[email protected] Maria Murphy

I Just had interaction with "Maria Murphy."
The sender's email was: [email protected] (already reported this to Google).

I actually suspected a more sophisticated scam. I am a paypal user and would not fall for this crap. I kept the person engaged for some time. The scammer was very active and responsive. Not sure what his time zone is. Got e-mails at 2 am, 8 am and 2 pm Pacific. The final curse I got from the spammer did not sound very American to me: "your mother is f.... s.., you are very stupid" These guys can be overseas, I guess.

The too good to be true e-mail looked like this:

"Do you have the extra keys, Do you have the spare tire, Where did you
get your car serviced, Have you ever had any transmission repairs and
Is there any rust on the vehicle? I'm ready to pay your asking price
but not cash in person because I'm currently in a conference and calls
are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option is
PayPal, its safe fast and secure and i will be responsible for the
PayPal transaction charges so you can get your expected amount. If you
don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy to open one,Just
log onto http://www.paypal.com and sign up. I hope we can make the purchase
as fast as possible? As I am buying the vehicle for someone and I'm
very sure he will love this vehicle, his a mechanic and a handy man,
so if there is anything that need to be fixed in it just let me know
he will handle it. I have a mover that will come for the pick up once
payment clears in your account and he will handle the title for me. I
look forward to hear from you with the information below.

Your PayPal e-Mail Address :
Full name:
Firm Price:
Zip code for pickup:

Thanks"

Welcome to Scamwarners artemix69.

The scammer aims to send out hundreds of e-mails a day and you're correct in that he knows his best chance is with someone unfamiliar with Paypal which is why he gives instructions on how to open a Paypal account. He uses a 'shotgun' approach and won't normally even bother to swap insults as he's only looking to play those who look like they're hooked.

It all boils down to him pretending to pay you extra money that he'll want you to pay his collection agent (him) by Western Union. He can click away at this all day in a bar and pay his bar tab this way.

exactly same email I just got...below...what are they thinking anyway...

Do you have the extra keys, Do you have the spare tire, Where did you
get your car serviced, Have you ever had any transmission repairs and
Is there any rust on the vehicle? I'm ready to pay your asking price
but not cash in person because I'm currently in a conference and calls
are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option is
PayPal, its safe fast and secure and i will be responsible for the
PayPal transaction charges so you can get your expected amount. If you
don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy to open one,Just
log onto www.paypal.com and sign up. I hope we can make the purchase
as fast as possible? As I am buying the vehicle for someone and I'm
very sure he will love this vehicle, his a mechanic and a handy man,
so if there is anything that need to be fixed in it just let me know
he will handle it. I have a mover that will come for the pick up once
payment clears in your account and he will handle the title for me. I
look forward to hear from you with the information below.

Your PayPal e-Mail Address :
Full name:
Firm Price:
Zip code for pickup

Yep,this person is still at it ! Similar text received.This time from (210) 807 4949 Seems Craigs List and Auto Trader bring them out ! Beware !

i got this response to an ad i just posted...

On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 10:32 AM, maria murphy <[email protected]> wrote:
Do you have the extra keys, Do you have the spare tire, Where did you
get your car serviced, Have you ever had any transmission repairs and
Is there any rust on the vehicle? I'm ready to pay your asking price
but not cash in person because I'm currently in a conference and calls
are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option is
PayPal, its safe fast and secure and i will be responsible for the
PayPal transaction charges so you can get your expected amount. If you
don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy to open one,Just
log onto http://www.paypal.com and sign up. I hope we can make the purchase
as fast as possible? As I am buying the vehicle for someone and I'm
very sure he will love this vehicle, his a mechanic and a handy man,
so if there is anything that need to be fixed in it just let me know
he will handle it. I have a mover that will come for the pick up once
payment clears in your account and he will handle the title for me. I
look forward to hear from you with the information below.

Your PayPal e-Mail Address :
Full name:
Firm Price:
Zip code for pickup:

Luckily, I searched mariamurphy13 email to look for a scam after already receiving a similar scam email and text. This person sent a text first from (361) 704-7906 with the email address asking for pictures of the engine and bumpers.

I received a similar scam email from the "ocenanographer" suggesting payment via PayPal. Again, I received a text first from (703) 520-5570. I was suspicious since there were 21 other cars like mine within 100 miles of this area code. No reason to go 2000 miles.

So, we have their phone numbers, albeit they are likely burner phone numbers. But if law enforcement was really interested in catching criminals, they should be pretty easy to trace if they acted quickly. My guess is they are more interested in speeders vs actual criminals...

