by George Dyke

———

It’s par for the course for me to get at least a dozen emails a week about Citroën related matters.  Many point out interesting things folks have come across on the net.   I really appreciate the interactive dialogue and try incorporate this ‘Citroën potpourri’ into our Blog.

On February 7, Michael Banovsky peaked my interest when we sent me a link to an ad on autotrader.ca selling a 1981 Mehari.   The car was listed in Quebec.  The ad said it was in perfect condition.  There were 5 photos of it that appeared to show it beautifully restored.   And the sale price was $2,600 CDN.

272_1 272_2 272_3 272_4 272_5

Too good to be true?   I thought so.

But for $2,600 why not inquire and see if it really is a bargain?  Maybe the owner thinks it is just an old car and he’s prepared to part with it because he only paid $2K brand new.  Maybe he just wants to get his initial investment back.   I have some time on my hands.  People have contacted me about scams they have encountered trying to purchase on the net.  Let’s see where this one goes and I’ll document what happens along the away.

I’m glad I did.  No I didn’t get the car, but I did get first-hand insight as to how scammers work selling cars on the internet.  An experience I’m happy to pass along to you so you won’t be taken if you are considering buying a car online.

When evaluating any ad, here are 5 things that should make you suspicious:

  • If it looks too good to be true, there’s a 99.9% probability that’s the case.
  • If the seller does not clearly identify, most likely you are dealing with a con artist.
  • If the seller says he is not in possession of the car, – Red Flag!!
  • If the seller is willing to deliver the car to your door as part of the purchase price, – be very weary!
  • If the email exchange you have with the seller is not very coherent, that’s also a flag for extreme caution.   (Though in cases where you know the owner is trying to communicate with you through language translation software, such as Google Translate, that can be acceptable.)

And these 5 things are what you should be looking out for BEFORE you discuss any payment terms!

In my case, all 5 didn’t pass the smell test.  I wasn’t about to send money without physically having the car in hand, but having sent an email to the vendor inquiring about the car,  I was in discussion with him.   I had some time on my hands and I was curious to see how this would play out.

Because the ad was in French I decided to respond in French.  I used Google Translate and said that I was interested in purchasing the car.  Is it still available.   I sent the message through the AutoTrader.ca website at 18:30 pm on Feb 8.

Here in chronological order are all the email exchanges I went through.   And in italics, some comments from me on what was transpiring at each stage.

——————-

On Feb 9, 2014, at 6:07 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
Bonjour

Je vous remercie pour votre réponse.Je vends bien ma Citroën Méhari de 1981 pour un prix de 2600 $ .Elle a été confié a un garagiste pour être remise a neuf.Le kilométrage est de 22.100 au compteur.

Attached to this email were the same 5 photos from the ad.
Then, I noticed another email had come in 6 minutes later.  The same text but translated into English.

——————-

On Feb 9, 2014, at 6:13 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
Hello
Thank you for your reply.Well, I sell my Citroen Mehari of 1981 for a price of $2600.It has been entrusted has a garage to be delivered has nine.The mileage is of 22,100 on the meter.
Cdlt

The English was suspect, but the vendor could have been using Google Translate, as had I.  First concern was that he claimed he did not have the car in hand.  So I wrote a response email to to get more details from him:

Thank you for your reply,
I an translating with Google so I hope I understand your e-mail correctly.
The car is for sale? Yes?
If this is the case, I will buy it.
I can come to pick it up.  I can pay you cash!
Just to confirm the price, I will pay is $ 2,600.00.  Yes?
If you need a deposit, please let me know where I should send it.  I would prefer to pay you the full amount in cash.
I live in Toronto.
I can get it as soon as you wish.  Maybe one day this week?  Or this Sunday, February 16?
You said it in a garage right now?   Please let me know address.
Do you have a phone # where I can call you?  I speak a little French, so I hope we can discuss the details of the sale.

Thank you,

George Dyke
36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5

Tel: 647-896-3202
:

———(my actual email – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2014 10:58:03 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Merci pour votre réponse,

Je traduis par Google alors j’espère que je comprends votre e-mail correctement.

La voiture est à vendre? Oui?

Si c’est le cas, je vais l’acheter.

Je peux venir le ramasser. Je peux vous payer cash!

Juste pour confirmer, le prix, je vais vous payer est 2,600.00 $. Oui?

Si vous avez besoin d’un dépôt de garantie, s’il vous plaît laissez-moi savoir où je devrais l’envoyer. Je préférerais que vous payer le montant total en numéraire.

Je vis à Toronto.

Je peux choisir-il dès que vous le souhaitez. Peut-être un jour de cette semaine? Ou ce dimanche, 16 Février?

Vous avez dit qu’il est dans un garage en ce moment?

S’il vous plaît laissez-moi savoir adresse.

Avez-vous un téléphone # où je peux vous appeler? Je parle un peu français, donc j’espère que nous pourrons discuter des détails de la vente.

Merci,

George Dyke
36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5

Tel: 647-896-3202

——————-

To which I got the following response 2 hours later:

On Feb 9, 2014, at 12:51 PM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

Yes, the car is for sale for $2600
Me I lived in Quebec but currently I’m traveling for an agricultural product from the project I finance.Since I do not use the Méhari that is why I left the car in the garage so when I find a good buyer. I’ll put you in touch with the mechanic for an appointment so that it can move to your home with the vehicle and deliver it to you.I do not speak English but french.There is no extra cost to prepare; I already have all together with the head of the delivery.Please confirm an appointment date so that I can put you in touch with the garage.
CDLT

And this attachment:

img0130

Another red flag!   Well 3 actually; 

  1. He is traveling and I am supposed to deal with the garage. 
  2. It appears that car is going to be delivered to my house all the way from Quebec at no additional charge!   
  3. There is Belgian identity card attached but no other contact info.

