This is an odd one...Ebay potential buyer...

[2011G6E]

Got a message about an engine I'm selling on ebay...(http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toyota-18.../322006007267?) from someone whose listed as being an ebay member in Switzerland...but will be arranging shipping to the USA.
The question from the guy went like this on my ebay messages:

"hi there,

i am interested in your engine but would have it shipped to usa. i already contacted a shipper in australia (mainfreight.com.au) and requested what pickup and delivery to USA costs. but this shall not be your problem.

here are some questions i have:

- does the engine run? meaning, did you see/experience it running before it was removed?
- what is the condition of the engine in general?
- does it have high compression?
- does it burn oil or use a lot of oil?
- any leaks?
- any modifications done to the engine (e.g. different camshaft, or ported / polished head)?
- anything that would need to be addressed?"

It's just a second hand engine (albeit a pretty desirable one)...I was assured it was running when I bought it but I haven't run it myself.

This just seems so suspect it isn't funny...someone in Switzerland, buying and engine to ship to the USA...?
The shipping company is apparently legit...I've looked them up.

Just seems weird to me someone would buy a Toyota engine all the way from there to ship to the USA...rings alarm bells. He isn't asking any of the usual red light questions like "Western Union" or expecting me to arrange and pay for shipping.
Anyone had something similar...?

[theBlake]

Very common scam. Google it.
The MO is to ultimately get you to send money to them, under pretense ofyou paying the shipping company.

Don't even bother replying. They barely read your message and respond with scripts.

[Makovic]

Their next move will be asking you to make a deposit through Western Union. And of course, this will all be sorted out in the long run.

These enquiries used to come thick and fast from places like Sierra Leone.

Hiding behind Switzerland now gives them an air of credibility.

[Top_Ghia]

Just tell them there's no compression on cylinders 1 and 3 and it has billet overlocks for the quad phasers.
If he's still interested it's a scam.

[2011G6E]

Just got another email from him with another question...(my italics)

"hi

again this is simon from switzerland and i wrote you before. i

however you didn t answer me, or at least it did not work through ebay to deliver my message.

as i said before i am interested in your engine to put it into my ra21 and i have already got the shippers ready. they say it is no problem to ship the engine but it would have to be palletized.

so....this means they would organize someone to palletize it...or would you be able to palletize it?

i also asked some questions with regard to the engine.

if you dont want to sell the engine to a foreigner let me know.

i just saw that you out it back in for less and was surprised as i never received any answers to my messages expressing interest."


Sorry buddy...if YOU pay for and arrange everything to do with postage, palletising, pickup and delivery, then go for it.

[DBourne]

Gallo 12, or Gallo 24?

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by DBourne

Gallo 12, or Gallo 24?

Got to be the 24. It's better isn't it...?

But I like the idea of having some fun with him over the specs and see what reply I get...

[Spurious]

"Are the ring sprockets & jet infusers in good nic' "? LOL
...& tell him it comes with a set of left handed screwdrivers if he pays upfront!

Have some fun with the knob at least. Keep us well informed if you please.

[xxx000]

these scammers can cut off your internet so don't play games with them it's not worth it

some of them may be Russian Mafia

[MDS69]

What is interesting is the potential purchaser looks to have some mechanical knowledge. If it was some dumbarse on an oil rig I would have expected something generic.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by xxx000

these scammers can cut off your internet so don't play games with them it's not worth it

some of them may be Russian Mafia

I was just about to say the same thing.

I just hope that you haven't replied using your normal email address but have gone through Carsales.

I very common scam is to receive a text message saying do not reply to this text but email me on ABC.COM....then they have your IP address.

[Boosted8]

Let me give you a small piece of obvious advice.

Don't click on any links or images he sends you unless you want him to have your IP address.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by Boosted8

Let me give you a small piece of obvious advice.

Don't click on any links or images he sends you unless you want him to have your IP address.

What's the issue with a scammer getting your IP address? Your ISP won't release any of your personal identifying details to someone without a court injunction—which for someone offshore would be virtually impossible.

My current IP address is 120.144.132.151, but that doesn't tell anyone anything.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by SYZ

What's the issue with a scammer getting your IP address? Your ISP won't release any of your personal identifying details to someone without a court injunction—which for someone offshore would be virtually impossible.

My current IP address is 120.144.132.151, but that doesn't tell anyone anything.

it can tell them your address/location and more plus they can cut your internet access.
Trust me, when they get angry they get nasty

[DK30RB]

120.144.132.151 currently resolves back to Sydney road Brunswick

[mike_nofx]

IP address does not give an accurate location of someone, Whats the worst someone can do?

Just traced mine as being 100+km away from where I actually am.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Always waste as much of their time as you can. When they are busy with you they are not scamming others more venerable.

"hi there,

i am interested in your engine but would have it shipped to usa. i already contacted a shipper in australia (mainfreight.com.au) and requested what pickup and delivery to USA costs. but this shall not be your problem.

Great news! My best friend works there, who did you talk to, perhaps I can get you a discount?

here are some questions i have:

- does the engine run? meaning, did you see/experience it running before it was removed?

No, the engine has had its legs removed. It does however bum shuffle.

- what is the condition of the engine in general?

Oily

- does it have high compression?

No, it suffers from vertigo, so any compression must be as close to ground level as possible.

- does it burn oil or use a lot of oil?

Due to high cholesterol, it only uses spring water. Doc has said NO oil at all.

- any leaks?

Only after a big drink!

