recently a friend lost $30.000 trying to buy a BMW on the net. Yep he was too dumb and trusting. here is the warning.

Here is some details of the scam. What they do is advertise premium cars on the auto sale sites. when you contact the buyer for more info he refers you to his shipping company which will transport the car to you. they provide a service tailored for internet car buyers. not only will they transport the car but they will provide a full service. they have inspected the car at their big car inspection center. it checked out well. they have checked that the car is not stolen. most of all they will provide escrow services. they will hold your money until you have received the car and checked it out for 2-3 days. if you are satisfied they will transfer the money to the seller.

well the seller has setup the site of the transport company. it is all BS, they will steal your money and you will never see the car.

the transport company has a convincing site on the net. it has paid for google ads so the links appear high in the results as sponsored. if you check the whois records for the domain you would see that it is a fake company. the domain is registered by a yahoo address.

the problem is that many people dont know how to work whois searches or check companies. do they deserve to lose their money. certainly not that much anyway. from what i have researched, this group has had several sites and this is worrying. they probably have scammed a lot of people.

basically for my friend they were operating as Gaviria Shipping / Gaviria Importaciones SL.

they have used many company names but the connecting factor was that they used the same template for their sites. This was using a combination of content from the sites

http://www.schenker.com
http://www.baxter.eu.com
https://www.escrow.com/company/news/pr/25.asp

their sites were

http://www.iberia-shipping.com/
http://www.norocosshipping.net/
http://www.hellenic-shipping.com/
http://www.gaviria-shipping.com/

http://www.shippers-conference.net/ was a fake conference site which they set up and awarded Hellenic Shipping as Shipper of the Year

http://www.shipping-community.org/ was a fake conference site the same as the other one but awarding Gaviria Shipping as Shipper of the year

there is also these new sites. same template as the others

http://www.europecargoline.com/
http://www.eurocargoline.com/

note the emphasis on ESCROW. they can be taken down on copyright infringement of escrow.com/schenker/baxters if enough people complain.

some more details

fernandez58@yahoo.com
Celestino Fernandez Gandarillas (SELLER)
Baro Pedroso 27A
Penacastillo
39011
Cantabria
Spain
Car : 2003 BMW X5 3.0D, Black, Right Hand Drive, Diesel

support@gaviria-shipping.com
Juan Cabralos
Gaviria Shipping Customer Support

Fernando Amtera
Gaviria Shipping Representative

Gaviria Importaciones SL
Gaviria Shipping
Av. Del Puerto 17
46021 Valencia
Spain
fax no.: +34 961125722)

BANK NAME: LA CAIXA
BANK ADDRESS: Avenida del plantio s/n
28820 Coslada - Madrid
ACCOUNT NO.: 2100 4177 1122 0004 3175
SWIFT (BIC): CAIXESBBXXX
IBAN: ES62 2100 4177 1122 0004 3175
BENEFICIARY: GAVIRIA IMPORTACIONES SL

BENEFICIARY: GAVIRIA IMPORTACIONES SL
BANK: IBERCAJA
BANK ADDRESS: Avenida. Lope de Figueroa 16, Alcala de Henares, Madrid
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 2085 9259 2103 30202980
IBAN: ES96 2085 9259 2103 30202980
SWIFT: CAZRES2Z

I'am enquiring about the x5 BMW which is to be sold by
celestino fernandez58@yahoo.com
He's told me to contact you direct to get more information on checks
delivery payment and proof that the car does exist. please contact me
A.S.A.P [phone deleted]

From: <support@gaviria-shipping.com>
Date: 31 October 2005 11:24:32 GMT
To: [NAME DELETED]
Subject: Re: When you were offline

Dear [NAME DELETED],

We contact you regarding Mr. Celestino Fernandez's BMW X5. We confirm
that we have a 2003 BMW X5 3.0D, colour black-metallic, mileage 21500 miles,
VRM LT53HFU, and it belongs to Mr. Celestino Fernandez.
The vehicle has been already inspected by our certified inspectors and
they have stated on the report 'excellent condition' for the car. The car's
documents have been checked by our certified inspectors and found them
in order. All the documents have been sealed and we are responsible for all
the checks. The car is not stolen, doesn't have any outstanding finance on
it and is H.P.I. clear.

Mr. Fernandez has signed for our 8-step transaction:

1. Both parties agree to terms of the transaction, which includes a
description of the merchandise, sale price, number of days for the
Buyer's inspection.

2. We draw up a Sales Agreement, send it to you signed by our legal
representative and the seller. The agreement is in electronic format
with legal tender and you will have to print it , sign it, scan it and send
it back to us.