Time to try to button him down and make sure this deal is real.   I will put in a bit more time, but I won’t be shelling out any money without seeing this car.   So I again used Google Translate to write in French:

Excellent! I will buy the Mehari.

I am retired.  I’m busy Wednesday, February 12, but apart from that day I am available.

One thing is not clear to me in the English translation of your email.  Will the garage bring the car to me or do I need to pick it up?   In your email you said you made arrangements for delivery of the cat and is included in the price.  Is that correct?

I suppose I will have to pay the garage for the car?   Cash payment will be OK?

George Dyke
36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5

Tel: 647-896-3202

—–———(my actual email – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2014 13:41:10 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Excellent!  Je vais acheter la Mehari.

Je suis à la retraite.  Je suis occupé mercredi 12 février, mais à part ce jour, je suis disponible.

Une chose n’est pas clair pour moi dans la traduction anglaise de votre e-mail.  Sera le garage transporter la voiture pour moi ou dois-je besoin de venir chercher-il en place?  Vous courriel dit que vous avez pris des dispositions pour la livraison et qui est inclus dans le prix.  Est-ce exact?

Je suppose que je dois payer le garage pour la voiture?  Paiement en espèces sera OK?

George Dyke
36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5

Tel: 647-896-3202

——————-

To which we responds in French 5 hours later saying the car will be delivered to me on Thursday and yes the delivery is included in the price.

On Feb 10, 2014, at 6:11 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
J’ai demandé au transporteur de passer a votre domicile le jeudi 13 février.Oui j’ai déjà pris mes dispositions pour la livraison qui est inclus dans le prix.
Vous pouvez joindre le garagiste au +14378883181 .

OK so far!   But then says contact the garage at +14378883181 .   So I Google the phone number 437-888-3181.  There is no contact listing.  So I try an area code search for 437 and Goole reports that this a new area code for the Toronto area!   Very suspicious.   I tried the number 3 times and each time I get message in French saying the person I’m calling is not available.  Odd that I am calling a local number.  Could this be a big enough scam outfit that they have many local numbers and are able to call forward them to some call processing centre so something?   But if that’s the case why didn’t someone pick-up?   OK, I’ll play along for now as I do a bit more research and sent back an email to try make him think things are moving forward.  I write:

Perfect. I will contact the garage and confirm delivery arrangements.

Thank you.

George

—–———(my actual email – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 09:34:02 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Parfait.  Je vais contacter le garage et confirmer les modalités de livraison.

Merci.

George

——————-

To which I get this one word response 3 hours later:

On Feb 10, 2014, at 12:10 PM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
Ok.

OK really didn’t tell me anything. I figure I’ll be proactive in trying to bring this murky stew to a boil.  So I write:

I tried to call +14378883181 three times now, but every time I call, I get a message saying that the person I am calling is not available. It does not allow me to leave a message. Would you please have that person contact me. I would like to talk to them so that I can confirm delivery details for Thursday?

Thank you.

George

—–———(my actual email – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:10:13 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

J’ai essayé d’appeler +14378883181 trois fois aujourd’hui, mais chaque fois que j’appelle, je reçois un message disant que la personne que j’appelle n’est pas disponible. Il ne me permet pas de laisser un message. Pourriez-vous que cette personne me contacter. Je voudrais leur parler afin que je puisse confirmer détail de la livraison pour jeudi?

Merci.

George

——————-

One hour later I get this message:

On Feb 10, 2014, at 6:24 PM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

Please contact the garage at the 0014378883181 or his email: garagisteautoservice@gmail.com.I can not join it on his phone so I let you to its service.Please let me first your full address so that I can let myself to him personally.
Cdlt

The English is terrible, but could it be because of the translation?    Now the number is in European format.   Hmmmmm.   And he is asking for my address which I already gave him in previous email.  Oh well, I already gave him my co-ordinates so I’ll send them again in case he doesn’t recall seeing them.   And I’ll write the garage at the email address he provided.

—–———(my actual email to Francis Pairiot- in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 19:07:23 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Mon adresse est:

36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5

(Près de les intersections de routes;  401 & 404).

Tel:  647.896.3202
email:  citroprez@gmail.com

George Dyke

—–———(my actual email to the garage- in English – and I included a French translation) ——————

From: George Dyke <citroprez@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Delivery of a Citroën Mehari on behalf of M.Pairiot
Date: February 11, 2014 at 12:43:03 PM EST
To: garagepaul autoservice <garagisteautoservice@gmail.com>

Hello Paul Garage,   (French text to follow below).

This email is to confirm that the address you have for me is correct.  I tried to call your number (289-206-1127) this morning to confirm but got voice mail and left a message.

You can deliver the Citroën Méhari along with the paperwork to me on Thursday.  I will be in all day.

The payment arrangement for the vehicle I have made with Mr. Pairiot is that I am to give you $2,600.00 in cash upon delivery.  I presume he will make arrangements to get that money from you once you inform him you have delivered the vehicle.

As you have stated, Mr. Pairiot has informed me he has already paid you for the maintenance and transport of the vehicle to me.   So the total owing at delivery will be $2,600.00 that I will pay to the person delivering the vehicle.

I trust this meets with your approval.  I look forward to receiving the Citroen on Thursday.

George Dyke
647.896.3202
citroprez@gmail.com

Bonjour Paul Garage,   (texte français à suivre ci-dessous).

Cet e-mail est de confirmer que l’adresse que vous avez pour moi, c’est correct. J’ai essayé d’appeler le numéro (289-206-1127) ce matin pour confirmer, mais j’ai reçu la messagerie vocale et laissé un message.

