Illinois Smart Logistics is either being used for a scam or IS a scam

My brother called yesterday to ask my opinion on this online deal he found. Within the first few sentences, it sounded eerily similar to one I ran into with someone trying to sell a nicely priced, great condition camper but using "ebay vehicle services" or some such semi-legit sounding company.

Once he gave me the first details my first question to him was, "does she happen to say she's a flight attendant or getting a divorce and is using this company to handle the transaction"? BINGO. Only this time it's Illinois Smart Logistics and he says 'but they have a website and check out.'

Long story short, we determined it was a scam. I'm posting here because I found almost nothing online pointing to this being a scam. Also, I found nothing to explain where the scam happens. My guess is, they provide enough of an illusion to make you think you're dealin with a legit company and the wire transfer is not to any legit company and then your money goes poof.

My guess is it's popped up just since November 2019 (that's when the domain name was registered through namecheap.com). The company website, ilsmartlogistics.com, says it's been in business for 17 years. Sure, they could've just established a website or moved the domain name registration but once you see enough red flags, you can pretty much go with it being a scam.

For example, the email she sent was word-for-word of the ebay/motorhome one with the different product and company name subbed in. Otherwise, identical. Take a look:

Samuel, I'm a flight attendant for American Airlines and because I'm away most of the time I will not be able to deal in person. I'm from Chicago, IL and before leaving I took the skid steer with all the documents to a local shipping company, Illinois Smart Logistics. My presence won't be necessary because their policy is that for 5 days you can test the skid steer while they act as an escrow party and hold your money while you try it out. The delivery fee is included in the price, don't worry. But if on the 5th day you decide against it, though I seriously doubt it, you can return it and get refunded within 24 hours. What I recommend is that we have them to issue an invoice, so you can see for yourself how it works and be able to contact them personally. NOTE: I'm obscuring some info like email addresses and my bro's last name.) 

From: Rebecca LooneySent: Friday, January 10, 2020 10:23 PM
To: samuel Subject: Re: Skid steer

Hi, I'm glad you are interested in my skid steer, it's still available for the price stated in the ad, $12,000.00. I want to be very clear, I'm not selling this machine for a lower price and I'm not interested in any trades or payments. So, it is a 2018 Caterpillar 289D Skid Steer equipped with a 74 HP diesel engine and a 2 speed travel transmission, has 148 hours. The machine is paid in full, no lien/loan or any outstanding debts and I have all the documents, manuals and service records since was new. I guarantee it's been well maintained and ready to work anytime! I own the caterpillar because of my divorce settlement and I'm selling it because I have some urgent debts to pay and also don't need it, so I'm trying to get rid of it as soon as possible. As I'm in a big hurry to sell it I need a fast and reliable buyer, so please let me know if I can rely on you on this deal, I don't want to waste our time if you are not determined to buy or you don't have the funds available.

Here is a link with some photos:  https://imgur.com/a/QaabuRE

From: Rebecca Looney
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2020 2:35:50 PM
To: samuel
Subject: Re: Skid steer

Samuel, I'm a flight attendant for American Airlines and because I'm away most of the time I will not be able to deal in person. I'm from Chicago, IL and before leaving I took the skid steer with all the documents to a local shipping company, Illinois Smart Logistics. My presence won't be necessary because their policy is that for 5 days you can test the skid steer while they act as an escrow party and hold your money while you try it out. The delivery fee is included in the price, don't worry. But if on the 5th day you decide against it, though I seriously doubt it, you can return it and get refunded within 24 hours. What I recommend is that we have them to issue an invoice, so you can see for yourself how it works and be able to contact them personally.

Let's have Illinois Smart Logistics get in touch with you so you can understand better. If interested please include in your next email your contact info for Illinois Smart Logistics: full name, shipping address and phone number, so we can move forward with this transaction

Hope we can do business 

She arranged for the company to send him an invoice. Again, I've obscured some personal info:

A couple of the red flags: 

• Item listing was too good to be true, according to my brother. 
• The address for the company doesn't seem to exist according to Google maps. (Rebecca's does.) 
• The PDF refers to the phone number 773-234-0098 as their financial department. On their website that is the only phone number. A little odd. 
• When you call that number, you speak to a woman with a very heavy accent who is hard to understand and says no one else is available to speak with. 
• Info for them on the google search is scant. Good SEO though.