Victim Location 32920
Type of a scam Other
We were shopping for RV’s on Craigslist. Found what we were looking for. Great price, contacted seller she said her husband had recently passed and just wanted to get rid of it due to bad memories. She said she was in the military and was deploying soon. She was going to ship the vehicle through an auto delivery company named Dakota Auto Shipping. We would have 5 days to test drive it before we had to send her the money. We then received an email from Dakota Auto Shipping saying we needed to wire transfer them the money that they would keep in an escrow account until we decided to keep the vehicle. That’s when the red flag popped up for us. We called them to ask why the change in plans and to satisfy our curiosity as to how this was going to play out. We said we would not pay until we see the vehicle. They replied that is not how it works. I replied a legit company would not need a wire transfer but would accept credit cards. They said this is how it works. I replied I would be reporting them to the authorities and he asked why and I said this sounds like a scam and hung up.
Victim Location 95338
Type of a scam Online Purchase
This was type of wording in email:Lisa Blackwell
Mon 3/18/2019 12:15 PM
Hi again,
Thank you very much for getting back to me but I would like to clarify some things first. I am selling the excavator at this price because my husband passed away not long ago (he was very sick) and this excavator brings me bad memories and that’s the reason why I want to sell it asap. Another reason for selling it is because I work in military and right now I’m on a military base. We are training and getting ready to leave the country. The excavator is already at the shipping company Dakota Auto Shipping ready for delivery because someone agreed to buy it, but in the end he never got the loan. For this reason, the shipping is already paid for. I will use Dakota Auto Shipping in this transaction for our protection. If you are not aware of this program, you should know that it will allow you to test and inspect the excavator before paying me. The inspection period will be set to 5 days and I think that is enough time for you to make a decision about the excavator. If you won`t like my excavator you notify Dakota Auto Shipping and you send it back at my expense. But I assure you that won’t be the case.
If you want to continue the purchase, please reply with your full name, delivery address and phone number so I can start the transaction with Dakota Auto Shipping and ask them to send you the terms of this transaction. ( with no further obligation or fees).
God bless
Victim Location 99501
Type of a scam Other
Hi, there is a scam truck sale posted in the Anchorage Alaska Craig’s list by a hokey outfit called Dakota auto shipping. They ask for only wire transfer and claim that they will ship the truck from North Dakota to my door (Valdez AK) for free! The truck is a beautiful black 2013 Toyota Tundra, crewmax. Custom wheels and tires. Blue books for around 25-30,000. But they listed it at 12500. They have a story written with some grammatical issues of why the truck is being handled by an auto transport co. I wish they could be stopped. Or that Craig’s list could Have some checks in place. I don’t have time to do anything further. I hope you are able to take some action.
Victim Location 55105
Total money lost $6,500
Type of a scam Online Purchase
There was an ad on Craigslist in Amarillo, TX for a 2006 Fleetwood Jamboree for sale. Below is the first email we received from [email protected] My 2007 Fleetwood Jamboree 24D, is still for sale. This Motorhome is in great shape. I’m the original owner. It has no damage, no scratches, dents or hidden defects. It is in immaculate condition, meticulously maintained and hasn’t been involved in any accident…Has only 15,000 miles, its automatic, with an 10 cylinders 6.8 engine, With 305 HP. I have a clear title, without liens or loans on it, under my name. I am selling it at this final price of $6.500 because my husband died 3 month ago and it brings me bad memories and that’s the reason I want to sell it. If you are interested in buying looking for your reply. Have a great day
We then went back and forth with emails about the process. Here are the steps she explained to us: Please let me explain all the steps of the transaction through Dakota Auto Shipping .You will receive the motorhome in just 3 days and you have 5 days test period. That means that 5 days to decide if you want to keep the motorhome. If you do, just inform Dakota Auto Shipping about it and the payment will be released to me ONLY with your approval. If by any chance you reject the motorhome (my opinion is that you will love it) you just have to notify Dakota Auto Shipping about it and you’ll get refunded in 48 hours. If you’re interested to conclude this purchase in a timely manner email me your Complete Name and Shipping Address. I’ll send it to Dakota Auto Shipping to start the process and they will explain the entire procedure.
