For Sale WARNING: Scammers most likely operating on the forum.

Per Bjesse · Jul 17, 2022

Hi all, I am sorry to say that I most likely got scammed on a WTB ad I put here. There is a 1% chance it is not a scam, so I won't name the person until they fail to make good, but I wanted to get it out there as their profile shows them looking at other classifieds so if this is with bad intent they are most likely engaging with other folks.

Long story short: I put an ad looking for a broken Coolscan for parts, they responded and we set a price which I paid over venmo. They now are claiming that there is a problem with the venmo transaction, and that I will get my money back in 72 days from Venmo (they know this because it has happened before), but please pay again using an alternate route. This is clearly not how Venmo works, and a 72 day period to get the money back????

Warning flags I see now: New account created last friday, no forum activity/normal posts, wanted to make the transaction over Zelle initially (which is a favorite of scammers). I should have paid more attention.

I'll update this post either way with how this progresses, if it is a misunderstanding I'll publically acknowledge this, otherwise I'll update with the name of the seller (but it is new account so....).

Anyway, keep your wits about you. I have had very good luck buying here before, but it's the internet so this is a lesson for me and hopefully my mistake can help someone else.

Per Bjesse · Jul 17, 2022

Oh, seems like the person is trying to scam a bunch of other people as evidenced by posts in the other forums.

Andrew O'Neill · Jul 17, 2022

You've been scammed. Please name the person so we can avoid.

Per Bjesse · Jul 17, 2022

Pyreclick.

Andrew O'Neill · Jul 17, 2022

He was outed yesterday. Sorry to hear he got you. The mods now need to take action.

Sean · Jul 17, 2022

We picked up on this yesterday and banned the account. Be extra cautious with new accounts, these scammers can be very good at what they do.

pentaxuser · Jul 17, 2022

Sad to say but it's got to "a trust no-one" situation unless you can be sure the person is a Photrio "old stager" whom you know well enough from numerous posts over months and preferably years

pentaxuser

Per Bjesse · Jul 17, 2022

Yeah I wanted to get this out quick. If I had seen an alert yesterday it sure would have helped me. I have had a number of good experiences buying here so I'll chalk it up as a lesson, I hope this is someone in dire straights with no other choice, and hope they will figure their shit out.

MattKing · Jul 17, 2022

Sean said:
We picked up on this yesterday and banned the account. Be extra cautious with new accounts, these scammers can be very good at what they do.

And I'm sorry that he/she/it may have got the OP, but I'd like to say thank you to all the members who reported the suspicious behavior. When I signed on yesterday it was like fireworks - reports were coming in almost as fast as I could read them!

MattKing · Jul 17, 2022

Per Bjesse said:
Yeah I wanted to get this out quick. If I had seen an alert yesterday it sure would have helped me. I have had a number of good experiences buying here so I'll chalk it up as a lesson, I hope this is someone in dire straights with no other choice, and hope they will figure their shit out.

That was why I posted to the thread warning people to be careful about dealing with new members who express interest in buying or selling things - at that stage we didn't know for sure, but wanted people to be cautious.

gorbas · Jul 17, 2022

People, before any $$ transaction, take time and check seller posting history here!
At least, its super easy to do.
I personally got offer from him for the closed WTB add. Checked his posts and bells were ringing all around him. I did not even bother to reply to him, just reported the case.

Disconnekt · Jul 17, 2022

He messaged be about a post I had put up, told me to email him for info. He just barley made his account on the 15th, & by looking at his "posts", seem *very* odd

Sixgun69 · Jul 17, 2022

He tried to sell me a Widelux. Glad I passed. Sorry to anyone that got beat. If no history or a new member I recommend taking all precautions.

Sean · Jul 17, 2022

We could make the classifieds subscriber only as most scammers will not subscribe (it somewhat identifies them), but that might kick out quite a few classified users. It's frustrating we get these scammers from time to time.

gone · Jul 17, 2022

I know it's too late, and I'm sorry to hear about what happened, but always use paypal. Anything can probably be scammed, but that provides a few protections.

Sirius Glass · Jul 17, 2022

MattKing said:
And I'm sorry that he/she/it may have got the OP, but I'd like to say thank you to all the members who reported the suspicious behavior. When I signed on yesterday it was like fireworks - reports were coming in almost as fast as I could read them!

MattKing said:
That was why I posted to the thread warning people to be careful about dealing with new members who express interest in buying or selling things - at that stage we didn't know for sure, but wanted people to be cautious.

Thank you for you and the teams prompt action after others and myself reported the suspect/perp.

Ian Grant · Jul 17, 2022

Isn't it easier to make the Classifieds time related to membership and a number of active posts.

I've just sighed with relief after a potential dodgy eBay sale, the US buyer it turned out after payment was actually in South Korea, wanting a Customs form with a lower purchase price. He has 100% feedback as a seller and buyer. In the end I just listed the two film holders at £100 each on the customs form/

eBay feedback today was just - Great. a relief, but sales here have less protection. Saying that I've bought into the $1000's here cameras, lenses, etc, all good honest purchases, but all long time members.

Ian

gkardmw · Jul 17, 2022

He/they/she contacted me as well about a WTB item. His banter was very odd and put me off from sending funds but he has my address.

Rayt · Jul 17, 2022

Would using PayPal avoid such risks?

Sixgun69 · Jul 17, 2022

PayPal Friend's and Family would be a loss if someone were to use that for a transaction. Regular PayPal may have some guarantee. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has experience filing a claim. Perhaps another forum post so we don’t hijack this one

Andrew O'Neill · Jul 17, 2022

I would not buy/sell anything to someone who just signed up here. They have to have a history here first.

Zathras · Jul 17, 2022

Per Bjesse said:
Pyreclick.

I reported this clown a day ago. He/she was posting blank replies to old threads. It
didn't look right so I reported this person.

Cinema · Jul 17, 2022

if you have any information you want to send, i can likely get you their real contact info for law enforcement use, or however you want to go after him. just pm me.

Erik L · Jul 17, 2022

Cinema said:
if you have any information you want to send, i can likely get you their real contact info for law enforcement use, or however you want to go after him. just pm me.

Now that is interesting! If any scammers read this thread they might think twice if they might get caught.

Sirius Glass · Jul 17, 2022

Andrew O'Neill said:
I would not buy/sell anything to someone who just signed up here. They have to have a history here first.

I do the same thing. A seller or buyer needs to have been here for a while and have a number of posts before I will make a contact on an item for sale or that I want to sell.

For Sale WARNING: Scammers most likely operating on the forum.

Per Bjesse

Per Bjesse

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

Per Bjesse

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

Sean

Admin

pentaxuser

Per Bjesse

MattKing

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MattKing

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gorbas

Disconnekt

Sixgun69

Sean

Admin

gone

Sirius Glass

Ian Grant

gkardmw

Rayt

Sixgun69

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

Zathras

Cinema

Erik L

Sirius Glass

For Sale WARNING: Scammers most likely operating on the forum.

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Moderator

Admin

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