Text Message Fraud

If you receive a text message from a buyer, and then an email similar to below. Please refrain from corresponding with this buyer.

SAMPLE EMAIL-------------------------------------------

Good News,

Thanks for your prompt and positive reply.However I have informed my client about your decision on this transaction. He was suppose to be present in order to view the CAR,but due to his tight business he couldn't be present now.

In other to experdiate this transaction and due to our time frame,we are running out of time so we don't have enough time to negotiate the price but i believe is a little beat better than buying it locally,cause of this reason my client has accepted your price/offer but we will like you to assure us that the engine is in great condition as well .

please we will need your co-operation in this transaction AND YOUR HONESTY. But however, my client made out a certified cashiers check of (28,000usd) before he traveled today for Christian Retreat ,for a previous CAR and its shipment charges etc,but it was unfortunately sold.

The amount on the check he deposited for CAR  is bigger than what should be paid to you now, so the check will be in your name now and also meant for the total expenses which includes the purchase of your CAR ,the pick up of the CAR  from its present location and the shipping charges/other necessary shipping arrangements. However he has instructed I, to carry on with this transaction.

So you're required to deduct the cost of your CAR($20,000)and send the balance of (8,000) to the pick-up agent via western union money transfer to enable him offset shipping charges/arrangements.once the transaction is concluded, our shipper agent will be coming for the pick up of the car from its present location.so you don't have to bother yourself about the pick up and shipping arrangements,while title papers and other necessary documents will be sent by you via service courier to us.

Please Confirm this and provide
Name..
Address..
phone number...
For check payment to be delivered to you via courier service.
Thanks

Another text message response example:

Hello Joyce,

Thanks for your response more pics will be appreciated,we are out of town and can not come to view it but we trust that everything we saw on your ad is true.

I have just spoken to my husband in regards your payment and he has agreed to pay $10,000.

Am happy to tell you that my husband has instructed me to carry on with the transaction, he said that I should inform you that payment will get to you in a cashiers check of $16,000 which is a payment of a cancelled order of a car earlier made by him.

The order was cancelled because, when the pick-up agent went for the pick up of the car, it was discovered that the car had been involved in an accident and this wasn't mentioned during the course of the transaction.

This check {$16,000} will be made out to you due to the refund of the cancelled order will be on one check, so you are required to deduct cost of your vehicle $10,000 when payment gets to you and refund the balance of $6000 to our pick-up agent/shipper via western union money transfer or money gram transfer for him to be able to offset some customized work on the vehicle and shipping charges While title papers and other necessary documents will be sent by you via courier to us.

Please confirm this and provide name, address and phone number for check payment to be delivered to you via courier services.

Mary

---SAMPLE Text Message (Click to Enlarge)----