NEW SCAM ON POTN TAKING PLACE IN WTB SECTION - MODS PLEASE MOVE TO THE CORRECT FORUM AFTER READING

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17908247
lol, so did you hear back after the shipping label monies went through? $15 from 1000 people is A LOT of money for somebody in another country, so the $15/$20 request may be THE scam here.

Heck, $15 from 1000 people is a lot of money for ME, and I live very close to the inflated Silicon Valley!

BTW, OP, thanks for the warning. But it reminds me about hearing on the news how such-and-such in our local area is vulnerable to similar threats as the location in news story. Tell the terrorists where they could strike next...smart news reporting! Not.

So now I know how to scam others, too.

Could it just be that you were trying to buy a lens from a moron without realising?

xpfloyd wrote in post #17908484
Could it just be that you were trying to buy a lens from a moron without realising?

I doubt it. At first I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt. But then when I saw a different post on this site detailing the same scenario (have to pay $15 for a shipping label) I knew it was more. A third person also said in this thread it happened to them. At least two of us were contacted by members who "couldn't message on POTN" and contacted us from outside sources due to posts we made in the WTB section. Too much coincidence.

Yeah it sounds very dodgy when you say that.

To be honest, if you made me using PayPal tracking I would proboly just pass on the transaction. I am sure it is easy, but I have never used it. Simply mailing it and providing a photo of the item during packing and the shipping label after boxes up is all I have ever done.

But your situation does sound more like a scam.

Myboostedgst wrote in post #17908674
To be honest, if you made me using PayPal tracking I would proboly just pass on the transaction. I am sure it is easy, but I have never used it. Simply mailing it and providing a photo of the item during packing and the shipping label after boxes up is all I have ever done.

But your situation does sound more like a scam.

I'm not sure what you mean by PayPal tracking. If you mean the invoice, this is how I always do it as I run my photography as a business and consider all photography related purchases business expenses. I do invoicing because you can easily see what was paid for, how much was paid, and on what date.

The issue was the seller was trying to send me two invoices for one purchase, which 1) defeats the purpose of invoicing in the first place and 2)is really sketchy. As far as the shipping tracking numbers are concerned, I don't enter them on PayPal at first because I don't use PayPal's label printing. I usually try to go back and add the tracking number into paypal after I've been to the PO though, just for the buyers convenience.

Jarvis Creative Studios wrote in post #17908704
I'm not sure what you mean by PayPal tracking. If you mean the invoice, this is how I always do it as I run my photography as a business and consider all photography related purchases business expenses. I do invoicing because you can easily see what was paid for, how much was paid, and on what date.

The issue was the seller was trying to send me two invoices for one purchase, which 1) defeats the purpose of invoicing in the first place and 2)is really sketchy. As far as the shipping tracking numbers are concerned, I don't enter them on PayPal at first because I don't use PayPal's label printing. I usually try to go back and add the tracking number into paypal after I've been to the PO though, just for the buyers convenience.

I thought you were talking about tracking, so I misunderstood.

Wow. If people put that much thought into actual work, they would already be millionaires rather than coming up with ways to scam people

As the OP stated. Having a name different than the account should be a red flag right there.
I could understand having a family or business account, sure.
But if I'm buying from "John Smith"
It needs to be the Smith name on the account or Mr. Smith's business account.

Anytime I offer items for sale I direct buyers to my active EBay account, and they can't verified my name on eBay.
Or Google my name. My Flickr, Facebook, LinkedIn, this forum, and many others come back indentical.


I think you are right. That first transaction maybe the only one, really.

Once that's complete for $15-$20 it's a couple days of emails.
"Oh I'm busy, I will ship the lens soon.... Don't paid until it is ready..."
Meanwhile they are doing the same thing on many sites to maybe hundreds of users.

Please DO NOT be a sucker like me

Here are his info and details emails exchange with me:
George Carson
georgecphotography@gma​il.com

POTN name: KAIKU

Hey Kevin,
I saw your post on POTN. I have a excellent condition Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Canon that I purchased in July brand new from eBay. No scratches or marks on the lens body and no scratches or dust on the lens glass. I have never encountered any problems while shooting with it. Includes original box and original accessories. I am looking to save up for a 1DX. I have no problem doing $900 including including 2 day shipping USPS. I am located in Rock Hill, SC.
feedback.ebay.com/ws/e​bayisapi.dll?viewfeedb​ack2&userid=gd2095&fta​b=allfeedback&myworld=​true&rt=nc&_trksid=p20​50430.m2531.l4585
for feedback. I was going to post this on eBay but avoiding eBay high selling fees. I been a guess on the forum for a few months now but finally joined the community.
Thanks

Hi George,
Thank you for letting me know!
A few of them was letting go after the $700 deal expired for $800.
Thanks!
Kevin

Thanks for getting back Kevin. Yes I had to research the price again. The lowest I can go is $760 including 2 day shipping.
Thanks

Hi George,
What is your handle on POTN?
Regards,

I been a guess on the forums for a few months now. I created an account a few months ago to message someone who was selling a 5D3 at a good deal but noticed I had to be a member for a certain amount of post KAIKU.
Thanks

Hi George,
Do you have a Paypal account?
Regards,

Yes my PayPal is gcpixelphotography@gma​il.com
Would mind sending $15 first so I can print out a shipping label because for some reason my PayPal will not let me print out a shipping label for a transaction over $20. Will let you know when to send the $745. Will get this shipped first thing tomorrow around 11. Be on the lookout for a tracking.
Thanks

Thank you George. I'll send $15 tonight and the rest of $745 in another transaction + $22.45 for PayPal fee.

