Craigslist "Ebay Vehicle Protection Plan Scam"...?

Question

I jst got scammed out of $8000. I responded to an ad on craigslist for a car. The seller wanted to use the "Ebay VPP" to insure both sides were protected, I got a five-day inspection period, same story as what I now know is a common scam. I wired the money directly from my bank account to theirs, I didn't use Western Union or Moneygram. I have their account information, its Bank off America and its in California. Surely they can track this. Is there any way I can get my money back?

Answer 1

Number one rule when buying something expensive, DO NOT use wire transfers. It's just SO easy to scam someone with a wire transfer.

Look at the craigslist anti-scam policy, #2 is to never wire money. http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.ht... Maybe look at the info they have listed there and see if there is anything you can do. From what i hear, once your money has been wired to someone, its gone. There's not a whole lot you can do about it since its probably been withdrawn already.

Maybe go to your local police department and see if they can offer you any advice or help you out.

Answer 2

Dan, sorry, but it's 99% gone.

Typically, they open and close accounts quickly, and take out the money the minute it's available. Then, they move on. They have become VERY good at this over the past few years. They are all overseas, move around well, and have perfected this scam to appeal to the minds of U.S. folks. The cars don't exist (the pics you see are plucked from other legitimate ads).

Call the cops ASAP, and see if anything can be done to "try" and trace the bank account.