The financial part will be managed by Dakota Auto Shipping which means that you will have a 5 days inspection period before committing to buy the motorhome and the title is transferred. That way we’re both covered throughout this process.
We checked the website and everything looked legitimate. We wired $6500. to the Navy Federal Reserve Credit Union and the RV was supposed to be delivered October 3 at 6:00. I called to follow-up and they said the money was never received. Told we they need the Federal Reference Number which I obtained and sent to them. They indicated it was a screw up between their financial department and shipping department and the RV was supposed to be delivered October 5 at 6:00. There is still no RV. I am totally sure this is a scam and just hope we are able to recover our money.
Victim Location 19114
Total money lost $5,020
Type of a scam Online Purchase
A RAM truck was listed for sale on craigslist, when we tried to contact the seller we were told that she was in the service. We were also told to wire 5000.00 to Dakota Auto Shipping & that they would hold the money until the vehicle was shipped to our address, inspected & we approved the condition & sale of the vehicle. If we approved the sale, the shipping company was to give the 5000.00 to the seller. The vehicle was ordered on 9-26-18 & it was to be delivered to our house on 10-3-18 at 6:00 PM. The vehicle never showed up. When we tried to call for the whereabouts of the vehicle, I was put on hold & then they would hang up. If I called back, they would not pick up the phone. I used a different phone to call & they picked up the phone…but again hung up. there apparently was no vehicle to be delivered. WARNING: DO NOT WIRE ANY MONEY FROM YOUR BANK TO ANOTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION !!! YOU MOST LIKELY WILL NOT GET THE MONEY BACK.
Victim Location 02346
Type of a scam Other
Found a boat for sale on Craigslist. Woman emailed me about her divorce and this and that. Then she says it’s at Dakota auto shipping and to give her my name address and number. I emailed Dakota auto shipping and they told me to give her the info but it seems also suspect there’s nothing online about the company.
Victim Location 94904
Type of a scam Online Purchase
They said they were a flight attendant and needed to sell their car quick.
Victim Location 35242
Type of a scam Online Purchase
I was on Craigslist looking for a vehicle specifically an suv I ran across a 2015 Tahoe Ltz for 9300 .. initially I was like that is a great deal like to good to be true so I reached out to the seller and see emailed me telling me about the vehicle which she said belonged to her father prior to his death . She then sent me a car fax and a instructions to go through a shipping company (Dakota auto shipping) where I would have to wire them the money and they will deliver the car to me, she claimed that she left the car with the shipping company because she is in the military and she about to leave for duty and the shipping company is holding it for her. So doing my own homework I called a Chevrolet dealership and gave them the vin number that was on the car fax she sent me and the vin number pulled up for a Cadillac Escalade that was a red flag so I emailed her and she proceeded to say she sent me the wrong vin number (red flag #2) because she never sent me a vin number I got it off the car fax she sent that listed the vin number plus the description of the vehicle .. after I emailed her I called the shipping company they hung u on me after telling them what I told her the vin was registered to a different car I’ve been calling them they want answer .. then I had my attorney research and it been a lot of auto scam in the same area
Victim Location 55422
Type of a scam Other
Found an RV for sale on craigslist that looked like a good deal. listing https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/rvs/d/nice-2005-cameo-by-carriage/6665235…⇄ Listing looked a bit odd, but thought I’d check it out anyway. Called, but it was a text only number. they texted me and said that I needed to send them my email and he would have his mother email me the details. I sent my email and they sent the details below.
My name is Gloria , Thank you for being interested in buying my 2005 Cameo by carriage , I have a clean title. The price was reduced at 5200 firm, because of my recent divorce, This trailer doesn’t help me much as a woman, so thats why the low price and quick sale. 80% of my time is spent as a flight attendant, so it would be hard for me to deal in person. I set up everything with Dakota Auto Shipping so I don’t have to be present. I left the trailer with them so they will also handle the transaction. Will be waiting for your full name, address and ph# so I can have the shipping company send you all the necessary info if you want the trailer.
