Help! My friend is a victim of internet fraud!!?

Question

Well, one of my best friends found a Jeep Wrangler on craigslist that she was interested in so she emailed the seller and he replied saying that he was due to leave for Iraq on June 5 so he wanted to do the sale through a third party such as ebay motors.  He gave her a name of another individual who was supposedly with ebay motors and she was to money gram $2800.00 to this man at "ebay motors" at which time her vehicle would be shipped and she would money gram the remaining $2800.00 to the same man at "ebay motors".  Needless to say she never got her car and now the seller is not emailing her back... He refused to give her a phone number to reach him at so everything is through email.  I know this is her own fault because she should have been more careful... but does anyone have any ideas of what to do to try to catch this criminal and get her money back?  She contacted local police but where we live (a town of about 1000) the local police are not really equipped to deal with this.  Also, she gave the guy her full name address and phone number.  She could be in danger herself (let's hope not though!).  Should she contact the FBI?  How?
Thanks for any time and any help at all!

? · Accepted Answer

Your friend can file a complaint with the FBI at this link:

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

She shouldn't expect to ever see a dime back tho, sorry :-(

? · Answer

Contacting the F.B.I. seems a bit like you watch too much TV. Perhaps the Better Business Bureau, her bank, and the local police would be more appropriate. The F.B.I. are busy with such things as lost and murdered children, but when then finish fighting that evil, I am sure they would look into her tragedy. 
I would never buy a thing (like a vehicle!) that my only contact information was an email address. She may benefit from some counseling for a reality check. This is why these scams work. People like your friend. Most 7 year olds would know better. 
Contacting her bank should be on the list of things to do. Maybe she should stay away from the internet too. I am sure her local town has a newspaper. Look for a vehicle (and therapist) there. Jeesh.

Sarah J. · Answer

Seriously, she's screwed. Why didn't she act more cautious? Well, now she knows but the FBI won't care, and the internet companies won't care. 
She's not in danger, but she should watch her credit cards, since she gave him all her contact info.

This is why these scams are very effective- because there is no way to police it unless you can find out what country they are in and get that countries cooperation, which they most likely won't do.

Keep On Smiling · Answer

Wow.... never give someone the money until you at least check out the car... she's lucky to have a caring friend like you because I'm sure most people who read this are kind of laughing at her :P

She can deal with it herself.

Gabrio · Answer

Get a lawyer, contact Department of Treasure, FBI, Chamber of Commerce. act quickly!

Dirty Pony, I Can&#39;t Wait to Hose You Down · Answer

wow, seriously? she missed all the scam warnings??? (and the warnings are like HUGE on EVERY page on craigs list!!

Anonymous · Answer

DUMB RICH YUPPIES. READ THE WARNINGS THAT ARE ON NEARLY EVERY CRAIGLIST PAGE.

Awsome1337 · Answer

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Help! My friend is a victim of internet fraud!!?

8 Answers