Gumtree Scammers

[Rallye Sport]

Just a reminder for those still using the Gumtree platform.

I ran a wanted ad for some parts over the weekend, I've had alot of luck getting parts this way but theres always an element of danger to it.

This one stood out as a warning.
The guy contacted me via phone, polite and chatty, then sent some pics of the item to my email. At this point I checked his number here
https://www.numberlookup.com.au/
Theres a long list of complaints.
I then double checked the screen shot pics he sent me with google images and guess what, he ripped them straight from the net
I strung him along requesting a postage estimate and he voice called me with a quote and his bank details this morning, I strung him along a little further then, shall we say, ended the game.

So if get a call from Steven Phelps on 0484697368 Beware.

If anyones had the same experience with any other of these muppets, post the details for the sake of others in the car community.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Just a reminder for those still using the Gumtree platform.



I ran a wanted ad for some parts over the weekend, I've had alot of luck getting parts this way but theres always an element of danger to it.



This one stood out as a warning.

The guy contacted me via phone, polite and chatty, then sent some pics of the item to my email. At this point I checked his number here

https://www.numberlookup.com.au/

Theres a long list of complaints.

I then double checked the screen shot pics he sent me with google images and guess what, he ripped them straight from the net

I strung him along requesting a postage estimate and he voice called me with a quote and his bank details this morning, I strung him along a little further then, shall we say, ended the game.



So if get a call from Steven Phelps on 0484697368 Beware.



If anyones had the same experience with any other of these muppets, post the details for the sake of others in the car community.

Yet, you go to the police with this information they will tell you that they can't do anything till after he screws you.

Laws there to protect these scumbags more than their victims.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[prktkljokr]

He has been doing this for years, I would say he makes a living from it, he tried it with me 5 years ago with a Kawasaki ninja front rim, I always do the number look up when dealing with anyone who contacts me.

He is not the only one doing it, there is another junkie piece of $#!t from Victoria doing the same crap, he tried the same thing on the same wheel I was looking for, but when you look up his phone number, his home address is on the phone lookup page, from what I read back then he lives in a house full of scum and they all come out when confronted.

[gypsy]

Correct me if im wrong but apparently this is the site to report to...

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by gypsy

Correct me if im wrong but apparently this is the site to report to...



https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

Useless.....

Reported someone using my name and work address to defraud tens of thousands and gave them the exact information and what was needed catch them.

That was 18months ago.

I stopped reporting them about 12 months ago.

They never got a call, neither did I.

I think they continue today, just using a different address.

Copper mate told me unless it's $100k+ they won't look into it.

But 40 transactions of $1500-2k must be ok??

And I think the savy crooks know that.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by prktkljokr

He has been doing this for years, I would say he makes a living from it, he tried it with me 5 years ago with a Kawasaki ninja front rim, I always do the number look up when dealing with anyone who contacts me.

He is not the only one doing it, there is another junkie piece of $#!t from Victoria doing the same crap, he tried the same thing on the same wheel I was looking for, but when you look up his phone number, his home address is on the phone lookup page, from what I read back then he lives in a house full of scum and they all come out when confronted.

Confront them back!...park ya car in their lounge room......get even!...


Cheers Billy.

[prktkljokr]

Pretty hard when they are in QLD, VIC, and Im in Perth, plus they got nothing from me, i have always made it a rule to only deal in person a long time ago.

They seem to target people who dont live in the same state, most people will take the hit from being so stupid as they know that they have been conned, they wont even report it, even if they are lucky enough to know where the scum live they dont want the confrontation, we all know if you went there and smacked em in the mouth you would be the one being charged, so people suck it up and move on a bit more smarter .

[gypsy]

Thanks Yellow Festiva for the info about scamwatch. Sounds like you had a tough experience. I didnt know they were that unreliable. I reported one to gumtree sometime back who came after my ad in a really sus way. Gumtree seemed interested to know all the details, but just assumed they followed it up when i left it with them ...maybe not. I advertise in my ads "Cash Only" now, in after the price. And to only contact me by phone.

Sort of on topic but not gumtree, we had a couple guys going door to door a few years back offering free laptops if you signed into a course, which was a legit course, b
and they told us you didnt have to do the course and that the gov would pay for it. I asked to see his license, and quickly took a photo of it, which really upset them, but stood my ground and said, im sure your all legal, but im just gonna run a check on you. I kept their papers and said i
come and pick them up tomorrow. I contacted fair trading in town, and they personally come out and were really impressed with all the details ide collected. Apparently theyde come all the way from melb and were going town to town to low income areas. About a week after the fair trading guy rung me back and said theyde caught up with them, and even posted an article in the local paper for anyone else to report if theyde got scammed too. Apparently theyde conned heaps in our town. So in that case it worked.