Vous pouvez fournir la Citroën Méhari avec la paperasse pour moi le jeudi. Je serai toute la journée.

L’arrangement de paiement pour le véhicule que j’ai fait avec M. Pairiot, c’est que je suis pour vous donner 2,600.00 $ en espèces à la livraison. Je suppose qu’il prendra les dispositions nécessaires pour obtenir cet argent une fois que vous l’informez que vous avez livré le véhicule.

Comme vous l’avez dit, M. Pairiot m’a informé qu’il a déjà payé vous pour l’entretien et le transport du véhicule pour moi. Ainsi, le total dû à la livraison sera de $ 2,600.00 que je vais payer pour la personne livrant le véhicule.

J’espère que cela répond à votre approbation.  Je suis impatient de recevoir la Citroën jeudi.

George Dyke
647.896.3202
citroprez@gmail.com

——————-

11 hours later I get this message from the vendor:

On Feb 11, 2014, at 5:03 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
J’ai bien pris note de votre adresse. Et veuillez m’excuser je me suis trompé en vous envoyant le tel du garagiste ; jai fais une confusion ; comprenez c’est l’age.
voici son tel  +12892753036 .

Cordialement

The message again is in terrible English, but essentially apologizing that he gave me a wrong phone number.   He claims to be an old fellow and the number he meant to give is: -12892753036.  So I Google 289-275-3036.  Again there is no listing but the area code points toward the Pickering Ajax area which is just east of Toronto.  Why would his garage be there.  Could it be that that is the number for the driver working for the transport company and he might live in that area?

I give the number a call.   Again I get a message in French that the person I am calling is not available.  Then, 90 minutes later, (at 6:21 am from a commercial business? – another red flag), I get this message from the supposedly from the garage:   They want to confirm delivery details and say that Mr. Pairiot has already paid the transport bill, but it also says that I must close the sale with owner:

On Feb 11, 2014, at 6:21 AM, garagepaul autoservice <garagisteautoservice@gmail.com> wrote:
Bonjour M.George Dyke
Nous venons de recevoir des instructions de la part de M. Pairiot François nous demandant de passer vous livrer a votre domicile.Nous vous confirmons passer a votre domicile le Jeudi 13 février avec tout les documents de la voiture ainsi que les papiers nécessaires a signer.

Type de véhicule : Citroën Méhari année 1981 .Son contrôle technique est ok.

Veuillez aussi confirmer l’exactitude de votre adresse et tel  :

George Dyke

36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5

Tel:  647.896.3202

seule la livraison  nous concerne car M. Pairiot a déjà régler la facture avec nous en ce qui concerne l’entretien et le transport .Veuillez conclure la vente avec le propriétaire
merci en attente de vous lire

Paul Garage

+12892753036

——————-

Then 3 hours later I get an email from the garage again.  It is the same message but now there a new phone number listed just above the old one at the bottom.

On Feb 11, 2014, at 9:06 AM, garagepaul autoservice <garagisteautoservice@gmail.com> wrote:

Bonjour M.George Dyke
Nous venons de recevoir des instructions de la part de M. Pairiot François nous demandant de passer vous livrer a votre domicile.Nous vous confirmons passer a votre domicile le Jeudi 13 février avec tout les documents de la voiture ainsi que les papiers nécessaires a signer.

Type de véhicule : Citroën Méhari année 1981 .Son contrôle technique est ok.

Veuillez aussi confirmer l’exactitude de votre adresse et tel  :

George Dyke

36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5

Tel:  647.896.3202

seule la livraison  nous concerne car M. Pairiot a déjà régler la facture avec nous en ce qui concerne l’entretien et le transport .Veuillez conclure la vente avec le propriétaire
merci en attente de vous lire

Paul Garage

+12892061127

ou

+12892753036

So I try googling +12892061127. No listing but this time the area code points to the Niagara Peninsula just west of Toronto.   I try calling and this time I get a message saying that the person I am calling is not available but it does allow me to leave a message.   I tell them to give a me call back.
Oddly enough, 4 minutes after I received the above email from the garage, I get another saying exactly what was in the email from 6:21 am but both phone numbers had been deleted at the end.   And this time it came in English.  (My guess it that whoever was masterminding the scam realized they had better stick to email and kill the bogus phone numbers.  And to move things along switch to English:

On Feb 11, 2014, at 9:10 AM, garagepaul autoservice <garagisteautoservice@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello George Dyke
We have just received instructions on the part of Mr. Pairiot François asking us to deliver at your home.We confirm you pass at your home on Thursday, February 13 with all documents of the car as well as the necessary paperwork was signed.
Type of vehicle: Citroën Méhari year 1981.Its technical inspection is ok.
Please also confirm the accuracy of your address and such:
George Dyke
36 Lisburn Cr.
Toronto, ON
M2J 2Z5
Tel: 647.896.3202
only delivery concerns us because Mr. Pairiot has already pay the Bill with us with regard to the maintenance and transport.Please close the sale with the owner
Thanks waiting for read you

Paul Garage

Again, most likely this an automatic translation.  But I play along and figure now is the time to get insistent about paying for the car when I see it.  So I respond:

—–———(my actual email to the garage- in English – and I included a French translation) ——————

On Feb 11, 2014, at 12:43 PM, George Dyke <citroprez@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Paul Garage,   (French text to follow below).

This email is to confirm that the address you have for me is correct.  I tried to call your number (289-206-1127) this morning to confirm but got voice mail and left a message.

You can deliver the Citroën Méhari along with the paperwork to me on Thursday.  I will be in all day.

