Hi folks... I'm from the Lotus forum (www.EliseTalk.com) and I have a warning for you all...

After many years of successful eBay buying and selling, I just got burned. Luckily the amount wasn't that bad: $128.61. I was trying to buy a used Snap On torque wrench.

The seller claimed that he could only take money order / cashier's check (which put up a red flag, but his other feedback seemed fine and I was blinded by lust by the shiny Snap On tool!)

Anyhow, watch out for "Celso Ferreira", he is operating out of Miami, Florida. Here is something I found on your forum, now that I investigated a bit:

https://mustangboards.com/archive...p/t-16040.html

mcmmotorsports
07-12-2006, 09:34 PM
Anyone live nearby? I think I got scammed out of $97.50 off eBay and may need someone to swing by and pick it up for me. http://www.mcmmotorsports.com/smilies/nono.gif
After being an eBay member for almost 10 years, this is a first for me. I went against my better judgement and did not choose to practice what I preech.
b
mcmmotorsports
07-13-2006, 12:13 AM
Celso Ferreira
1581 W. 49th Street # 313
Hialeah, FL 33012

07-13-2006, 05:18 PM
Just filed my complaint with the US Postal Inspector.

So be careful with ol' Celso.

By the way, I sent the money order to: 3876 SW 112 Ave #322, Miami Fl, 33165... I'll bet it is an abandoned address.

If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!

Thomas

 

Thanks for the warning. Now, post some pics of your car

 

So Mike got scammed by the same guy?

 

This is my li'l lotus:





and at an Autocross:



It's a fun car... brutal ride, and all!

 

Sick car, I love it. Sorry you got scammed man

 

actually, i think i remember the post he's referring to. i'm pretty sure mike got scammed by that guy too.

 

sweet car dude! sry to hear ya got scammed. my cousin got scammed for $200 or $300 by some ******* in orlando. you should send a bullet to that address with a letter stating "The next one is coming air mail!!!". too bad ya can't just pop a cap in their asses .

 

ahh i'm at post 666!!! gotta get off that one quickkkkk!!

 

cool car dude, and thanks for the heads up.

 

Sweet car....thieves should be shot....

 

we have a few miami residents here. they need to group up and send this guy a visit. theres not much worse than a common thief.

 

hahaha, makes me think of jay and silent bob how at the end they beat up everyone who talked **** over the internet

 

The address, I'm sure, is fake. Probably an abandoned house. His phone # was fake too.

But, obviously the guy lives in Miami, so don't fall for the trick.

Thanks for the props about my car, you guys seem like a pretty great group!

Thomas

 

I checked up on the address since I live in Miami for MCM and it was a fake. I only pay with credit for ebay items.

 

Thanks for checking... I'm probably going to call the Miami police dept to report it, but I'm pretty sure they might have some more important things to worry about than this!

 

I believe the address you gave out is real. There are a few apartment complexes right on that corner. When I was a child I use to live by that area. It might not be were he really lives though. Whenever I'm close by I could check it out. Sorry to hear what happen btw. Nice looking lotus.

 

or would ya call the feds cause isn't that fraud?

 

Since it is through the mail system, there are ways to report fraud to the Postal Inspector, etc. I'm looking into doing that.

Thomas

 

Thanks! I find myself staring at it sometimes! haha!

Some people call the Exige the "track" version of the Elise, yes. But, an Elise is pretty capable as a track car already. The Exige is a bit harder edged.. for instance, the Exige bodywork creates downforce that helps on the track... also, the Exige comes w/ the sport suspension, mine w/ the "Track Pack" that has adjustable shocks at all four corners, adjustable ride height (collared spring perches), adjustable front sway bar, forged wheels, crazy-sticky Advan 048 tires, 6 speed transmission, dual oil coolers and stuff like that.

If you ever get a chance to drive one, it's an experience. It is a lot like riding in a toolbox! haha! You feel every pebble in the road... very jarring ride, very very noisy and it likes to shake bolts loose (and fillings!).

That being said... it still brings a HFS (huge f-ing smile) to my face every time I drive it. Definitely a love-hate relationship.

The Toyota-Yamaha engine is pretty great w/ the Lotus engine management. My car is about 1900 lbs, so the li'l 1.8L engine scoots the car just fine.

The 2007 Exiges have a supercharger, so they are a bit quicker... mine is N/A, but really meant for the curves not for drag racing.

If anyone is in the Wisconsin area I'd give 'em a ride!

Thomas

 

<slamming on table> more pics! more pics!

sorry bout your luck tho man!

 

Thanks... it reminded me to always be careful!

Here's the car at an Autobahn (Joliet, IL) track day.



I love Diablos!

 

I got scammed by the same guy for some paintball equipment ($135). Payment was sent to the same address you stated Thomas. Ebay had him listed as Courtney Ferreira in Newport, RI. I assume that was dead end information for you.

 

Geeze, what a scumbag. Yah, same contact information was listed on eBay. I called and asked for Courtney, and the girl hung up. (Probably because she has nothing to do with any of this).

I'm probably going to file a report w/ Miami police... I'll keep you posted.

Thomas

 

So check this...I go to school in georgia and i'm looking on eBay for a Business Law book for my class that starts late August. Found a seller and the bidding was at $50 bucks with a few hours left. Watched it until about a minute left and decided bid up to $80 bucks. Now I new the buyer only accept money order and checks but I seen his feedback and it was decent; So I decided to proceed. I won the item (i think there was some false bidding going on) and receive an eBay message from him:
Thank you for your purchase. I appreciate your business. I accept money order and cashiers checks as form of payment. I do not accept paypal. I will ship your item as soon as I get your payment. My address for payment is: Celso Ferreira, 3876 SW 112 Ave #322, Miami, FL 33165. If you have any questions let me know. All of this sounded weird, so i decided to google the name and I found myself here. Some other info i found is the name Celso Ferreira is name of a well respected professor at the university of Miami. I'm not paying him or her i dont care if i get a negative feedback. I simply refer people to this and other post!!!!

Just as a side note my brother and I are working on his 06 GT. K&N Intake, Philips HID, 20" TSW, Tint. I'll try and get him to send me some pictures.

Some weird S**T!!!

 

Im in Racine! That sounds like a fun car!

 

MustangDre - what is the eBay username?

Thomas

 

In my case, the seller username is "greatfaith90". I don't know if the account has been hijacked, or what. The seller is currently listed as "not a registered user."

Thomas

 

Hey, I found this: it is an FBI "Internet Crime Complaint" form.

http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/

Each of us who has dealt with this creep ought to file one.

Thomas