Yes that will be perfect Kevin. Thanks
Speak to you tonight and will let you know when I have received.
Thanks

Can I see some photos of the lens and photos taken by the lens as well George?
Could you please add a hand written note by the lens with your name and date? Fyi, this is a common request bw buyer and seller on POTN.

Hey Kevin,
I have another buyer who wants to pay now but I have contacted you first. I am currently at work and can do that when I get off in a few hours. THIS SHOULD BE THE PHAT SIGNAL BUT I WAS TOO NAIVE
Thanks

Thank you George for being a wonderful straight up Man of your words!!!

Hi George,
I just sent you the $15, let me know if it shows up ok.
Regards,

Hey Kevin,
Sorry I just woke up and yes the $15 showed up.
Thanks
George

Hi George,
Could you please add a hand written note by the lens with your name and date? Fyi, this is a common request bw buyer and seller on POTN.

AT THIS POINT... I THINK GEORGE IS AT THE BEACH DRINKING BEER WITH MY $$

Another flag is that he has one email address and then a separate unrelated paypal address. Additionally, when you google either email address, there are ZERO results. Usually if somebody is using an email, eventually google will find it on various pages somewhere. If I see results with any kind of scam attached to it, or zero results, my radar registers a blip.

MalVeauX wrote in post #17908354
This.

It's a lot easier to get away with several low scale scams, than to try and get away with a large sum scam. To actually get the cash in their country/location, something $1000+ is going to hit the books and get looked at, while a $20 transaction is no different than showing up for fast food and being ignored.

"It's easier to steal $1 from a million people than to steal $1 million dollars from one person." - Some Mafia Wise Guy

Tigerkn wrote in post #17910350
Please DO NOT be a sucker like me

Here are his info and details emails exchange with me:
George Carson
georgecphotography@gma​il.com

POTN name: KAIKU

Hey Kevin,
I saw your post on POTN. I have a excellent condition Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Canon that I purchased in July brand new from eBay. No scratches or marks on the lens body and no scratches or dust on the lens glass. I have never encountered any problems while shooting with it. Includes original box and original accessories. I am looking to save up for a 1DX. I have no problem doing $900 including including 2 day shipping USPS. I am located in Rock Hill, SC.
feedback.ebay.com/ws/e​bayisapi.dll?viewfeedb​ack2&userid=gd2095&fta​b=allfeedback&myworld=​true&rt=nc&_trksid=p20​50430.m2531.l4585
for feedback. I was going to post this on eBay but avoiding eBay high selling fees. I been a guess on the forum for a few months now but finally joined the community.
Thanks

Hi George,
Thank you for letting me know!
A few of them was letting go after the $700 deal expired for $800.
Thanks!
Kevin

Thanks for getting back Kevin. Yes I had to research the price again. The lowest I can go is $760 including 2 day shipping.
Thanks

Hi George,
What is your handle on POTN?
Regards,

I been a guess on the forums for a few months now. I created an account a few months ago to message someone who was selling a 5D3 at a good deal but noticed I had to be a member for a certain amount of post KAIKU.
Thanks

Hi George,
Do you have a Paypal account?
Regards,

Yes my PayPal is gcpixelphotography@gma​il.com
Would mind sending $15 first so I can print out a shipping label because for some reason my PayPal will not let me print out a shipping label for a transaction over $20. Will let you know when to send the $745. Will get this shipped first thing tomorrow around 11. Be on the lookout for a tracking.
Thanks

Thank you George. I'll send $15 tonight and the rest of $745 in another transaction + $22.45 for PayPal fee.

Yes that will be perfect Kevin. Thanks
Speak to you tonight and will let you know when I have received.
Thanks

Can I see some photos of the lens and photos taken by the lens as well George?
Could you please add a hand written note by the lens with your name and date? Fyi, this is a common request bw buyer and seller on POTN.

Hey Kevin,
I have another buyer who wants to pay now but I have contacted you first. I am currently at work and can do that when I get off in a few hours. THIS SHOULD BE THE PHAT SIGNAL BUT I WAS TOO NAIVE
Thanks

Thank you George for being a wonderful straight up Man of your words!!!

Hi George,
I just sent you the $15, let me know if it shows up ok.
Regards,

Hey Kevin,
Sorry I just woke up and yes the $15 showed up.
Thanks
George

Hi George,
Could you please add a hand written note by the lens with your name and date? Fyi, this is a common request bw buyer and seller on POTN.

AT THIS POINT... I THINK GEORGE IS AT THE BEACH DRINKING BEER WITH MY $$

Exact same name, email, and location that he told me. I'm PMing you more info. I did a lot of research and have found some things out .

Also, its a possibility that somebody hijacked their email account, and then set up a paypal address, and is using his email to scam people. Never use the same password between your email and paypal, just in case, but also make sure both have very strong passwords.

Just FYI, the POTN account/s associate with these emails were banned some time ago.
I understand that any recent attempts to scam members are being done off of POTN, no membership or personal messages involved, direct email contact only.

I've been in contact with some members about this, feel free to contact me with any additional info.