Craigslist Tractor Scam

Hi I just joined this forum to post this listing from craigslist. Another too good to be true sale that is too good to be true. I'm glad there were so many red flags that went up before I even decided to pursue it further. This was for a 2008 Kubota M6410 tractor (should go for about $25,000) for $7800. When I emailed to see if it was still available and could I look at it, this was the reply:
Hello, thank you for your interest in my 2008 Kubota M6040 4x4. The tractor is in excellent running condition with 62hp and only 86 hours on it.The bush hog is brand new (6 foot). I recently moved in Augusta, Maine and I have the tractor with me. I will ship it from here on my expense through DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers).The payment will be handled securely through eBay. They will handle the financial part of this transaction, I will only take care of the shipping. If you want to make this purchase, the total price is $7800 (the shipping is included). I ask a little for this great tractor because after my late husband passed away I was forced to manage all the debts. Following the financial crisis I cannot afford to pay the banks and I decided to sell the tractor. I don`t want to waste time on advertising the tractor at the true value. If you're willing to make this purchase, contact me asap and let's start the transaction. Send me your name and address so I can start the case with eBay. They will contact you by email with instructions.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Maria

This made me even more suspicious so I replied that I was near Augusta, and could I come and see it run, and possibly pick it up with my truck. Here is the second reply:
I'm sorry but you cannot pick it up because the tractor is already on shipping co. possession crated in a truck along with all documents waiting for a destination. The tractor will be shipped from here on my expense through DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers) directly to your door and the shipping process will take around 2-3 days. I'll be paid by eBay only after you will receive and test the tractor (you have 5 days for inspection ) If the tractor is not in same condition as I said you will ship it back on my expense and ebay will send you a full refund. I had another customer in Canada, Ontario who said he will buy the tractor ,and after I made all shipping arrangements and paid for it, he changed his mind. And now, if I want to retract the tractor I will have to pay $1599 insurance tax.. this is why I need to ship it. Please get back to me with other questions you may have if you are interested in the purchase !

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Maria

My wife then read about this kind of thing on this site, and so I flagged the postings (there were five) and within an hour, they were all gone! Here is the email header:
Maria White <[email protected]>

Hallo Jay - thank you for posting the details of this scam.

Including the e-mail address (as you have already done) will help others if they are searching for the Scammer's details.

Hi Everybody:

I live in Central Am{erica and am trying to locate a tractor and after it, to pay and pick it up. Here it is what I found.

I include the scammer´s address: [email protected]

Check the emails. My name is José







De: Thomas Fiskher <[email protected]>
Para: edited out poster's address to protect from being flooded with spam and scams - Dotti
Enviado: dom, octubre 24, 2010 7:15:45 AM
Asunto: RE: Kubota tractor


The tractor is in excellent conditions, with everything working on it, the reason I selling the tractor is that I bought the tractor in United States and I moved in Greece with my family and my business. The tractor is here in my yard , I can't use it and I can't sell the tractor here because all documents are available in United States, I can't register the tractor here. Now I can't come to the US to sell the tractor because I'll lose a lot of time and money, my only chance to sell the tractor is to find a buyer in the US. I can ship the tractor to your home address, you'll get the tractor in about 10 days working, the tractor will stay in your custody 2 days and you can inspect it, then you decide if you buy the tractor or not.
I am going to be responsible for transportation fees, so when you get the tractor you'll inspect it and if will be problems with the tractor you won't buy it, so I lose the transport fees, I know that my tractor has no problem and you'll buy it. I use an international shipping company , they act as a third party and will protect both of us in this transaction. I tried to explain as best I can if you have another questions leave me your phone number and I'll call you.
The price is very good, you will not find another tractor in such nice condition.
I'm waiting your e-mail, I hope to make a deal with you.


Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2010 06:03:08 -0700
From: jxxx
Subject: Re: Kubota tractor
To: [email protected]

Where can I see it personally?

What is your address?

Thanks in advance


José

De: Thomas Fiskher <[email protected]>
Para: jxxx
Enviado: dom, octubre 24, 2010 6:04:47 AM
Asunto: RE: Kubota tractor

The tractor is still for sale. It has a clean title, very well maintained, no exterior damages and no mechanical problems,low hours . You'll love the tractor ,I can guarantee you that. It has been well taken care of, I can assure you !!! The tractor has never been broken or damaged, and it has the original painting, the pictures speak for themselves.
Thank you and I'm looking forward to hear from you soon

Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2010 12:00:31 -0700
From: xxx
Subject: Kubota tractor
To: [email protected]

Hi:
I want to know if you still have the Kubota. Where can I see it?

Payment type accepted?

Thanks


Jose

Welcome, and thanks for posting.

As you already probably know, this is a definite scam. There is no tractor, only a scammer who wants your money.

I cant thank you enough , I was about to buy a Lexus from a US car listing , when I decide to do a google on the seller Thomas Fiskher and to my surprise , your page came up and the same replies you got , I got . Thank you again

Sorry , I forgot to mention when I replied to the add I sent an e-mail to [email protected] and received an e-mail from [email protected] . Thanks .

Hi everyone. I found this to be very helpful and wanted to share a similar one that I have been involved in with a John Deere. Too good to be true, is too good to be true! Below is the conversation that I had with "Dorothy Otten"

Update: Here is the email address they used - [email protected]

First email after I asked if it was still available:
hi Rob! my 2008 John Deere Tractor is still for sale,it has no problems at all. My asking price is $2,500. Probably it deserves more, but I'm asking this price because it was my husband's tractor, he loved it very much, but he didn't enjoy it...He died 9 months ago and now...I don't need it anymore. It brings me very bad memories and I want to get rid of it. The tractor is in very good condition inside and out, and it runs great. The tractor has just over 113 hours on it and was primarily used to cut grass. It comes with a 54" deck and 200cx front end loader, snow removal push box, pallet forks, John Deere 48" box scraper and a 2" receiver hitch.
I travel a lot with my business and I want to make this deal through eBay's Buyer Protection Program as they work like a third part for a successful and smooth transaction.If you're interested please let me know. Dorothy

More Pictures: http://www.use.com/HzDd9
Thanks!

My Response:
Hi Dorothy, I am definitely interested. Is there any way I could take a look at it when you are available and bring cash? I don't mind using eBay, but I like to see the tractor in person before buying it.

Final Response from "them":
hi again Rob,the 2008 John Deere Tractor is located at eBay warehouse in Provo,Utah. It's already sealed and waiting to be delivered anywhere (i will pay the shipping so all you have to pay is only $2,500). Like i said, we will use eBay Services so we can both be protected and insured. the tractor will arrive at your address between 3-5 days and you will have five days to inspect it. Once you inspected it and decided to keep it, you will confirm your decision to eBay and only then eBay will re-route the money in to my account. But, if by any reason, you won't be satisfied you will ship it back on my expense and eBay will give you a full refund. In this way you will be able to inspect the tractor before committing to buy and as you see I WON'T GET ANY MONEY UNTIL YOU WILL SEE AND TEST IT!
If you want to start the transaction with eBay just reply here your full name, full address and phone number then eBay will contact you by e-mail with an invoice and explain better the whole process...thanks! Dorothy

As you can see, this is very similar to the Kubota. Beware everyone!!!

Welcome to scamwarners,

Please post the email address this person was using as this will help others avoid this scammer.

Welcome to scamwarners,

Please post the email address this person was using as this will help others avoid this scammer.

Done, thx...good call!!

For the bots.

[email protected]