SHO Scam Alert
By Don Mallinson
updated 4-25-05

NOTE: that the scam on used cars and in some cases parts continues without letdown.  Read on to see what it is all about:

One of our SHO owners has been taken by this scam, and at least one other contacted.  It seems to be by the same person, but I have no real way to know if the conversation below was by a scammer, so I will hide the identity of both scammer and scammee. 

If you get a similar offer, I think you can pretty much believe that you are being scammed.  You will wind up with LESS money and at least still have your car.

If you decide to pursue any such deal, I recommend you have the money wired by Western Union or deposit and WAIT several weeks to make sure the check is good.  NEVER give money back to someone buying something!  This is almost ALWAYS a scam. 

Here is the conversation (exactly as it was sent to me (with identities removed):

This was the original contact to our SHO owner:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: xxman xxxx [mailto:xxxxcart@outblaze.net]
> Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 4:52 AM
> To: 
> Subject: 1992 SHO:  enquiry
> 
> dear sir,
> i am an auto agent in west-africa.i will like to know how much
> you are willing to sell this 1992 SHO:  I'm highly intrested in buying
> it.I would like to know your last offer on this 1992 SHO:  and what is present
> condition.
> Regards
> xxman
> -- 
> Get your free email from http://www.outblaze.net
> 
> Powered by Outblaze

Our SHO owner then responded with car information/pictures/price. and got the reply below:

-----Original Message-----
From: xxman xxxx [mailto:xxxxcart@outblaze.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 3:22 AM
To: 
Subject: that is my offer//1992 SHO:  enquiry


hello,
thanks for your mail, i will make you and
offer for 4,500 for the car with some agreement i will be contacting my
client in the usa know and told him the car is $9,900 and he will issued
a cashier check of $9,900 to you i just want i just want to know may as
soon as you received the check from my client i will be able to count on
you for the balance as soon as you received the check and sent it to my
personal assistant via western union money transfer so that i will be
able to used it to pay my shipper to come and pick up the car from your
place and if you have agreed to do me this favour you can sent me you
name and address which and cell phone which the check will been sent to
so that i will be able to forward it to my client in the usa for the
issued of the check ok thanks regards
xxman...................................


Note that I have removed most of the description of the car in question to protect the identity of the SHO owner.  I noticed that the "content" of the letter seems to be somewhat automated with the exact same detailed description of the car repeated in the above notes several times.  

So there you have it.  A scam of the first order.  One owner has already been taken for several thousand dollars, I hope I prevented this owner from getting taken.  I hope he took my advice and contacted the authorities.

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