Caveat Emptor!

Like virtually every other popular marketplace website on the internet, FSBOMarine.com has become a target for scam artists around the globe. To help combat these frauds, FSBOMarine has teamed up with other popular sites to address the issue, and has been in contact with US Government officials at the FBI for help.

While we work on the problem, we would like to share some of the recent scams that have been submitted by some of our listers. Thanks to you all for working with us, and please read these carefully. I have included the names and e-mail addresses of the scammers, but protected the names of our members (of course). Please note the frequent poor grammar and misspellings. Seems like a common thread.

Also, please be aware that we are working on restricting site access to the US and Canada only, as many of these appear to be generated from overseas.

Here are some examples:

EXAMPLE SCAM 1:

From: Alex Buckwalter
To: (FSBOMarine.com Member)
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 7:44 AM
Subject: Payment statues/shippinginformation.......CONSIDER YOUR BOAT SOLD

Hello,

I have forwarded your boat information to my client and after evaluation and due to time constraint on the fact that we are running short of time. I'm delighted to tell you that my client has recommended your boat, with full interest and he has instructed me to carry on with his
transaction,he hopes the engine is serviced and oil changed too He cant wait to see the boat.
However,My client made out a certified cashiers check of($84,000) before he travelled to germany for death of his daughter,for a previous boat and its shipment charges etc,but it was
unfortunately sold.The amount on the check he deposited for the boat is bigger than what should be paid to you now, so the check is now meant for the total expenses which includes the purchase of your boat,the pick up of the boat from its present location and the shipping charges/other
necessary shipping arrangements. However he has instructed us to carry on with this transaction. So you're required to deduct the cost of your boat ($76,500)and send the balance of($7,500) to the Agent ( our shipper ) for him to be able to offset shipping & tax charges, and other cosmetic repair costs.After payment has reached you and balance sent to shipper, the shipper's agent will come for inspection, pick up (of boat & signing of title papers), make some cosmetic touches and take it to a prepaid shipper to be shipped to my customer.and also conclude other necessary shipping arrangements.so you dont have to bother yourself about the pick up and shipping arrangements.

Please Confirm this and provide name,address and phone number for check payment to be delivered to you via fedex courier .

Thanks and God bless.

Regards,
Alex Buckwalter.

EXAMPLE SCAM 2 (A real winner):

This is an inquiry from FROM ROSE GUEI
E-mail:
Contact Number:
FROM ROSE GUEI
Abidjan cote D`Ivoire
West Africa.
E-mail=

Dearest One,

I am the first duaghter of an ex military/ex president been an opposition party to the present Government of COTE D`IVOIRE. On the 19th sept 2002 my father/mother including every members of our family was murdered by the unknown REBELS during the time they attack our house by shooting and looting, even this is one of the things that contributed to the present crisis in our country today.

God so kind I was not in town when the incident occurred, the plans of the REBELS is to kill every members of our family so that no one will rise up to revenge as time goes on. I am in our country without any one knowing although I am on hiding so that the unknown REBELS will not get to me and kill me like they killed all the members of our family. Why I still stay back in our country is to transfer the $18.5mUSD which my late father deposited in the custody of one of the SECURITY ASSISTANCE COMPANY,here in Abidjan,he deposited the fund as a family treasure containing AFRICAN ART WORK FOR EXPORT for security reasons, as security company does not operate as bank where some one can deposit his/her money openly.

Before the death of my father he gave me the covering documents of the fund deposited in the security company, as I am his first duaghter and he so much loved me that was why he made me the beneficiary of the two iron trunk boxes containing the $18.5mUSD.

Right now I wish to transfer this fund to you so that you will assist me to invest the money into any viable sector in your country, also you will help me to join you in your country for me to start up a new life with you there immediately the fund gets to you. since I am no longer safe as far as Africa is concern at the moment, I wanted to transfer the fund before leaving the country because this fund is my last hope and the only hope I have now.

Before I even pick you to assist me I have prayed and slept over it asking God to provide for me a Godly minded person that will assist me in this transaction. I will give you more details of the transaction in my next mail with my pictures ok.

Awaiting to here from you.
Thanks and God bless you.

Miss Rose Guei.

EXAMPLE SCAM 3 (This is an early contact e-mail that leads to the scam):

This is an inquiry from robert lee
E-mail:
Contact Number: 07722729334

Hello,
My name is robert lee I'm highly interested in your ads Pls,what is your last price ??
Tell me the present condition. Don't include the shipping charge my shipping agent will come for the
pick up at your location. As soon as the transaction is deal.He'll arranges for the shipping to
uk,Preffered method of payment is a certified check or cashier's check. I'll be expecting your mail soonest.if really you are very interested. Send pics if really available.Give me the last price.
Pls reply today.