The payment arrangement for the vehicle I have made with Mr. Pairiot is that I am to give you $2,600.00 in cash upon delivery.  I presume he will make arrangements to get that money from you once you inform him you have delivered the vehicle.

As you have stated, Mr. Pairiot has informed me he has already paid you for the maintenance and transport of the vehicle to me.   So the total owing at delivery will be $2,600.00 that I will pay to the person delivering the vehicle.

I trust this meets with your approval.  I look forward to receiving the Citroen on Thursday.

George Dyke
647.896.3202
citroprez@gmail.com

Bonjour Paul Garage,   (texte français à suivre ci-dessous).

Cet e-mail est de confirmer que l’adresse que vous avez pour moi, c’est correct. J’ai essayé d’appeler le numéro (289-206-1127) ce matin pour confirmer, mais j’ai reçu la messagerie vocale et laissé un message.

Vous pouvez fournir la Citroën Méhari avec la paperasse pour moi le jeudi. Je serai toute la journée.

L’arrangement de paiement pour le véhicule que j’ai fait avec M. Pairiot, c’est que je suis pour vous donner 2,600.00 $ en espèces à la livraison. Je suppose qu’il prendra les dispositions nécessaires pour obtenir cet argent une fois que vous l’informez que vous avez livré le véhicule.

Comme vous l’avez dit, M. Pairiot m’a informé qu’il a déjà payé vous pour l’entretien et le transport du véhicule pour moi. Ainsi, le total dû à la livraison sera de $ 2,600.00 que je vais payer pour la personne livrant le véhicule.

J’espère que cela répond à votre approbation.  Je suis impatient de recevoir la Citroën jeudi.

George Dyke
647.896.3202
citroprez@gmail.com

——————-

Within half an hour I get this message back from the garage:

From: garagepaul autoservice <garagisteautoservice@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Delivery of a Citroën Mehari on behalf of M.Pairiot
Date: February 11, 2014 at 1:14:47 PM EST
To: George Dyke <citroprez@gmail.com>

Thanks for your mail.
We did receive your message of the + 65859160890 call. We maintain and confirm the delivery of vehicle at your home Thursday 13 to the about of 5 h in the evening.However we do handle that just the delivery of the vehicle was your home and papers to sign.We are not in the ability to receive the $ 2600 in cash; Please see regards regulation with your seller so that gives us approval to deliver you.
Well to you
Paul Garage
+ 12892061127

——————-

OK, so now we are getting to the meat if the scam.  They want payment prior to delivery.  Time to make sure I am adequately protected.  I take the initiative to write the seller:

I was informed by Paul Garage they do not have the ability to receive payment in cash for the Mehari delivery. Paul Garage needs your approval to deliver  the car to me.

I can send payment to you , but obviously I would like make sure I have possession of the car that I am paying for.  Would you accept a check or bank transfer to be send to you upon delivery ?

Alternatively, I could make arrangements with an automobile appraisal company here in Toronto to be present during delivery and to pay them the money, or pay them before delivery.  They can act as an impartial third party and keep the $2,600.00 in trust until the car is delivered.  Then they pay you.   I know a company, Classic Car & Appraisals in Toronto that does this on occasion.  I would be happy to make arrangements with them if you want.

Please let me know how you would like to be paid.  I have copied Paul Garage on this email so they can be informed what is happening and to obtain approval from you to deliver the car.

thank you ,

George Dyke

—–———(my actual email to the vendor – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 13:43:54 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

J’ai été informé par Paul Garage qu’ils n’ont pas la capacité de recevoir le paiement en espèces pour la Mehari à la livraison. Et Paul Garage besoin de l’approbation de vous livrer la voiture .

Je peux envoyer le paiement pour vous, mais évidemment, je voudrais m’assurer d’avoir possession de la voiture que j’ai payé pour.

Accepteriez-vous un transfert de chèque ou virement être envoyer à vous lors de la livraison?

Sinon, je pourrais faire des arrangements avec une évaluation compagnie automobile ici à Toronto pour être présent lors de la livraison et à payer de l’argent, ou payer avant la livraison . Ils peuvent agir comme une 3ème partie impartiale et tenir 2,600.00 $ en fiducie jusqu’à ce que la voiture est livrée.  Ensuite, ils vous payer.  Je sais qu’il est entreprise, Classic Car & évaluations, à Toronto qui fait cela à l’occasion.  Je serais heureux de prendre des arrangements avec eux si vous le souhaitez.

S’il vous plaît laissez-moi savoir comment aimeriez-vous être payé. J’ai en copie Paul Garage sur cet e-mail afin qu’ils puissent être imformed à ce qui se passe et d’obtenir l’approbation de vous livrer la voiture .

Merci ,

George Dyke

——————-

To which I get non-sensical response from the vendor saying (actual Google Translation):

Ok. I understand what you are saying. If you want me to pay directly, there is no problem and I guarantee you that it is for you that I am willing to sell it and it is as if you had already ceded, I had the garage phone just now.
I can easily receive a bank transfer of my current location but I can not receive chèque.Vous can also establish a postal receipt which will serve as payment delivery.
I am not for the idea of taking a car company because, not being stalled me, I’m a little skeptical about the conditions of modality that would settle me not. I prefer to pay directly or you can drop me a deposit if you want.

On Feb 11, 2014, at 2:49 PM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
Ok .Je comprends parfaitement ce que vous me dites. Si vous voulez me faire directement le paiement ; il n’y a pas de problème et je vous garantie que c’est a vous que je veux bien le vendre et c’est comme si elle vous était déjà cédée ; j’ai eu le garage au téléphone tout a l’heure.
Je peux bien recevoir un virement bancaire de ma situation géographique actuelle mais je ne peux pas recevoir de chèque.Vous pouvez  aussi établir un reçu postal qui servira de paiement a la livraison.
Je ne suis pas pour l’idée de prendre par une compagnie automobile car , n’étant pas surplace moi , je suis un peu sceptique sur les conditions de modalité qui ne m’arrangerais pas. Je préfère être payer directement ou vous pouvez me déposer un accompte si vous le voulez.

