Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thought you might get a kick out of this one. This scam is so bad I about fell out of my chair laughing. This guy hijacked some poor s.o.b.’s ebay user ID and was trying to sell a four-wheeler that was located in Rome Italy, but his ID was listed as from Canada.

I included the email I got from him regarding his terms. Ebay ended the auction within 10 minutes of the time I notified them that I thought it was a scam.

Mark Vanderwerf
Lakeville, Minnesota


Hello there,
My name is (deleted) and I am glad you are interested on my 2000 POLARIS SPORTMAN 500 ATV.Well, I have to let you know that the ATV is in a perfect condition.It has 1670 miles.The 2000 POLARIS SPORTMAN 500 ATV will be shipped from Rome, Italy from here I will support the shipping taxes,insurance and handling via FedEX Air service and you will receive the 2000 POLARIS SPORTMAN 500 ATV within 4 days .The price I hope to obtain is 2500$ and if you agree with this price we can start to complete the transaction. I prefer payment through western union money transfer so I can send the ATV in the same day.
SHIPMENT —this is a thing about you shouldn’t worry about because i believe that it is my responsibility to deliver it to your home.We can do in 2 way in each of them i am going to pay for all charges:
-UPS 2 days
-FedEX 2 days
It will take 3 days for the package to arrive to
to you.The shipping costs will be payed by me and i will also pay for the insurance in case of any damage happens during the handling and shipping,so i will be protected in case off damages and you too.
THE WAY TO PAY —–The payment wich I accept is Western Union money transfer;no PayPAl because the withdraw limit is 500 USD for month and I usually pay the products with cash money,for the same reason no credit cards or cashiers checks.About COD and escrow what can I say, I used them in the past and I was very disapointed because they blocked my money for 2 weeks and when you try to develope a business time is everything!
Western Union is the fastest way to conclude a payment!My old customers use to send the money directly in my name but because you are at the first deal with me ,I know that it is hard to trust me and even more to send money to a person you just met virtualy on an auction site before you receive the product , so for this reason I will teach you how to make the payment that you feel safe.When you make the transfer you send the money on a different name,a name you will choose( a friend name,your wife name,etc)but to my adress.
After you complete the transfer you send me the details:sender name,receiver name,total amount and the money transfer control number, with this details I will be able to verify the transfer on their site if is correct but I can´t pick them up because I don´t have a proper ID for that!After I verify the transfer and if it is correct I will send you the product and after you receive it and inspect it you just make a phone call at western union and ask them to change the receiver name because you spell it wrong, to my name that I can pick up the money.I send all my packages having written on them “display unit, no comercial
value” or as a gift so you don’t have to pay any additional taxes(VAT included) and I hope you will do the same thing when you´ll make the transfer because this way I will not have to pay any other taxes.
Here is my name and my address where you must send the money:
First name: (deleted)
Last name: (deleted)
Address: Via Delle (deleted)
Zip code: 00169
City: Rome
Country: Italy
The return policy is 30 days.If you agree with these terms,let me know and I will be more than glad to start to complete the transaction with you.
I am waiting your email,

Regards,
(deleted)