Beware of suspicious sellers

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 7, 2020

Recently, and from time to time in the past, we’ve had reports of suspicious offers appearing in private messages in response to WTB ads. Usually these come from new Photrio members who have few or no public posts, and they are often in response to requests for hard-to-find items.

In general, it’s a good idea to do business with people who are regular contributors to the forums, or who have identities that are researchable on the internet, and who have a reputation to protect.

If an offer seems suspect, please report it to the moderators, because chances are others are getting similar offers, and you can help fellow Photrio members avoid trouble.

Do not use any payment method which offers you no protection. One sign of a scam is the request to use an obscure method of payment.

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 28, 2020

Thanks for reporting suspicious PMs. I think we’ve banned at least half a dozen likely spam accounts since the original post a few weeks ago, and I’m sure that if you received a suspicious PM, you’ve saved others some trouble as well as yourself, and you’ve made the forum a safer place.

Keep ‘em coming!

David A. Goldfarb · Sep 21, 2020

Thanks again, folks, for reporting suspicious PMs in response to WTB ads. We’re getting these reports almost daily, and our spam tools allow us to track spammers using multiple login IDs, so sometimes one report can eliminate a large number of scam messages.

Usually private messages from the recent batch follow the pattern of “Contact [NAME] he has the [THING YOU WANT TO BUY EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS IN YOUR AD] for sale his email [USERNAME]@gmail.con..”— Yeah, really “@gmail.con” — we don’t make this stuff up. The names and addresses are always different, but the form is always the same—someone knows someone who has exactly what you’re looking for, and this is their e-mail address.

Ariston · Sep 21, 2020

I have gotten a couple of these from buyers, but I just ignored them (they were from newly created accounts with no activity). I will go back through my PMs and report them to you when when I get a chance.

Sirius Glass · Sep 21, 2020

I have not gotten such emails mainly because I am not in a camera buying mode, but if I do receive one I will report it immediately.

David A. Goldfarb · Sep 21, 2020

Thanks. They're obvious to some of us, but if you report them, you can help others.

fotoobscura · Nov 14, 2020

Also if you need to vet the seller, a good way is to search Google Images for the image they attached of the item. If it shows up, it's 99.9% certain a scam. Real sellers will take their own photos. Even if a seller is legit if they're using someone elses photos that's still sketchy.

logan2z · Mar 12, 2021

Cesar DR said:
Thanks for the notice

And thank you for your meaningless contributions to dozens of threads since you joined today, Mr. Spambot.

logan2z · Mar 12, 2021

Cesar DR said:
I´m getting to know how this works, sorry if you think my contributions are meaningless

You mean contributions like "Black lives matter movement" in a thread entitled "What was your last photography purchase?"

Andrew O'Neill · Mar 12, 2021

Cesar DR said:
well that was the topic of the photograph I purchased

Then you should have indicated that to avoid confusion, no?

Andrew O'Neill · Mar 12, 2021

Cesar DR said:
yes, sorry, just notices it

You could always go back and edit it...

mshchem · Mar 12, 2021

When using PayPal, always pay as buying merchandise, no bank transfers. Then you have PayPal and credit card protection. That saved me when I was buying a Jobo Expert tank, the seller was a long time member, but had a run of bad luck and needed money.

pentaxuser · Mar 12, 2021

What was it that Cesar D said ? I can't see any posts from him on this thread. Was his posts cut out?

Thanks

pentaxuser

copyjockey · Jul 14, 2021

New member here, I was attracted to this site because I have a lens I wish to sell and could not find similar sales on ebay. I guess this lens is sorta "rare", but since I am new here I need to establish a "reputation" in order install confidence in any offers. My dad was a wedding/portrait/school photographer and I was also a similar pro photographer and lab rat. I have shot Nikon but mostly did medium format, using Mamiya RB, 645J, Bronica ETRSi, and Bettie Portronic. In the lab I ran PAKO, NORD, Kreonite, dip and dunk and trays. Looking to meet folks here and enjoy the site.

Steve

Robert Maxey · Jul 14, 2021

fotoobscura said:
Also if you need to vet the seller, a good way is to search Google Images for the image they attached of the item. If it shows up, it's 99.9% certain a scam. Real sellers will take their own photos. Even if a seller is legit if they're using someone elses photos that's still sketchy.

I have done that with scarce fountain pens and motorcycle parts. Now that I am seeking old cameras i fondly remember, I am very wary of scams.

yexiaoxiao2102 · Aug 2, 2021

Hi, I recevied some suspecious replies to my WTB posts from the same person who just registered today. I contacted him and requested photos of the item I want to buy. Then him sent me the photo from the other post created in 2016. The exactly same photo. I want to report this user, but don't know how to PM the moderators. could you please PM me? or take a look at the following posts:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/wtb-jobo-process-timer-8.185744/

MattKing · Aug 2, 2021

To contact the Moderators, click the "Report this post" link below any post, and explain the situation in the box that appears.
I'll do that for you in your sale listing, in order to bring it to the other moderators' attention as well.

yexiaoxiao2102 · Aug 2, 2021

MattKing said:
To contact the Moderators, click the "Report this post" link below any post, and explain the situation in the box that appears.
I'll do that for you in your sale listing, in order to bring it to the other moderators' attention as well.

Done, thanks!

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 2, 2021

Thanks. Spaminated.

AgX · Aug 3, 2021

In cases were the "report" button is not applicable one still may send a PM to member Sean, who owns and runs this platform.

The advantage of the report button though is that the report goes out simultaneaously to several people.

MattKing · Aug 3, 2021

yexiaoxiao2102 doesn't have a high enough post count yet to send a PM (start a Conversation).
It was a good choice to raise the matter in a thread, and then Report the post.
If there are further details that would fit better in a PM, when you make your "Report", ask the moderators or Sean to PM you.

AgX · Aug 3, 2021

If Sean is actually not t be contacted then there should be an exception on that PM-prohibition. But there still is his email contact.

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 3, 2021

For those with access to PMs (most users), you can also report a PM.

MattKing · Oct 21, 2021

Just bumping this, as a reminder

MattKing · Jan 31, 2022

Bumping this thread, because we have observed some concerning posting behavior.

Beware of suspicious sellers

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