Laura Hamilton laurah12 craigslist scam, eBay Motors, 2004 Toyota AWD RAV4, Internet

I contacted a seller listing a car on Craigslist (http://columbia.craigslist.org/ctd/3106111810.html). "She" was trying to sell her late-husband's 2004 Toyota AWD RAV4 in order to make the mortgage payment. She was extremely polite and offered up a lot of information about the car, even including a link to a Picasa album with tons of pictures (https://picasaweb.google.com/116734348402170535201/July42012).

The  tip off here was on the insistence of using eBay for "100% protection" and so "everything will be smooth". Did a search for eBay Motors scams and happened to find quite a few reported scams that use the same language.

Things to look for:
1.) They advertise in your area (SC Craigslist, for example) but the vehicle is located in a different state.
2.) Need to sell the car because of some desperate reason (mortgage, death in the family, etc)
3.) Can ship to you with a money-back guarantee.
4.) Say this: "To start this transaction please e-mail me your complete delivery address and full name. I will forward them to eBay and they will contact you after they open a case." If they are selling through eBay, they just need to make a page on eBay. There is no need for eBay to contact you after "they open a case". 

Below are the emails I received from the scammer:
______________________________________________________________
Laura Hamilton <laurah12@msn.com> wrote:

Hi there, thanks for e-mailing me. My name is Laura Hamilton and I would like to inform you about the location of the vehicle Minot,ND . The Rav4 is still available and it's in excellent shape inside-out, no accidents, always garage kept, never smoked in. It has 46,157 miles and no mechanical problems, dings, dents or scratches. There are no liens or loans on the Rav4 and it has a clean title. I'm selling the Rav4 below the market price because my husband passed away 1 week ago and the Rav4 it's the only asset I have that can be turned fast into cash to pay off the house mortgage as soon as possible. My brother is working for DAS shipping company and he can make arrangement's to deliver the Rav4 at a very low cost everywhere in the US. The shipping is $200.

The transaction will be managed by eBay Motors, so everything will go smooth and you will be 100% protected. You will receive the Rav4 for inspection before you make any payment to me. If you want me to reserve the Rav4 for you, just let me know.

Final Price $2,400.00 ( shipping included )

All the best to you and your family,
Laura Hamilton

2004 TOYOTA RAV4 L
VIN: JTEHD20V446006607
4 DR. WAGON/SPORT UTILITY
2.4L L4 FI DOHC 16V
ALL WHEEL DRIVE
__________________________________________________________
Laura Hamilton <laurah12@msn.com> wrote:

Hi there, The 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 L is still for sale.  This RAV4 has never had any accident. It was always garaged and never smoked in. Never been damaged. It has no scratches, dents or something like that. No mechanical or electrical problems, no accidents. Clean title in hand. It does not need anything additional to function, 46,157  miles.I want the deal closed only through eBay's Buyer Protection Program in order for you to be 100% protected. Please let me give you all the details about this transaction and how do they work. First you have to make the payment to eBay Motors Representative. Once they check the payment if everything is alright,they will notify me to proceed with the shipping.

Once you receive the RAV4, you got 15 days for inspection. After 15 days if you agree to keep it you will have to notify eBay to release the payment to me, if you don't like the RAV4, the shipping agency will take the RAV4 back on our costs and eBay will refund you, but I am sure you will love the RAV4 and this won't happen. This way you will see and inspect the RAV4 before we get paid. eBay actually holds the money until the buyer is satisfied with the merchandise. It's also a fair way to complete online deals.

To see more pictures click on the following link or copy and paste it on your browser:
https://picasaweb.google.com/116734348402170535201/July42012

To start this transaction please e-mail me your complete delivery address and full name. I will forward them to eBay and they will contact you after they open a case.

Many Thanks,
Laura Hamilton

PS.
The shipping will be made using DAS - Dependable Auto Shippers, Inc. insured by my brother from Minot, ND. and will come with all the documentation's required for registration.

2004 TOYOTA RAV4 L for $2400 final price!
__________________________________________________________________

If it sounds too good to be true, then it is!!