eBay Phishers, ever caught one out?...I just did...

[MD]

There I was surfing the net and looking for cars, deciding I would like to buy a new one in the near future was easy, deciding what to buy was harder, so I took a look on eBay and saw a Mini, ok I had not considered one, but at this price, and fully loaded, it was just too good to miss out on, so I asked the seller a question....

"Hi there, I am interested in this mini, please can you advise what sort of price you are wanting for the car? I see you quote £6000 but want clarification on the actual price you are looking for.

Many thanks."

Within 3 minutes I had the following reply....

"Hello,
Thank you for your interest. First of all you should know that the car is in excellent condition, mechanically and aesthetically intact, no damages, no hidden defects,.
Although my eBay account was initiated in U.K., I'm located in Germany for the moment and I'm willing to ship the car from here through Lufthansa Air Cargo and cover the shipping and insurance fees to your location. The total price is £6000 (shipping included) and I want 50% downpayment so I can start the shipping. The price is low because I need some money to rearrange a store here in Germany, and I thought selling this car on ebay would be a good idea.
I would like our deal to be supervised by eBay and Square Trade. I prefer to receive the payment by wire transfer and this way I can arrange the shipping the same day that I validate the transfer. In case we have a deal I will notify eBay transactions department so they can inform you about my reliability and how we can proceed with this transaction in a 100% safe way.
If you are further interested in purchasing the car (it has a clear title) and to start an eBay secure transaction, in which you will be 100% protected, please let me know as soon as possible:
- your full name
- your address
- your eBay user id
I'm waiting your reply in order to go on with this deal.
Thanks"

Cue alarm bells louder than the local fire station. Most people would have reported it to eBay, but I decided to have a play.... he got this reply..

"Can you please advise me which escrow service you are planning to use?
Obviously you say it will be supervised this way, but I presume the
wire transfer will be done through escrow for my own security."

Within 3 minutes....the following came back...

"I'm sorry but I will not use escrow or other method..
As I told you our deal will be protected by eBay's Square Trade.
Let me know if you agree."

Then I decided to finally get him at his own game....

"I would, but I work in internet security, and as far as I am aware
there isn't a Turk Telecom in Germany, but I would advise you to
cancel the auction and take your phishing elsewhere, otherwise this
will be reported to eBay, I have all the details I need and will
report you unless the auction is removed within 15 minutes.

Is this your ISP per chance?

address: Turk Telekom
address: Bilisim Aglari Dairesi
address: Aydinlikevler
address: 06103 ANKARA
phone: +90 312 313 1950
fax-no: +90 312 313 1949
e-mail: abuse@ttnet.net.tr


Your choice."

The reply? Comical to say the least....

"I'm sorry but I have other ip at my computer because my son change the proxy to make jokes with his friends."

So let me get this stright, you know your IP has been changed and yet you still use it, yeah, cos thats intelligent...

Basically, within 5 minutes the listing disappeared and the account the person was using went no longer registered, I suspect this was reported to eBay before I did, but all the same I had my little part of evening entertainment and satisfaction....

Ahhh well, better get back to the car hunting...

Matt.

[EvilMunky]

Nice

[Howard]

One word:

Owned.


Good job

[Nick F]

It's always good when you catch them at their own game. Anyone remember thay guy who sent bricks and stuff to that Nigerian scammer

[MasterFlash]

top stuff Matt

[shiato storm]

pwned...

[oralpain]

Never used ebay.

[XA04]

Haha, This reminds me when I was playing with the mind of a Nigerian scammer via email

[Dougal]

I still think the p-p-p-powerbook was thebest one ever

[Mike Fishcake]

Matt - übercool. Excellent work!
Dougal - Yes! If that's the one I'm thinking of, that was hilarious!

[ajbrun]

Dear Sir/Ma,

My Name is Senator Seth Dangote. The Executive Chairperson Pension funds committee in the senate of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. I am writing you to earnestly Solicit for your assistance in helping to receive some sum of money.I got your E-mail address on the Internet while searching for a reliable and reputable person to handle this transaction.

THE PREPOSITION:

We have the sum of US$21,000,000.00 (Twenty-One Million Dollars) that we intend to transfer overseas through the assistance of a foreign partner. This money came as a result of the unclaimed pension funds over the years due to the over invoiced claim put forward by my committee but the pensioners have already been paid for their claim.

What is left is the over invoice amount of US$21,000,000.00 which has been deposited in a bank. I have agreed to transfer the funds overseas for my campaign funding, private use and for investment purposes with your help. I am contacting you herefore, to stand in as the beneficiary to process this fund into your custody. I will provide you with 20% for assisting us and 5% for expenses.

The fund shall be transferred to you legally in accordance to all laid down procedures governing transfer of funds.I have perfected all modalities for the successful transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary.

Finally, I have to reassure you that this transaction is risk free and should be kept absolutely confidential,you should also include your telephone, fax and or cell phone numbers if any, for secured communication between us.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.I await your response.

Yours Regards,
Senator Seth Dangote.

I just got that. I don't quite understand exactly what he wants, but it smells of scam.

[bertie]

Doing things like that is a mini hobby of mine, a friend of mine had this nigerian going for a month or so phoning him and eventually letting loose a ton of expletives over the phone and reporting him to the police. Not that the police gave a damn hehe.

[Dougal]

I just got that. I don't quite understand exactly what he wants, but it smells of scam.

Basicly u give him money, he doesn't give u any back.

[mike_w]

Basicly u give him money, he doesn't give u any back.

A bit like a Conservative government then?

[Nemeliza]

A bit like a Conservative government then?

lol

Surely no government would ever do that to its own people

[Yohji]

pwned...

fo sho