Okay.

As a result of the previous Poll thread here's the Thing itself

Item 1)
How it will work.

This thread will be a locked sticky. Moderator and Admin team members will update it as often as is reasonably practicable. you tell us about an item, we'll give ita quick look, and then assuming it's found to be suspicious, it will be added to the list here, if you view this thread the latest items will be at the bottom of it... over time, items that are expired in relevancy, will be deleted or amalgamated into a reference post.

Item 2 )

How to Notify Admin or Moderators of a suspicious item.

If you come across an item in Readers ads, or Ebay, or indeed, anywhere else that we Gear junkies frequent, that is suspicious, and your initial investigation bears this out, then Send the User "SCAM ALERTS" a PM with the gory details.

All the Moderation and admin team will be able to log in as "SCAM ALERTS" and check the PMs, then do the necessary leg work.


ITEM 3)
The Rest of the Stuff.

We'll look at it as soon as we can, and if it looks dodgy, We'll Post the details in this thread.

If your item fails to be posted, it will be because it has either already closed or been removed, or it failed to be sufficiently obviously fraudulent. In my case I WILL be asking questions of sellers, and will base my opinions on the manner of their replies, and other data i can dig up in a sensible length of time.

I will also be notifying the issuing authority (be it Ebay security, or SOS readers ads admin or whatever) of these items before I post the details.

Please bear in Mind that this is a free service, and that we all have other work to be doing as well, so responses may not be instantaneous, indeed they are quite unlikely to be so.


This method aims to keep the available data relevant, and minimise the unfair or malicious slander that could result in legal issues or damage to innocent reputations that is unwarranted.


As to the Poll Results, 62% of you Voted for this method, so I hope it satisfies as many of you as possible.

Best regards to all

Max the mac

--------------------
if you don't know who i am, i aint gonna tell you.

Avoid this like the plague.

if you geta reply like this, DO NOT DEAL WITH THEM.

Supplied By Forum Admin.

How are you doing.Hope everything is going fine on your side.According
to my client,he has already sent the cheque out to you(it will arrive by
mail to your location).I made him understand it's urgent so he sent it
immediately i gave him your details.So the payment should arrive in a short
while from now.And once you get the payment,all other arrangments will be
accomplished.So Just be close watch out for payment.

But there was a little problem/mistake which i guess we can be well
handled with understanding.When i contacted my client to now maybe the
cheque as already been sent,i got to know that there was a misinterpretation
while sending the cheque.According to the instruction i gave him,he was
suppose to have sent you a cheque of £120 out of the money he was oweing
me.But instead,he sent a cheque of(£1,530).It was a terrible mistake and the
cheque is already out for delivery to your location.He claimed that he
thougth i said he should send you a cheque of £1,530(which was the total sum
he was oweing me)and not just £120.But i know very well that i told him to
send just £120,but i guess he didnt get it straigth.

But that should not disturb how own purchase.The deal is on and we will
get through it.What will happen is that ,once you get the cheque you will
easily cash it and forward the extra($1,410) directly to my secretary in
cash immediately so as to make arrangement for shipment.It will be sent to
him Via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.Originally,i had in mind to collect the
money from him and use to fix some other things personally.But since,its now
coming to you now,i guess i can be assured in you that you can handle it
with trust and have the excess money sent to my secretary.Hope all is
well.Mail me back immediately,to let me know that i can trust you to handle
everything well.I will be expecting your mail asap".

Best Regards
Mrs Sheri Baldwin

NB
Make sure you mail me back immediately you get this message.And also please
confirm your phone number, i tried reaching you by phone but i didnt get
through.


Be careful out there people

Max

--------------------
if you don't know who i am, i aint gonna tell you.

Hi,
eBay item 3768014047

1. This is an exact copy of one Manny's had on aBey a while back- even the photos!
2. New seller & bidders ID kept secret.

This is identical to another recent scam with another 02R about a month ago.

Scam Alerts

A user got this as a reply to one of his Readers ads items.

Be aware that this isa variation on the classic Nigerian419 scam.

This was in reply to a readers' ad - house for sale:



Dear Friend,



This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not yet met. I have to say that I have no intentions of causing you any pains so i decided to contact you through this medium (ads) As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Motala Bello, a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with prostate andesophageal Cancer that was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all form of medicine and right now, I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.



I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.



I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that I know my time is near, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends and Schools in the UAE.



I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, London and Ireland. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and donate the money, which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.



The last of my money which is the huge cash deposit that I have with Financial Firm Abroad .I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations and let them know that it is I Motala Bello that is making this generous donation.



I am writing this from my laptop computer in my hospital bed where I wait for my time to come. I pray that God uses you to support and assist me with good heart



God be with you,

Motala Bello.



NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I dont want anything that will Jeopadize my last wish. and Also I will be contacting with you by email as I dont want anybody to know cos they are always around me. Please try send your phone number to make communication easier.




be careful out there folks.

Scam Alerts

Got this notice today.

Anyone viewing this auction should be aware that not only is it highly unlikely to be legal, but that I have notified both Korg UK, and Ebay security.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51346&item=573780 4822&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Listed it as being "public domain". Also has 3 available with no mention of the MS20 controller!


Public domain my arse! \

SCAM ALERTS

A reader (********@****.***) received this poorly-punctuated email in response to an ad on the site:

From: chris pastor
Date: 19 January 2005 10:10:43 GMT
To: *******************@***********
Subject: Payment and shipping info!!!!

Hello,fine so i would like to informed you that i  will contact my client to issued cheque whole amount  of £2,500 and you will deduct your real cost which is £170 and you will help me send the balance  to my  shipper agency via western union for pick up so that they can come and pickup the item ok so let me have your address you want the check sent to and the name you want to be on cheque including your cell phone and i  want this to be done fast ok thanks for your cooperation Regard...

ADVICE

Obviously dodgy....... avoid this buiyer like something smelly and sticky....

Just thought I'd let you know about this one!!

A user advertised an item on Readers' Ads and received this initial response from leebruce20032003@yahoo.com

"hello, am interested in buying your Pro-cussion i will want you to give me the last price for it and tell me the present condition and also send me pics as well. Thanks Please email me direct with your real email okay"

He responded and then received this mail:

"Hello,
Thanks for the mail i really appreciate your quick
response i will want you to give me the name you want
on the check and the address where the check will be
send to with your mobile phone number and landline
number.i just want to inform you that you will be
receiving the check of £2,500 and send the remaining
to my shipping agent who is coming for the pick up at
your place.in my last transaction with one of of
associate he is the one that owns me the money okay
and he has promise to pay me when ever i needed it
andhave contact him about this transaction and he ask
me to forward the name on the check and the address
where the check will be send to.so i will want you to
give me the information so that you can have the check
in time.mind you i will compensate you with £100.for
accepting my offer.as soon as you give me the name and
the address consider the check at your door.and as
soon as the check clears your bank then you can send
the balance back to the shipper for the pick up at
your place.can i trust you with this deal? co's am
willing to do this is deal with you with my
wholeheartedly.if so let us move forward on this
transaction.hoping to read from you soonest.
Thanks,

Regards...

i want you to give me the name you want on the cheque
and address where the cheque will be send to and as
soon as the cheque cleared your bank then you can
transfer the rest to the shipper"

Followed up by:

"hello,
why the silence ? i will want you to get back to me
with the name you want on the cheque and the address
where the cheque will be send to with your mobile and
landline number so that we can move forward on this
transaction.And as soon as the cheque cleared your
bank then you can send the rest money to the shipper
for the pickup at your place okay.Hoping to read from
you soonest.
Thanks.."


It's the usual Scam......

Again, avoid the leebruce email address as a buyer....

I've just been told that Some eBay scammers have now started putting reserve prices on items.

So keep yer eyes peeled...... and don;t assume a reserve meansa real deal....

M

yet another form the LeeBruce2003 Email addy.

Quote:

---

Hi all

Got this today. I'd been e-mailing the guy for a few days - seemed OK until this one came. It was in response to my posting of a Mac FS in the readers ads. The previous mails were very convincing.

