Advice for an International transaction
 

Does anyone have any experience selling a cobra/car to someone in another country?

I have had an email response from a gentleman in West Africa that has offered to purchase my car sight unseen, and have arrangements for it to be shipped to Africa. When I questioned him about the source of his funds, he explained that a US client of his would send me a certified check, and then he would make arrangements with a shipping agent here to have it picked up and shipped overseas.

This seams to be such an unusual request, and I am concerned about the legality of such a transaction, as well as the legitimacy of this person.

Any advice/experience is appreciated!

-Nimble

It's a SCAM! Sad thing is, many people fall for it.

Seems to me there is a thread on this forum that dealt with this type of arrangement before....
Can't remember the particulars but it was a scam....

On the other hand- If you have the cash in hand (not a check)???

Avoid it! This type of scam normally requires you to give bank details that can then be used to syphon money from you. Remember the old adage " If it's too good to be true it probably is."

Get as much info on them as you can, then forward to the appropriate authorities.

Having sold my first Cobra to a gentleman in Germany, and with several other big ticket automobiles going to several other countries, I can tell you right off that it is a "cash in hand" transaction every time. Unless you have the cash in your account, the car goes nowhere. Now, in the case of this seemingly strange affair, I suggest you send an email back to the fellow telling him that only a wire transfer of funds will do. Open a new account just for this purpose, as you never want to give out your regular account information to anyone, whether you know of them or not.Once the funds have cleared your bank (and only then), transfer the money out of that account and close it down. You can then notify the buyer the funds have arrived, and send him your assorted paperwork and export information (yes, there are forms for you to fill out before the car leaves your possession)......Once that is accomplished, the seller and buyer can arrange for transfer of the car.


Hope you find this helpful.

Yours In Exporting Fords,

Bill S.

PS: Always tell the buyer that the car is located in a safe secure area (not at the address you have given him), so you do not let them know that the car might be unguarded at any given time.....Better to be safe than sorry in this case. I have not had any cars stolen personally, but know of at least two or three folks who have......Saying something like, "I won't be home till after 5pm", or "I'm away from home for a few days" is not a good idea.........

Fraud Alert
 

I believe this is definitely a fraud. My wife informed me of this type of scam in the horse hobby, as well.

See: www.dreamhorse.com/fraud.html

Go to my site and click on 'Latest Nigerian Scams'

http://www.priveye.com

Roscoe

PS: Tell him to wire you the cash via Western Union.

r

Before you automatically jump on the "it's a fraud" wagon, I would give Mr. Mustang's advice a ride first

Once you have the cash in hand...... and only then.....

Bill S's advice is all well and good when you are dealing with Germans but anytime you deal with 'West Africa' you are 99% sure you are being scammed. These Nigerians are not stupid people and counterfeit all types of bank instruments and have had the victim withdraw the funds AFTER the cashiers check cleared only to be told by the bank a week later that it was a fake.

Even with a wire I would wait at least 3 weeks before I touched that money. Stick with Western Union cash.

West Africa IS a fraud wagon. Do the research. That small section on my site devoted to Nigerian frauds is but a pittance. I have probably 1000 emails soliciting scams from Nigerians. Unfortunately I've also recieved dozens of phone calls from people who have lost alot of money.

Roscoe

I fully agree with Roscoe. Nigerians have a very bad reputation. The bank I work for also gets a lot of "amazing offers" from people form Nigeria. They send a fax or an e-mail and you never, never meet them personally. We were strictly advised by our internal lawyers not to respond to such letters and to inform our corporate legal departement immediately after having get such proposals. They will then put it on our internal watch list.

Be careful Nimble and insist on a cash first transaction or - better - wait for a more trustful offer.

Regards, Walter

Once again, this is why I like wire transfers. into an account set up strictly for a particular transaction. Once the money is there, switch it to your regular account, then close the account the money was wired into....Nothing could be simpler on your end, with very little paperwork from your banks end as well.......


Bill S.

The simpliest transaction is Western Union Cash. Buyer pays fees and all you do is go to your local WU office and count the money.

Roscoe