I am so glad you had this posting. I reversed the phone and googled it and found this information that is great. I hd the same emails back and forth and the responder was very active. I noticed the scammer was getting rude and rushed me to give my paypal info. She/he puts' " I told you in my previous message, if you want to sell the vehicle to me email me back with your paypal id and info I asking".
I responded it's my way or no way and I never heard back. I tried calling the # but never answers.
Thank you guys! This forum is great.

This is one of his her emails

Thanks for the mail. I am interested in buying the vehicle and I hope
everything is in perfect condition. I'm ready to pay your asking price
but not cash in person because I'm currently in a conference and calls
are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option is
PayPal, its safe fast and secure and i will be responsible for the
PayPal transaction charges so you can get your expected amount. If you
don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy to open one,Just
log onto http://www.paypal.com and sign up. I hope we can make the purchase
as fast as possible? As I am buying it for my dad and I'm pretty very
sure he will love it, he's an handy man, so if there is anything that
need to be fixed in it just let me know he will handle it. I have a
mover that will come for the pick up once payment clears in your
account and he will handle the documentations and changing of
ownership on my behalf. I'll look forward to hearing from you with
the information below so that I can make the payment this morning as
soon as possible.

Your PayPal e-Mail Address :
Full name:
Zip code for pickup:
Firm Price:

Maria

Added quotation. (BW)

just avoided scam!
she tried to interest me
by the concern of the condition of the car
claimed not able to answer phone due to business meetings she said

I just finished with the payment processing now but I had a little
problem with the mover they said they can only schedule the pick
update and time after they receive their money for the pick up and
shipping fee via Western Union in their head office in Baltimore,MD,I was
left with no choice than to add $1830 for the shipping fee and $170
for western union charges to the payment i sent to your paypal account
just now.PayPal will instruct you on how to get the money sent to the
mover.I believe that since payment has been made, the advert should be
taken off the site and please do let me know your free date and time
so that i can give it to my mover to use it to register the date and
time they will be coming for the pick up in your location.I hope to
read from you as soon as you send the shipping fee to the shipping
agent so we can fix a pick up date. Its nice doing business with you.

sounded fishy already, so i said ok i don't have the 1830 to wire she then asks how much do you have? i say 150 she says try to get 500 i say i have it she says ok western union it over to to the address of mr felix Johnson whos adress so happens to be marlyand university was apparently a suprise for father,
here is some more chat log maria murphy Jan 10 (6 days ago)
The Payment has been made, I receive another message from Paypal now,They sen...

Removed (BW) Jan 10 (6 days ago)
You caught me off guard, Did we mention anything about a shipping fee? How mu...

maria murphy Jan 10 (6 days ago)
Hi Adrian, I have sent the payment, the shipping fees is include the payment,...

Removed (BW) Jan 10 (6 days ago)
xxxxxxxxxxx please call or have someone give me a call, very lost

maria murphy Jan 10 (6 days ago)
Hi Adrian, I told you am on conference right now in my previous email, kindly...

Removed (BW) Jan 10 (6 days ago)
ok. I will take the ad down once payment is confirmed, (in the process.)

maria murphy Jan 10 (6 days ago)
Ok waiting to have the scanned copy of western union, Maria

maria murphy
Jan 10 (6 days ago)

to me
have you sent the money? email me back with the scanned copy receipt now

Removed (BW)
Jan 10 (6 days ago)

to maria
Sounds great. Awesome taking care of it now.



maria murphy Jan 10 (6 days ago)
Ok I will look forward to the scanned copy receipt of western union once you ...

Removed (BW) Jan 14 (2 days ago)
Hi Maria. We dont have the $1830 in cash. Can you please release the $1830 to...

maria murphy 4:18 AM (20 hours ago)
Hello, You need to try and get the 1830 dollars send before they post the mon...

Removed (BW) 5:02 PM (8 hours ago)
dont know how to kindly tell you i dont have $1830...

maria murphy 5:03 PM (8 hours ago)
how much do you have ? so they can post the money into your account

Removed (BW) 5:08 PM (8 hours ago)
150$

maria murphy 5:10 PM (7 hours ago)
try to make it 500 and send it so that they can post the money into your account

Removed (BW)
10:46 PM (2 hours ago)

to maria
i have 500 .. send it to them via paypal?

Welcome to Scamwarners adrianyoung00,

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. The scammer is using a free email address and a fake name.