Regards

**********


From:lee bruce

'Hello,
   Thanks for the mail i really appreciate your quick
response i will want you to give me the name you want
on the check and the address where the check will be
send to with your mobile phone number and landline
number.i just want to inform you that you will be
receiving the check of £2,500 and send the remaining
to my shipping agent who is coming for the pick up at
your place.in my last transaction with one of of
associate he is the one that owns me the money okay
and he has promise to pay me when ever i needed it
andhave contact him about this transaction and he ask
me to forward the name on the check and the address
where the check will be send to.so i will want you to
give me the information so that you can have the check
in time.mind you i will compensate you with £100.for
accepting my offer.as soon as you give me the name and
the address consider the check at your door.and as
soon as the check clears your bank then you can send
the balance back to the shipper for the pick up at
your place.can i trust you with this deal? co's am
willing to do this is deal with you with my
wholeheartedly.if so let us move forward on this
transaction.hoping to read from you soonest.
Thanks,

Regards...

i want you to give me the name you want on the cheque
and address where the cheque will be send to and as
soon as the cheque cleared your bank then you can
transfer the rest to the shipper'

---

Oh, and matey boy with the Korg legacy cracks is at it again on ebay.... Avoid this./..

I have spoken directly with Korg about it, i can confirm it is definitely illegal.


eBay - Korg Legacy Collection (minus controller) - still ongoing

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51346&item=574984 9507&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51346&item=574863 6944&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51346&item=574984 4496&rd=1


turns out I used to work for the same companmy as Mike at Korg Support..........

this industry is smaller than you think....

Max

Right , this is getting really really silly....

This last week, Every single serious level console, (DMXR100, Neve, etc) with just 1 quite notable exception, (Euphonix Cs3000) was a SCAM

Current std tip offs.

1) Anything that's a private auction.

Generally speaking this is now a favourite of the Scam artists, as it prevents Concerned parties form emailing the bidders to warn them of the nature of the auction

2) Zero Feedback
Obviously everyone's got to start sometime, but basically Any high value Auction from a Seller with 0 feedback or new seller status should be avoided...

3) Even Feedback isn't certain now, as a number of Seller ID's have been hijacked. So be careful, check out previous feedback, email them and walk away at the slightest whiff of something funny.

4) Terms and Conditions
If they won't agree to accept Cash and allow you to collect the goods in person, or deliver to you on a C.O.D basis, then don't buy it. simple as that. NO excuses.
if a seller ONLY accepts Paypal, Western union, Nochex, or other electronic payment, and won;t accept cash, Don;t buy it. They may be Legit, but it'\s simply not worth taking that risk.

4B) NEVER go on your own to a meeting for collection.

5) NEVER accept payment for any amount other than the auction end price + P&P

6) if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Be safe, be careful, and don,t get caught out.

Max

--------------------
if you don't know who i am, i aint gonna tell you.

Recent updates


From a Forum member (thanks)
_________________________________________________
Ok,

Recently on ebay a new user has been attempting to sell an EMS Synthi AKS with no reserve. Some slight anomolies in the advertisement caused some suspicion. Firstly the guy comes from Truro, yet he placed his location as London. Secondly I asked a couple of questions in order to see if he would meet up and accept COD, and the condition of the unit.

REPLY:
Hi, You are right I am located in Truro, UK! I can make the shipping to your address as I work 12-14 hours in a day and I don't have time to meet you. The Synth is in perfect working condition. Best Regards.
---
slightly lacking in detail there, and the refusal to meet up was very suspicious. Further more, 2 hours before the auction was set to end it looks like eBay stopped things. "If the item was removed by eBay, please consider this transaction cancelled. If anybody contacts you to complete the sale, please ignore the request."

But, surprise surprise the user contacted me:

HIS E-MAIL:
Mail me if you are still interested by the EMS SYNTHI AKS Analog Synth for EURO 1100
I closed the auction for a buyer but he can't make the payment until 2 weeks from now. We agreed to find other buyer.
Make the payment on my name and address via western union
Name : Mark Jonson
Address : 61 Lemon Street
City : Truro
Zip Codes : TR1 2PE
Country : UK
Total price including the shipping is 1100 EURO( I will pay the shipping taxes and you will pay for the money transfer )
Soon as the payment is done email me the scanned copy from the receipt or the Sender's name and the MTCN from W U . I will verify the transfer online and if is fine I will make the shipping to your name and address. You will receive the tracking no.
Let me know
---

Hmm, so he's a new user, lied about the closure of the auction, only accepts WU, and refuses to meet up. I've since posted an e-mail saying that I'll only do COD... but have not yet recieved a reply. I wouldnt seriously meet up, but it'll be intersting to see what other excuses he'll come up with.

If anyone by the name of Mark Johnson (jhgh78 on ebay, jhgh78@yahoo.com) sells something like this again then watch out.


__________________________________________________

Basically the stock advice applies.
this is a text book scam case, and should be avoided .

Also from another user
__________________________________________________
Hi again

Came across a Korg Triton Extreme being sold on Ebay again.

New user / seller has zero feedback, user id's kept private and from London........think this is another Triton scam.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38089&item=730796 3572&rd=1

Regards

__________________________________________________

Updates may be a bit sporadic at the moment, as there's only so much time in a day, and I have many other responsibilities, not the least of which is earning a crust.........

Also This post in the forum

Quote a forum user:

---

Watch out for someone named Brian Nichol with the email address paul_jakes@hotmail.co.uk

Offers to buy goods, says he will pay cash into your account and arrange courier uplift. But in fact he pays in a cheque and arranges uplift before the cheque bounces.

---

I've notified Admin as of this evening....

be careful out there peeps.

M

Although SOS has forced everyone to register who wishes to reply via email to genuine advertisers on our Readers Ads site, 2 alleged scammers have bothered to register and started sending emails like the one below to sellers. They look like scams to me, so avoid them like the plague!

Ian G

Thanks for the response.I have contacted my client who need the XXXX.He
said he will issue to you a CHEQUE of £2,000 after you send the following
informations:

Full name..............

Address.....................

Phone number......................

You are to deduct £450 and forward the balance to the shipping company that will come for the pick-up from your destination.The balance for the shipping includes my COMMISSION AND SHIPPING.My client said he love to make use of the XXXX in a movie....Also i need your phone number get back to me asap........

I saw your advert on net. I will like to know if it is still available for
sale if available please get back with the pics, last price and present
condition. Are you the first owner? When do you service it last?Also where
do you base?I will like you to e mail me direct to my mailbox:
Oli_in_Jam@yahoo.com.Your response will highly appreciate.

This is my phone number +447031844488
Best Regards
Olic...........


This next guy equally seems well dodgy to me, so take care/ignore his emails:

llo,
I am Engr Mark Job from France, I deal with all kinds of used Items and Engines, I came across your advert for the item listed above.
I will like to know if you are the owner of the Item, if so i will like you to provide me it's Photograph, Present condition and the least price you can sell it to me.
But if you have no pictures for it, you can go on by telling it's Conditions, as long as i can have trust in you.
Also Payment would be through a certiffied uk bank cheque or Banker's Draft.

I will like you to know that, the shipment will be handled by me.
I await your quick response.

Engr Mark Job
mark_job11@yahoo.de



--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

this is a Quote of a thread to remind you guys.....


Free Trade Inn



Joined: 08/04/2005
Posts: 18
Heads up on ebay scam
      #140380 - 02:48 09/06/2005
Edit  
Reply  
Quote  

People are sending fake email informing outbided users that the wining bider has backed out and you have an opertunity to buy. They will try and get you to transact outside of ebay and get your personal details. If you have doubts ask them to relist with your last bid as a buy it now.
This has hapened to me with an AW16G but it could have been anything!
Heads up, and lets be carefull out there.


raphus
member


Joined: 20/02/2003
Posts: 58
Loc: United States
Re: Heads up on ebay scam [Re: Free Trade Inn]
      #140387 - 05:28 09/06/2005
Edit  
Reply  
Quote  

Yeah, this goes on pretty regularly. I've seen a few people selling Access Virus TIs shortly after they were announced, I've had people want to pay me more for an item I was selling then expect me to give the difference to their agent in Africa, and I've gotten a number of emails telling me that I need to fix something with my personal information or I will be banned from eBay. Just the other day I got a warning that my bid had been cancelled on an item I had never bid on. I don't know how all the scams work; some are clearly trying to separate honest people from their cash or merchandise, some are probably attempts to get valid email addresses and financial information from gullible people...who knows? eBay has a mechanism for reporting such scams, but I'm not sure that anything actually ever gets done. I suspect there are too many for the eBay people to keep up with.

You should always, ALWAYS, be careful dealing with eBay. When you get an email that seems odd, NEVER click on any of its links. When I got the notice that my bid had been cancelled for item # XX, I opened a new browser window, navigated to eBay on my own, then did a search for that item number. It was some teapot or something that I've never seen before in my life. I use a Mac, so I don't have to worry about viruses or spyware, but I still would never click on any link that a suspect email wanted me to use.