——————-

I guess I hit a nerve and some panic because I received a second email 2 hours later, equally as non-sensical saying (actual Google Translation):

response to your email, I took you to do the transfer tomorrow morning if not the carrier will not you come on Thursday.
because I can not do more, payment by bank transfer is already a trusted secure payment of plusses so you do not have you worried and I belly that at my age you can not confuse me with fraud.
and if I decide to sell my Mehari’s not that I need the money.
view I’ve moved twice mechanic for delivery and they have received the money nor the person even tin his laptop reason for which they refuse to take the money in hand.
I explain that they have one of these friend rob was at the back of delivery.

thank you kindly

On Feb 11, 2014, at 4:59 PM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

suite a votre email , je vous pris de bien vouloir faire le virement demain matin si non le transporteur ne pourra pas vous livrés le jeudi .
car je ne peux pas fait plus , payement par virement est déjà un payement de confiance plusse sécurisé  donc vous avez pas a vous inquiété et je panse que a mon age vous ne pouvez pas me confonde avec escroquerie .
et si je décide de vente ma Méhari ce n’est pas que j’ai besoin d’argent .
vue que j’ai déjà déplacer deux fois le garagiste pour un livraison et ils n’as reçu l’argent ni la personne a même étain son portable  raison pour la quelle ils refuse de prendre l’argent en main .
ils ma encore expliquer que l’un de ces amie été braquer lors du retour de livraison .

Merci cordialement

——————-

OK, time for me to play hardball.  I send this response to the vendor in French and include an English version at the bottom:

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:57:14 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Paiement par virement bancaire est sécurisé pour vous, mais pas pour moi si la voiture ne sont pas arrivés.  J’ai suggéré diverses façons de payer en toute sécurité.  Vous ne serez pas accepter l’un d’eux.  Maintenant, vous insistez sur le paiement par virement bancaire?  Pensez-vous que je suis sur le point de vous envoyer de l’argent juste parce que je reçois des e-mails de votre part qui ne contiennent pas d’autres informations de contact, l’adresse et le numéro de téléphone où il n’ya pas de réponse?

Toute entreprise de voiture que j’ai traité dans le passé a convenu d’accepter le paiement à la livraison.  Vous avez choisi d’utiliser Garage Paul comme l’expéditeur.  Si Garage Paul est n’acceptera pas de paiement, puis obtenir une 3ème partie appropriée en cause ici, à Toronto, à agir comme fiduciaire.  Si vous n’aimez pas utiliser une compagnie de voiture, alors nous allons utiliser un avocat.  Je peux payer l’avocat demain, en espèces, et vous pouvez savoir que l’argent est là pour vous quand la voiture est livrée à moi en bon état et avec de la paperasse bon jeudi . Est-ce que travailler pour vous ?

Je ne suis pas sur verser de l’argent par virement bancaire si je n’ai pas la Mehari en ma possession. Vous dites que vous n’avez pas besoin de l’argent. C’est très bien. Mais je n’aime pas le mien perdre.

Je suis prêt à acheter la voiture que nous avions convenu à l’origine. Vous décidez.

Merci ,

George Dyke

—— (in English) — —

Payment by wire transfer is secure to you, but not for me if the car does not arrive.  I have suggested various ways to pay securely.   You will not accept any of them.   Now you insist on bank transfer payment?   Do you think I am about to just send you money because I get some emails from you that contain no other contact information, no address and phone numbers where there is no answer?

Any car company I have dealt with in the past has agreed to accept payment on delivery.  You chose to use Garage Paul as the shipper.  If Garage Paul is will not accept payment, then get a proper 3rd party involved here, in Toronto, to act as a trustee.  If you don’t like using a car company, then let’s use a lawyer.   I can pay the lawyer tomorrow, in cash, and you can know the money is there for you when the car is delivered to me in proper condition and with proper paperwork on Thursday.   Will that work for you?

I am not about pay money by bank transfer if I do not have the Mehari in my possession.  You say you do not need the money.   That is fine.  But I don’t like to waste mine.

I am prepared to buy the car as we had originally agreed.   You decide.

Thanks,

George Dyke

——————-

Now I have got the scammers’ feathers ruffled and they send me a ‘take it or leave it’ note.  (At this point I think they know I am wise to them.)   Here’s the Google translation:
ensure much apologize if you can not pay as I say you are you can leave the car fell.
its not start me angry.
you do the transfer and the hotel will take you up a car dash.
to take it or leave it I do not force you to pay the car.

On Feb 12, 2014, at 1:55 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

veiller beaucoup m’excuser si vous ne  pouvez pas payés comme je vous es dire vous pouvez laisser tombé la voiture .
sa commence pas me énervé .
tu fait le virement et le garagiste vous amène la voiture point un tiret.
a prend ou a laisser je ne vous force pas de payés la voiture .

But it is so non-sensical.   I just can’t help but want to string them along and make them go through as much hassle thinking they might get paid, as I have gone through trying  to pin them down.  And the other I need is some inication that they demanding payment if I wish to report this to the Police Fraud Squad.  So I write:

Where do I send money?

—–———(my actual email to the vendor – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 03:00:25 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Où dois-je envoyer de l’argent?