The scammer sent you a fake Paypal payment. He has a fake Paypal address from a free email provider. The payment looks real. Its a screen shot of a fake payment. He 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.

I had the privilege of running into this scammer recently. Never initial discussion part about the car as I google'd the email address just for giggles and found this site that just confirms the suspect feeling I received from the inquiry about the car.

Unfortunately there are folks out there that will be desperate to make the sale and fall for this scam. Thanks to sites like this, there can be a trail of malicious examples that can one day save someone from a major headache. Below is the email I received:

Thanks for the mail. I am interested in buying the vehicle and I hope
everything is in perfect condition. I'm ready to pay your asking price
but not cash in person because I'm currently in a conference and calls
are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option is
PayPal, its safe fast and secure and i will be responsible for the
PayPal transaction charges so you can get your expected amount. If you
don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy to open one,Just
log onto http://www.paypal.com and sign up. I hope we can make the purchase
as fast as possible? As I am buying it for my dad and I'm pretty very
sure he will love it, he's an handy man, so if there is anything that
need to be fixed in it just let me know he will handle it. I have a
mover that will come for the pick up once payment clears in your
account and he will handle the documentations and changing of
ownership on my behalf. I'll look forward to hearing from you with
the information below so that I can make the payment this morning as
soon as possible.

Your PayPal e-Mail Address :
Full name:
Zip code for pickup:
Firm Price:

Maria

My response:
Maria,

Although Paypal is legitimate, it is not an option for us. Check back in a couple of weeks I am sure the car will be here.. On Monday I am sure you can set up a wire transfer remotely if you are serious.

that's when the communication ended.

Added quotation. (BW)

Hey guys, just registered at this site to say that "Maria" is back at it.. I put a truck on Autotrader, and literally within the hour I got a text asking for engine and bumper pics.
The number they used is 301-966-2359

Then this email:
Thanks for the mail. I am interested in buying the vehicle and I hope
everything is in perfect condition. I'm ready to pay your asking price
but not cash in person because I'm currently in a conference and calls
are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option is
PayPal, its safe fast and secure and i will be responsible for the
PayPal transaction charges so you can get your expected amount. If you
don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy to open one,Just
log onto www.paypal.com and sign up. I hope we can make the purchase
as fast as possible? As I am buying it for my dad and I'm pretty very
sure he will love it, he's an handy man, so if there is anything that
need to be fixed in it just let me know he will handle it. I have a
mover that will come for the pick up once payment clears in your
account and he will handle the documentations and changing of
ownership on my behalf. I'll look forward to hearing from you with
the information below so that I can make the payment this morning as
soon as possible.

Your PayPal e-Mail Address :
Full name:
Zip code for pickup:
Firm Price:

Maria


Heads up everyone....

Want to say a big THANK YOU to this website for the feedback about this scam. I posted an ad on AutoTrader this afternoon and received the EXACT same e-mail as everyone else! I appreciate the heads up and will absolutely check this site for everything first.

Welcome to Scamwarners trisha518,

I am glad this site was helpful to you. If you have any further questions please ask.

Please post any information like email address, name and script if it differs from what is already posted.

Yep, I also posted a vehicle on Auto Trader 3 days ago and almost immediately got the same email and followup contacts allegedly from PayPal telling me that the money was there. Of course when I went directly onto PayPal in another browser, there was no money there, so I thought I'd have a bit of fun with "her". I told her that I was going to do as she said and send the money via Western Union. I pulled down a sample Western Union form from the internet, printed it out and filled it in. Then I scanned it and emailed it to her. She wanted the "fund" (note the grammar and tenses that she uses also gives this scam away). The money was to be sent to the Auto Shipper (Victor Johnson). the address was bogus. It was a government building in Baltimore and not part of the scam.
Victor Johnson, 2301 Argonne Drive Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
We began a texting marathon about the whereabouts of the money and the confirmation number. This went on for 2 days. But she did then make a mistake. Instead of texting "she" must have hit the call button in error. My phone rang and they had hung up. I waited a couple of hours and then called back. I then engaged the BLACK/MALE who answered telling him that I went back to the Western Union office and corrected the error. I asked him if he was "Victor" and he said yes and asked me for the confirmation number.
His telephone number was 404-484-4166. He had a slight island accent.
I then received a text from "Maria" who obviously was in contact with "Victor" - could well be the same person. Anyway after a few more texts it was falling apart so I told her that I was playing her and that was the end of it. So there is now an additional known telephone number for this scam.

Welcome to Scamwarners razzel,

Thank you for updating this thread. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask.