Scams and frauds: post your examples ....

Simpletrade · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 1

Among the poeple that is trying to sell dogs alot of frauds is going on.

You should reallt watch out for bulldogs!

Here is an typical ad of what an ad could look like that is fraud/scam;

[http://www.oops!/show/selling/dogs-and-cats/breed-english-bull-dogs-for-adopion--port-hedland.709270.html]

Be careful....

tv77 · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 2

I have been emailing about a brilliant bargain car that was awesome price and got the spin that the car is so cheap because it was her brother's car and he died two months ago in a motorbike accident, then I got the invoice from Gumtree Protection Programme with a bank account in Italy, I emailed gumtree protection and asked them to verify this and got this email

Dear Customer,

We dont give any protection to the seller who accept for payment WesternUnion or Money Gram. Our company will give protection to the seller or buyer who accept for payment only Bank Transfer.

Rest Regards

I then asked the seller if a friend of mine in portugal can come and view the car before we send the money and this is the response I got.

Sir Unfortunately, I am not able to use the phone, as I'm wearing a hearing device (sound signal amp) as a result of a car crash I've experienced a couple of years ago, so let's keep it this way (contact via e-mail). I use Gumtree sistem because in the next hours i shall go at the hospital in USA. I have let the car in the shipping company custody because you have told me that you will make the payment today.
Make the payment like you have told me because i think you are a serious buyer like you have told me. I have payed all taxes for delivery.
Thanks

this person has had a seriously shit life - i mean her brother dies then she is deaf - wow...

And can I be honest - as I have never ever experienced this before- I nearly transferred to bloody money!!!!!!

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 4755

If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is. Here's a link to top tips for staying safe

http://forums.gumtree.com/viewtopic.php?t=60522

Wikipedia is a very good source of information on internet fraud, including information on fake cheques and fake shippers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_fee_fraud
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Union#Popular_money_laundering_tool
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_fraud
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-mail_fraud
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get-rich-quick_schemes

FamilyMan · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 1

SC = Some Clown (Wanna Be Fraudster)
GU = G'tree User

GU advertised a product.

SC emails saying:

"Hello ...
I like to purchase your item.....
Get back to me immediately if it still avaliable.
( sarahn202@yahoo.com)
Thanks.
Regards..."

GU replies saying:

"Hi, Yes it is still available. I will be home around 7ish. You can call me on 07********2 to make arrangments.

I have received a few replies so it will be First come, first serve."

SC replies now saying:

"Many thanks for your mail..
Well am from Rockville Maryland......But am not in the state presently....Am in Germany for conference meeting....Am buying this item for my company agent locate oversea ..Tell me the item cost...I will add 50 pounds for the shipping cost.....And i will made the payment Via my PayPal account cos is very secure and easy to receive money.....Kindly send me your PayPal email so that i can send the payment there ....
Thanks Get back to me immediately.
Best Regards
Mrs Sarahn Ken"

>> GU's Bells start ringing, blood pressure starts rising <<

GU replies:

"No. I AINT NO MUTT."

No further contact.

Mrs Sarahn ken's address follows if you feel like sayin 'HI'!!

sarahn202@yahoo.com

RachaelVO · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 2

This is a bit long winded for a few tips to avoid being scammed, but if you are new to this, PLEASE pay attention

Basically lads, the bottom line is that if anyone is looking for anything to go to africa and offering huge amounts of money for something that is not worth much, DONT do it.
I deal with paypal, ebay, google etc; professionally, and I have seen a million of the same kind of e-mails coming through to myself and to others.
If anyone sends you a message from paypal to say that money will come through once they have the shipping details, it is a complete BOGUS e-mail. I am telling you now, that is not how paypal operate. The dont care about the finer details, they will look after your account and your money but the dont give a rats 455 about postage etc;
If anyone offers you a moneygram, dont take it, it will be drawn on an account that is not theirs (obviously) and it may clear for a day or two, but it will soon be taken away leaving you without money or goods. The same applys to them arranging a cheque to be dropped off when the pick up the goods.
And believe it our not, with a moneygram, with the fraud etc; PLEASE be aware that you can be held responsible for the fraud, and COULD end up with a criminal record.

I know alot of people know this already, but always remember that if you are not willing to pay over the odds for something, WHY in all gods name would anyone else!!!!!!!

RachaelVO · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 2

These people always have very unfortuante lives I find. They have family members who are poisoned, in car accidents, terrorised by local savages, eaten by cannibals (well maybe...). But to look on the bright side, they do give me such a giggle!!!!!!!!!! Best advice, keep winding em up, I have professional dealings with some big internet companies and I see this all the time. I was concerned at first, but now, I couldnt give a flying SHITE, just dont fall for it...

tugsie · Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 1 Location: oakham

dani_blue · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 3 Location: bristol. yate

i have deleted the post now but basicly someone tried to scam me telling me he was selling me a siemiese kitten but my instincts told me to be warned so- i simply without thinking about it much searched his email on google and YOU NEVER WOUDA GUESSED a list of animal scammers- and there was his name third from top...

GRRR i was angry...and yet so upset as i'd got my hopes p for this kitten and so felt letdown also- but anger took over more-so lol and i had a good harsh go at him!

dani_blue · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 3 Location: bristol. yate

john111 · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

You are taking a massive risk giving your bank details, there is an International huge scam going with ID FRAUD / ID THEFT.

Please check out these sites below and NEVER give you bank details out or your ID will be copied or you will be very sorry.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=nigerian+scams+&meta=

or

http://potifos.com/fraud/

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH BUSINESS PROPERSITIONS, AND THE MILLION DOLLAR EMAILS, [/b]

Auctions-United.com · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 245 Location: Weymouth

parichart_n · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

Gumtree.com ad #11096488: 40 Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition Black - Unlocked

First name: Constantin Sorin
Last name: Tudor
Address: Teilor #20
City: Cluj-Napoca
Country: Romania
Zipp code: 65897

Gumtree.com ad #11050467: NEW Unlocked Nokia 8800 Sirocco 18k GOLD Phone + Extras‎

First name: Nicolae
Last name: Ailenei
Address: Primaveri #9
City: Bucharest
Country: Romania
Zipp code: 71896

They said the mobiles cost 100GBP each but after I transferred money via western union, I got nothing.

Auctions-United.com · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 245 Location: Weymouth

christ almighty!!!!!!!

how is it possible that you could be so gullible?? Have you never ever heard of people getting caught with scams involving western union? Even western union advise NOT to use their service for these types of transactions....... sheesh!!..... d'oh!

Jeneric · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Ok so im really not sure if this is a scam or not, i found an ad on Gumtree for a set of CD turntables with a mixer, £500. Nice one! So i email the chick and shes saying that shes out of the country so whats shes gonna do is FedEx the gear to me and then she rekons i can pay the FedEx guy when im happy with the stuff. This just strikes me as a little odd as i could give her any old address, take the stuff and shoot. Ive looked everywhere and cant find any evidence of a scam like this but it just sounds a little dodgy. What do people think?

Jeneric · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Ok latest on this, pretty sure its a scam:

Hi,

I think that they need cash. " FedEx Express reduces risks associated with Internet transactions by acting as a licensed,trusted,neutral third party for on-line transactions. The seller leaves the merchandise into FedEx custody. The merchandise will remain in FedEx custody until the buyer provides the payment informations to FedEx. The payment will be made through a Money Order Service. Once the funds are verified by FedEx, the merchandise will be send to the buyer. Once the buyer receives the merchandise, the payment informations will be released to the seller only if the buyer is completely satisfied with the merchandise. If the buyer will not be satisfied with the merchandise, FedEx will send the merchandise back to the seller. "

Regards,

I rang Fedex and they do no such thing so there we go. It was Ad #11219819 and the email address is truedoon@yahoo.com if anyone fancys joining me in forwarding all the spam i recieve to that address.

Jeneric · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Ok just a note to people, half of (maybe more) all the sales of PIONEER mixers/CDJs are scams, i have spoken to no less than 6 different sellers over the last week and every single one has been a scam. I dont know if they are specificaly targeting Pioneer equipment but if your after some, be wary of sales listed as Location - London where the information provided is just copy and paste from the Pioneer website.

carylh · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

Just posting a copy of a scam e-mail of someone wishing to buy and ship our static caravan for £16,000 without even seeing the item, Confused

Good day ,

Thanks for your swift response toward the inquiry.About the present working condition of the item as stated by you,I am really pleased with it,but i belived you are telling me the real fact,because i cannot come over to your location now due to the nature of my work.

It's what i have been searching for for the last 6 months.Thanks for everything.Pls help me take good proper care of it cos i belive by now itsmine.But right now the year is drawing down to an END and i can see that i finanaly got one. Really i want you to pls send more pics if available and if not its ok.Well, the asking price is okay by me for £ 16000. for the payment of the CARAVAN, reason for this is that i want you to make sure you reserved the item for me and consider it sold to any other enquiries.

I'm from Aberdeen in Scotland,But i live by the sea side in The Republic of Denmark cos am a SAILOR. I always come home ( Aberdeen in Scotland) every 4 Months and travel back to my place of work in Porto.

I am really glad that you want me to get the item and i will be happy also when i actually get it.Pls email me back today. Also,I have forward your mail to my Associate to send you the payment and also instruct him to include the shipping fee to your payment,because he has arrange for the shipping............ For you to really know how prepared i was, you can contact my shipping agent today via email at air_cargoshipping@myway.com cos they are the one who will be handle the pick-up from your house. All you 've to do is provide where the pick-up is going to happen. if it's at your location, thats ok with me. i will forward your info to him. I'll need your data for the cheque/draft, viz; .

