[email protected] [email protected] dougbb2@outlook

Hi. I am listing my car for sale on Gumtree and this time I have had 3 peoole contact me by text (although in my ad I ask for no texts or private umbers) but all using the same phone number: 0428 465 117. The names used were: "James" - email: [email protected] ; "Tony Bell" - email: [email protected]; and "Steve" - email: [email protected].
I reported these names, number and email addresses to Gumtree but heard nothing from them. I have also contacted the federal Police with this information.
Oh, I forgot. I also received another text from someone who didn't identify themselves but the number used was international +12167777301 and the email given was .
According to a reverse phone lookup the number is from the US in the location of Ohio (Cleveland, Euclid, Lakewood).

Welcome to Scamwarners mashby,

As you can see scammers do not read ads. They just reply to every ad. They are working on numbers. If they reply to 1,000 post and get one victim it has been a good week for them. Most of the text numbers are Voip. In most cases scammers will not talk on the phone.

Please post the scripts they sent you. Remove your personal information. Beyond listing the email address here it is also helpful to post their text messages and emails. Some potential victims may search terms in the script. A search would lead them to your warning.

In this scam the scammer is NOT interested in your car. He wants to steal your money. No one will ever come to pick up the vehicle. It is all a scam with the scammer playing all roles. There is nothing to report. The scammer is using a free email address and a fake name.


The scammer wanted to send you a fake Paypal payment. He has a fake Paypal address from a free email provider. The payment would look real. Its a screen shot of a fake payment. He then will instruct you to pay a mover, shipper or agent. The fake Paypal email from the scammer would say that your Paypal funds will be released when you send the scammer (mover,agent or shipper) money via Western Union or Money Gram. In reality Paypal would never hold your funds.

Log into Paypal directly without any links to check for monies received or call Paypal directly from the number on their site.

If you are selling electronics, Cell phones or computers then the scammer is trying to steal your "item". Your fake funds will be released when you send the scammer a scan copy of a receipt showing you mailed your item.

This same scam works with fake check and money orders. You and your bank will think they are real. After you cash the fake check. Days or weeks later your bank will inform you of the fraud. Your bank will have you repay the monies. Possibly close your account for fraud and report you to Law Enforcement.

The best thing to do is to sell in person face to face in a public place.