Is this a scam? Yes it was! lol

MindofMel

MindofMel

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Mel
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Hi all, trying to buy a camera on gumtree + lens for £580.. It's about £200 cheaper than it really should be. This is my email contact with the seller, who listed the item in London, but is actually in Falkirk...

The usual bad english/paypal/nigeria red flags aren't there but....

The emails are from a female with a custom domain name - the whois for the domain, reveals a man with the same surname, possible husband, A google of the husband - brings up a photographer website but his location is Birmingham....

Me said:
Hi there,

I will take this at your asking price and I can meet up today with cash? or at another day/time of your choosing.

Feel free to give me a ring on to discuss

Kind Regards,
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Hi

Yes still available.

The reason for a quick sale/cheap price is because my dog has developed stomach cancer, therefore I need to raise the money to pay for the vet fees, as didn't get insurance.

Hope you understand..

Collection is from Falkirk, or I can do next day courier, with full insurance and tracking.

Thanks for your email,

Me said:
The item was listed as being available in London? I would like to collect in London.

Please feel free to give me a ring on

Kind Regards,
Click to expand...

I have put it over different location as I am offering postage.

Collection is from Falkirk ,or I can do next day delivery for you.

Regards,

Me said:
So how are you planning to receive payment?
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Payment is via bank transfer.

Regards,


Me said:
I'm slightly concerned by the inability to meet face to face, but very interested in the deal. Is there anyway, you could post the item to a friend/relative in/near london and I meet them?

I have no chance to view the item. More importantly, I have no way of knowing if you are going to post the item if i pay you via Bank Transfer; not a reflection upon yourself, I am just trying to be cautious. Hope you understand.

If you have an amicable solution, I am all ears.
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Hi Mel.

I don't know anyone in London, to be honest.

I could accept half now, and the other half when you get the Camera?

Would that be OK?

Thanks,

Me said:
I know this might seem extraneous, but could you take a picture of the camera next to your laptop screen, with the BBC.co.uk homepage?

I am then willing to do the 50% method...
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Hi - bare with me, whilst I find something else to take a picture with.

Thanks,
 
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Trust your instincts!
 
He's been a bit trusting with the last reply...

Perhaps he's just thinking this is hard work ill try get at least something out of him.

I'd give it a miss personally
 
Carbonangel said:
He's been a bit trusting with the last reply...

Perhaps he's just thinking this is hard work ill try get at least something out of him.

I'd give it a miss personally
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The emails are from a female with a custom domain name - the whois for the domain, reveals a man with the same surname, possible husband, A google of the husband - brings up a photographer website but his location is Birmingham....
 
Carbonangel said:
I'd give it a miss personally
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:plusone: , for what protection it gives you wont even have paypal to help you out ........

OP , it might be worth removing your mobile number from this thread .........
 
"...my dog has developed stomach cancer,", "I have put it over different location as I am offering postage.", "I could accept half now, and the other half when you get the Camera?"

All a bit suspect, to me.
 
Tell him you have managed to get a really cheap last minute deal train fare and seeing as its only fractionally more than the postage you would like to pick it up in person.

Betting that won't be possible and some old cobblers will be trotted out, might convince you one way or the other though
 
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MindofMel said:
If it was you? What do your instincts say?
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Avoid it unless you can meet personally and even then take someone with you - there have been many similar reports about sales like this on Gumtree.
 
fixedimage said:
Should ask for some with a bit of paper with the date and sellers name written on it in the frame with the gear too.
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Asked for a snap with the bbc.co.uk homepage in the background... The emails that were happening in 2 minute response times...It's now been 20mins...
 
I actually think you'd be ok with this one. Just gut feeling.:shrug:
 
MindofMel said:
Hi all, trying to buy a camera on gumtree + lens for £580.. It's about £200 cheaper than it really should be.
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MindofMel said:
When you think about it, us lot trade with no buyer protection in classifieds all the time...
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same applies here though , 99.9% of people would not trade with someone who was selling far too cheaply ........
 
Please avoid this. Its a classic Gumtree scam. Advertise an item in London..then claim it is, after all in a faraway location to dissuade visitors, take the money and run. People want to believe it's genuine because no-one can resist a bargain. Try playing along and tell him you've got a business trip in Scotland next week and you can pay cash on collection...see what excuses they come up with...
 
If her husband is a photographer, then she shouldn't have to look far!!
 
It is very nice of them to only scam you half the amount (that's what my gut says :))
 
Usually when i look at any item on Gumtree i offer to come and collect the item even if i dont intend to go and collect it. Any answer from the seller that suggests that collection is not possible is usually a sign for me that the deal is a definate NO NO :)
 
wellyboot said:
If her husband is a photographer, then she shouldn't have to look far!!
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haha - it might be his gear? but that's a fair point...

I'm waiting on this image now of the gear, next to the bbc homepage and then ill decide..

I am thinking of anything else I can ask her for... i might ask for a photo of her driver's license lol...

