Is this a 419 or something else?

Step 1: Kijiji or Craigslist post: MacBook Pro $500 Brand New or whatever
Step 2: Ask seller (in this case [email protected] (kijiji-motors.com is just a google page)
Step 3: Same reply every time. Sends you to your "UPS tracking page"
http://ups-online-track.com/global/track/
Step 4: Victim doesn't think to look at /track but might check ups-online-track and it has an index which redirects and java sript to inform that the referrer was from somewhere other than this fraudulent site
Step 5: So you're promised it's already been sent and to send money to Moneygram guy in Romania. It's as if it's an ebay Italy posting... I'm still working out his actual scheme.

There's many more details to this so I'll post this scammer's ad when he tries again.

Well it's definitely fraud and something we are interested in.

I would imagine it is the case, but are the fake tracking details personalised to each victim? It they are then we'll need to warn the victims before we get it shut down.

Thanks for the link and the info, please do post any new information you get.

I'd love to warn them... but it's their mailing address.

The "Tracking Status" is not a tracking number on UPS... I checked a few.

Don't worry, our warners will warn them somehow. We are usually able to find an email address or phone number somewhere.

Glad to hear you used fake details. Oh, you have a PM.

I've never been a victim of fraud! I've been invesitgating on my own for some time as a pass-time on these blasted people.

Hi HH,

I would suggest you post this on our sister site http://www.419eater.com

There are people over there just waiting to get their teeth into scams like this.

I just caught another from this [email protected].

It started out with a kijiji ad for a TV, for $500, with free shipping.

I responded to it, knowing what would happen, but garnering more information. I asked how I would get this item to my city. Here is the response.

Price: $500
For this product I offer free shipping.
This is new in sealed box and with 1 year warranty.
Shipping method: UPS Express.
Time delivery: 3-4 days.
This time I'm in United Kingdom for a business trip and I'm unable to
process the PayPal payments.
For both protection I want to enrole this transaction in the eBay Protection
Program system.
This is a 100% safe method.

Transaction process:
1. I'll send the package to you through eBay Protection Program Service.
2. eBay will inspect the package and will send you the notification with the
payment details through email.
Also you will receive and the UPS tracking number.
With this you can verify the shipment status online.
3. You will send the payment through MoneyGram on the eBay officer name. You
can find a MoneyGram location in any bank.
5. After you will send the money through MoneyGram you will reply with the
notification received from eBay with the Reference Number and your complete
name exactly how this appear on the MoneyGram receipt.
6. eBay will approve the payment and will delivery you the package through
UPS Express.
7. After you will receive the package and you will inspect it you will
inform eBay about that and they will release me the funds.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: You will don't send any money until you will not receive
the tracking number from UPS.
Do not contact me if you aren't serious buyer or if you are interested in
scamming methods as eChecks, etc.

If you agree with the terms then send me your complete name and address for
shipping and I'll ship you it today.

Best regards!

I replied that I wasn't buying this scam, and got 3 emails in return.

first one:
eBay Protection Program help the sellers and buyers to stay safe in all the transactions.

How it works:
1. The seller ships the goods to eBay. They will inspect the goods and will contact you through email with the payment details.
2. You will send the payment to eBay.
3. After eBay will confirm your payment they will deliver the goods to you within 3 days.
4. Only after you receive and inspect it, and if you find everything to be in order and decide to keep it, will eBay release the funds to me. If not they will refund the full amount to you, and the goods will be returned to me


Second one:
Please read my ebay feedback!
My ebay feedback is positive 100%.
.............but if you can't trust me..........simple........ do not send me the payment.

I'll wait your reply as soon as possible!

Best regards!


And the third one:
You are not allowed to send the money through MoneyGram directly on my name.
That is against of eBay and MoneyGram policy.
You are allowed to send the money through MoneyGram only on the eBay officer name.
I'll wait for your reply!

Best regards!


This bugger is persistent, if nothing else. I contacted EBAY, PAYPAL, and KIJIJI, and sent them all information on this person(s). Watch out, and if it sounds to good to be true, then hold it in your hand before you pay any money. That is why Kijiji is successful. Someday, this --person(sic)-- will get their reward.

Welcome guitarmonkey

Maybe not advance fee fraud in the truest sense of the phrase, but the end result is the same - you pay an advance fee and get nothing back. We do have a section for online selling though: viewforum.php?f=6

Well spotted! It's a shame more people don't pick up on the fact that there's no Ebay protection if you don't buy through Ebay

Never buy outside eBay and if a seller refuses Paypal... just run! If you part with your cash, you will never see the goods. Its also against eBay policy.

Good post and sound advice NormanF.

Note this warning/advice from eBay;

eBay has over 140 Million Registered Users. Millions and millions of dollars are spent on a daily basis with eBay. It is no wonder the Scam Artists prey on eBay and it's members! The most common scam involves E-Mail. You will receive an E-mail from someone claiming to be eBay requesting you verify your information.

Warning Sign #1: eBay will never send you an E-Mail requesting your personal information.

Warning Sign #2: Often this E-Mail will be sent to an E-Mail Address that is not the same one that eBay has on file.

Warning Sign #3: Forged Headers (From Address). This is often hard to detect without knowledge of the Internet. Many spam filters are now setup to block E-mail that has forged headers. Ask your E-mail provider how you can block Forged Headers.

Warning Sign #4: The Greeting would say something like Dear eBay User or eBay Member. Realistically, eBay knows who you are, so they would typically use the name you registered with.

Warning Sign #5: The threat. The E-mail will threaten to suspend your account if you don't take immediate action.

Warning Sign #6: A Non Secure Page. If you click on the link in the E-Mail you will not be on a secure Page, no https in the URL and no little Padlock in the lower left or right hand corner of your browser!

Warning Sign #7: Bad Grammar or Misspelled words in the email.

If you receive an E-mail from eBay with even 1 of these warning signs, more than likely it is a SCAM. Forward the E-Mail to: [email protected] and ask for assistance if you have ANY doubts.

Also eBay recommend NEVER using Western Union or Moneygram for ANY purchase, EVER!