Lots of great people selling great things use eBay, but I suspect there will always be scams. There's little harm in being too careful.


baward
new member


Joined: 04/02/2003
Posts: 205
Re: Heads up on ebay scam [Re: Free Trade Inn]
      #140449 - 10:27 09/06/2005



I send everything suspicious (that means pretty much anything which claims to be from 'Ebay' just to be sure) to spoof@ebay.com or spoof@ebay.co.uk which is their catch-all spam centre email address.

Ben




it still happens a LOT.... Be careful....


Further Notes.

From: John Williams

Notified Ebay already, thought it might be worth sharing for the sheer cheek of it... check out his Items For Sale...

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZwatson2230

Multiple copies of Cubase SX2, Korg Legacy etc. Unbelievable!

SX2 & Legacy for £5.99 Buy it Now...!

ALL THE ITEMS ARE ILLEGAL> DO NOT BUY FROM THE USER>

\despite the advertisement disclaimers.... what he is doing IS illegal.,

and thoroughly immoral !



Max

Got this today "Tony Dave" eh, no there a good english name!!!!

Hello,



I am Tony Dave, Live in Newham,Truro.United Kindom but Presently doing business in France Paris.



I deal with all kinds of used Items and Engines, I came across your advert for the item listed above. I will like to know if you are the owner of the Item, and if you still have it for sale? if so, i will like you to provide me with the photograph, Present condition and the {least price} you can sell it to me, because i will have to re-sale it here and i have to be sure its in Good condiction.



But if you have no pictures for it, You can go on by telling me the conditions,as long as i can have trust in you.

Payment would be through a certiffied uk bank cheque or Banker's Draft.

I will like you to know, I will be shipping it once payment has been comfirmed by you.



Your immidiate response would be appreciated.



Get back to me via my personal email address: tony_dave0101@yahoo.fr



Regards



Mr. Tony Dave

Quote wul:

---

Got this today "Tony Dave" eh, no there a good english name!!!!

Hello,



I am Tony Dave, Live in Newham,Truro.United Kindom but Presently doing business in France Paris.



I deal with all kinds of used Items and Engines, I came across your advert for the item listed above. I will like to know if you are the owner of the Item, and if you still have it for sale? if so, i will like you to provide me with the photograph, Present condition and the {least price} you can sell it to me, because i will have to re-sale it here and i have to be sure its in Good condiction.



But if you have no pictures for it, You can go on by telling me the conditions,as long as i can have trust in you.

Payment would be through a certiffied uk bank cheque or Banker's Draft.

I will like you to know, I will be shipping it once payment has been comfirmed by you.



Your immidiate response would be appreciated.



Get back to me via my personal email address: tony_dave0101@yahoo.fr



Regards



Mr. Tony Dave

---

Me too... I didn't even bother replying...

--------------------
Google less; read more!

Just today getting a string of dodgy requests from richard01_smithonline@yahoo.com

He has an 'associate in Nigeria'!

As a general rule of thumb just avoid anyone who even mentions the name Western Union. I had one guy try scamming me to which I told him I had reported him to the police etc... Anyway, the reply I received should go down in history as the most ridiculous. Its amusement made the guys existance worthwhile.

Basically, I received the following email addressed from:
FEDERAL BOUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

It even came with a very pixellated FBI logo header.

----------------------------------------------------
Dear sir,

We are International Federal Boureau of Investigation (FBI) . Our Company waiting from you .. The information from were we can arrest the guy.From were office he go to pick up the money . For we can arest him , we ask you to give him all information about the payment but that information must be available. When he will be in the #Wstern Union office to pick up the money , we will cath him ..

Thank you for your cooperation .

Director : Gerrard Saun from FBI LONDON..
Thank you .
------------------------------------------------------

Hilarious!

Ha Ha Tony Dave lol

Got 2 in one day from this idiot. I just signed him up to over 100 spam emails, hopefully it annoyed him as it did me recieving his crap.

And here's where the scam hits:

"Thanks for the honesty you have put in from the day one of this purchase and your open hearted in this transaction.

Just want to inform you about the Urgent news I had from my associate today.....I just received a call from my client letting me know that a terrible mistake was made in the amount stipulated on your payment, Which was made out of {National Irish Bank} instead of £500 he went on and issue the sum of £5000 on the cheque.
I think it's a typo Error from me so please try and understand it was due to my shut side view, and I have not been chanced to call for somedays now cos my phone was bad but i can use my other phone now.has you will be receivnig the payment be today or tomorrow.

My client was suppose to issue two payment out of my funds with him, One to you and send the other to my Personal assistant who is taking care of my daughter aswell for the medical treatment and also to make an arrangement for the pick up,but he made the whole to you instead of sending just £500 for the item and £4,500 to my Personal assistant for medical expensess and the agent fees.
And this can't be rectified from my end,because right now I'm not in the UK.

I will want us to carry on this transaction without further delay, I'll really appreciate if you go on and deposite the banker's draft in your account to avoid further delay and get back to me letting me know the amount of days it will use in clearing from your account so i can tell you what to do from there.

I'd like you to go ahead and cash the funds, then keep your own part of the funds, am also ready to give you extra £300 for the bank charges, after this, you will have to send the balance on the banker's draft to my Personal Assistant so he can arrange for the medical bills of my daughter in the hospital and also make an arrangement for the pick up as soon as you cash the funds.

We have spent to much time on this transaction and will not be adviseable to waste anymore time on this purchase again as we both are mature business men who deals internationally and this is a very small issue i think we can surtout bettween ourself.

I have spoking with my client that mistakely sent you the over payment about the mistake and he made me understand we can go ahead and have the Bankers draft cashed in any bank in the UK since the bank draft is issued from a UK bank.

I really do regret any inconviences this might cause you, you can call me as soon as you get this message or reply back with a message in my email.

This is my number +447031941239 it is a UK roam Number. You can find a copy of my Picture bellow this message.

I will be waiting to hear from you.

Once again, i'm really sorry for the inconviences this might have caused you. And you are free to deduct the £300 as promise.

Thanks for your usual cooperation,

I await your urgent response,

Engr Tony Dave"

Oh, and the twat even includes a picture of himself......

Quote boomboy:

---

... and the twat even includes a picture of himself......

---

Of someone - it may not be him - and it's there to set you at ease so you will bite on the scam more easily.

--------------------
John - Sound-Link ProAudio
President - Federation Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

You can check hidden ebay comments with this plugin for firefox.
https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=560

Just check out the amount of bad comments for some of the sellers. Its amazing ebay let them continue selling.

---

Of someone - it may not be him - and it's there to set you at ease so you will bite on the scam more easily.

---

I'm sure your right.

The good news: received a "Bank Draft" (in the post) for £5000
The bad news: looks like it's been printed on an inkjet

Hilarious......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AKG-C12-C-12-C-12-ORIGINAL-VINTAGE-CONDENSER-MIC-195 4_W0QQitemZ7375035602QQcategoryZ15198QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Same serial number and pictures as this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORIGINAL-VINTAGE-CONDENSER-MIC-1954-AKG-C12_W0QQitem Z7376719997QQcategoryZ41466QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Someone is going to get a big $12,000 shock!

--------------------
Roddy Bell
BBC / Siemens

anyone know anything bout this seller?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7378882528&sspagename=A DME:L:RTQ:US:1

also, i can't quite tell if that's a gibson, or a really close ripoff. can anyone lend a better set of eyes towards the headstock? the seller just says the following:

We collected all our goods from our country's authentic market. We are not the specialist， we don't know the exact condition of the goods. As far as I known, it is new .it is be send to your country needs Shipping cost:GBP180.00 ,insurance:GBP2.00
If you have any question please feel free to contact us.
I hope you have many fortunes and good health.
sincerely
wen

mostly positive feedback, but pretty fishy. but that's a hell of a deal for a lp standard or classic, if it is in deed such.

--------------------
~excuse my english...i'm american~

If that's not a scam, I'll eat my hat.

notice how he ignores the question "can you tell me what it says on top of the guitar" i wouldnt go anywhere near that guy. thats probably not even a picture of the guitar hes got.

--------------------
"they're gonna send you back to mother in a cardboard box"

That's another common ploy. My wife runs a site for her dad selling Antique Clocks. She was recently alerted to the fact that a number of her images and descriptions had been lifted by someone purporting to be selling them on eBay!

Saw a nice u87 mic for sale in the USA, to good to be true? E mailed and they stated they had just moved over to Bali, if i sent half the money they would send me the mic!

