Yes he is trying this on me with miniature horse for sale.  THIS HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC SITE - I thank all of you for posting.

craigslist scammer using the name Bryan Taylor...BEWARE

Same thing. Exactly. First text was on Saturday Sep. 7th, 2013. Same as everyone else's.  Oceanographer out at sea, no calls, just emails. Wants to purchase for his father. Sets up everything. Sends a confirmation email through Paypal about money waiting, just need to send $1,500.00 through western union to transportation company to pick up vehicle. Even had the nerve to say in a text "this is not a scam and you are 100% secured with Paypal"...  DO NOT BUY INTO THIS!

Beware this scammer, keeps sending texts from craigslist add - has no intention to buy, just scam.

CD....Thanks for the information. I would like to file a complaint as well. Can you tell anyone who might come to this site where the best place to start would be. If enough people complain - maybe this guy will be caught.

He calls himself Byran Taylor(FAKE NAME I'm sure) and insists on using pay pal as his sole means of payment. He won't give any information about himself, just wanting yours, stating that the pick-up agent will handle the paperwork. He even stated that he would be using Dependable Auto Shippers to perform the pick-up, now defaulting on a binding contract having made an offer and expressing intent. I have filed a complaint with the FTC and will contact the Marshall's office with the CA southern district court, being the # used is a Montebello, CA exchange, as his attempts to commit wire fraud are a federal offence.

Here is how the "PayPal Scam" works:

Says they will buy the item and will pay extra to cover charges by his shipping agent.
Says he will PayPal the funds and instruct you to send the extra money via wire transfer or pre-paid card to the agent.
He then sends you a fake PayPal deposit notice email, spoofing the official PayPal notice, that says the money has been put into your account.
You, thinking PayPal has your money, go ahead with the wire/prepaid transfer to the shipping agent, who is really the scammer.
After that, you then find out there was no money transferred to PayPal and are out the money your wired.


Here is how a "Craigslist Scam" or any other "I will send you a check for more than you asked" scam works:

He pays for the item + extra funds to cover his shipping agent costs with a bank draft or cashiers check.
He sends you a check, tells you to cash it and send the extra money to his shipping agent via wire transfer or prepaid card.
You cash/deposit check and wire/prepaid the funds to the agent.
Later, the check bounces as it was counterfeit. The money you sent to the agent, who is really the scammer, is unrecoverable due to it being wire transferred/prepaid card.
You are out money and now run the risk of being arrested for passing a counterfeit check.
See:
http://www.fraudaid.com/
http://www.fraudaid.com/solution_center/solution/draftsoption1/2a.htm

I received the same text message as everyone else after posting a car for sale on Craigslist. A text that they were interested in buying truck for father....Oceanographer getting ready to leave town tomorrow...Willing to pay asking price without looking first, etc..... This person text me they wanted to use PayPal account to transfer money. I am firm... cash only. They sent a text insisting that PayPal is the best way to complete transaction. Who buys without looking anyway??? I wish there were some way to prosecute this scammer!!!

I have received the same text message exactly in its entirety. I was able to get the name, Bryan Taylor(Fake I'm sure). I'm playing along for a minute to see if they will incriminate themselves enough to be prosecuted.

definately a scam -

Scammer

SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME TODAY SAME WORDS DON'T FALL FOR THIS PERSON

Same thing happened to my dad selling a boat on craigslist... oceanographer, buying for his father, no phone calls, just texts... he 'transferred' the money but my dad would have to transfer $1000k back first.. SCAM  Never will you have to transfer money back first.

The below is a response to my craigslist.org ad for selling my car:

Received text message (in 3 parts) from this number, 323-364-2793:

(1/3)Hello Thank you for getting back to me. Can you assure me that it's in good
state and that i will not be disappointed with it.I'm ready to pay your asking
(2/3)price and to be honest, i wanted to buy this for my farther, but the issue is i
am an oceanographer and i do have a contract to go for which starts
(3/3)tomorrow and am leaving any moment from now.The contract is strictly no call
due to the lack of reception on the sea area. But I'm able to access email

I did not reply...

Same thing oceanographer buying for father I dont get these calls when I post my number like this
999 ((999))9999

Complete scam, same story. Trying to get me to wire $1000 to a western union account first.

Same thing happened to me for a car i  was selling on Craig's List.  He wanted my personal email address even though he sent a reply via Craig's List.  Gave him my cell number and he tested me with same story:  oceanographer; buy for father, full price sight unseen, etc.  Then asked for email and PayPal account.  Scam time.  End of dialogue with this guy.

Yup...same story. I was selling a truck on Craigslist. Said he/she was an oceanographer leaving at any moment. Needed the truck for his/her dad. Asked for my email for Paypal. That's when I knew it was a scam.

These folks transfer the money and then claim they can't buy it and ask for the money back. The funds they sent were no good, so you are now in the hole for the amount you sent.

Yes.  Watch out for this person.  He or she just tried the same thing with me.  I'd play along if I thought the police would set up a sting.  Whatever you do, don't sell to anyone with this number.  Also, watch out for similarly worded inquiries from any number or e-mail address.

3/28/13 appprox 9am similar text message and provides only minimal  info.

LOL wow the same thing happend to me!!!!!

Don't trust this number,scam for sure !

I have a 1948 truck for sale on Craigslist.  This phone number has sent me a number of text messages wanting to buy the truck. Claiming they are an ocean photographer and out at sea and cannot talk. The messages say they want to buy the truck, sight unseen, full asking price and want my pay pal account to send the money..No response as to the persons name, where they are from or any other questions as to when they would pick up the vehicle.  This phone number is in another state from where to truck is being sold.

It is my opinion this phone number could be used in internet scams...I will file a report with the FTC.