EXAMPLE SCAM 4:

This is an inquiry from john mike
E-mail:
Contact Number:

hello seller

i have a client that is interested in your power boat place on advert,i will want you to get back to me with your last asking price,the presence condition,the reason why you want to sell it as well as the nomal pics for closer look,mind is mode of payment is via cashier check as my shipping agent
will come for the pick up as soon as you have received the payment any cash it in your bank immediately,okay,kindly get back to me asap,thanks

my regards

EXAMPLE SCAM 5:

NOTE from the Webmaster: This was a boat I listed at double market value. I've tried to recreate most of the thread for you. First, the bait:

This is an enquiry e-mail via http://www.fsbomarine.com from:
Sherry

HELLO SELLER,
I SAW YOUR ADS ON A CLASSIFIED SITE . I AM INTERSETED INTERESTED IN IT..I WILL LIKE TO KNOW THE CONDITION OF THE ITEMAND MORESO I WILL LIKE TO KNOW THE ACTUAL PRICE..EXCLUDING THE SHIPPING CUS I WILL HANDLE THIS MYSELF VIA MY SHIPPER..I NEED YOUR FAST REPLY SOON FOR ME TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND MORESO I NEED YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS AND TEL PHONE NUMBER FOR ME TO GET THE CHECK SENT TO YOU CUS I WILL BE PAYING VIA CHECK GET BACK TO ME IF THIS IS OK BY YOU
REGARDS

And my reply:

Sherry,

Which "item" are you inquiring about?

Thanks,
Vin

"Sherry's" Reply:

hello sir
can i know what of the item you have in stock so i can know what to pick ?

Come on now. What items are listed on FSBOMarine???

Example Scam 6:

This is a compilation of several incidents reported to us, all involving a "buyer" named John Frederickson with the e-mail :

Part 1 - The Inquiry

This is an inquiry from John Fredrickson
E-mail:
Contact Number: (206)600-4535
Hi,
I want to make an enquiry about your ad.
Please do get back to me for further enquiries,if the boat is still for sale.

Thank you.

Part 2 - The Follow Up

Subject:
Urgent enquiries needed......... - 2001 Bay Boat
From:
John Fredrickson
Date:
Wed, 24 May 2006 09:38:22 -0700 (PDT)
To: (FSBOMarine.com Member)

Hello ,
Thanks for your reply,Am glad to hear from you and must tell you that am so much impressed with the descriptions of your boat.Based on this,i made the enquiry to know if it's still for sale.

I am delighted to tell you that I appreciate your response,since the boat is still for sale.With full interest,i will like to carry on with the transaction.
Please do answer the questions listed for more clarifications.

1)Would like to know the person in charge of selling the boat ?

2,How is the present condition of the Engine?
3, Has the boat been involve in any accident?
4,Pressently does the boat has any electrical/mechanical defaulties?
5,Where is the boat been presently located?
6,Would like to know your last price for final decision ?

We hope to receive the answers to the questions above as this will help us know how to go about the purchase procedures.

Thank you.

Part 3 - Another Follow Up

Subject:
PAYMENT STATUS,GET BACK TO ME ASAP....
From:
John Fredrickson
Date:
Thu, 25 May 2006 09:42:25 -0700 (PDT)
To: (FSBOMarine.com Member)


Hi (FSBOMarine.com Member),
How is life treating you? hope fine.Well i have concluded with my colleagues over your firm price,with no doubt ,our final discussions sounds very okay,i mean,our boat has been recommended and your firm sale price(US$9,500 ) has been accepted.

Please you are hereby advised to stop entertaining other buyers for now to avoid complications.

Concerning your payment,presently we are expecting some huge amount of funds from our business partners,however a provision of a certified bank check of US$5,000 has been made, which will be send to you as a down payment to show our seriousness and also holding on the boat.

As soon as the expected funds is paid to us,then we will be coming for the completion of your full payment in cash and signing of title papers/other necessary documents required,after change of ownership has been completed,then we will arrange for the pick up.I hope this is okay by you.

Please confirm your acceptance by forwarding a full legal name to be written on the check ,postal mail address and contact phone #,so that the down payment will be send to you immediately.

I will looking forward to receive your reply unfailing today.

Your co-operation will be highly appreciated.


Thank you.

Added June 21, 2006:

This is an inquiry from brad irene
E-mail:
Contact Number: +447024063002
Good Day Sir/Madam,

My name is Brad irene,I am an American,I worked with the British Embassy in the united states until I was transfered to our headquaters in the U.k on an offical asignment.
Please can you email me with a response to the following enquires as regards to the sale of the boat.
1...Where are you located?
2...Have you ever had an accident with the unit?
3...What is your last asking price?
4...Were you the first and only owner?
5...Can you send me its newest photos?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks.
Brad irene

So...

So I don't know what to say. I've been in touch with some of the largest boat sites on the net, and we all face this. We're working hard to address the issue, so please be patient, and - most important - be aware. Don't fall for a scam. Caveat Emptor! (Let the buyer beware!)

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