Please dont say someone bought it, it was only £400! Ha.
Yes i blocked the caller.

--------------------
www.groutfingerrecords.com

Ok.. be aware of a guy with the email ScottFather1956 @hotmail and ebay name of BobbyBlueMonkey

He is offering a Roland Jupiter 8 with Kention kit for a "buy now" price of £200 but you have to buy 2!! Imaging someone actually having two to sell.

Ok, that scam was easy to spot but I checked out his other items: Apple 30inch screem, Korg Triton, some wierd modular synth (could be Russian), Sony HandyCam... a hold load of stuff. Oh and DDrums too.

Usual, Western Union money transfer scam.

Edited by Pip (29/01/06 10:57 PM)

I was one of the many victims of MC Boardman a few years back so I can only advise anyone to be extra vigilant when dealing with "to good to be true" offers. If you part with your cash, it's highly like you'll never see your money again. I didn't / haven't and the police have been as much use as a bucket of sh*te chasing / finding this w*nker or even keeping me up-to-date! It's been 2.5 years! Not a dickie bird!

P

Yah I've been scammed on ebay before... beware of johnleota, he bought a microphone off me and never replied or payed... I ended up having to pay the ebay fees...

--------------------
www.ultimatesportsbets.com

You can get a refund of eBay fees if you file a non-paying bidder. It takes a little time, but the process does work. It did for me in anyway, twice...

I wish I had seen this before findinf out about Scottfather1956. He4 just stole $2,215 from me. I would like to know how you are sure he is the same person as Bobby Blue Monkey on eBay. WHY cant he be caught??? Any ideas?

their email is the same, when people send mail via the ebay system, it usually reveals their direct registered email address, and in this case they're the same .

Max

--------------------
if you don't know who i am, i aint gonna tell you.

I agree with the judge in Pinocio, people who have stuff stolen from them should go to prison. Perhaps then they would be more careful . . .

--------------------
www.the-byre.com No longer Forum Member

Beware the "Second Chance Offer" emails which look like the real thing, except that there's no link to buy from the ebay site. I think the graphics in the email were even directly posted from ebay's site.

If you reply (and I did...I really wanted that DA-7), the second email will ask for personal information.

At that point I emailed the seller directly from ebay, asking him to confirm that he'd actually made the Second Chance Offer. Guess what? He had not.

Good luck!
oxy

I've just been informed that the following PayPal-scam has started to rear its ugly head frequently (again):

It works as follows:
An e-mail is sent to your PayPal e-mail account, confirming you've just paid for an item using PayPal:

Dear [name],
This e-mail confirms that you have paid NAME* (e-mail@name.com) $ [amount] USD using PayPal.

This credit card transaction will appear on your bill as NAME*

The address mentioned under 'Shipping Information' is most likely unknown to you, so you're probably tempted to click the 'Dispute Transaction' link below the sentence 'If you haven't authorized this charge, click the link below to cancel the payment and get a full refund'

Don't! The link refers to a spoofed website in Croatia: ebnc.cipet.ac.cr/coppermine/.us/cancel.htm

If you'd log into your PayPal-account, you will notice that no such charge on your account (if all is well, that is!).

*) This is likely to be the name and e-mail address you're using for your PayPal account, so the message may appear authentic. It is not!

--------------------
Imagination is more important than knowledge - A. Einstein

just got this email:

Quote:

---

WEBMAIL PROMO.FORWARD YOUR DETAILS
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE
AWARD DEPARTMENT

RESULTS FOR CATEGORY "A" DRAWS
Congratulations to
you as we bring to your notice, the results of the Second Category
draws of THE MICRO/STAAT PROMO INT. We are happy to inform you that you
have emerged a winner under the First Category, which is part of our
promotional draws. The draws are being officially announced today 15th
of March, 2006. Participants were selected through a computer ballot
system drawn from 2,500,000 email addresses of individuals and
companies from Africa, America, Asia, Australia,Europe, Middle East,
and Oceania as part of our International Promotions Program.




Your e-
mail address, attached to ticket number 50941465206-529, with serial
number 5772-54 drew the lucky numbers 3-4-17-28-35-44 and consequently
won in the First Category.
You have therefore been awarded a lump sum
pay out of 1,000,000 (One Million Euros), which is the winning payout
for Category A winners.
This is from the total prize money from
2,000,000 shared among the 2 winners in this category CONGRATULATIONS!
Your fund is now deposited with the paying Bank.
In your best interest
to aviod mix up of numbers and names of any kind, we request that you
keep the entire details of your award strictly from public notice until
the process of transferring your claims has been completed, and your
funds remitted to your account.
This is part of our security protocol
to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by
participants/nonparticipants of this program.
Please contact your
claims agent immediately for due processing and remittance of your
prize money to a designated account of your choice:



You are advised
to contact the agents by email.
Failure to do so may warrant
disqualification.
NOTE: For easy reference and identification, find
below your Reference and Batch numbers.
Remember to quote these
numbers in your correspondence with your claims agent.



REFERENCE
NUMBER: LSLUK/2031/8161/06
BATCH NUMBER: 75/011/INL



To file for your
claim,please contact the fiduciary agent.



***********************************************
MR.JOHAN
PIETER.
ROTTERDAM,THE NETHERLANDS.
TELEPHONE:0031-622-142-315.

Reply Email: staatlotawaednl@netscape.net
***********************************************
Congratulations once
again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions
program.

Sincerely Yours,
MRS.MARISKA NOWAK.
THE PROMOTION
COORDINATOR,

---

what shall i spend the money on?

just to say that known fraudster tomasl11@yahoo.com is on eBay again, attempting to sell Moog Voyagers...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Moog-Minimoog-Voyager-Analog-Synthesizer-Mini-Moog_W 0QQitemZ7402725607QQcategoryZ72447QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Moog-Minimoog-Voyager-Analog-Synthesizer-Mini-Moog_W 0QQitemZ7402731388QQcategoryZ72447QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What's his general history? His eBay history seems good!

having two of them seemed dubious to me... so i googled his address and it turns up on a brace of fraudster lists.

one of the listings has now been removed by eBay themselves.

then there's the price... the fact that he puts his email address on the listing... FB is from sellers... and doesn't reply when i ask to pay COD ;-)

i'd say 'be careful'... no?


...bugger, have i just done myself out of a bargain..?

...double bugger, am i in court for libel..?

Madness!!!

seen this last week, thought it was too good to be true

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7401167074&rd=1&sspag ename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1

i sent an email to him about shipping costs and i got a message back directing me to email his personal email for a response which i ignored. then i got an email from an "ebay partner" which i never opened. then.. i got a message from ebay in my ebay account saying...


Our records indicate that you recently sent an email to or received an email from downsa through the eBay email system (for example, you may have sent an email to this member through Ask Seller a Question or received an email from this member through Contact eBay Member).

Sometimes eBay accounts are used to send email solicitations for transactions outside of eBay, or to send unrelated questions in hopes that you will respond so that the other party can obtain your email address. We wanted you to be aware of the potential fraud risk these solicitations pose and encourage you to be cautious about the email you received from this member.

Please keep in mind, sales that take place outside of eBay are not eligible for any eBay or PayPal protective services and you run the risk of losing your money or your item if you complete these transactions. We would encourage you to review the eBay pages related to Fraud Protection at the address provided below for information on steps you can take to ensure that your transactions are successful:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/confidence/isgw-fraud-ov.html

Should you have paid for this item, please write with details through our "Contact Us" form found on the page below:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/contact_inline/index.html

Please select "Report problems with other eBay members > Fraud concerns for buyers > You paid for an item but never received it"

If you have paid for the item through PayPal, you may find the following page useful:

/csg/p?www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_pbp-info-outside

Regards,

Trust & Safety Department





Now i see the item is back under a different name and location..........
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Digidesign-Control-24-Board_W0QQitemZ7402828577QQcat egoryZ23792QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Quote Conz:

---

What's his general history? His eBay history seems good!

---

His account has been hijacked and used to list fake auctions.

Look at sellers other auctions and see that a wide range of items, desirable to many types of people have been power listed for a 1 day auction. Scammer is trying to lure people interested into offline sales with his invitation to email him.

It's essential to contact sellers through eBays internal messaging system.

Also essential to look at feedback, selling patterns and current auctions when considering buying off anyone. If something looks suspicious, confirm that it's not before sending payment. There's lots of scams out there!!!

Intesteting to see how these things "work". So it's a hijacked good history.

