help!

Hi, I was recently browsing craigslist and found a cheap atv. it was a kawasaki 2007 750i. I sent her an email and got a reply. however while searching google I found someone else who said they were scammed with the same atv except different name. I don't understand how this could be a scam though, she states she wants to do the money transaction through ebay but states she doesn't want payment until after she ships the atv and I get it inspected. I already sent my address and now I don't know what to do!

It would help if you could post the email with headers, then we will be able to tell you if it is a scam

I would say that there are a lot of scammers and if someone has warned you off, through their experience then I would tend to say that it is a scammer

Hello, rfouts.

What you describe smells of scam 100 yards away. If the seller won't allow or let you visually inspect the vehicle, it's a scam.
There's an easy way to check that - write back to the seller that you want to inspect the vehicle. I bet 6 quid you'll get a response that it's impossible to do so.

Also, ebay doesn't offer escrow servicec, that's something that is made up in scammer's imagination.

This is going to be a standard fake escrow scam.

"She" is going to tell you that the transaction will be performed through ebay, and that you will pay ebay, who will hold the money until you have had a chance to inspect the item.

In reality, ebay does not do this at all. You will get emails that appear to be from ebay with instructions how to pay--most likely via western union or moneygram, but occasionally with a bank transfer and rarely, even paypal. The emails are fake, sent by the scammer. ebay has nothing to do with them and doesn't even know about them. Of course, if you pay as instructed, the money will be picked up by the scammer or a mule, and will disappear. You will never receive a vehicle, because the scammer never had one in the first place--he just stole photos and information from a real ad and copied them for his own use.

A real seller will either go through a legitimate escrow or finance service, or will expect payment up front, before shipping. A real seller will NOT ship a vehicle to some random stranger for inspection, and as painful truth said, he or she WILL allow inspection by a potential buyer.

I am unable to get the header to show... the email is as follows:

Hi,thank you for your interest in my 2007 Kawasaki Brute Force 750i 4x4.

It has only 362 miles,81 hours with automatic suspension and snow plow.As you can see my Kawasaki Brute Force is in good condition,has automatic transmission and independent suspension for a smooth ride.The quad is paid off,clean title,i have the title in hand.

The quad is in Winona,MO because i live here right now.I got this quad as a result of my divorce settlement, the title being on my name only.It was my ex husbands most precious thing.I don't ask to much for the quad because I just want to get rid of it ASAP,just want to erase a bad memory.Last price is $1800.

From the beginning you have to know that for the payment I request only secure pay.I prefer the payment to be done using....eBay....services (I will receive the payment only after you receive and inspect the quad and only if you agree to buy it). I will pay for shipping and handling (my ex buyer did not received his loan but he already paid for shipping ) so there won't be any additional shipping costs for you.

If you are interested in buying it please email me your FULL NAME and SHIPPING ADDRESS so i can get the ball rolling.

Thank you,---------
Winona, Missouri

Exactly as expected, and it is indeed a complete scam.

Hello rfouts,

Thanks for posting the email. It would be very helpful to others if you would post all the email addressess the scammer used along with what names were used.

This would greatly help others avoid being scammed when they search by email address or names.

yes of course, she called herself Jennifer Gilbert and had the email [email protected] I hope this can help someone else !!

Also, I need to know what I am supposed to do, I gave her my name and home address!!! What should I do and what could happen because of this??

Thanks for updating rfouts.

There is really nothing they can do with your name and address. Just stop communicating with them and be on the look out for future scam mail to the email address you used with them.