——————-

I will at least make them think I’ve succumbed and will send money.  I recieve and email with their wire transfer info.  Now I can at least have proof they demanded how the money should be sent to them:  At the end they it states that once payment is made he will call the garage to confirm delivery tomorrow:

On Feb 12, 2014, at 11:50 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

Bonsoir

Voici le numéro du compte sur lequel vous devez  faire l’acompte de l’argent :

0260831121610701

Rib : 57

Code Banque :  BJ062

Code guichet :  01026

Code Swift     :  ECOCBJBJ

IBAN              :  BJ0620102683112161070157

Merci de m’informer une fois votre virement fait afin que je puisse appeler le garagiste et lui confirmer la livraison pour demain.

Cdlt

——————-

Bingo!  Now I’ve got their banking info.   A Google search on the swift code turns up that the account is with Ecobank in the city of Cotonou in country of Benin in Africa.  Scam for sure now!  

In the meantime, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing this before since I was using Google so much, I figured I would try uploading one of the Méhari picture he originally sent me to Google Image.  Doing so let’s you run a visual match on other similar images.   Within 2 seconds from uploading Google had found the same image (in fact all five images) in an ad for a fellow selling a Méhari in France.  

Screen Shot of French Mehari Ad

Not only that, the image names 272_1.jpg, 272_2,jpg, etc… were exactly the same was the ad.  The dummies just downloaded those pics for Mr. Pairiot’s ad and never even bothered to remand the pics!    We’ll since they have demanded money, I decided to demand an answer to the ad I discovered online.  I wrote:

Just before I transfer money to you, could you please explain:

https://voiture.lesclesdumidi.com/annonce-272.htm

—–———(my actual email to the vendor – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:19:30 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Juste avant que je fais le transfert d’argent à vous, pourriez-vous s’il vous plaît expliquer:

https://voiture.lesclesdumidi.com/annonce-272.htm

——————-

And 20 minutes later, here’s the response (actual Google Translation):
Yes I was renting my car when I was in Belgium that’s why.

On Feb 12, 2014, at 12:41 PM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

Oui je faisais la location de mon véhicule quand j’étais en Belgique c’est pour cela.

Oh sure!!    An obscure African Bank account.  The car is not in Belgium.  The car is currently listed in France and supposedly that’s were it is.   So, time to cross examine one more time and dangle the carrot that I’ll buy.   Let’s make him prove that he has the car and it is in its current condition.  I wrote:

So, the photos were taken in Belgium and not in Quebec from where I am buying the car?   The car is now in Quebec?  Is that correct?

Please have the garage that is delivering the Mehari to me take photos of the car showing it’s current state.  Also photograph the engine compartment.  And take a picture showing the current odometer reading.

thank you,

George

—–———(my actual email to the vendor – in French) ——————

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:17:13 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

Ainsi, les photos ont été prises en Belgique et ne sont pas de la voiture comme je l’acheter à partir de Québec? Mais la voiture est au Québec maintenant? Est-ce exact?

S’il vous plaît avoir le garage qui remet les Mehari prendre des photos de la voiture montrant que c’est l’état actuel. Ont également photographier le compartiment moteur. Et prendre une photo montrant la lecture actuelle de l’odomètre.

Merci,

George

——————-

An hour later here’s the vendor’s response (via Google Translation):
yes the photos were taken in BELGIUM. and yes the car is located in Quebec now, I am moving on with Quebec. I paid for the transport to come straight home I lived in Quebec or because I am much attached donations is still intact and drives very well. I washed rent because I could not have had him serve me because of my age. regarding the photos I do not understand that it is now that you bring it. If you want to change your decision, please tell me quickly so that I informed the hotel and it moves to nothing because they are not my thank you.

Cdlt

On Feb 12, 2014, at 2:39 PM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
oui les photos ont été prise en BELGIQUE . et oui la voiture se situe au Quebec maintenant , je me suis déplacer sur le Quebec avec. J’ai payé le transport pour la faire venir directement chez moi au Quebec ou je vivais car j’y suis beaucoup attaché dons elle est encore Intacte et roule très bien  . Je lavais louer car je n’arrivais pas a me servir de lui a cause de mon age. en ce qui concerne les photos moi je ne comprends pas que ce soit aujourd’hui que vous souleviez cela . Si vous voulez changer de décision  ; veuillez vite me le dire afin que j’informe le garagiste et qu’il ne se déplace pour rien car ils ne sont pas ma merci.

Cdlt

——————-

Having gone though all this, I wasn’t about to pull the $2600 money bait out of the water yet.  I did call Autotrader.ca and reported the ad I first responded to as a scam.  I knew the deal was dead for sure, but I wanted to know how the scammers would end this.  Would they just stop responding, get more aggressive, or what?    Below is the email I sent in French and with english after that:

From: citroprez@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Citroen Mehari
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:25:26 -0500
To: francispairiot@outlook.com

La manière dont cette opération comme disparu jusqu’à présent me donne une source de préoccupation.

J’ai vérifié avec les gens à autotrader.ca sur l’annonce que vous avez placé et ils m’ont informé qu’ils croient que c’est une arnaque. Ils disent qu’ils ont supprimé l’annonce.

Je suis désolé que vous être profilée comme un vendeur malhonnête. Que disent Yoi peut être précis. En fin de compte, je voudrais la voiture et vous souhaite payé. Que de la réalité, nous devons trouver une façon de le faire. Malgré ce que les gens de autotrader.ca disent sur vous et la façon dont vous avez placé l’annonce, je suis prêt à travailler avec vous et d’acheter la voiture.