But good news! His buyer backed out and I've still got a chance for a cheap Voyager!

>Hello,

>I ended my auction early, since a customer convinced me
>that he will buy my item for sure today, while he had the
>money in hand.
>But in the last email he told me that he can`t buy my item >anymore. I don`t know what to think..but I reported him to >eBay.
>Are you interested to purchase my item for US$ 1600?
>I will cover all the shipping and insured fees. You will >receive the item in Max 2-3 business days at your door. >You must know that I have asked in my auctions to be >contacted in my email address because I am carefully with >my auctions since I had multiple problems in the past with >nonpaying bidders so this is not the first time when I >meet with this problem.

I will be glad to hear from you as soon as possible!

Best Regards,


>>I am interested in this item, can I have details of >>shipping to UK, please.

>>Also, I need to pay Cash-On-Delivery - is this possible?

>>Thanks!

...ho hum...

Seems like quite a few readers ads advertisers are being approached by someone using the email address geo_willis07@myway.com and sending them a variation of the typical scammer First Contact email. See example below:

From: geo_willis07@myway.com


Dear seller,
I 'm interested in purchasing your advertised [your product will appear here] and i will like to know the price if is okay by me.if I can pay with a cheque drawn in your location. If this is okay with you do get back to me immediately for me to arrange the payment. Concerning the shippment, my shipper will come and pick it up from your location as soon as we seal this transaction. Do get back to me immediately with your Full Name, Contact Address and
Phone Number for me to instruct my client to make the payment ASAP. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards


Our advice is to proceed no further with such approaches and ignore them, or you might lose your shirt!

Personally, I would ignore any would-be buyer whose email contains reference to a "shipper" and then wait and see how they follow this up. If they are a genuine advertiser, it should become apparent.

Ian G

--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

Hi all,

I have this one too. Typical bad English, send me your address and I send round some nice peolpe who will save you on your house-moving costs. Yeah right !

Just a thought, if you do get this one, remember they do not know your email address as it is sent through the system. If you reply, you will be bombarded with mulitple "phishing" emails.
Also, if you are a PC user watchout as they will send you one or two choice hidden applications that clock your key activity etc to get passwords.
The apps are hidden in "document" files and on the PC they are hidden/ disguised, not so on the Mac as they are quite easy to see.
they usually look innocent enough, like "Here are those files you requested"
'data.doc'

Best advice is to bin all such mail.





--------------------
Producer / Synthisist. "Sound Engineers do it with special effects"

can anyone with a more trained eye tell me if this ebay offer is authentic; it seems too good to be authentic... http://cgi.ebay.com/MACKIE-D8B-DIGITAL-mixer-custom-patch-bay-snake_W0QQit emZ6621571199QQcategoryZ50QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

--------------------
My other signature is funnier

Quote connie:

---

can anyone with a more trained eye tell me if this ebay offer is authentic; it seems too good to be authentic... http://cgi.ebay.com/MACKIE-D8B-DIGITAL-mixer-custom-patch-bay-snake_W0QQit emZ6621571199QQcategoryZ50QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

---

Best thing to do is throw a few questions at the seller like, "can I view /try the goods before I bid?", "can I pay cash and collect personally?", etc. If they refuse any of these, steer well clear...

I remember seeing an auction for a Fairlight, with no pictures, although they were available upon demand, so I requested them... They were pictures of a Synclavier (pics were actually from Synhouse a Sync restorer, who I know), so I played with the seller for a little while. In a nutshell, he was adamant I was NOT to see the unit(s) until payment had been made and cleared. He actually started to get irate.

Good luck!
Peter

this item has been removed early from ebay , beware of items
advertised from the bristol area there is a member of this mag with several items for sale in the readers adverts,if you want to read an interesting bit of infomation search for: Knowhere Contact uk: Mangotsfield, the person named here is we believe at it again,

Here is an email I got today regarding an SOS readers ad I have placed.


Dear seller, I'm interested in purchasing your advertised Item,and i will like to know the price if is okay by me.if I
can pay with a cheque drawnin your location. If this is okay with you
do get back to me immediately for me to arrange the payment. Concerning
the shippment, my shipper will come and pick it up from your location
as soon as we seal this transaction. Do getback to me immediately with
your Full Name, Contact Address andPhone Number for me to instruct my
client to make the payment ASAP. Hope tohear from you soon. Best regards,


Looks like a message from here but with different text to try and fool, I'm certainly not going to reply, plus it's all to vague and pass the buckish..if you know what I mean.



Cheers.

had this on monday and told him where to go

john timms blanch
hi there,how are you doing,however i just contacted my client that the check was sent you 8am this morning with an error on payment,also i will like to notify you that he issue a check of 1500 pounds to you intead your asking 150,there was an over payment of 1350,and i will kindly like you to cash the check immediately you receive it and help have the excess fund send back to him via western union.i hope this is acceptable.Anticipating your quick respond.God bless you.

Did anyone see the huge SSL E-series on eBay recently, sat at £200 for days but sold last minute for £8000 odd. Love to know how the buyer got on, the guy had no feedback, it was a private auction etc etc.....

We received this useful email from a reader, so we are passing on his tip to aid others:

---

Thanks for your warning regarding the cheque/shipper scam that currently operates. 1 day after placing my ad with you I received this mail which was then followed by the exact pattern you laid out. Having recognised it I contacted the MET as my local Police force and it turns out that there is some limited action that they can take to at least have the fraudsters e-mail account closed down (I realise this is small, but every little helps)

Potential victims need to obtain a reply e-mail directly from the 'buyer' (rather than through your site) and then forward that message with the internet headers pasted in to this address - fraud.alert@met.police.uk . Below is an excerpt from the e-mail I got from the MET.

'To find the Internet Headers you need to look on the original e-mail that was sent to you. I have attached a Web link which explains how to find them. http://www.johnru.com/active-whois/trace-email.html or if using a Macintosh http://www.mind.net/hpage/omacheader.html

Once you have found the Internet Headers you need to copy and then paste this information into your message to us. This then enables us to trace the origin of messages and then if possible close the Website or E-mail account down.

Please note that without this information there is little we can do to help stop this situation being repeated again and again.'

On no account should a suspicious seller give out home address details (even if they really want to see a fraudulent cheque) as this could lead to burglary and their goods disappearing.

I hope that this info can be passed on so that as many of these fraudsters can be stopped, or at least hindered, as possible.

---

--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

The following email reads like a potential scam, and seems to have been sent to lots of advertisers in Readers Ads, so I'm p[osting it here as a warning to TAKE CARE. Personally, I'd give it a wide berth...

Dear Sir/Madam,
H & S International Limited is an european textile company.We produce and distribute clothing materials such as batiks,assorted fabrics and traditional costume worldwide.We have reached big sales volume of textile materials in the Europe and now are trying to penetrate the UK market. Quite soon we will open representative offices or authorized sales centers in the United Kingdom and therefore we are currently looking for people who will assist us in establishing a new distribution network there.
The fact is that despite the UK market is new for us we already have regular clients also speaks for itself.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR US?
The international money transfer tax for legal entities (companies) in UK is 25%, whereas for the individual it is only 7%.There is no sense for us to work this way, while tax for international money transfer made by a private individual is 7% .That's why we need you! We need agents to receive payment for our textiles( in money orders,banker's Draft,check or bank wire transfers) and to resend the money to us via Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer.This way we will save money because of tax decreasing.

JOB DESCRIPTION?
1. Recieve payment from Clients
2. Cash Payments at your Bank
3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.
4. Forward balance afer deduction of percentage/pay to any of the
offices you will be contacted to send payment to(Payment is to forwarded either by Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer).

HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 7000GBP via Banker's Draft or money orders on our behalf. You will cash the money and keep GBP 700GBP (10% from GBP7000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to 12%!

ADVANTAGES
You do not have to go out as you will work as an independent contractor right from your home office. Your job is absolutely legal. You can earn up to 3000-4000 GBP monthly depending on time you will spend for this job.
You do not need any capital to start.You can do the Work easily without leaving or affecting your present Job.The employees who make efforts and work hard have a strong possibility to become managers. Anyway our employees never leave us due to our excellent work condition.

