CROSS-BOARD SCAM WARNING! (She's Back!)

[Mindfield]

Okay. Before I get into the specifics, let me first say that two of these are as yet unconfirmed, but if you read the details, you'll probably come to the same conclusions I have.

First of all, be VERY, VERY CAUTIOUS when dealing with anyone selling anything whose post count is low (under 10 -- usually around 1 or 2). This is pretty much common sense, but sometimes it's easy to forget that when you see a good deal you want to pounce on.

Be ESPECIALLY CAREFUL for lots of Nintendo games and systems being sold by such individuals. You'll find out why below.

DO NOT under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES use E-Mail Money Transfers to pay for these items.

Here's why.

I posted about the scam before dealing with "Sara Clarke" so we all know how that went down.

Well, it's happened again. Possibly three more times, and not just to me. I won't name names or give details yet, but suffice it to say for now that it's all been the same sort of crap.

In ALL cases, the seller was new to the board.
In all cases, the seller was selling a bundle of Nintendo merchandise -- games, mostly, sometimes a system in the bundle -- usually priced between 60 and 75.
In all cases, the seller preferred E-Mail Money Transfer. In one case when pressed to deal in person, though the seller agreed, they kept begging off, claiming that they were too busy, and the buyer settled for EMT payment and the items being shipped.
In all cases, the seller used an alleged real name as their alias on the boards (usually only a first name, but in one case, a last as well) The names would be male or female. The names they gave for E-Mail Transfer were all different. (I have not confirmed it yet, but I believe any name and any E-Mail address can be used for EMT since CertaPay, the company that facilitates EMTs between financial institutions, uses this information only for the purpose of notifying the recipients, and for the records of the reciever and sender in their transfer history. I do not believe there is any correlation between the name and E-Mail address entered for the EMT and either your or the sender's real information contained in their bank account information)
In all cases, the seller used a Hotmail account to which the EMT was to be directed.
In all cases, payment was accepted and no merchandise was recieved. In one case the seller did make one final contact claiming the items were shipped, but still nothing was recieved.

So far these scammers have hit The Computer Mechanics and Classic Gaming Collectors of Canada. I have not yet seen them on RFD, Howard Forums or Price Network, but I am posting this to those forums anyway to head off any possibility that they might.

So I would like to recap this, as I cannot stress this enough:

- If dealing with a new member, CHECK REFERENCES. If no references are available, obtain verifyable means of contact -- preferably a telephone number where you can reach them, even a verifiable address, and do not make any transactions until they are reached. Even then be very careful; it's easy to use a buddy's phone and address for this purpose.
- If the seller uses a HotMail or other web-based account, request a real ISP-provided E-Mail address and correspond exclusively through this address. Keep all correspondance.
- DO NOT USE EMT unless you know and trust who you are dealing with. Remember: EMT is FINAL. There is NO recovering your money if the seller decides to screw you. CertaPay does not offer any protection against fraud. If you want some means of payment that's still quick and does offer at least the chance of recovery through investigation, use PayPal. You can now link PayPal with your bank account and use it like an EMT, but you're still protected by Buyer Protection like any PayPal transaction.
- If you are going to deal with such a person anyway, require shipping WITH TRACKING. Xpress Post or Expedited Parcel Post both provide tracking and are not much more than standard parcel post. This won't prevent you from being scammed but it will let you know within 24 hours if you have been when no tracking info shows up.
- Be ESPECIALLY CAREFUL with anyone selling Nintendo stuff. Though they could change their M.O. at any time, Nintendo stuff is popular and sells well, thus is good subject material for such a scam.

I know this is all pretty much common sense but it bears repeating. This seems to be a very bad time to engage in online trading, most particularily for Nintendo fans at the moment, so watch yourself. If it seems like a really good deal, instead of jumping at the opportunity, ask yourself why it's a good deal, then follow the suggestions above.

I just wanted to post this to give everyone a heads up. I'd like to try and make sure no one else gets taken in by this scammer (and yes, I'm now convinced it's one person.) I've written off the 135 I've lost to this butthole, as I'm sure the others who were taken in have done also. Let's make sure the only thing that lines their pockets from now on is lint.

