There are some questionable characters on Gumtree: I found this one in the process of selling my car.
This is the story of “Ben” and what can only be described as THE reverse swindle of 2014.
* In memory of Aunty Sandy’s near-swindle of 2013 and Susannah Morcombe’s very real swindle of 2006. May this give you the closure you so desperately seek.
Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 19:18:13 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Hi – I was enquiring about your car – what’s the present condition and final price of your Gumtree Ad, best way to get me is via this email.
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My Astra is in great condition and the final price is 11,000
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 19:34:13 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Thanks for getting back,i’m cool with the price likewise the condition as described on the advert,i work with New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) and we are presently offshore in New Zealand Taranaki Basin on kupe project.We do not have access to phone at the momement and that’s why I contacted you with internet messaging facility.Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my ANZ bank account,please get back to me with your paypal details so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your bsb acct name and number if you have no PayPal acct.I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct. Await your reply
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That sounds amazing – I’ll even throw in some car mats!
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 21:15:00 +1100 Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Advise acct details
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My price has gone up – I want $11,500 for it. Let me know if you’re still fine to go ahead.
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 23:33:58 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Ok no worries
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Thanks for being flexible.
Unfortunately I’ve just had an offer from another guy who can come round and pick it up tomorrow and he said he’s happy to pay the original asking price of $12,000 😦 SORRY!!!
I hate to do this, but I think I’m going to have to go with him, purely because I’m a struggling uni student. Lol!
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:01:51 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Ok no worries i’ll do $12500 for quicksale
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Make it $13,000 and you’ve got a deal 🙂
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:04:13 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
ok fine
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I’m so sorry to do this to you, but I forgot about the mags 
They are apparently valued at $250 each, which would mean that I forgot to include another $1000 total to the asking price. I must, in all fairness, request $14,000 for it.
I completely understand if this is now too much, but I’m sure I can find other people who are willing to buy it at that price…
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:09:15 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
appy sale then
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Ok, ok – you called my bluff. I’ll take the $13000 firm.
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:14:26 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Advise acct details
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Just to let you know – I went to New Zealand six months ago, and we just thought it was the most beautiful place ever!!!
(My lover actually proposed to me there and we’re about to be married next month which is why I’m selling the car in such a hurry. Baby on the way!!)
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:29:07 +1100
Subject: Re:
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Wow congrats
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Thanks! We’re pretty excited – one month til beautiful baby Shaniqua comes along!
Is it alright if I give you Rodriguez’s account details instead? He reckons he knows it off by heart. Let me know if you have any problems, though, and I’ll get him to properly check it when we get home from the gyny 🙂
Account No: 84999973
BSB: 017-431
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 11:26:43 +1100
Subject: Re:
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Advise the acct name
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It’s Manuel-Pedro Rodriguez
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 11:43:15 +1100
Subject: Re: Car
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Ok good,i will let you know when payment has been made and also contact my pickup agent regarding pickup arrangement but am trying to sort out with the pick up agent hope to sort it out soon.You will receive a confirmation email when done.
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Awesome – let me know if Rodriguez missed any numbers out, and I’ll wait to hear from you about pickup.
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Tue, Jan 14, 2014 11:48 +1100
Subject: Re:
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Ok
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Date: Tue, Jan 14, 2014 12:04:14 +1100
Subject: Re:
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
I was just about to pay when i had this little problem with the picking up,my pick up agent says i will need to pay for the pick up before they can schedule a pick up date and time with you to deliver to Northern Territory,Australia,they charged me $950 for pick up and delivery,and payments for pick up made through them is made to their corporate international headquarters which is in China and the payments is made through western union money transfer,i will add the $950 to the money i will send through the transfer as soon as i have made the payments,i will email you and let you know and please i will need you to help me send the money to my pick up agent Headquarters in China through western union money transfer,this can be done at any western union section at the post office or online (http://www.westernunion.com.au),there is always western union money transfer section in most post offices.Thanks.
Let me know if it will not be a problem helping me,so i can initiate the transfer.
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Sounds legit.
So does that mean that you need me to pay the $950 and you’ll reimburse me when you pay the cost for the car (ie. you’ll pay me the $13000 plus $950?)
Rodriguez told me to watch out for internet scams, but I believe in the innate goodness of humanity. I’m happy to do it, but you’ll have to give me a few days to get the money together. We’re in the middle of decorating the nursery and that little scamp is bleeding us dry before she’s even been born!
Kind Regards, Megan.
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Hi Ben, ready to send $ through – just wanted to confirm that you will be paying me the $950 on top of the $13000. Please let me know asap.
Also, when will the car be getting picked up by your guy?
Kind Regards,
Megan.
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Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 06:22:17 +1100
Subject: Re:
From: pitt.ben624@gmail.com
To: megsjessie@hotmail.com
Yes. Will reimburse. It will be picked asap
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Hi Ben,
Manuel Pedro-Rodriguez has just noticed that he has a rather large goiter on the side of his neck.
The only doctor that operates on this particular type of goiter is located in Paris, so we have to find a way to get some extra cash quickly.
I will now have to charge you $15000 for the car. Is this ok?
Kind Regards, Megan.
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Hi Ben – I haven’t heard back from you. I’m assuming it’s because you think that paying for someone else’s goiter removal is unfair???
Guess what? So is stealing.
Moooohahahaha – playa got plaaaaaaaaaaaaayed.
I wrote a special ditty for you. It’s called “Ben and the case of the backfired Gumtree swindle.” Enjoy:
I once met a guy called “Ben,” who was a dirty, stinking schemer.
All his friends routinely mocked him cos he had a teeny wiener.
What led to his life of online crime? We may never understand.
A bit like wondering how Nickelback ever made it as a band.
I hope he gets a real job and stops telling naughty lies
I hear The Colonel’s hiring – I can see him shovelling fries.
If Benji hears this message then I recommend he listens
I’d hate for him to serve hard time in a grotty all-male prison.
P.S. Happy has an ‘h’ in it. ‘Appy’ is not a word.
P.P.S Your grammar is also a crime.
P.P.P.S Let’s keep in touch.
megsjessie 