Hi all. This is my first post on the forum. I've been lurking through the site for the past few weeks absorbing knowledge as I would like to purchase an FZJ80 Land Cruiser. I recently came across a very similar scam and thought I would share it as it has gotten a bit more sophisticated than the above, with many similar elements. Maybe this will help somebody avoid getting scammed.
In summary: Vehicle is in Canada, seller is in the Middle East for work, vehicle is available because Seller's father passed away, and has contracted a professional shipping company to manage the transaction. The shipping company is similarly named to some legit companies, but does not appear to be legit as Google searches do not find it, despite them being in business for 15 years and being an international company. Their website is 20-days old and full of stock photos and little information.
Details of the shipping company they are pimping:
Central Transport Limited, based in South Portland, Maine
Website created 9/26/2019 and registered in Bahamas
Email with all the juicy bits:
From: Terry T G <
ljar687@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Toyota Land Cruiser
Date: October 17, 2019 at 9:17:21 AM CDT
To: MikeyGU2
Hello again,
You can call Steven from Central Transport Limited at +1 (207)800-4522 and he will help you with everything. If he is not answering just leave him a voice mail and he will get back with you.
The company is Central Transport Limited. Please read their HOW IT WORKS webpage:
Central Transport Limited - Buy it ! Enjoy it ! and decide if you are agree or not.
To be able to start this transaction you need to register on Central Transport Limited website. After the registration is complete they will notify me and I will be able to start the transaction.
Thank you
From: Terry T G <
ljar687@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Toyota Land Cruiser
Date: October 17, 2019 at 8:27:39 AM CDT
To: MikeyGU2
Hello,
the car has zero problems.
Clean title, reason for selling is that the car belonged to my father who recently passed away.
I don't need another car so I decided to sell it.
At the moment, the car is in storage in Calgary, AB, Canada. I was forced to put it in storage because of a bad buyer, he told me that he had the money ready and when I shipped the car he said his loan hasn't been approved. I will not repeat the same mistake, so if you need a loan I don't think we can deal.
The price includes shipping to any state. The car has an US title. Because of the fact that I am quite busy with my job and unable to travel back to the States (at the moment I am located in middle east) I will use a professional shipping company, they act as a 3rd party.
They will protect both of us in this transaction and will take care of the entire sale process from payment, shipping, title transfer service or/and (if needed) returns and refunding.
There is a 7 days inspection period, once you will receive the car in which you have the possibility to do an inspection to any authorized service of your choice before the company will release any money to me.
If you are interested I can give you their contact information, you can call them and they will explain you how this deal can be done in a safe manner.
I have attached the pictures to this email.
Thank you