Auto-Trader/Pay Pal Scam?

I am trying to sale my car and would like to know if this sounds like a scam. I think it does. I placed my car on auto-trader, this person emailed me wanting pictures of the engine, so I sent more pictures. So the following emails are between the two of of, the person claims her name is Rose South (very generic I think).

Rose:
Thank you for getting back to me,can you assure me that i will not be
disappointed if i buy this Vehicle as a Birthday gift for my Dad? as
I'm ready to pay your asking price but not cash in person because
I'm an Oceanographer and i am presently on a contract which will end
in couple of months,the contract is strictly no call due to the lack
of reception on the sea area,but I'm able to access my mail through
my laptop and my only quickest payment option is PayPal,its safe
fast and secure and i will be responsible for the pay pal 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 on to
(www.paypal.com) and sign up.I hope we can make the purchase as fast
as possible? as my Dad's birthday is fast approaching,am 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


Amy (Me):

Hey! Wow an awesome gift for your Dad, my Dad just bought an older model mustang himself! Where is your Dad located? As far as the car, I've had it on Craigslist for about a month. I just got engaged and we just need to get rid of one car! I love the car and truly hate to see it go! I do not mind being completely honest with you. Since I've listed it on Craigslist a popping in the dash started, not all the time. I took it to a trusted mechanic who said it was the blendor motor. The part was around $60 and the labor itself is what would cost the most because they have to go through the dash to replace it. I originally had the car listed for $11,000 and knocked $1,000 off the asking price so whoever buys it can budget to fix that. I was told it wouldn't cost $1,000 to fix anyway. But if your Dads a mechanic he can most likely do it himself. It does not affect how the car runs or drives at all, just makes a noise when you change the air/heat from like your feet to your head. I just need the $10,000 firm to pay it off and get the title. The car has always had the oil changed properly and on time. It's never been wrecked. Never left me stranded. Clean title. Just recently put a new battery in it and new tires. No problems out of this car what so ever except the one above. Actually most reliable car I've owned. I bought the car from Auto Sports in Hickory, NC. the owner of the dealership sales more Mustangs than any other cars. I used to drive it daily but don't even drive it during the week anymore, it's mostly a weekend car to us. Like I said I love the car, just drive a Chevy Cruz now and need to get rid of the extra car payment. Anymore questions please don't hesitate to ask! Still interested? If so ill send you my info. and we can get the transaction started!

Rose:

Thanks for been so honest about this car, i think i can trust on you with this and proceed.my dad is a perfect MEC and he's going to fix up anything needed around the car himself.i will like to purchase this from you faster before any other buyer come over for it,do let me have your paypal email address and the firm price so that i can proceed with the payment and we can arrange or the best time after payment clear.hope to read back from you soon.Thank you

Amy (Me):

Rose,

I have discussed this with my bank and they will have to hold your funds for a minimum of 10 business days maybe longer to verify there is no fraudulent activity, since its such a large amount of money. I'm sure you understand and have no problem with this. If you need this done any faster please send the funds to someone you know and have them bring me cash.

Rose:

Okay, noting is wrong with that i will wait for your bank to verify but first i will have to transfer the money to your paypal account first,I will be concluding with the pickup firm now and will be getting back to you as soon as the payment had been made, kindly have this advert deleted on AUTO-TRADER since i have agreed to proceed with this deal.and get back to me with your cell phone number
Rose

Amy (Me):

We have experienced fraud before that is why I am so careful. I will remove the
ad from auto-trader whenever the money clears. Paypal recommended a 3 week hold
as well for such a large transaction. This wait time can be avoided, if you
would like to send someone the funds and that person bring me a certified check.
My cell number? Can you communicate via phone now? If its for the moving
company, please provide me the name of the moving company.

Amy (Me):

I have had a cash offer so unless you can get me cash consider the car sold.
Thanks

** I have not sold the car yet but when it comes to "Rose" the car is sold if she ever ask again. Kind of funny she was very quick to respond to my emails and has stopped responding after I told her we have experienced fraud before and that I wanted cash only!!

Scam !!!

There is a reason that as soon as you said cash only "Rose" has gone quiet

If she contacts you again please ignore "her"

Hello awatts06 and welcome to scamwarners.

Yes, it is a scam.

It is the typical online selling PayPal scam. The scammer will send you a fake email pretending to be from Paypal that a payment was made to you. These emails are not from Paypal. They are from the scammer. In this particular scam the scammer does not want your vehicle. He wants to steal your money. He will send a fake payment over the price of the car. Then he will tell you to send the over payment to his mover / agent via Western Union or Money Gram. He will tell you a lie that PayPal is holding your payment until you send him information on the payment to his agent / mover.

If you send the money to his agent you will never get that money back. Also, please note these scammers will send you fake checks and money orders. Never cash these checks or money orders. Your bank may cash them but later your bank will inform you of the fraud. You will have to re-pay the bank and lose the money you sent to the scammer. You may be also report to Law Enforcement for Fraud.

It is just best to sell in person at a public place with cash.

Bryon

I got an email from a revjohn who says he's on a mission and can't pay in person. He's on a mission alright; a mission to take advantage of me. I called my bank and then Googled Auto Sales Scams and PayPal.
When I replied that I would research the PayPal option I got a phone call from someone who cannot speak English with a Texas number. 214.612.3977. My email was from a [email protected]. I just replied and said I had sold the car. ITS a SCAM.. Beware - I didn't fall for it..

My ad just went live today and I already received 2 identical emails:

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 am serving in the US army and
currently been deploy to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany 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 my dad 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
would appreciate if you email me with more pictures (if available) too
since i won't be able to see this in person. I look forward to hear
from you with the information below. I look forward to hear from you
with the information below.

Is there a way to report these scammers?

Hello Juliebv,
There is no real way to stop these scammers. What does help is posting the email addresses and telephone number here to help other quickly identify the scammers by doing a search on contact information.