3. Once we receive the agreement signed by both parties we reserve a
space on a ship.

4. We will provide you our payment details.

5. You will have to subimt the payment, by bank transfer, into our
account in maximum 72 hours after you will receive the payment
details. The money will remain in our account until the buyer receives,
inspects and accepts the vehicle.

6. As soon as the vehicle leaves our warehouse we will send you the
shipping receipt and the tracking number.

7. The Buyer has a number of 2-3 days for an inspection and the option
to accept or reject the vehicle.

8. If the buyer accepts the vehicle, we will forward the payment to
the seller. Should you dislike the vehicle for any reason, we will refund
you in FULL in maximum 48 hours and return the vehicle to the seller at his
expense.

If you agree with our terms and conditions you must provide us the
following
details in order to start the transaction:
1. Your full name
2. Your delivery address
3. Your phone number

Respectfully,
Juan Cabralos
Gaviria Shipping Customer Support

From: <support@gaviria-shipping.com>
Date: 31 October 2005 15:09:55 GMT
To: [NAME DELETED]
Subject: Sales Agreement for BMW X5 3.0d

********** PLEASE CONFIRM THIS EMAIL **********

Dear [NAME DELETED],

Attached to this e-mail you will find the Sales Agreement for
Vehicle.
This is the Sales Agreement in electronic format. Please print it, sign
it and send it back to us via e-mail or fax (fax no.: +34 961125722). We
will begin the shipping process upon receival of payment confirmation. We
have reserved a space on a vessel leaving for the UK tomorrow afternoon. We
will need the payment confirmation before the ship leaves so we can have your
vehicle shipped.

*NOTE* The Sales Agreement in electronic format was legalised by our
legal department and an officer from the Ministery of Justice.

Please find below our bank account you will use for the payment of
19,000.00
sterling pounds (GBP):

BENEFICIARY: GAVIRIA IMPORTACIONES SL
BANK: IBERCAJA
BANK ADDRESS: Avenida. Lope de Figueroa 16, Alcala de Henares, Madrid
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 2085 9259 2103 30202980
IBAN: ES96 2085 9259 2103 30202980
SWIFT: CAZRES2Z

We are looking forward to the payment confirmation and the copy of the
payment receipt from your bank. We suggest the transfer to be completed
as 'fast transfer' OR 'priority transfer' (you can ask your bank for
this option, so they can speed it up and feel free to deduct the fees from
the total amount).
We need you to confirm if you have received the payment details and the
sales agreement.

Respectfully,
Juan Cabralos
Gaviria Shipping Customer Support

********** PLEASE CONFIRM THIS EMAIL **********

Begin forwarded message:

From: <support@gaviria-shipping.com>
Date: 8 November 2005 16:18:21 GMT
To: [NAME DELETED]
Subject: Re: Re: URGENT

Dear sir,

Delivery will be delayed with 48 hours and we need to have confirmation
of payment before delivery.
Please note that it might take 48 hours in order for your payment to
return into your account.

Respectfully,
Juan Cabralos
Gaviria Shipping Customer Support

[NAME DELETED] said:

Hi Juan

I've just contacted my bank and there as not been any confrimation yet.
The bank as told me to allow 2-3 working days before the money is
credited back into my account. This means you probly won't get the
money until the end of the week if not monday by time it is tranfer
back to you again.
How will this affect the delivery date and time ?
Or will you except the full amount by bankers draft on delivery
15.11.2005 ?

Please advise

Regards

[NAME DELETED]

Dear sir,

Thank you for your prompt reply.
Please note that we have received the confirmation letter from our
bank that all transfers have been returned to senders and yours is one of them.
Please feel free to deduct the transfer charges and also half of the

initial

transfer fees.
We will try to deliver as promised, but we may need to deliver in the
evening. Please confirm you agree to an evening delivery.
Please contact your bank regarding the payment return as they might
see the funds before they actually enter your account.

Respectfully,

Juan Cabralos,
Gaviria Shipping Customer Support

[NAME DELETED] said:

Hi

I've just checked my account and it as not been credited into my
account yet.
Also when was it rejected ? As I did get a confirmation letter on
Friday

Please note it's going to cost me another £25
Also why should it delay delivery ?
Plus it's likely to take days before it gets back into my account ?

Please advise

******PLEASE CONFIRM THIS MESSAGE ASAP******

Dear sir,

Regarding your payment we have to inform you that we have received
it but due to the fact that our account has exceeded the 1 (one) million
euros
limit, your payment has been returned by our bank. This is a recent
change in the Spanish banking system. Please check with your bank for the
confirmation as the payment should already be in your account.

