I have been aproached by e-mail on two different ocasions by people saying, at first, that they wished to buy my car listed on the Anamera's site. After an exchange of information (car details and photos, payment methods, bank account no. for transfer,etc...) they claim that their local laws require that taxes have to be prepaid before funds can be transferred abroad. Their "bank" sends an official looking letter (on stationery of a bank, usually in Africa) with stamps and signatures. They even supply credit card info (e.g., Barclay's) as their own "personal guarantee".

Here some sample emails:

from: etienne.stehelin@gmail.com
Hello, I am interested in buying your car, but right now i have a pressing need. If everything turns out well then you will have a very nice reward plus the money for your car. I am a Captain with the UN troop in Iraq, and i have been here for some time now. During our weekly inspection on Oil companies, i got in contact with a Chief Security Detail to an Oil Firm who has already discovered an Oil Vessel which was not properly documented and my security crew impounded it. I have brokered a deal with an Oil Magnate who has bought the impounded product. Right now i am in possession of the Money which is 29.8million USD. Where i have a problem is how to secure this money because with my occupation as a uniformed officer i cannot be parading such an amount so i need a cover up (Helping hand) from you as the beneficiary of the fund with that i can send the money to you and instruct you on how to secure it for me.
Please if you are interested in this deal inform me and i shall give you more details.
Thanks,
Capt. Etienne.

Here a sample mail of a pretend bank official:

Bonjour monsieur
J'ai bien reçu vos coordonnés et vos intructions.
Je vais maintenant à ma banque. Une fois le virement effectué, je vous enverrai le reçu de la confirmation du virement par email.
Cordialement
Mr Hallage
AWASHBANK - COTE D'IVOIRE
HEADQUARTERS
REMITTANCE ADVICE
THE STREET OF BANKS,3rd
STAGE,IM CHARDY
TEL/FAX: 0022544538206
e-mail: awashbank@netcourrier.com


EXECUTION OF TRANSFER OF FONDS/SWIFT TELEGRAPHIC


WE, AWASHBANK - COTE D'IVOIRE RECEIVED THE 10/11/2009 AN ORDER OF
TRANSFER OF OUR CUSTOMER Sir. HALLAGE JEAN-LUC. OF AN AMOUNT OF 34,000.00
EUROS TOWARDS YOUR ACCOUNT CARRYING THE NUMBER N° (my bank information)
WE ASK YOU TO AGREE TO DISCHARGE YOUR TAX OF A VALUE TO YOU OF 1775
EUROS INTENDED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING CONTROLS OF THE UEMOA SO THAT
WE SEND THE SIGNAL OF THE TRANSFER AT YOUR BANK AND THAT YOUR ACCOUNT EITHER
CREDITS WITHIN A PERIOD OF 48 HOURS.

PS: YOU MUST IMPERATIVELY MAKE A FAST MANDATE AT POST OFFICE MONEYGRAM
IN THE NAME OF THE RECEIVER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING CONTROLS OF THE
UEMOA OF WHICH HERE INFORMATION FOR THE MANDATE:

NAME: DIGBEU
FIRST NAME: EMILIE
ADDRESS: 380 Rue Paul Langevin, 04 BP 543 Abidjan 04
COUNTRY: COTE D'IVOIRE.