MAIN REQUIREMENTS
18 years or older
legally capable
responsible
ready to work 3-4 hours per week.
with PC knowledge
e-mail and internet experience (minimal)
And please know that Everything is absolutely legal, that's why You have to fill a contract!
If you are interested in our offer, please respond with the following

details in order for us to reach you:
NAME
CONTACT ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBERS
AGE
SEX

Thanks for your anticipated action.And we hope to hear back from you.
YOU ARE TO SEND YOUR REPLY TO MY ALTERNATE/PRIVATE EMAIL:
sobat_tech_uk@yahoo.co.uk
Very Respectfully,
Mr.
President,
H& S International Limited
102 Broadway,
Cowbridge,
CF71 7ER, Wales
United Kingdom
Phone:447024022091
Fax: 447005808027


--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

I got this over the weekend for 3 of my items in the SOS ads column. It read EXACTLY the same for all 3, so looks like a scam to me...

Hello seller,

I am an engineer based in ireland.I saw your advert on the internet, and i must tell you that i am really interested.I want to know the present working condition of your item.Please do go ahead and tell me the present condition ,and the {least price} that it will be sold for. Get back to me quickly to avoid further delay in the purchase,as my shippers are ready to come for the pick-up.

Get Back to me Via My Private Email Address: engr_garry_roland@yahoo.co.uk

Regards,

Garry Roland

If he's genuine, then I apologise, but the email doesn't seem very personal at all and has characteristics of the regular scams we've all come to know and hate!

Cheers,
Peter

This Gerry Roland has emailed LOTS of SOS sellers over the weekend too, so I would ignore such contact (any mention of a shipper and steer clear IMHO !!!!).

ian G

--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

Quote Forum Admin:

---

This Gerry Roland has emailed LOTS of SOS sellers over the weekend too, so I would ignore such contact (any mention of a shipper and steer clear IMHO !!!!).
ian G

---

Yes i thought as much,I had 12 ads in the SOS ad pages and i had an email regarding all of them with the same text from this guy,so thought it was far too hoky,given that he replied exact,when most people tend to be short and sweet when enquiring





Heres the email cut and pasted from my mail box,sounds remarkbly similar to Conz

Hello seller,
I am an engineer based in ireland.I saw your advert on the internet, and i must tell you that i am really interested.I want to know the present working condition of your item.Please do go ahead and tell me the present condition ,and the {least price} that it will be sold for. Get back to me quickly to avoid further delay in the purchase,as my shippers are ready to come for the pick-up.
Get Back to me Via My Private Email Address: engr_garry_roland@yahoo.co.uk
Regards,
Garry Roland

===============================================

I've had the same email - definately a scam. Not decided whether to string the guy along for a bit. Some people must be desperate to reply to what looks like the majority of adverts on this site!

--------------------
If I ever saw an amputee being hanged, I'd just yell out letters...

Here's a follow-up email that this Garry Roland sent to another SOS reader who replied to his initial approach:

With thanks I acknowledge the receipt of your mail and the contents were well noted...I am happy the Item is still available for sale and price you placed is okay with me. I am prepared to offer you an extra £200 Extra to secure the sale to me, so the total balance to be paid to you will be £500.

I am actually buying this as a gift for a Neighboring Church in Africa for rehearsal an their upcoming harvest next month. I have already arranged with my shipper for a pick-up at your location after payment as been confirmed by you, I’ll handle the cost however. Pick-up will only be done when you have money in hands ok?

Please let me have your Full Details such as:
Your Full Name
Contact address and Post code including your mobile and home/office phone number where i could get you anytime i feel the call is needed so i can have my banker issue the payment {BANK DRAFT} to be sent to you as quickly as possible...

Hope i can trust you on this sales, cause i am buying here online for the first time and i hope it goes well for us...And also i will be sending more than the asking price due to the shipment Cost cause i will want my private shipping agent to come for the pickup of all my items in the UK...You will be sending the remaining funds to my shipping agent through via western union or money gram so he can come for pick up immediately okay !!!!!

I await your mail later today..!!!!!!!

Best Regards...........

Engr Garry Roland

Quote Conz:

---

I got this over the weekend for 3 of my items in the SOS ads column. It read EXACTLY the same for all 3, so looks like a scam to me...

Hello seller,

I am an engineer based in ireland.I saw your advert on the internet, and i must tell you that i am really interested.I want to know the present working condition of your item.Please do go ahead and tell me the present condition ,and the {least price} that it will be sold for. Get back to me quickly to avoid further delay in the purchase,as my shippers are ready to come for the pick-up.

Get Back to me Via My Private Email Address: engr_garry_roland@yahoo.co.uk

Regards,

Garry Roland

If he's genuine, then I apologise, but the email doesn't seem very personal at all and has characteristics of the regular scams we've all come to know and hate!

Cheers,
Peter

---

--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

The police unfortunately cannot follow-up every internet scammer, but (as this news story from the BBC shows) they do thankfully seem to be having a go and succeeding at jailing some of these scamming ba***rds!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/3594043.stm

One down, thousands to go... Stay vigilant.

Ian G

--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

Quote Forum Admin:

---

The police unfortunately cannot follow-up every internet scammer, but (as this news story from the BBC shows) they do thankfully seem to be having a go and succeeding at jailing some of these scamming ba***rds!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/3594043.stm

One down, thousands to go... Stay vigilant.

Ian G

---

That's made my day! Thanks for the link!

Kind regards,
Peter

Recieved another what i think is a scam,I had the same reply for 4 bits of gear(I apologise to the person if this is genuine which i very much doubt given the duplicate )I have ommitted the guys Phone number just incase,but seeing as the person used the same wording (apart from the **** which was where he mentioned the gear i was selling and the listed price)

Its got to be a hoax,this is not the kind of normal reply that you get when someone enquires (genuinly)


Anyone else had an of these???




"Hello, am interested in your ******** which you posted for sale on the internet. Do get back to me with the lastest offering price.i will want you konw if is still is good condition. I will be looking forward to your response.I can be reach via e-mail johnsonyoung_1@yahoo.co.uk or phone
Regards

That sounds like a scam to me. These scammers always seem to ask "latest price" and "present condition", even though you state in the ad the price and condition... Well, I do in anyway.

Cheers,
Peter

A bit of advice here to avoid buying anything from either "Jarl Wholesale" or "Jarl Audio" on eBay (or the web). Although they initially appear to be UK based they seem to be a front for a Chinese counterfeit goods operation. A Sennheiser EW100 radio headset kit that I bought was shipped direct from China and turned out to be imitation kit with Sennheiser logos, badges and stickers on and not at all what was shown in the advert. I couldn't even see if it works as according to the stickers it is the wrong frequency range for the UK.

The company have not responded to my emails.

I have informed both eBay (no response to date) and John Willet - who is informing Sennheiser in Germany of this lot.

Anyone want a Roland MKS-80 for a bargain......from er, China

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROLAND-MKS-80-MPG-80-SUPER-JUPITER-RARE_W0QQitemZ170 001403165QQihZ007QQcategoryZ623QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Pretty sure we got another Scammer drifting the Reader ads Received this Email today





Hello,
Having read through the details of your advert in the listing.I will be much enthusiastic in saying that i will be eager to purchase your "xxxxxx" at the reasonable retail best offer price of £xxx.Please,i will kindly want you to get back to with with more pics,details including the present condition and defects which might have been excluded in the listing.I will be more happy to hearing from you again and having the transaction close up as soon as possible.Hope to read from your prompt and positive response.
Regards.
N.B:I will be making the payment with a certified bank cheque drawn from UK bank.



johnmikel1983@yahoo.com

I apologise if this IS a genuine punter,but sounds too Hokey for my liking and very much worded like someone whos trying to scam its not the Usual sort of query from a genuine buyer,Anyone else had anything

Of course it is.

If i'm wrong, i would like you please to get back with me about this and will be happy to hear with you on it.

Absolutely hilarious. I would refuse anyone business based on them being unable to use correct punctuation and grammar.

I'm going to die a poor man.

I see these tw@ts all the time punting out fantoms and extremes et al for stupid money, why dont we all form a bidding cartel (which there are loads of anyway) and bid it up to 1,000,000 pounds straight away. Ebay ignore to a point but if they see regular occurances of said million they close down accounts if fee's dont get replied to as they are terrified of fraud allegations..

But if you are tw@t enough to think you will get a fantom x8 for £150 you deserve everything you get!

Lets fleece the fleecers, bid em up to a million+

Chris..

Another thing to watch for: check the seller's history. If it has been dormant for a while....

Danger Will Robinson....

I saw a Kyma and an Apogee up from an account that hadn't been used for over 3 years. You can't check their items to see if they had been buying or selling shoes, colored golf balls, or whatever.