Si cette vente légitime, alors vous devez travailler avec moi pour y arriver. J’ai indiqué mes informations. Vous pouvez vérifier mes références. (Peut-être que vous avez déjà.) Le travail que j’ai fait pour vérifier vos antécédents, et sur Garage Paul, conduit à aucune preuve de fond que vous existez. J’ai trouvé la voiture annonce en Europe, mais qui annonce était une personne tout à fait différente.

Je serais stupide de ne pas vous assurer que je vais obtenir la livraison de la voiture.

Faisons donc cette simple. Si elle est en excellent état et avec de la paperasse bon alors s’il vous plaît livrer à moi. Demandez à l’entreprise de livraison à accepter $ 2,600 cash de moi lors de la livraison. Certes, ils voudront faire ce que vous demandez, car ils ont pris soin de la voiture pour vous et savent que vous devez vendre?

S’ils refusent, alors j’ai une autre façon cela peut arriver. Je vais aller à ma banque et demander au gestionnaire de communiquer avec le directeur de votre banque. Il peut informer votre banque qu’il a de l’argent dans la main et il est affecté et prêt à être envoyé. Il attendra la confirmation du conducteur que la voiture a été livrée à moi et j’ai signé les papiers. Une fois qu’il obtient cette confirmation du pilote, il sera envoyé le paiement par virement bancaire sur votre compte. Est-ce que travailler pour vous?

Donc, je suis d’accord pour payer en espèces (dont le garage peut vous donner lorsque vous revenez au Québec) ou de passer par la banque de sorte que vous pouvez obtenir des fonds plus facilement. De toute façon vous êtes assuré d’être payé, et je suis sûr que j’ai une Mehari je peux conduire.

Faites-moi savoir de quelle manière vous souhaitez être payé. Si cela ne fonctionne pas pour vous, alors je n’ai pas d’autre choix que de ne pas acheter la voiture.

Pour répondre vous interrogez sur les photos: j’ai demandé des photos parce que je voulais m’assurer que le même état aujourd’hui qu’elle l’était lorsque les photos ont été prises en Belgique. Si c’est le cas, ne vous embêtez pas le garage pour prendre des photos maintenant. Il sera évident que c’est bel état quand je le vois.

Je pense que je me fais très juste. J’espère que vous serez d’accord et permettra à la voiture pour être livré le jeudi.

Merci,

George

—— (in english) ——

The manner in which this transaction as gone so far gives me cause for concern.

I checked with the people at autotrader.ca about the ad you placed and they have informed me that they believe it is a scam.  They say they have removed the ad.

I am sorry that you are being profiled as a dishonest seller.   What you say may be accurate.  In the end I would like the car and you would like to paid.  That’s is the reality and we need to find a way to do it.  Despite what the people at autotrader.ca say about you and the manner in which you placed the ad, I am prepared to work with you and purchase the car.

If this a legitimate sale then you need to work with me to make it happen.  I have disclosed my information.  You can check out my credentials.  (Maybe you already have.)   The work I have done to check on your background, and on Garage Paul, leads to no substantive evidence you exist.  I found the car ad in Europe but that ad was a different person altogether.

I would be foolish not to make sure I will get delivery of the car.

So let’s make this simple.  If it is in excellent condition and with proper paperwork then please deliver it to me.  Ask the delivery company to accept $2600 cash from me upon delivery.  Surely they will want to do as you ask since they have been taking care of the car for you and know you need to sell it?

If they refuse, then I have another way this can happen.  I will to go to my bank and ask the manager to contact the manager at your bank.  He can inform your bank that he has the money in hand and it is allocated and ready to be sent to you.  He will wait for confirmation from the driver that the car has been delivered to me and I have signed the paperwork.  Once he gets that confirmation from the driver, he will sent the wire payment to your account.   Will that work for you?

So I will agree to pay by cash (which the garage can give to you when you return to Quebec) or go through the bank so you can get funds more readily.  Either way you are assured of being paid, and I am assured I have a Mehari I can drive.

Let me know which way you would like to be paid.   If this does not work for you, then I have no other choice but to not purchase the car.

To answer you question about the photos:  I asked for photos because I wanted to make sure the same condition today as it was when the pictures were taken in Belgium.  If it is, then don’t bother the garage to take pictures now.  It will be evident that it is nice condition when I see it.

I think I am being very fair.  I hope you will agree and will allow the car to be delivered on Thursday.

Thanks,

George

——————-

9 hours later the vendor ties to make one more plea for a partial payment of $600.  A last desperate measure!   Google Translation:
Thank you for your response.

view all that and I have to say is that I’m serious I agree you a favor by my I request you to make a guaranteed $ 600 if you are interested cella ensure fast let me know so that I could give you the address at which you go deposition.
anyway you have not you worried the car is mine and I am too old to think about scamming you.
and I just need that c e as paper.
Waiting to hear from you
cdl

On Feb 13, 2014, at 2:39 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

je vous remercie pour votre réponse.

vue tous ce que avez dire et je c’est que je suis sérieux je vous accord un faveur de ma par je vous de mande de faire une garantie de $600  si cella vous intéresse veiller vite me faire signe pour que je pusse vous donné l’adresse au quelle vous aller faire le dépôt.
de toute façon vous avez pas a vous inquiété la voiture est a moi et je suis trop agé pour penser a vous escroquer .
et j’ai tout c e qui faut comme papier .
en attente de vous lire
cdl

——————-

I did not bother to respond at this stage.   I did get an email from the “garage” 20 minutes after the $600 request from the vendor:

Google Translation:
Well we confirm your delivery ensure kindly leave us a copy of your ID so that we puisions establish the certificate of sale from the prefecture.

thank you you

On Feb 13, 2014, at 3:00 AM, garagepaul autoservice <garagisteautoservice@gmail.com> wrote:
Nous confirmons bien votre livraison veiller bien vouloir nous laisser une copie de votre pièce d’identité pour que nous puisions établir le certificat de  vente  auprès de la préfecture .