I replied that I wanted to see it before purchasing and asked a number of questions. No questions were answered and I received the following reply.
Thanks for your reply. The trailer is in Bismarck, ND, with all the documents at the shipping company (Dakota Auto Shipping) ready for to be delivered. I plan using their escrow and transport services. They guarantee 100% protection and insurance for both of us. Using this company, you will have it for 5 days to try it out. If by any reason, you decide against it, you can send it back at my expense and be 100% refunded in less than 24 hours. I will not get paid until you inspect it for 5 days and make a decision. For more details about how Dakota Auto Shipping works, please reply with your full name, shipping address and a phone number.
With your info, they will send you an email right away and you can also reach out to the company!
Victim Location 53233
Type of a scam Other
Contacted purported seller of a car on Cars.com. Seller offered car at very low price. When asked to inspect the car, seller suddenly said the car was being stored in another state and immediately offered a "zero risk" escrow service where they would ship the car once the money was in escrow. The buyer (me) would have the right to refuse delivery of the car "for any reason" and the car would be shipped back to seller and money returned to me out of escrow. I did not take the communication any further because this sounds like the other scams advertised by BBB, some even using the same street address.
Victim Location 16801
Type of a scam Moving
Just reporting what appears to be a scam! Just checking to see if others have experienced this same thing.
I responded to a posting on Craig’s list, Pittsburgh area, offering a SUV at 1/2 market value. After corresponding back and forth, the person said they had moved to North Dakota and were selling the vehicle through Dakota Auto Shipping Co. They claimed the shipping of the auto is free through this company, my money would be held in escrow until the sale was completed by both parties, etc. Upon searching the company, I could not find them listed at the address. Too many things don’t add up……. they should sell the SUV in N. Dakota, the deal is too good, Dakota Auto Shipping is not listed as a company at the address, etc.! I have contacted the company requesting additional information and have not received anything to date. So I am backing away from this!
Victim Location 33145
Type of a scam Other
Identified opportunity to purchase a vehicle via Craig’s List. The seller, Nicole Lachman ([email protected]) indicated interest in selling a 2014 Toyota Tacoma for $9K via the Dakota Auto Shipping’s escrow service. The instructions indicated that the buyer would wire the money to DAS and then the vehicle would be shipped to the dealer of choice in the buyer’s local area. Reason for the sale was deployment to active duty and that the seller (Nicole) would be unable to sell the vehicle in person. An email was provided (attached) describing the process, but when called, the number hung up automatically. Checked the BBB site and learned that several scams had been observed in other parts of the country during September 2018. Review of other complaints indicated that authorities have been contacted.
Victim Location 30327
Type of a scam Other
Found a car listed on CraigsList in Atlanta–great price –was told the seller was military and being deployed had to sell the father’s car. Clean car fax everything looks great–they asked for wire transfer and promised no money would be taken until 5 days after delivery. Did my research and there is NO company at this adddress that does this and the company at this address had fielded multiple calls for the same scam. This sounds identical to the scam ScamPulse.com has an alert for via Elkhorn Express out of Idaho. Please advise, this may be the same scam.
Victim Location 80536
Type of a scam Online Purchase
This company and the associated "contact person" is a SCAM!!! I found an ad on Craigslist four a horse trailer I was interested in. Initially I thought it weird it was listed under RV’s but looked into it anyway. The price was really low for what I saw which put up my radar. After many attempts to speak with the person who supposedly posted the ad, and a really in depth SOB STORY about her husband dying and moving to North Dakota to start over and too many bad memories and needing to sell it as soon as possible, I called Dakota Auto Shipping who was supposedly to handle the shipping should I want to purchase – to ask about their company. Speaking with someone after it sounded like being transferred to another place – they asked for money to be sent ahead of time to an escrow acct……Uh NO!!!! I sent both parties an email to let them know I was aware of their scam and imagine my surprise when I saw that the ad was being removed from Craigslist!!!!! BUSTED! I have advised both the craigslist poster of the ad as well as Dakota Auto Shipping that they have been reported to the authorities as well as the BBB!
