Re: S2 Fulvia Coupe 4sale in NYC
Posted: 10 Nov 2007, 17:37
Scam artists don't think that most people are *completely* stupid--just stupid enough to be convinced by a detailed, plausible story enough. In fact, just convinced enough to not bother to do some basic research when it comes to getting a bargain on a car. Most people won't do their homework, and these scam artists know it.
And these scam artist aren't entirely wrong, judging by how many people have been bidding on this car (and others like it) every time it shows up. In this case, he's *borrowed* parts of Jaan's story about the car, which means it sounds like it's coming from a seller who knows these cars and is telling you everything uo front.
The photos are fine; the vegetation isn't actually a giveaway; Berkeley, California (where Jaan is located) isn't any more tropical than suburban New York, where this car claims to be. The photos could have been taken either place--the sun does occasionally come out in New York.
As William points out, it's the chassis number and engine number that give it away. The engine number is for a 1600, while the chassis number is for a Rallye 1.3 (Series 1) RHD car; this is obviously an S2 LHD. At least this is obvious to any of us on this forum, or anyone with a high degree of knowledge of these cars, or anyone who takes the time to do some most basic research.
But you wouldn't have to be stupid--just less knowledgeable and a bit naive and willing to but a story instead of doing your homework--in order to think that this might be OK. This scammer isn't stupid; he's just picked a car that too many of us can recognize.
And these scam artist aren't entirely wrong, judging by how many people have been bidding on this car (and others like it) every time it shows up. In this case, he's *borrowed* parts of Jaan's story about the car, which means it sounds like it's coming from a seller who knows these cars and is telling you everything uo front.
The photos are fine; the vegetation isn't actually a giveaway; Berkeley, California (where Jaan is located) isn't any more tropical than suburban New York, where this car claims to be. The photos could have been taken either place--the sun does occasionally come out in New York.
As William points out, it's the chassis number and engine number that give it away. The engine number is for a 1600, while the chassis number is for a Rallye 1.3 (Series 1) RHD car; this is obviously an S2 LHD. At least this is obvious to any of us on this forum, or anyone with a high degree of knowledge of these cars, or anyone who takes the time to do some most basic research.
But you wouldn't have to be stupid--just less knowledgeable and a bit naive and willing to but a story instead of doing your homework--in order to think that this might be OK. This scammer isn't stupid; he's just picked a car that too many of us can recognize.