I have come across this twice in two weeks so I thought I'd share. In past two weeks I bid on two eerily similar auctions ( both had MA location, both involved tornado red Audi Coupes with low miles, both had sellers with none or low feedback. Both listings were also a private auction). Both of those turn out to be a scam. I have recieved expertly spoofed email looking like Ebay is Escrowing the transaction, requesting payment via Western Union and the following email from seller: Hello,

I'm really sorry for this late reply but I've been very busy lately and away from a computer. The price that I want to obtain is $4,999 (including shipping and insurance charges). The price is considerably lower then others on the market because I need to sell it really fast.
The car has all the services done at the dealerships. The vehicle was never crashed, abused or raced. I always garaged it and serviced it, kept very good care of it!. The vehicle is currently located in Gretna NE but unfortunately I am in San Francisco CA, planning to open a business here and I don't think I can come sooner then next month. However I can arrange for the paperwork from here and I can talk to a shipping company to deliver the vehicle to your address.
I think it's impossible to buy a vehicle for such a big amount without having an inspection first. So I had a look on Ebay and I saw they could help us with this. Since the transaction worth a lot of money they've suggested to make the deal only through Ebay so that we won't have any problems.
If you decide to buy all the papers are ready, just needed to be signed by you.
If you decide not to buy for a serious reason (of course after the inspection) then you can just ask the shipping company to send it back to my address with no extra cost (shipping is payed in advance by me). I think this is the fastest, safest and most fair solution we can have.
If you are interested to purchase the vehicle please provide me the following information's:
-your full name and address for shipping
-your phone #
If I receive the requested information you will be informed by Ebay during the next hours with details about your purchase.

Thank you,
John Connelley


as well as this one week earlier:

Hello,

I'm really sorry for this late reply but I've been very busy lately and away from a computer. The price that I want to obtain is $2,800 (including shipping and insurance charges).The price is considerably lower then others on the market because I need to sell it really fast.
The car has all the services done at the dealership. The vehicle was never crashed, abused or raced. I always garaged it and serviced it, kept very good care of it!. The vehicle is currently located in Lynnfield, MA but unfortunately I am in Tucson AZ, planning to open a business here and I don't think I can come sooner then next month. However I can arrange for the paperworks from here and I can talk to a shipping company to deliver the vehicle to your address.
I think it's impossible to buy a vehicle for such a big amount without having an inspection first. So I had a look on eBay and I saw they could help us with this. Since the transaction worths a lot of money they've suggested to make the deal only through eBay so that we won't have any problems.
If you decide to buy all the papers are ready,just needed to be signed by you.
If you decide not to buy for a serious reason(of course after the inspection) then you can just ask the shipping company to send it back to my address with no extra cost(shipping is payed in advance by me).I think this is the fastest,safest and most fair solution we can have.
If you are interested to purchase the vehicle please provide me the following information's:
-your full name and address for shipping
-your phone #
If I receive the requested information you will be informed by eBay during the next hours with details about your purchase.

Thank you,
Linda


So, it all starts with a great looking, desirable, low mileage car. Auction is always private, and is always yanked after 2-3 days. If you made a bid or an inquiry with seller, you will recieve an email like the one above. Then the Ebay Motors Transaction Spoof email follows requesting money via Western Union.

Here is few warning lights that should go off:
- Deal is too good to be truth!
- Auction is pulled after few days
- Seller claims to be out of town
- Email spoof requesting money via Western Union