(also watch for 1-day and 3-day ads...)

best to all... Steven

I've recently been scammed by an e-bay user called name removed for legal reasons.So do not trust this e-bayer at all.I paid £101 for a cd player which paypal accidentally took 2 payments from bank for so I payed £202,then I was refunded by the very annoyed seller like it was my fault.I clicked the mouse once and paypal sent 2 payments so its their fault.The he refused to send me the ce even though I had paid for it.

Now after name removed ignoring countless e-mails me and paypal have sent him asking for him to send the cd player or to refund my money,he still has my £101 and is being given 9 more days before action is taken by way of the police.I have looked on e-bay and he has now un-registered from e-bay in the hope that he cannot be traced and will be able to keep the £101 of my money.But he is a verified paypal user so the idiot has all his details including address and phone number on the paypal database which means he will not get away with it and after 9 days,the police will be called by me pressing charges against him for fraud.

I don't know whether or not this is the kind of thing that this 'e-bay scam' section of this forum is for but if it is I wanted to make everyone aware of name removed on e-bay as being a fraudster and thief.

Semtex - general heads-ups are useful to alert other readers, but there are always 2 sides to every story and your comments may land you in legal hot water, and us, so I am removing them as requested by the other party - Forum Admin

This fraudster's e-bay name is name removed so do not trust him.The worst part is he had a feedback score on e-bay of 100% then ruined it all when he decided to steal my money.

We have been informed that you have been refunded both amounts, so your comments are no longer justified. If this is incorrect, get in touch directly with webmaster@soundonsound.com, but for legal reasons please do not post here about this incident - Forum Admin

Edited by Forum Admin (05/11/07 11:32 AM)

Seems we have another scammer trawling the Ads...but by the sounds of it,the scammer maybe thinks I'm selling a car???


From: maggie_teddy77us@yahoo.se

Goodday,
I was fortunate to spot your advert on the net and I Like to know if it is still availabe for sale . if available,please get? back to me with the following enquiries: are you the first owner? any accident? last price? present condition? pics? where are you based? What is the reasone you want to sell it and made of payment is BANK DRAFT

Hello,
I want to buy Hypersonic VST, so just checked out on 'Froogle'...someone on Ebay claims to be selling it 'for PC only' for 10 quid.

This is so far off the 'usual' retail price I thought I'd better let everyone know, and ask if anyone else knows about the seller? Seller's name = linforddelivery91. Private seller, claims to have 20 Hypersonic v2.0 packages in stock, presumably new. Dodgy or not people????????

Cheeky

Sounds a little iffy to me- what with all the headaches we get with official software, in terms of correct drivers, updates, etc , I'd be wary of buying anything that didn't come from an official distributor/shop- you may end up with something that either won't work (and no support from the seller), or, worse, something that screws your whole system up.

I reckon music software is in the same state as music CDs- if you want more good software to be designed, or good music made, you have to be prepared to put your hands in your pocket and pay for it. Buy the software, and buy the music. Ripping off either software designers or musicians isn't going to help any of us.

--------------------
http://anotherfineday.bandcamp.com/ http://anotherfineday.co.uk http://apollomusic.co.uk

Has anyone heard about these as being scams:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mackie-Digital-X-Bus-X-200-High-Definition-Digital-M ixe_W0QQitemZ140040147782QQihZ004QQcategoryZ22669QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mackie-Onyx-4880_W0QQitemZ140040151499QQihZ004QQcate goryZ22669QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Im assuming it must be a scam because the prices are so crazy!

Anyone know?

Another Scammer


From: todd_hawmann@yahoo.com

Dear seller,
I 'm interested in purchasing your advertised item,and i will like to know the price if is okay by me.if I can pay with bank transfer. If this is okay with you do get back to me immediately for me to arrange the payment. Do get back to me immediately with your Full Name, Contact Address and Phone Number for me to instruct my client to make the payment ASAP. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,




Getting Peeed off now,This is the 3rd one this month!!!!

I stopped using Ebay because of these losers,now i use SOS as a more "safer and genuine selling place,and still get tossers annoying me!!

Can't the mods terminate there accounts????

They're all over the place... Probably same group of gippos. Here's one I got (and deleted) this morning:

From: todd_hawmann@yahoo.com

Dear seller,

I 'm interested in purchasing your advertised RS 654 / RS 954 ,and i will like to know the price if is okay by me.if I can pay with bank transfer. If this is okay with you do get back to me immediately for me to arrange the payment. Do get back to me immediately with your Full Name, Contact Address and Phone Number for me to instruct my client to make the payment ASAP. Hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards

Quote Mr Sister:

---

Another Scammer


From: todd_hawmann@yahoo.com


Can't the mods terminate there accounts????

---

Yes, I do terminate any scammer's account with SOS, but this is always by default in retrospect after they have contacted someone. They simply re-register with our site.

I did think of banning the use of Yahoo email registrations at one time, but that's unfair on genuine Yahoo users - but they do seem to nearly always use Yahoo email addresses, so if you are suspicious of any email approaches fro readers ads gear you are selling, if it's a Yahoo account and poorly written English, then reason to be doubly on the alert perhaps?

Ian G

--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

Hello All

I have had a couple of suspect emails from the same person. He has left a mobile number too for some odd reason!!

Quote:

---

From: rollandlord47@yahoo.com

How are you today? I will like to know if the item is till up for sale.Await the
price along with the present condition.

Regards..

07024079053

---

--------------------
"Saying that you do is just gold plated XLR elitist bulls**t!" - ow

Just went to post a message on the readers ads scam alert and found this about same guy

Quote:

---

Avoid rollandlord47@yahoo.com robot ? trying to pull £2000 chex scam , call his number & slag off ! 07024079053.
£2000

---

--------------------
"Saying that you do is just gold plated XLR elitist bulls**t!" - ow

Yesterday, from SOS RAd's

Quote:

---

From: rollandlord47@yahoo.com

How are you today? I will like to know if the item is till up for sale.Await the
price along with the present condition.

Regards..

07024079053

---

Me three.
Despite the fact that the price and present condition are clearly mentoned.

I sent a reply stating that the condition and cost were on the advert. His reply I hear you cry!!

Quote:

---

Hello,

Thanks for the mail respones. The price is okay by
me,I do appreciate your response regarding my offer on
the ( GEQ3102 & DSP2000 C).Am out for a missionary
assistment
outside the UK at the moment as an (UNICEF AGENT).I
have contact my client who is my associate to issue
out a cheque of (£3,500) to you . Once you receive
the cheque all you have to do is just to deduct the
cost of the (GEQ3102 & DSP2000 C) after the cheque
must
have clear in your bank and then kindly assist in
wiring the rest of the funds to my shipping agent
through Western Union Money Transfer they are the ones
who will be coming down for the pickup in your
ends.The reason for this is that they have some other
consignment in which they have to pickup for me near
your location hope this is clear
with you.
These funds would be used for arranging the
shippment and also make arrangements for all necessary
shipping dcuments.So all you have to do is just to
provide me with the information which the paymentwould
be sent to you such as
Full Name on cheque............
Home Address......
city........
State.........
Zipcode........
Country......
Home, cell, work phone numbers.....

So as soon as all these details have been provided
payment would be issued out to you as soon as
possible,I will wait for the cheque to clear before
pickup is made.I would be expecting to read from you.

Best regards.

07024079053

I will offer you £50 for you to considered the item
sold to me.

---

--------------------
"Saying that you do is just gold plated XLR elitist bulls**t!" - ow

Lo and behold, I got exactly the same response about 2 mins ago, having sent the email about an hour ago.
With the email titled "Pickup schedule" !

Quote:

---

From: suzan_millbranth1@yahoo.com

Hello,



How are you today? I will like to know if the item you listed for sale is

till available for sale.Am much interested in it,do get back to me with the

price and the condition along with photo if available. Await your respones

soonest.



Best regards..



Millbranth

07024079053

---

Will reply from a throwaway address I've got and tag him along for a while. Light entertainment if nothing else....

Yeah i'm getting the same crap as above ^^


From: suzan_millbranth1@yahoo.com

Hello,

How are you today? I will like to know if the item you listed for sale is till available for sale.Am much interested in it,do get back to me with the price and the condition along with photo if available. Await your respones soonest.

Best regards..
Millbranth

07024079053


Deposit in nearest bin

Seems this jerk(s)is back...

ello,

Thanks for the mail respones.I will urge you to get
back to me with
the price so that i can make payment to you asap.
Do bear in mind that i will be paying with cheque
and i will wait
for the cheque to clear before pickup is done,i live
in scotland.Await your respones
soonest.