[scrappy]

To the top

[dealforme]

Stickied for now

[ullyeus]

that sucks, I really only like dealing with people on RFD and only those on RFD who have feedback from OTHER RFD members.

I recently wanted to purchase something for a very good price and got some strange vibes from the seller so backed out. I think im happy I did now though the auction is still up.

[skuntbehavior]

good for you! if i even think that someone is the least bit shady or i just get just a feeling, no matter how good the deal, i walk away. i myself was one of the fortunate few that did not get messed up by Lamdam, Elite Munky, TDuong, etc. etc. on a set of technics turntables. something wasn't right with the said price of 2 new decks.

[Zippity]

Good tips, Mindfield!

As we always say, caveat emptor

[skuntbehavior]

Originally posted by Zippity@Nov 20 2003, 07:20 PM
Good tips, Mindfield!

As we always say, caveat emptor

EXACTLY!!

and for peeps that don't know what that means and in laymans terms, (also stated in the trading rules, guidelines etc.),

"Buyer beware and happy buying, selling, and trading!"

[Tetsuo]

So this is why nobody is buying my N64 package :S They must think I'm a troll. I never ask for email transfers though

Bump for a resolution

[Mindfield]

Originally posted by Tetsuo@Nov 20 2003, 08:25 PM
So this is why nobody is buying my N64 package :S They must think I'm a troll. I never ask for email transfers though

Bump for a resolution

I don't think most people here would think that -- you've got ample references and you've been here a while besides. But I do admit the climate for Nintendo stuff around Ontario lately has been rather iffy at best; these scams I think have people on the defensive. Sadly it may be affecting legit auctions from well-established members, but thieves have a way of breeching the trust like that.

[7-Endless]

Great post!

I think we should add Western Union/Bidpay to the list as well. Western Union also doesn't have a way of recovering funds and no ID or anything is really needed to accept payment so you really don't know who you're sending your Western Union or Bidpay money transfer...

[Mindfield]

Originally posted by 7-Endless@Nov 21 2003, 11:35 AM
Great post!

I think we should add Western Union/Bidpay to the list as well.  Western Union also doesn't have a way of recovering funds and no ID or anything is really needed to accept payment so you really don't know who you're sending your Western Union or Bidpay money transfer...

I've never tried BidPay, so I didn't include it -- however I'll be more cautions around that. I doubt many people would want to deal with Western Union wire transfers though -- they're incredibly expensive (minimum $18 for up to $100 transfer).

Has anyone tried HyperWallet? I've been looking at it for a while but am still unsure as to how good or secure it is.

[Freezer]

Bidpay is only used for Auction payments

[Braindead]

pssst mindfield, get my pm regarding the joystick? come by to pick it up sometime

[gurfunkel]

uhh, just to point out that im new to the board yet i'm not scamming anyone. Not all of us noobs are bad news

Rob
Gurfunkel@rogers.com

[ichpen]

Originally posted by Mindfield+Nov 21 2003, 10:49 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mindfield @ Nov 21 2003, 10:49 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--7-Endless@Nov 21 2003, 11:35 AM
Great post!

I think we should add Western Union/Bidpay to the list as well.* Western Union also doesn't have a way of recovering funds and no ID or anything is really needed to accept payment so you really don't know who you're sending your Western Union or Bidpay money transfer...

I've never tried BidPay, so I didn't include it -- however I'll be more cautions around that. I doubt many people would want to deal with Western Union wire transfers though -- they're incredibly expensive (minimum $18 for up to $100 transfer).

Has anyone tried HyperWallet? I've been looking at it for a while but am still unsure as to how good or secure it is. [/b][/quote]
I've used hyperwallet a few times and it seems to be good. Much like paypal you can pay in CDN or USD funds. They charge 0.25 cents to send money. Moving money between your Canadian bank and hyperwallet is free.

I kind of like it. Security wise it's probably on par with email money transfer i.e. they won't mediate or settle claims.

Unlike paypal you cannot attach credit cards to hyperwallet which is good and bad news for some.