Merci vous

——————-

And then I get the following from the vendor making me look like the bad guy,
Google Translation:
In addition it is myself disabled my ad because I said it is good I find someone reliable’m a sale but apparently I was wrong.

On Feb 13, 2014, at 7:00 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:
En plus c’est moi même qui est désactivé mon annonce car je me disait que c’est bon j’avais trouver quelqu’un  de fiable a suis vendre mais apparemment je me trompais.

——————-

Then 45 minutes later I get an email from the garage that is similar to the one I first received from them, but the delivery date had been changed from Thursday to Saturday, the address is another buyer, Jullien at 2330 Aveizieux loire Rhône Alpes, in France  and the location of the garage is listed;  An obscure little French village near the German and Swiss borders when I Googled it:

Map of Thann France 3    Map of Thann France 2    Map of Thann France 1

On Feb 13, 2014, at 7:43 AM, garagepaul autoservice <garagisteautoservice@gmail.com> wrote:
Bonjour M.George Dyke
Nous venons de recevoir des instructions de la part de M. Pairiot François nous demandant de passer vous livrer a votre domicile.Nous vous confirmons passer a votre domicile le Samedi 15 février avec tout les documents de la voiture ainsi que les papiers nécessaires a signer.

Type de véhicule : Citroën Méhari année 1981 .Son contrôle technique est ok.

Veuillez aussi confirmer l’exactitude de votre adresse et tel  :

Le Jullien
42330 Aveizieux loire Rhône Alpes
tel : 04779407878

Seule la livraison  nous concerne car M. Pairiot a déjà régler la facture avec nous en ce qui concerne l’entretien et le transport .Veuillez conclure la vente avec le propriétaire et lui demander de nous en tenir informer.
merci en attente de vous lire

Cordialement

Paul Garage
68800, Thann, Haut-rhin
+33975185202
0012892061127

——————-

And finally, 2 hours after the email from the garage and reviling the the address in Thann France, I get:

Google Translation:

I cancel the sale with you because I had another buyer.
thank you

On Feb 13, 2014, at 9:49 AM, Pairiot Francis <francispairiot@outlook.com> wrote:

J’annule la vente avec vous car j’ai eu un autre acheteur.
merci

——————-

Maybe the car is on it’s way to the lucky new owner in Aveizieux.  But I highly doubt it!

So there you have it.  Here are some summary tips:

If you are planing to purchase any vehicle online, take the time to check out the ad carefully.   Google can be a Godsend.   Search the ad text.   Search phone numbers and addresses.  And try a picture search to see if the images have been ripped from some other ad.

If you can’t physically see the car, then try getting in touch with credible local source that can do a proper inspection for you.  And if you have to put money down, if at all possible try use a legitimate company that will hold fund in escrow until you have possession of the vehicle.  If the vendor won’t do that and you have to up front, remember cheques, even certified ones, can be bogus or cancelled after they are issued.

If you pay by wire transfer, make sure to check the swift code to ensure the money is going where you intend.  Here’s a website where you can do that:

https://www.ifscswiftcodes.com/SWIFT-Codes/ECOCBJBJ.htm

I hope you find this “experience” enlightening.   Best of luck with your next purchase!

1 comment

  1. Hi,
    I had placed my 1992/4 XM Diesel Turbo wagon in the Hemmings Magazine on line for 6 months and 1 month in the actual physical book with photos and links.
    I have had quite a response from the ad in the Hemmings as well as having attended the Drive She Said event last year in Saratoga, N.Y and the article in the Autoweek by Jay Ramey, this latter was a good publicity.
    One person has been emailing me on and off as well as chatting with me once every few weeks as he wanted the XM wagon, only waiting for after he has moved to Olympia, PA.
    In the meantime he emails me that he will be coming to the GTA and he needs my full address including the postal code.
    Also beforehand he wanted me to send him all the documents including the service records to his other address in Seattle, Washington.
    I thought to myself as to why bother with all this when in reality he would have wanted to see the car in person first, but he said that he will have a certified check with him upon pick up, to this I asked for cash and he said to me ‘If I play my cards right, I will have cash ready with me.
    In the meantime he calls and says that he is delayed due to a motorcar accident and that he is hospitalized, he said let’s do it in September end 2013. Well, that time came and went with a long man-O-pause, he didn’t say anything but left me a short message that he will call me from New York and arrange with a single call to me will have the XM wagon picked up’give me your address, we will pick it up’ with no mention of money.
    Then some months go by and he emails me stating that he is sorry that he did’t reply for months, says ‘I have set my heart for your wagon and want it, now that I have moved to Olympia, PA, I will be in GTA on the 17th February 2014’, ‘ I have managed to play my cards right this time and got the money for the wagon.
    He calls me from B.C airport in the morning of our family day, last Monday, stating that he is carrying hard cash and that he is stuck at the airport due to flight chaos, cancellations due to the weather conditions, but he will be here and will call when he gets to the Pearson airport….I am still awaiting;)
    I emailed him as well as texted him, a few days latter , he emails me from N.Y.C stating that he has to finish some old business, then he will come after he gets the tags and the DOL from the motor vehicle licensing…..he is no other than the cartoonist, he is one and only Archie Comics graphics designer, well spoken, but cannot be trusted for he will never be able to purchase my car, I will never ever trust this character.
    He has been a complete waste of my valuable time…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Close
Archives

Access further archives on our Archive Documents page.

Close

Citroënvie!

A community of Citroën enthusiasts with a passion for Citroën automobiles.

Citroënvie © Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.
Close