Boat Sellers Beware!

Updated 3/22/08

Looks like the scam artists are making another run. Beware!!
Don't even answer the emails if you get one like the ones below.

Here is info from one of our Field Staffers, Bob Perkins:

Just an FYI...I have received an email much like this from a few people this week.
The first email subject is "Still for Sale?" the next email is a list of qualifying questions about the boat and then the offer.

Bob



Dear Bob,
I have accepted your price and i can not afford to miss the boat.However i will make a deposite of ($8,000) to you for the property.I have made out a certified cashiers check of($15,000) then the balance of $7,000 is for my broker for his trip to the states for the inspection of the boat and other neccessary arrangement which include the shipping
and welfare.So you're required to deduct the deposite of ($8,000) and send the balance of($7,000) to my broker via money gram money transfer to enable him offsett other necessary arrangements. once the inspection is over,i will pay the balance of ($1,600) on the of closing contract.So if this is okay with you kindly mail me back, am so much in love with your property.
Please Confirm this and provide the name,full contact address and phone/fax number as required for check payment to be delivered direct to you,this is for security reason,again that am paying directly to you in person and for easy comminucation b/w both of you.
So if this is okay with you kindly mail me back am so much in love with your boat that is why i can't afford to miss it.
Please Confirm this and provide the name,full contact address and phone/fax number as required for check payment to be delivered direct to you,this is for security reason,again that am paying directly to you in person and for easy comminucation b/w both of you.
Regards,

Tip from B. Hildebrand

I just had a response exactly like the first example—deleted it and added to junk senders or spam list.

Recently a metro newspaper had an article about a scam that involves large ticket items including boats.  I myself have been contacted by two different names trying to run this scam on me.

In short form, here is how it works.  A person acting as a representative for a client will offer you payment for your boat in the form of a cashiers check.  They will claim the cashiers’ check is a refund from another transaction, which will be sent to you.  Let’s say you are selling your boat for $20,000.  They will offer you $19,700 and tell you the cashiers check they will send you will be in the amount of $26,000.  They tell you the check is from another purchase that was refunded and they must send you this particular cashiers check per company policy.  Upon receipt of the $26,000 check you would then need to send them $6,300 in the form of a cashiers check to make up the difference.

You’re out no money right?  The cashiers’ check you receive will be no good and of course the cashiers’ check you send them will be good and you’re out $6,300.  Most people presume all cashier checks are good, so the seller deposits the check and finds out a few days too late the check isn’t good.  The second part of the scam is that they get the codes and other information off the check you send to continue to scam.

If you experience this or have experienced this, you should contact your state attorney general.
In Minnesota, you can go to http://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/complaint.html.

Be careful out there.

Field Staffer Bill Mathis

Who should I notify about fraud?
FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov/)

More info from the craigslist online community.

Here is an example from another boat seller.

Greeting,
I saw your advert and i'm interested in buying your **** Ranger.

Give me the price???
And I'll be paying you through my client that is indebted to me in your country?
Get back to me with your full name, Contact address and Phone number so that I can instruct my client to send the funds(Money Order) to you.
After deducting the cost, can I trust you to send the rest of the amount (i.e the Residue fund) via western union money transfer to my shipper whom will take care of the pick up. Let me know as soon as possible, so that I can get in touch with my client. Thanks for your co-operation while anticipating your earliest response.
Regards
Mr Raymond Green.

And another.

Bill Mathis is a professional angler in Minnesota. 
For more information about Bill, please visit his web site at classic bass.

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