Car scam on Craig's List? Updated... TOTALLY A SCAM! Link included.

So my car recently died (RIP Ruby!!) and I'm on the hunt for a new (read: used) car. It's been frustrating to say the least.

Today I had some down time so I started to browse CL when I came upon a 2004 Acura MDX for $4500 . After I picked myself up the floor from fainting I read the ad more carefully and noticed no mileage was listed and immed. thought the mileage must be insanely high for a car so nice listed at such a low price. I decided to e-mail the seller out of curiousity.

I came across another listing for a 2005 Nissan Altima for $3100 again, with no mileage. So I emailed the seller.

The Acura seller got back to me explaining the mileage was 48K but he was in the military stationed in UK and that's where the car was but the $4500 included the shipping. I inquired further about how that would work (pure curiousity).

In the meantime I received an email from the Nissan seller telling me the same(ish) story... 36K miles, in the military and stationed in Scotland. Final price is $2900 and HE will be responsible for the shipping. He will ship via a military cargo plane to an airport in my area and arrange for a truck to bring it to my house. I will have 5 days for inspection of the vehicle at which time the money (paid thru eBay... even though all this is thru CL) is held in a trust until I sign off or reject the car.

Not 10 mins. later I get an email back from the Acura seller basically saying the same thing. He will ship via a US military cargo plane... blah blah blah.

Am I really supposed to believe this?!?! Has anyone else come across this, what I think is a HUGE scam?

(sorry so long!!)


We googled "craig's list car scam" and this is the link that came up. TOTALLY A SCAM!!
Sick people using the US Military to legitimize their scam

Let the search continue.......

Message edited 2/23/2009 6:46:36 PM.

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

sounds shady to me....

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

Someone I know did buy a car this way. It worked out for him. I don't know about this though. Sounds super shady to me.

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

I wouldn't think it was so shady if it had come from one person, but to come from 2 seperate people about 2 seperate cars... I mean, what are the chances?!

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

doesn't sound right.

Also, do you have to convert the car for emissions? Also, is the steering wheel on the right?

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

There are lots of car scams on craigslist. Don't agree to have any cars shipped to you on craigslist. Only do in person deals.

Ebay is a different story. I would buy a car out of state on ebay if the deal was good enough, since ebay backs up the buyer. On craigslist you have no such protection.

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

this sounds like the puppy scam. Where they say they have these expensive dogs for $50 a pop, just wire the money to them in Africa and they will ship the dogs.

Yeah right, cause its that cheap to ship them.

However, on another note there are times that ppl in teh military are trying to give away there car but I dont think its that popular.

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

All that stuff is a scam.
Then they will tell you they will send you a check for over a certain amount and then you send them a check for the difference......
That's the standars scam when you're selling something so I figure it's gonna come up somehow....

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

this doesnt sound right...

Re: Car scam on Craig's List?

IT HAS to be a scam, I know for a fact that it would cost that much to ship them, seriously!

Message edited 2/23/2009 6:26:53 PM.

Re: Car scam on Craig's List? Updated... TOTALLY A SCAM! Link included.

I listed about 15 items today - and only 1 scammer so far

they changed the scam- he wants to send me a check plus $50 for each item to take it down

but don't worry about the movers - he will arrange that...still trying to figure out the scam- besides the fake check- usually they want to pay you extra to cover the movers...maybe that part is coming

I told him I had local people coming with cash....

Re: Car scam on Craig's List? Updated... TOTALLY A SCAM! Link included.

ugh, so creepy.

Re: Car scam on Craig's List? Updated... TOTALLY A SCAM! Link included.

That is definitely a scam.


My DH's best friend almost fell for it when buying a motorcycle. Similar story--he was in London for business etc.


I don't trust buying on craigslist unless I can see it in person.


I'm glad you didn't get scammed though!