- any modifications done to the engine (e.g. different camshaft, or ported / polished head)?

How good are you at polishing heads????

- anything that would need to be addressed?"

Just the envelope you will be posting my cheque in

Look fwd to your reply.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

IP address does not give an accurate location of someone, Whats the worst someone can do?

Just traced mine as being 100+km away from where I actually am.

If it's a business then it can be 100% accurate

what's the worst they can do? 1. disconnect your internet almost immediately and/or
threaten you and your family knowing where you work.

do you know where they actually are or who they are or what they can do?
NO of course you don't so don't assume they're stupid and in another country

[Spurious]

Even if they could, I seriously doubt a hacker/scammer would cut of your service, as they only want to keep the lines of communication open. If they think there's the slightest chance of a pay day, they won't do jack!

I'm pretty certain internet providers have thought of that one!

With an IP address you can access the modem you're using, but then you need to hack the password to access the info. But let's face it, one phone call to your ISP & they'll sort it.

Have some fun with the douche. Don't let fear hold you back!!!

[xxx000]

I've had my access cut off by a scammer when he/she found out I was playing them along. It's very, very easy for them to do and they'll do it if they get cranky.

I got a very aggressive email from them stating something like say goodbye to your internet and bingo it was gone as they did a D.O.S. on me.

They also knew where I worked as I'd used work computer once for an email.

All those who think it can't be done, YES it can and I'd never encourage anyone to try to take them on.

They have skills, they're crooks and you don't know who they are or where.

[mike_nofx]

CAN be done... maybe. WILL be done? 99.999999999999999999% chance No.

Have never heard of anyone anywhere ever having been confronted face to face with an angry scammer who was upset their time was wasted.

Link me to a news article of someone being attacked physically by an internet scammer and i'll believe you.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by DK30RB

120.144.132.151 currently resolves back to Sydney road Brunswick

Which is roughly 250km from my home address, and which gives an overall geographical search area of around 196,000km².

I've now changed it anyway, so any of you blokes trying to hack me will be disappointed... only kidding.

Anyway, as mike nofx has already said, the chances of you being hacked using your IP address is so remote as to not be worth worrying about.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

CAN be done... maybe. WILL be done? 99.999999999999999999% chance No.

Have never heard of anyone anywhere ever having been confronted face to face with an angry scammer who was upset their time was wasted.

Link me to a news article of someone being attacked physically by an internet scammer and i'll believe you.

I must have been imagining my internet being disconnected and threats connected to my workplace being made by them and you must somehow know better by guesswork.
i'm frequently staggered on here at some of the attitudes and assumptions made.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by xxx000

I must have been imagining my internet being disconnected and threats connected to my workplace being made by them and you must somehow know better by guesswork.
I'm frequently staggered on here at some of the attitudes and assumptions made.

I can only guess that if you were hacked in this way, then there must be something major lacking with your security and/or anti-malware protection. Are you checking for rootkits and ransomware? Have you ensured that you don't have any open ports other than the essentials? You also need to disable images in your email proggy, and not download any attachments.

And when you were first attacked (at home) why didn't you change your IP immediately? I also find it strange that a hacker would waste his/her time hitting a private citizen with a DoS attack—what purpose does that serve?

You must've also inadvertently given the hacker your email address at your workplace at some stage to be receiving threats, as their IP address doesn't connect with you personally at all. At any rate, why didn't your company's sysadmin blacklist the hacker's IPs?

[GXL078]

There are a lot of Americans working in Switzerland for the tax dodge. It's what the place is all about. When I was there I asked about the number of 1990s Cadillac's driving around, do they think they are cool or what? I was told the yanks bring them with them

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by SYZ

I can only guess that if you were hacked in this way, then there must be something major lacking with your security and/or anti-malware protection. Are you checking for rootkits and ransomware? Have you ensured that you don't have any open ports other than the essentials? You also need to disable images in your email proggy, and not download any attachments.

And when you were first attacked (at home) why didn't you change your IP immediately? I also find it strange that a hacker would waste his/her time hitting a private citizen with a DoS attack—what purpose does that serve?

You must've also inadvertently given the hacker your email address at your workplace at some stage to be receiving threats, as their IP address doesn't connect with you personally at all. At any rate, why didn't your company's sysadmin blacklist the hacker's IPs?

I used a private email address with my real name removed from work once the rest from home

they then knew via the IP address where I worked but not my real name and did a DoS on my private internet at home later

Why? because they could and because I'd ****ed them off. it was a show of strength by them

you my find it strange (inferring doubt as to truth)but they aren't hackers, they are criminal groups who scam people into paying $ via various scam schemes.

I don't open attachments and am very aware of the usual ways things get corrupted etc. It was a very simple scenario but everyone doubts it, why they do I find pretty strange but my experience shows the abilities they have and what they can do when they want to.
The anonymous internet isn't so anonymous when serious criminal groups get involved. These aren't individual dummies trying it on, these are large organised groups with knowledge.

[Boosted8]

Originally Posted by SYZ

What's the issue with a scammer getting your IP address?

They can DoS you.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Boosted8

They can DoS you.

Looked it up and kept getting the operating system.

What's DoS?

[Boosted8]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial-of-service_attack

[Mechan1k]

You will find most ISPs now will be using some for of CoPP or ICMP Firewall filter on thier PE routers .... will stops ping flooding over set thresholds.

And most places will have DDoS measures in place as well to track certain attacks.

being DoS'ed at home is something that happening in the late 90's