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 Post subject: I have been scammed --lost $2500
PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:01 pm 
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Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:58 pm
Posts: 3
First, a little background about myself. I am a senior in college and have been on my own for more than a year now. I work in an office on campus and that is how I support myself. I am also disabled and have a service dog to help me with daily life.
I am in desperate need for a vehicle. I finally was able to get on Medicaid and I really need to go to the doctor to try to figure out some medical problems. The doctors that accept Medicaid are in another town. Also, I am helping with a research project in the spring and need to get to and from the univeristy barn to feed the horses. I saved up money for months for a vehicle.

I had found a 2003 Toyota Camry on Craigs List for $2490. I contacted the seller to learn more. His name was Joseph Fowler. His email was: josephfow@mvgmail.com. He said we would do business through a third party for our mutual protection (Business Pay --supposedly part of Business.com) and that he would pay to have the vehicle shipped to me himself. He said he was selling the vehicle because he was being deployed to Afghanistan this month.
This is the email I received from him when I responded to the ad:
Hi, If you are interested in my 2003 Toyota Camry, it is in perfect condition, with no need for additional repairs, no scratches, dings, special marks whatsoever. It has 33,888 miles and the VIN # is: 4T1BE30K13U219412. It has a clear title ready to be signed and notarized on your name. I have the pictures hosted on the net and you can see them at:http://mynetimages.com/album/spencer1819/The car is located Doylestown, PA and the shipping is my responsibility. The price is $2,490 including shipping costs anywhere in the continental US. There are no other costs regarding this transaction. I am selling the car because I am in the army, and my unit will be deployed to Afghanistan in December. The transaction will be closed only through a 3rd party and this way we will both be protected. My time is limited due to my job in the army so I decided to use a service from Business Pay. To begin the transaction I'll need your full name and shipping address, I will forward the details of our transaction to Business Pay and then you will receive an invoice from them. The car will be shipped insured to your location with DAS and you will have 5 days for inspection. Thank you very much for your time.Joseph Fowler.
I received the invoice from Business Pay. It looked legitimate. I followed the directions they gave me and I sent the money to the Business.com agent via MoneyGram and received a confirmation email.

But then I didn't hear the seller for several days. So I emailed him again. I went back to look at the Craigs List posting and it had been flagged for removal. So I went to the forums and asked about it. Everyone that responded told me that it was a scam --that the people took my money and that there was nothing that could be done.

It all looked so legit. I was so excited about finally having a vehicle after walking everywhere for 4 1/2 years that I've been in college. I'm graduating in May and I need a vehicle to get to work --I was looking forward to being able to go to the grocery store and not having to not get things because I had to carry them back home. I was looking forward to finally being able to go to the doctor (the doctors that take Medicaid are in other towns).

Now I am out $2490 and will have no car.

I contacted the University Police Department and filed a report. I also filed one with IC3.gov. I gave UPD copies of all the emails, of the invoice, and of the Craigslist ad.

What else can I do? I am in a desperate situation. I really was depending on getting that vehicle that I now know probably doesn't even exist. I am out money that I didn't really have to spare --I have enough money to feed myself and my service dog and to pay bills, but I'll have to save for another 5-6 months to get back the money I lost.

Any advice will be ost appreciated.


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 Post subject: Re: I have been scammed --lost $2500
PostPosted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:29 pm 
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Site Admin/Co-Founder

Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 10:09 pm
Posts: 2921
You have done the right thing by alerting the police and IC3.gov, and posting all of the information about the scammer here.

Have you thought of contacting the media? I am sure that they would do a story on a disabled college student who got scammed . . . at Christmas time on top of it! Maybe some kind hearted person that has a car they are looking to get rid of will see the story and want to help you out.

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Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of http://ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Share your story with the media and educate others about scams! Details here http://scamvictimsunited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=6319
Sign our petition http://www.change.org/actions/view/crea ... s_programs
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 Post subject: Re: I have been scammed --lost $2500
PostPosted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:20 am 
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Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:58 pm
Posts: 3
I sent an email to the editor of the paper, but it's been almost a week and I haven't heard back. Do you think it would be okay to give them a phone call?


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 Post subject: Re: I have been scammed --lost $2500
PostPosted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:48 pm 
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Site Admin/Co-Founder

Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 10:09 pm
Posts: 2921
YES!

They are busy, and get a lot of letters. When you call, it could push yours back to the top of the pile and bring it back to their attention.

_________________
Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of http://ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Share your story with the media and educate others about scams! Details here http://scamvictimsunited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=6319
Sign our petition http://www.change.org/actions/view/crea ... s_programs
Follow our blog http://scamvictimsunited.wordpress.com/
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch
_______________________________________________
Has this site helped you?
Buy us a coffee to say thanks ~ http://www.scamvictimsunited.com/donations.htm


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 Post subject: Re: I have been scammed --lost $2500
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:30 pm 
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Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:58 pm
Posts: 3
I called back in December, but nothing ever happened with the paper. I have never heard back from the police, either.

But I was able to get a car in January from a local dealer who was willing to work with me --a 2007 Ford Taurus!


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