I have just emailed her as she tries to find the wire for her phone - with the suggestion that she sends the camera to me next day delivery and that I pay on receipt with the incentive that I supply as much personal information as she wants? lets see how she takes that.. it's exactly the same leap of faith she is asking me for.

blaaaaa

anyone in Falkirk wanna make £20 for 30mins work? lol
 
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Errr....what did 'she' take the photo on the Gumtree page with in the first place?

I've had a look at the ad....brand new seller, and a bit more than £200 under list methinks.

Leave it alone is my advice.
 
If its the D7000 how come there are 2 ads with different prices ?

I would walk away as it seems very dodgy :thumbsdown:
 
make sure you post here when you get scammed , either for the money or the condition of the camera .................
 
paulyoung666 said:
make sure you post here when you get scammed , either for the money or the condition of the camera .................
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Haven't sent any money mate.

I lose nothing by playing this out until I'm 100% confident in a real transaction or not confident and walk away. Email is free. I have offered her to send the camera and then I pay... If it's in crap condition, I send it back to sender, If it's good - I have a good camera, cheap and found a little bargain. Working it this way as like you lot I reckon its a scam and its too good to be true - this way however takes away the risks involved.
 
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Have you considered that the email address may of been spoofed he help with the sale to make it look more legit?

I'd check the email headers to check the point of origin, I'd be surprised if they aren't coming from Nigeria.

Also if the website the email belongs to has a phone number... give them a phone and speak to them. Email is far too anonymous....
 
MindofMel said:
Haven't sent any money mate.

I lose nothing by playing this out until I'm 100% confident in a real transaction or not confident and walk away. Email is free. I have offered her to send the camera and then I pay... If it's in crap condition, I send it back to sender, If it's good - I have a good camera, cheap and found a little bargain. Working it this way as like you lot I reckon its a scam and its too good to be true - this way however takes away the risks involved.
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and they are going to risk getting scammed themselves , somehow i reckon not ............
 
She has said that she didn't ring me to begin with from the first email as she is actually deaf, the picture took time as her brother has the camera's who was on his way over (which I am assuming is the male I found via whois) and she cannot afford to take the risk of sending me the camera as she would rather take 2 days and resort to a pawn shop to get the money for the camera to put towards her dog's health. Also wished me luck in my medical degree (which I reckon she found via my twitter) and said deep regrets that we must unfortunately part ways

I've walked away. Rather safe than sorry but still...

End of the day, will never know 100%.

Back to ebay hunting! Thanks for the input TP!!
 
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tijuana taxi said:
Tell him you have managed to get a really cheap last minute deal train fare and seeing as its only fractionally more than the postage you would like to pick it up in person.

Betting that won't be possible and some old cobblers will be trotted out, might convince you one way or the other though
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:plusone:

Unless I could collect I wouldn't touch it. Offering to send it with only 50% being paid up front rings big alarm bells to me.
 
MindofMel said:
She has said that she didn't ring me to begin with from the first email as she is actually deaf, the picture took time as her brother has the camera's who was on his way over
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As far as I know deaf people can still text..unless they don't want to give away a mobile number. This was clearly a scam from the start.
 
Hi all
I just thought i would let you all know (incase you dont already)
this is excactly the same scam that was worked on av forums.
item advertised then found to be in different location, they offer delivery from a remote location knowing full well you replied to add for the location stated
it is the same down to the address in birmingham, tends to be a familly father , mother sons etc
also the deaf bit is how she sells phones on gumtree so stay away !

you pay you will lose your money infact report the add to gumtree

Hope this helps

R33SY

Look here for more info

http://www.avforums.com/forums/10936055-post127.html
 
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Surely there is a TP'er living in or near Falkirk who could check this out for Mel, I'm sure she would do the same for you if she could. :shrug:
 
Grayo said:
Surely there is a TP'er living in or near Falkirk who could check this out for Mel, I'm sure she would do the same for you if she could. :shrug:
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I'm near Falkirk, but I'd be reluctant to get mixed up in a scam. If I checked it over and said to OP it was fine then there was a problem I'm responsible.
 
MindofMel said:
hmmmm - she said she's looking for something to take a picture with...

my instinct is telling me to have a punt...
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My instinct is telling me that yours is the same mindset that causes people to send money to the Euro Lottery/Nigerian 419 scammers.

In general most people don't have to come up with elaborate stories to why they're selling something and most mobile phones nowadays have a camera built in.

This is exactly how all scams work though - greed. The buyer lets common sense go out the window at the thought of missing out on a "bargain".
 
it is the simple scam that is the best and the fear of losing out on a bargin
if you are wary surely your instincts are telling you to stay away

google lichfield scammers well worth a read

R33SY
 
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Gumtree = Scam

Always. Don't bother expending time or energy thinking about it.

Simples!
 
thread title has been amended , wow thats a surprise :bang: :bang: :bang:
 
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