Victim Location 92509
Type of a scam Online Purchase
They offers cars, but it’s a scam.
Victim Location 33180
Type of a scam Online Purchase
I was interested in buying an airstream. Somebody contacted me through email saying they had an airstream which was their fathers who died and wanted to get rid of it because it brought back memories… They were being DEPLOYED TO ARMY so couldnt call you.
They use a company (fake) called dakota auto shipping who supposedly hold your money on escrow until you receive and inspect the airstream.
Price was too good to be true.
Website is VERY WELL set up!
Victim Location 99676
Type of a scam Fake Invoice/Supplier Bill
Spotted a killer deal on a Roadtrek in Jacksonville, FL on Craig’s List (I have since spotted the same vehicle, same scam, on at least two other cities Craig’s List). No mileage listed, only 2 or 4 exterior photos, so sent email to "seller" asking about mileage and interior photos. Received email the person was "busy at work, posting this for my aunt, send me your email and she’ll get you more information". Within 30 minutes of sending email address I received email from "seller/aunt" Brigitte DeMeyer (a popular singer, so Google search only turns up the singer). Father passed away a month earlier, it’s been garaged and she is shipping overseas in two weeks so now vehicle is with shipper/escrow service company in Bismarck, ND. Send my name and address and shipper will invoice me. I played along and sent information, now I have an invoice to call this "#1 Auto Shipper" company with "millions" of satisfied customers and wire funds within two hours. I will have 5 days to physically inspect the vehicle and if not satisfied I will get a refund, so it’s safe because no funds are released to seller til I am satisfied. I obviously won’t be wiring any funds . . .
Victim Location 92649
Type of a scam Online Purchase
This company is completely fake, and has a website that is nearly identical to another one that I was led to via Craigslist auto ads. The other site is Colorado Premium Transports. The scam involves a picture of a car that is in very good condition, below market value. When you inquire, you are emailed a story about a cross-country move and a car that is out-of-state and can be shipped by a shipping company. They want you to put thousands of dollars in an "escow account" which will only be released when the car has been shipped to you and you are satisfied. Please do not send these companies any money. This scam seems to be all over Craigslist.
Victim Location 49503
Type of a scam Counterfeit Product
Saw Mercedes sprinter cargo can advertised on Craigslist (Chicago) w little information but price of $15,000. Inquired via text message regarding condition and mileage. After about a week received response ((from person identifying herself as Tamara simms) that price was reduced to $7995 and mileage was 15,000. I asked for carfax report and confirmation on price and mileage. Tamara immediately sent more photos and carfax on another text message. She said vehicle was in Bismarck ND and she was using Dakota auto shipping to handle sale. Checked website for DAS and called them 9-17-18. Phone call seemed to go thru another connection i was instructed to make offer witha tamara along a contact information.
I have sent offer via email to Tamara. Subsequently i did further investigation of Dakota auto shipping entering address in Google map and found another industrial contractor at address but no mention of Dakota auto shipping.
Victim Location 79912
Type of a scam Online Purchase
Wanted a wire transfer to be made on purchase of a truck International 4400 4300,scrow account fake and truck was supposed to be delivered at no cost very cheap 5100 dlls was going to ask about info on wire transfer but saw your post on this issue and seems that you guys help me on this thanks
Victim Location 93657
Type of a scam Other
I saw an RV listed for a very low price on Craigslist that I was interested in. The next day, I received a text asking for my email address to send pictures of the RV. They wanted me to purchase the RV through Dakota Auto Dealer. Honestly, everything just seemed off so I didn’t follow up. The email felt copied on and the story felt unauthentic.
Victim Location 60126
Type of a scam Other
They were selling a car for about 1/2 the price. The were asking for a wire transfer. It did not seem right. When I contacted the company, the voice sound that it was going through some kind of voice modifier. Did not wire the money.