Craigslist, Kiiji, AutoTrader, Etc. Scam:

The scam works like this.  Communication is always by text or email for some made up reason such as they are deaf, they deployed and can't use their phone (then how did the text get out?), etc.  They think your item as described is perfect.  They might ask a few questions about it, and then will pay your asking price, sight unseen, because they are never around close by to come look at it (they use the stationed somewhere in the military a whole lot, or working overseas, or on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean, or simply fill in your own job here).  They will give you an extra $40 or $50 to hold it for them.  Then they tell you they will send a cashier’s check or money order for that amount plus extra for the “shipper”.  They ask you to wire that extra money by untraceable means such as Western Union or Moneygram.  The check or money order turns out to be bogus and you end up out the money you sent plus the bank fees.  Also, if the check is big enough you may end up being charged criminally.  Take the check and the envelope it came in to the post office and have them forward it to the postal inspectors.
In the case of them using PayPal, the same thing happens.  They send a fake email looking like it came from PayPal, get you to pay the shipper, and then find out that the e mail was fake and no money is available.

he called me from 614-916-9943
same m.o.

I got the same message yesterday in response to my car:

"Thanks for your response. Please understand that I am not around for inspection due to the nature of my job, I serve in the U.S Army as a CAS(Civil Affairs Specialist (38B)) currently on active duty and its been quite busy on the field these days with lots of restrictions, strictly no calls for security reasons but we have secure access to the internet as our major means of communication for now. I am OK with your asking price and if you don't mind, I can only pay through PayPal at the moment be cause its the most secure way to make or receive payment online this is why I'll prefer using PayPal to pay you, all I need is your PayPal email to make the payment and if you don't have a PayPal account, its pretty easy to set up at www.paypal.com. I have a few questions for you.

Are you the original owner? How long have you owned it? Whats its condition, any damages and what is your reason for selling?

I hope you consider my offer. I am ready to buy. I'll arrange for pick up after you have confirmed and received payment.Thanks for understanding, hope to read from you soon."

I thought it seemed strange that he was ready to buy after no test drive from his "agent" first. But I went along with it.... I mentioned there was a dent in the bumper, so he requested photos of the damage. After I sent him photos of the car (though I thought it seemed strange he requested them because he should have seen them in the actual ad),

He responded in less than 10 minutes, ready to pay:

"Thanks for the pictures I have taken a good look at them and i am satisfied.For record purposes please send an invoice or payment request from your PayPal account to timscotts707@gmail.com so I can make payment. I will need your address or an address where the agent can meet you for pick up please include your cell number. Regards."

Without even a test drive??? Just seemed too easy for me, to be real.

Then when I didn't respond within 2 or 3 hours I get:

"Hello any progress?"

And again this morning:

"Hello do we still have a deal here?"

Well I looked him up and find this....and it's no surprise.

Texted from 303-219-2660
Still up for sale? Kindly reply to my email timscotts707@gmail.com for a better conversation.

Same M.O.

Thank you!! I got the same message from trying to sell my car on Craigslist so I did respond.