I've started to keep an eye out for a motor travel trailer. Nothing huge, mind you. Something that
I can easily drive and manage but still have all the necessities, such as shower, stove, bed, etc.

New RV's are very expensive.

Not that I am searching every day or in a mad rush because I am not.

The other day I happened on some RV listings online. I put in my nearby cities for location and
several page listings came up and most with good prices.

I see a few listings for $1,500. I would expect a very used pop up camper for that amount.

Well one of the RV listings was extremely nice. $1,500. A bit older model but looks brand new.
Almost exactly what I want. Only 46,000 miles. Located in Jackson, Tennessee. Then I saw it
was some how Craigslist listings or in cahoots some way. So I thought WOW what a deal that
would be! One never knows, does one? Perhaps retired people that no longer have the need
for it, down sizing or whatnot.

I hit the contact link and submit my email for contact.
-----
1997 Airstream 190 Class B

Hello,

I've received your email regarding the 1997 Airstream 190 Class B Van Motor home. The motor home is still for sale. It has 46,196 miles. This is a NON Smoker motor home. No Pets! Has all options and its fully self contain has bathroom and a shower roof air conditioning with dash air as well has a Onan generator with only 6 hours on it, Ford EFI 8'cylinder 7.5'Liter Gas Engine, Sleeping Capacity 4-5 people, good tires clean title etc. It is in excellent condition. I'm asking $1,800 for it, not negotiable. I am in the Air force and we are preparing for an important mission so I hope that I would find a serious buyer in a few days. If you have any other questions, or need more info and pics, please free to ask.

Sincerely,
Lt. Marcia Kursch

-----

Hmmm Message seems a bit off to me. Why tell me she is in the air force? Why stress she is a LT.? Why make a point of telling me 'important mission'. Sounds lame. My reply:

I thought it was $1,500. However, I looked at several so no doubt I am incorrect about that.
Do you have more photo's, some of the inside perhaps?
Is it located in Jackson or Milan? Those were the two main areas I was searching. I am a
very serious buyer, by the way.

-----Her reply and she sent a lot of photos:

Hi again,

I'm currently stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base from Knob Noster, Missouri and we are in the final stage for a new mission in Iraq. The motor home is already at the Google shipping co here in Knob Noster stored and ready to be delivered to the next owner along with all the documents. The delivery is included in this price as I almost closed the deal with another person but he was unable to take the loan from the bank. I've already prepared shipping for him as he was out of state. Anyway I am member of Google Wallet since 2008 and I will make the deal only through their vehicle purchase protection program. Google Wallet will manage the financial part to be insured both of us. Google Wallet offer 30 days inspection period for the buyer. So you will receive the motor home in a few days and you will have the chance to inspect it for 30 days. In case you won`t be satisfied, you can cancel the transaction and ship the motor home back on my expense. I have to fill out a form on Google Wallet and I need your full name, full shipping address, your cell # and your email address so they can register you as a potential buyer and after that they will contact you to explain the entire procedure of the transaction. I sent you some pictures. You'll love the motor home, I can guarantee you that.

Thank you and stay safe,
Lt. Marcia Kursch

------My reply:

Ok that is a no go. I thought it seemed a bit fishy.

Now I tell you, the vehicle she described and displayed, is worth far more than $1,800. To top it off,
paying for delivery of the vehicle included! In addition, I know that the listing plainly stated for Jackson, TN.
ALSO, for that low dollar, anyone in her neighborhood would buy it for that low price.

I also did a search for her name, nothing came up. However, a lame photo came up (google email) that
could be anyone.

Just remember, if it looks too good to be true, it really might be.

super

super duper

I'm preparing for the Appollo 18 space mission, I'll be away from earth for a few days. Please leave your full name and bank details and I'll gladly withdraw the sum of $1, 800 myself if it makes things easier for you.

Ah, craigslist. A reliable, trustworthy source.

It can be difficult to detect and many people fall for the scams.

Scamsters can be very good at what they do.

Lets look at what appears legitimate and rational:

1. $1,800 this is a very low price that most anyone can afford that is looking for an RV

2. Images of a very clean nice looking RV grabs the attention and combined with the low price, is more than attractive

3. 1997 Airstream is a 20 year old RV and the price seems more in line

4. A big over 46,000 miles is just enough miles to make sense

5. A LT in the airforce owned

So overall the unsuspecting person might think they are getting a good deal from a legitimate professional that is no longer in need of the RV due to being on a long term mission. In addition, the person in the USA may feel accommodating to a service member. ALL makes sense that a 20 year old vehicle would be in good condition by a service person. To top it off, the 46,000 miles is reasonable and low for a 20 year old RV. If the service person took the RV on vacation two or three times a year over the course of 20 years, the milage makes sense. In addition, delivery is included in the already low price plus free return shipping, etc.

Lets look at what appears to be NOT legitimate nor rational:

1. The listing stated $1,500 but in the email it stated $1,800 non-negotionable

2. The listing stated the vehicle was in Jackson, TN but now through the email it is stated it is located in Missouri

3. The email states the owner is stationed in Missouri and that the RV is also in Missouri at a google shipping co

4. I did look her name up in a google search and nothing with her last name spelling came up

Those three points alone is cause for concern. Why would a person stationed in Missouri have an RV in Missouri? As a norm, you have your vehicles wherever your permanent home is located. Just because you are stationed at one place does not mean your vehicles would be there too. If you are living in the area where you are stationed then why would you already have your RV in a google shipping co?

There are a lot of other red flags. A major red flag is absolutely nothing is said about my coming to see the RV.
You'd think she would have said, you are welcome to see it and test drive it. She ask for information but she gives little to no information about her self. She doesn't offer her phone number and a time to call.

I wouldn't totally rule her out as not legitimate but I would and did totally rule me out from considering it.
Too many red flags and I am not going to buy any type of vehicle that I can't see and test drive in person, first.

.....and no one in the USA says 'documents'.....we say 'Title'.

And what are your plans with the RV? travel the world?

Marcel-R6 wrote: And what are your plans with the RV? travel the world?

Nope , she will travel from one post to another here

It will come in handy when I want to go camping and/or travel/vacation.