Regards..

suzan_millbranth1@yahoo.com

To stop annnoying and dangerous mails, I've found SpamEater Pro 4 from High Mountain Software to be invaluable. You can see the message and delete it without having to download it to your PC.

I think as a rule, just ignore any email with sufficiently dodgy grammar....

I'm surprised no-one has set up an intermediary company for online transactions... They take receipt of the goods and release them to buyer once the money clears - else they return the goods.

Does this exist? If not, why not?

Quote Stoney:

---

I'm surprised no-one has set up an intermediary company for online transactions... They take receipt of the goods and release them to buyer once the money clears - else they return the goods.

Does this exist? If not, why not?

---

You mean ESCROW? Like this?

--------------------
TAKEN.BALL.GONE.HOME

Cool - thanks. Yeah I thought it was a pretty obvious solution....

It can't be that widely used then can it?? Or at least, it has failed to become the de facto standard for internet transactions. Otherwise these scams would cease surely? - any idea why?

Here at SOS we did investigate the concept of us becoming an escrow service, but it would have involved us in becoming compliant with Financial Services Authority (FSA) rules and that was a whole load of admin hoops we simply do not have time or inclination to jump through -- even if they would accept us!!!

The escrow.com site is based in USA and is seemingly governed by USA regualtions, see footer on their site:

All US dollar escrow services offered on this Website are provided independently and exclusively by Internet Escrow Services(SM) (IES), one of the operating subsidiaries of Escrow.com. IES is fully licensed and accredited as an escrow company and is subject to compliance with all applicable escrow regulations, including the California Financial and Business Code.

There's nothing stopping you asking a Readers Ads seller if they will accept such a service, but since it takes a cut of the action, and there's probably someone else always willing to deal direct, it means take-up of escrow has been less than everyone would think in this scam-soaked internet world.

Ian G

--------------------
SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

I made some tentative enquiries of escrow.com a while back. I found the whole user experience to be too dollarised and US-centric to give me a warm cosy feeling. I think there was an issue about using their preferred courier too, which was US-based IIRC. If they or someone like them would set up a truly EU-based service then it might seem more attractive - to me at least.

Incidentally, Ian, I was involved in the creation of a non-profit FSA-regulated limited company a few years ago - and it was not especially difficult to do. All the same, I guess it would be much easier to focus on what you do best and 'outsource the rest' as they say

--------------------
TAKEN.BALL.GONE.HOME

Fancy setting up a company Jimi?

Hi,

Just been playing along with our latest scammer.
He wanted my SH-2000 synth - was going to send cheque for £3500 bla bla bla....

Here are some details from the mail.
It is so easy to spot a scammer but some people have too much trust in others!

---------------------------
Hello,

Thanks for the mail respones.I will be interested in
the item i will urge you to get back to me with the
price so that i can make payment to you asap.

Regards..
-------------------------

Thanks for the mail respones.The condition is okay by
me and the price,i do appreciate your effort in
considering the item sold to me.Just to let you know
that i will through cheque once it clears the pickup
will be made.
Am out for an assignment outside UK at the moment do
accept my sincere appology just to speed up the
payment and shippment i have contacted my client to
make out the payment to you.You will be receiving a
payment of £3,500 from my client in which you will
have to let it clear, after clearance you will deduct
the cost of your(SH-2000 Vintage Synth) £230 and have
the
rest of the fund send to my shipper.
This shipping agent will be the one that will be
handling the shippment of the (SH-2000 Vintage Synth)
and
other consignment in which they will be helping me in
shipping out of the UK.The rest of the fund is meant
for the shipping Fees and Tax Levy that will be impose
on every consignment.I will be needing your assistance
in helping me to send the fund to them so that pickup
can commence immedaitely.Await your Details such as(
Name on Cheque,Contact Address and Phone Number) so
that the payment can be send out to you asap.
In order to speed up this transaction i have consider
to compensate you with £30,do inform
other buyer that the item is sold already.

Best regards..

07024079053

gary peterson

--------------------
Oliver Davis
www.TheCircuitSymphony.com

Yes I had one today,I presume its the same Idiot You had seeing as the Phone number is exact

From: stmitgay8@yahoo.com

Dear Seller,
How are you today? Compliment of the season.I will like to know if the item above you listed on the ads is till up for sale.Do get back to me with the price along with the photo,hope the condition is in good shape.
Await your respones.
Regards..

07024079053

Recording Studio Laptop.Ultra Mobile.£14'000 software!!

made me laugh

"Gary Peterson" stmitgay8@yahoo.com sent me this:

Hello,

Thanks for the mail respones.The condition is okay by
me and the price,i do appreciate your effort in
considering the item sold to me.Just to let you know
that i will through cheque once it clears the pickup
will be made.
Am out for an assignment outside UK at the moment do
accept my sincere appology just to speed up the
payment and shippment i have contacted my client to
make out the payment to you.You will be receiving a
payment of £3,000 from my client in which you will
have to let it clear, after clearance you will deduct
the cost of your (Microphones) £115 and have the rest
of the fund send to my shipper.
This shipping agent will be the one that will be
handling the shippment of the (Microphones) and other
consignment in which they will be helping me in
shipping out of the UK.The rest of the fund is meant
for the shipping Fees and Tax Levy that will be impose
on every consignment.I will be needing your assistance
in helping me to send the fund to them so that pickup
can commence immedaitely.Await your Details such as(
Name on Cheque,Contact Address and Phone Number) so
that the payment can be send out to you asap.
In order to speed up this transaction i have consider
to compensate you with £30,do inform other buyer that
the item is sold already.

Best regards..

07024079053

I think as a rule, ignore anyone that puts "I will" instead of "I would"

Edited by Stoney (09/01/07 11:23 AM)

Hi - I just had a glance through this thread out of curiosity and just noticed something I'm not sure anyone has pointed out:

070 numbers are NOT mobile phone numbers! They are premium rate numbers, which can charge up to £1.50 a minute!

I guess any mention of such a number should be an immediate flag as to it being a scam.

--------------------
http://www.jeremycorbett.co.uk

Hi, everyone!

I've been following this thread with interest. As someone who regularly buys music gear from both the SOS site and from Ebay, I have been the target of countless scammers. And being a solicitor by day I have found it extremely interesting how these fraudsters attempt to operate. The scam that seems to be rife on the SOS site simply exploits a loophole in the banking system, whereby a cheque will be seen to clear your account but not actually clear (it's all down to the entering of credits and debits in your account vs the time lag in monies actually being paid into or taken from your account). Why on earth the banking system does not get its act together to close this loophole down, I'll never know, especially with the highened concerns with money laundering and the use of the banking system for the purposes of sponsoring terrorism.

Anyway, this is the loophole that the fraudster is aiming to take advantage of, and why he will pay you a larger sum than you require. The idea is, that you pay the fraudster the balance before your bank discovers that the cheque presented to it (by you) is made of rubber. It used to be called the Nigerian scam, and many of the fraudsters using this particular scam do appear to originate from Africa. Yahoo accounts and Western Union cheques seem to offer the greatest anonimity to fraudsters, so be extremely wary of dealing with anyone who uses either of these. I personally would not buy from or sell to anyone who insists on using Western Union.

There are a lot of nasty little scams out there, especially on Ebay. I've made it my mission to collect them and explain them to the public. Please do visit Ebay and have a look at my Safe Buying: Scams And Scammers article in the Review & Guides section.

This thread is great, and we should all strive to keep it runnng, as I know that many people will continue to stumble across it and be thankful that they did!

Keep vigilant, people. Oh, yeah - and try to keep making music!

Les Lawrenson

Not quite a hardcore scammer like most of these in this sticky, but definately worth a mention. Check THIS Link

Cheers,
Peter

--------------------
Composer, Producer, Sound Designer
www.universal-sound-design.com

I'm 99% sure this is a scam, Chinese fakes anyone?

Quote JosephR:

---

I'm 99% sure this is a scam, Chinese fakes anyone?

---

Here's an easy rule of thumb : if it comes out of China / Hong Kong on eBay, there is a 99.999999999% chance it's a fake. The fakes are often very convincing but they are still almost certainly fake. Whether it's a handbag or a microphone. China has ruined eBay UK IMHO. You have to wade through pages of obvious crap to find the genuine (albeit still potentially scamming ) UK sellers.

D.

--------------------
Logic Studio, Live 6, Reason 4, Komplete 5, MAX/MSP, Zebra 2, Gibson Les Paul 59 VOS, Gibson ES335, PRS Custom 24