Please find below the new bank account for your payment:

BANK NAME: LA CAIXA
BANK ADDRESS: Avenida del plantio s/n
28820 Coslada - Madrid
ACCOUNT NO.: 2100 4177 1122 0004 3175
SWIFT (BIC): CAIXESBBXXX
IBAN: ES62 2100 4177 1122 0004 3175
BENEFICIARY: GAVIRIA IMPORTACIONES SL

We apologise for this situation and hope that your delivery will
not be delayed more than 1 day in case you can transfer the money back
tomorrow morning.

In addition, the seller has agreed to extend the inspection period
to 5 days so you can run all the tests you need.

Thank you in advance for your understanding in this matter.

Respectfully,

Juan Cabralos,
Gaviria Shipping Customer Support

******PLEASE CONFIRM THIS MESSAGE ASAP******

http://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gaviria9ul.jpg
http://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sales1qe.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=conf17ny.jpg

http://www.marine-marketing.gr/newsc...ile=200528.txt
http://www.auto-evasion.com/forums/viewtopic_27723.html
http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/motorhomefraud.shtml

These guys nearly had me. Got very nervous after I sent my money though and got the bank to cancel the money and send it back.

Get in touch with the lacaixi bank in Madrid. They have an investigation in place and running now which might help your friend get his money back.

I contacted the branch and they put me in touch with a guy in head office who worked with my bank to get the money sent back.

In my favor was the fact that it never got cashed. anything I can do to help with the info I have let me know.

Steve Harrison

Thank you very much for posting this. It helped me to avoid loosing my money. They have a new website MB Transport, Ltd..

Here is letters from them:

Hello there,
I must apologize for the delay in response, but I'm literally
overwhelmed by the number of offers.
My name is Edwin Rivera and I am the legal owner of this 99 camry.
I would like to tell you that the car is in perfect condition, no damages
have been made to the car. The car is in perfect condition of working, clean
title, all services
are up to date and it looks great too. The engine, drive train, equipment
are all in proper working order.The ride is smooth, there are no shakes or
pulls in the steering.
Interior , well kept. Exterior, No dents, No scratches. No accidents
I really take good care of my car and I assure you will have no complains.
I have all the documents and service records. I'm a US citizen but currently
I am in Rome, Italy because I'm an construction designer and for moment my
company has start a work in Rome and i was forced to move here for 6 months.
My company offers to the employers free transport for the car or pays for
renting a car. And like in the other places where i worked i bring my car
with me but here appears a issue, I can't use the car here or sell it here
due to the fact that the car meets US standards, i can use it here only for
30 days.
I realize that the price is a little low but if I will try to sell it
locally it will cost me a fortune to register and nobody will buy it.
I hope my location has no negative effect on you because shipment is
included in the buy price and will cost you nothing more. Regarding the car
transport,will use a reputable shipping company. I've shipped several times
with them and have established trust - the car is transported inside and
therefore completely protected,It is insured in case of damage and it takes
5-7 days to be delivered at your door.
The final price of the car will be $3,200 USD. I have my us cell phone with
me so if
you want to call me, you cand find me at # 213-291-9448.
Let me know your decision.
Thanks,
Edwin Rivera
Via Del Corso 301
Roma, 00187
Italy
213-291-9448
edwin2001@earthlink.net

Hello xxxxxxx,
Since this is a serious deal which include shipping and payment and
you will want to drive the car first we can use an third party to finish
this
deal. So you can have the chance to inspect the car before pay me.
The procedure is: we agree on details of the deal
price, time of shipping), you make the payment to the shipping company,
they will start the shipping to you. All you have to do from now
is to take the car and register it the same day and notify the shipping
company to
release the funds to me.
The shipping company is called MB Transport, LTD. (website:
MB Transport, Ltd. )
If you want to more forward i will need your FULL NAME and YOUR
ADDRESS (The delivery address) so i can store the car at the shipping
company under your name and address.
As soon as i will have this details and open the transaction the shipping
company will contact you with further instructions and details.
Let me know your decision. The car is absolutely flawless and it would
be right to say that you're getting the best deal ever.
Thank You
Edwin Rivera
Via Del Corso 301
Roma, 00187
Italy
213-291-9448
edwin2001@earthlink.net

Hi there everyone,

I need an urgent help and answer onthe same subject "Escrow Scam".

I wanna buy a car from person who told me that he will ship it through www.escrow.com

i checked the website and it seems nothing to be afraid of, the website seems comforting to me.

So i need to be more sure, if any body here knows this company www.escrow.com, is it legal? can i trust it?.

i need your answers guys,


Thanks very much for your concern and help,

regards.

Yes Escrow.com is legitimate.

__________________