FULL NAME...........
CONTACT ADDRESS.......
CITY..................
STATE.............
POST
CODE.............
PHONE NUMBER... (HOME,OFFICE,CELL)

So immediately you recieve the Certified Banker's Draft Cheque you would needs to send the shipper's payment to them. If this arrangement is ok by you. When you send me the following information,i will instruct my Associate to issue the Certified Banker's Draft Cheque immediately.Hope to hear from you soonest.
Many Thanks

Cheers
Thanks to forums like this more people are aware of them, still though some people get took in by them. Mad

the_tidy_kiwi · Gumtree Moderator Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 507

Thanks for posting the warning. Remember that anybody wanting you to post your item overseas or pay money via Western Union/Moneygram is a scammer. Report them to us via the link below.

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 2235

offering a cleaning job

HELLO JOHN
Thanks for the reply and Congratulations as you have been employed.
Please,provide us with your FULL NAME and ADDRESS IN SCOTLAND
state whether you need an accomodation.
PLZ INCLUDE YOUR C.V. IF ANY.

You will be payed £15.00 per hour from 8am to 3pm MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS (with option of saturdays and sundays)

You are required to make a payment of £100 or £150.00 to the HEAD OFFICE IN uk VIA WESTERN UNION.
payment which is refundable after 1month with us for FULL KIT(MOBILE PHONE,BAG,ACCOMODATION,FOOD/DRINK etc and BROCHURE) to be sent to you as soon as we have received your payment.

NB:£100(full kit,mobile phone,bag,food/drink and brochure)
£150 includes accomodation
BROCHURE:will include when, where and date you commence work.

NB: MAKE PAYMENT TO:
NAME: CALLVER BURNS
ADDRESS: 101 HIGHWAY SOUTH
LONDON
POSTCODE: NW2 3ET
COUNTRY: ENGLAND,UK

SEND US THE SENDERS NAME AND ADDRESS,RECEIVERS NAME AND MTCN

CONGRATULATIONS

THANKS
CHRIS HAMILTON
HELP DESK

bba2weekly · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 16

I'm selling port replicator for laptop ( costs £5) and got this email from lesleybecky50@gmail.com
"get back to me if u are willing to sell.i will add 4200 to the offer price.so get back to me asap.am paying via my paypal account,allu need to do now is to send me u paypal id
and i make payment right away.while paypal will provide u with the address u are
sending it to.hope to hear from u soom."
I sent "what is paypal ?"
He sent : " thanks for the mail.ohh paypal is new to u?ok paypal is a form of online payment that secures buyers and seller from being scammed.and av being using this form of payment for quite sometime and i can assure u that its really nice opeing this account for payment of transaction made.so its so simple,if u dont have one all u need to do is to set up an account with them by opening or logging in to paypal servic.com so after signing up with them then u get back to me with ur paypal id so as to make the payment for u ..after u might have seen the money in ur account then u can ship the item through the address that will be given to u by them ,afterwhich ur money will be credited to receiving.thats all.its not a hard thing.so do that in no time and get back to with ur paypal id.thanks so much as i await ur mail."
I sent "Its really nice but I have no bank account ..."
He sent "u can open a paypal account and get back to me with ur paypal id.so do that and get back to me."
I sent "But if you really want it you can pay by cash ! Its the best solution !!!"
He sent "i guess thats the only way i can pay u.so if u are willing to sell, do as i said and get back to me asap"
I sent "You mean that you can paid by cash don't you ? Because I cannot open bank account so cannot get paypal ."
He sent "thanks for ur mail .but do me the favour of opening a paypal account cos i can pay u cash in hand for now cos am not in town and i need the item badly,so get a paypal account and get back to me with ur paypal id,thanks so much as u do so."
Now I'm "opening paypal acoount ".
To be continued ... Laughing

I'm using this site to have idea about scam: http://www.hoax-slayer.com/

the_tidy_kiwi · Gumtree Moderator Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 507

the_tidy_kiwi · Gumtree Moderator Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 507

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 2235

whats the easiest way to report scammers juct click on the report it bit on their offer???

when you are banning them do you google the emails address cos they usually have fake sales up and down the various gumtree boards

aboylikedave · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

I bought an item for £60 off the London site (cymbal), the seller says they are in Newcastle. They are offering to put the item into the shipping company and I will arrange payment with the shipping company. Is this a scam? Lots of spelling mistakes but def not Nigerian ones, e.g.

"Hello
You don't must to send me the money first.After you will give me your name and address i will go to the shipping company and i will put my item intro shipping company custody and after that the shipping company will contact you with the confirmation of the package and you will speack with them about the payment.
I need your name to start the shipping.
Thanks"

Unfortunately I have given my address.

Do any legit sellers use this form of payment? I've nevr really heard of a delivery company where the recipient pays via the delivery company - do they really exist?

Does Gumtree keep copies of deleted ads?

Cheers

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 2235

does he want paid by west union

whats wrong with royal mail

offer to pick it up?

have you paid him yet?

loads of clues