craigslist San Diego Scams? (1 Viewer)

Location

United States

Joined as I'm in the market for a 100 series. I can't figure out if these ads are scams or not. They all seem to have similarities. Low miles, similar descriptions, same steering wheel wraps... I don't know. Just wondering if anyone has previous experience with ads like this. Thanks.

2006 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD clean title.

Hi Guys! So sad to let our baby go but it’s time for a new home! This is a 1 owner vehicle. We’ve purchased it from Toyota dealership brand new. It’s in mint condition, all service is current....

sandiego.craigslist.org

2002 Toyota Land Cruiser Clean Title

Selling my Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD 100 series. With factory navigation system, power windows, power door locks, dual power seats, leather, moon roof, tow package, running boards, roof rack. Took...

sandiego.craigslist.org

2001 Toyota Land Cruiser 4wd Clean title

2001 low miles Land cruiser. Ready to go anywhere and back. California car with no rust at all. The Land cruiser is the legendary 100 series and more luxurious with better options. It has full time...

sandiego.craigslist.org

2001 Land Cruiser Pristine cond. clean title.4WD.65k miles

Hey, we have decided to sell our 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser after owning it 18 years. It’s been well maintained and kept in garage.Very low (65k) miles.No scratches or dents. Seats are in excellent...

sandiego.craigslist.org

 

[ace10]

First Ad doesn't raise too many red flags.
2nd Ad looks to be from a flipper.
3rd and 4th ones looks reasonably legit.

I don't see all that many similarities between them, other than the #1 and 2 both misspelling the work "break," but that's a common mistake.

First step in smoking out a scam is to ask for the VIN (tell them you want to run a fresh Carfax) and then ask for a couple of pics of areas which wouldn't normally be in an Ad. I suggest the release handle on the upper rear hatch (it's an area which will show rust) and the VIN sticker on the driver's door pillar.

If you get their phone number, just plug it into your google machine and scan the results. Scams and flippers will often show up in multiple results.

 

[LCMoneyPit]

I would be very careful. I think there's been someone around SD doing this for a while. I keep seeing the ad for the 2006 coming up every couple of weeks. There are also these:

craigslist - San Diego low mile LC

Looks super nice. But I haven’t been able to get through to seller. Good luck if someone can. https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ctd/d/del-mar-2001-land-cruiser-pristine-cond/6983180027.html

forum.ih8mud.com

craigslist - San Diego 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/d/san-diego-2003-toyota-land-cruiser-4wd/6911223732.html Anyone have any knowledge on this cruiser for sale in SD? I've seen it posted for awhile, and at one point several weeks ago I saw the post was "flagged for removal" which makes me suspicious. But...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[mateoDesertRat]

Ask the seller to give you the VIN. No VIN = SCAM. Not one of those ads includes the VIN. Normal sellers almost always do.

Ask the seller to send you a Carfax. If they send you photos of a Carfax (rather than the real thing) or if you cannot make out the VIN = SCAM. Not every seller has a Carfax. But the scammers will try to fool you with fake / doctored ones.

Ask the seller if you can send someone to do a pre-sale inspection. If they refuse / pretend not to know what you are talking about / offer to "have it done for you at the dealership" = SCAM. You may not actually want to send an inspector, but the seller should at least be willing to.

NEVER EVER wire or otherwise wire a deposit to a seller to hold your place unless you have verification that it is all legit. You'll never see your money again if you do. My guess is that is the end-game with these scams. "I have lots of interest, send me $1500 and I will hold the vehicle for you."

 

[BudgetLC]

I believe the third and fourth ones are the same vehicle. They have license plate frames from the same auto body shop, the same license renewal tags, and the same mark on the cup holder door.

 

[Doug 50]

Joined as I'm in the market for a 100 series. I can't figure out if these ads are scams or not. They all seem to have similarities. Low miles, similar descriptions, same steering wheel wraps... I don't know. Just wondering if anyone has previous experience with ads like this. Thanks.

2006 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD clean title.

Hi Guys! So sad to let our baby go but it’s time for a new home! This is a 1 owner vehicle. We’ve purchased it from Toyota dealership brand new. It’s in mint condition, all service is current....

sandiego.craigslist.org

2002 Toyota Land Cruiser Clean Title

Selling my Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD 100 series. With factory navigation system, power windows, power door locks, dual power seats, leather, moon roof, tow package, running boards, roof rack. Took...

sandiego.craigslist.org

2001 Toyota Land Cruiser 4wd Clean title

2001 low miles Land cruiser. Ready to go anywhere and back. California car with no rust at all. The Land cruiser is the legendary 100 series and more luxurious with better options. It has full time...

sandiego.craigslist.org

2001 Land Cruiser Pristine cond. clean title.4WD.65k miles

Hey, we have decided to sell our 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser after owning it 18 years. It’s been well maintained and kept in garage.Very low (65k) miles.No scratches or dents. Seats are in excellent...

sandiego.craigslist.org

I had the same concerns, about the same vehicles!

 

[Land949Cruiser]

The vehicles are real, the miles are rolled back. Get a VIN and get your own carfax. Do not accept their carfax as they doctor them up. I know a guy who bought a 2004 from him, 68k miles on the seller's carfax. When the buyer got home, he became suspect, got his own carfax and it had 260k.

 

[schuy2147]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to reach out and see where they go...but I'm willing to bet they're all going to be scams. It's a shame. I was excited to see some low mileage 100's at reasonable pricing.

 

[LCMoneyPit]

This one just came up near Seattle, but I don't know anything about it.

Toyota Land Cruiser

*****Due to all the low ball offers of 18k and 20k. Please dont contact me if you plan on offering me something like that. If you already emailed me inam in the process of getting back to each of...

seattle.craigslist.org

 

[Land949Cruiser]

We should all email the scammer in San Diego and set appts. to see the Land Cruiser (s). But never show...
Let's waste his time... I will set my meeting across the street from the Police station. lol

 

[Land949Cruiser]

Then call in a report for a suspected stolen car... Because he won't have the Title in his name I bet.