Wanted Forum Scams

[d2d101]

I wanted to share this experience for awareness but also know that scammers will read this too, so I can’t get into too much detail. I placed a wanted advert for style 42 rims. A forum member messaged that they had rims in good condition. I was about to reply, but something in the message was a red flag. On checking, they were a member for a few days and had three non-quality posts which were just welcoming other members into the forum. You need five posts to be able to place a for sale advert.

Through further investigation I was able to determine their IP address which was in Lagos, Nigeria. I contacted the user to say did they have the rims in Nigeria! I reported it, but no moderator has got back to me yet. The user's account seems to have been deleted, so either the moderators deleted it or the user deleted the messages in the belief it would hide their tracks.

Personally, I would ask the user to list the item on eBay, as you can view the user's eBay account to get more details and have a limited level of protection via eBay. I will keep using the forum for buying and selling, but be aware that scams are everywhere and not just on this forum.

To all scammers, I would suggest not to target this forum as the members will now watch out for such scams.

 

[GazHyde]

I reported it, but no moderator has got back to me yet. The user's account seems to have been deleted, so either the moderators deleted it or the user deleted the messages in the belief it would hide their tracks.

For a bit of extra info - we don't get visibility of conversations in any form even when reported, so can only check out the account for our usual list of things that usually are a scammer. We get an alert thread created in the Moderators area.

Once we've reviewed the reported user we spam clean them which bans/deletes pretty much everything to do with them including posts or any messages they've sent. We then close the alert thread and it's not usually something that we go back to the person who reports it.

I'm sure I've done a post previously about the ways to spot SCAM contacts through the messaging system - but can't find it right now. The usual signs are them immediately trying to make contact outside the forum, usually by email. The other is that they try and karma harvest by mentioning another member. If I find the post I'll link it here.

 

[Pond]

Personally, I would ask the user to list the item on eBay, as you can view the user's eBay account to get more details and have a limited level of protection via eBay. I will keep using the forum for buying and selling, but be aware that scams are everywhere and not just on this forum

I wouldn't presume eBay is immune. There are many scammers on there who steal genuine members' profiles and adverts. It takes a while for eBay to do anything even when reported.
But Facebook marketplace is by far the worst. Seems like every other ad on there is a scam. FB are terrible at security which makes it the 'go to' place for scams.
Luckily most scammers on these type of sites are not very bright, so it's usually quite easy to spot them. The classic ads of being miles too cheap for what the item is are still tried a lot.

Scams are everywhere these days. Just always do due diligence and if it seems even remotely dodgy walk away.