Stolen Property or CL scam

A few months back I did a cleanup for a lady at her farm. Got a lot of items, farm implements, scrap, a couple garden tractors, ect...

I got a 1964 Simplicity Landloard with plow, harrow, and snow blower attachment. The tractor doesn't run and the motor is frozen. When I picked it up it was under an old blue tarp and had weeds growing in and around everything, so I knew it was sitting there for years.

I was going to restore the machine and use it around the property, but decided to put it on Craigs List and see if I can get some money out of it. The add has been up for about a month, with me re listing ever 4 days or so.

Today I get this email:

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Can you tell me where you got this tractor and attachments? I had all this stuff stolen from a property we own in Scott Township Lackawanna County . Police report was filed. Contact me @ 570 230 ####

Al

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I hid his number for privacy.


I wrote back to him to explain where I got it and that they were not his items and he sent this email.

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I think we will do more checking. Give me the farmers name you got it from. How many of these with the attachments do you think are around? Even the same year and same attachments.

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This kinda irritated me, basically he was calling me a thief. He is located about 100 miles from me, and further than that from the farm I got the items at. I then called him a scammer and that our conversation was over, I figured if he was serious that he can have the police contact me and I will give them the information, he doesn't need my clients information.

We will see what he says next.

I would say scam. If I found an add with what I thought was my stolen stuff I think I would just let the law take care off it. Scammers have a lot of time on their hands to dream up these stories.

I have proof of ownership, my clients name, address and phone number. If the police come knocking, I can supply all information and let them figure it out.

The guy accusing me send me this final email:

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It is not a scam. That is not the only thing stolen. Other tractors,oil tanks, steel plates and more was taken. I guess you are for enough away that this is not ours. Have a great New Year!

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Guess he came to his senses.

Oh well, feel bad for the guy and I can actually understand how he may feel it was his. I was just irritated the way he came to me automatically thinking it was his stuff.


Lesson for today is, make sure you keep good records because you never know when somebody will think your junk is theirs. :)

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Originally Posted by CMHN

A few months back I did a cleanup for a lady at her farm. Got a lot of items, farm implements, scrap, a couple garden tractors, ect... The add has been up for about a month, with me re listing ever 4 days or so.

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If they are scammers, they have had plenty of time to come up with this elaborate story.

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Originally Posted by CMHN

This kinda irritated me, basically he was calling me a thief. He is located about 100 miles from me, and further than that from the farm I got the items at. I then called him a scammer and that our conversation was over, I figured if he was serious that he can have the police contact me and I will give them the information, he doesn't need my clients information.
We will see what he says next.

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As Kris Kringle said, do you have a bill of sale or any documents to prove that said items were removed from her property, as requested by her.

Call his bluff...If he makes contact again, kindly explain to him that if he wishes to pursue this matter any further, you would be willing to provide any and all documents relating to the purchase of these items, including contact details of the seller along with a copy of the Bill of Sale, upon a written and signed request from his solicitor, in which he then would need to provide relevant details / serial numbers for each item he thinks you have that are his.
As you feel that it is very unprofessional to give out customers details to "anyone" who asks.

Failing that, you would also be more than happy to co-operate with any ongoing investigation by law enforcement.

Let him do the running round!

Its for him to prove that the items are his, not for you to prove they are not!

I would say SCAM!

Be Lucky, keep us updated.

Something similar happened with a post hole digger we advertised, as well as some vehicles we purchased from a tax seizure sale. The easiest answer is, "I'm happy to help, please have the police contact me and we'll take it from there".

They never make it past that point - they're simply fishing or looking for an easy mark.

Scammers don't give out legitimate phone numbers do they? 570 is PA.

After some more communication with this guy, I believe he had stuff stolen from his property and he seriously thought this was his stuff. I believe I finally convinced him that this is not his stuff. I don't think he will be bothering me any further.