[fordomatic]

I got done by Steven from a Facebook wanted add, not Gumtree. I won’t go into it, but it’s the one and only time I’ve ever been scammed. The part I was looking for was very rare and I just got excited even though the signs of a scam were there. I just sent him a message saying well done about 5 minutes after I paid when I realised it was a scam.

[PaddyBoyle56]

I got done on this site from a guy called DonaldO & his mate. He gave a mates of his email ( b.e.n.e.d.i.c.t.6.8.6.6.@gmail.com ) who apparently had the part I was chasing. I assumed that he was in Australia so paid his price thru paypal as he requested only to find out he was in America & wanted more money. He stated he would still sent the part for the money I had paid & that's when I clicked.I too got excited that someone could help me & being new to this forum didn't think. Not a lot of money lost more hurt pride than anything.
Hope this helps anyone else falling for this guys antics.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by PaddyBoyle56

I got done on this site from a guy called DonaldO & his mate. He gave a mates of his email ( b.e.n.e.d.i.c.t.6.8.6.6.@gmail.com ) who apparently had the part I was chasing. I assumed that he was in Australia so paid his price thru paypal as he requested only to find out he was in America & wanted more money. He stated he would still sent the part for the money I had paid & that's when I clicked.I too got excited that someone could help me & being new to this forum didn't think. Not a lot of money lost more hurt pride than anything.
Hope this helps anyone else falling for this guys antics.

DonaldO does not show up as being a member of AFF.

[PaddyBoyle56]

Donald0
Starter Motor

Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 0
Default 2006 LTD Center Wheel Cap
Hi


If you’re still interested in getting the 2006 LTD Center Wheel Cap. I have a friend who can help you out with that. It’s affordable and here’s his gmail address


b.e.n.e.d.i.c.t.6.8.6.6@gmail.com


Good luck with your search


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatal

[PaddyBoyle56]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

DonaldO does not show up as being a member of AFF.

Hi this was the message I got sucked into, I'm new on this site so still trying to get my head around it all. Thanks for your reply Cheers

Donald0
Starter Motor

Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 0
Default 2006 LTD Center Wheel Cap
Hi


If you’re still interested in getting the 2006 LTD Center Wheel Cap. I have a friend who can help you out with that. It’s affordable and here’s his gmail address


b.e.n.e.d.i.c.t.6.8.6.6@gmail.com


Good luck with your search


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatal

[arm79]

Originally Posted by PaddyBoyle56

Hi this was the message I got sucked into, I'm new on this site so still trying to get my head around it all. Thanks for your reply Cheers

Donald0
Starter Motor

Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 0
Default 2006 LTD Center Wheel Cap
Hi


If you’re still interested in getting the 2006 LTD Center Wheel Cap. I have a friend who can help you out with that. It’s affordable and here’s his gmail address


b.e.n.e.d.i.c.t.6.8.6.6@gmail.com


Good luck with your search


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatal

Sorry to hear that. Some people are just assholes.

Have you contacted PayPal? They might be able to refund the money and/or shut him down. Once they know someone is untrustworthy they are screwed for life with PayPal, they are banned forever.

I'm banned from PayPal forever over a stupid $5 mistake that happened over 10 years ago. Whenever I tried to skirt the ban by using different details they still somehow knew it was me and blocked it again. I've given up.

Might take the sting out of the experience by enacting some revenge.

[PaddyBoyle56]

arm79 Thanks for that, I have been onto PayPay & they are looking in to it. The way to get my money back is to go through the bank. I'm more concerned that this guy is going to rip more people off with his little scam so just putting it out there for people to be aware off. Thanks again.

[Toiler]

If you paid via PayPal and Seller has no proof of delivery you should be protected. If you made a PayPal friend payment you have no protection.

The same “no proof of delivery” can also work against you when selling. Buyer pays with paypal, picks up the item then buyer puts in a claim to PayPal stating no delivery . . You lose the item and the money. Never ever ever take a PayPal payment if the buyer is picking up the item. Ie no proof of delivery.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Toiler

If you paid via PayPal and Seller has no proof of delivery you should be protected. If you made a PayPal friend payment you have no protection.

The same “no proof of delivery” can also work against you when selling. Buyer pays with paypal, picks up the item then buyer puts in a claim to PayPal stating no delivery . . You lose the item and the money. Never ever ever take a PayPal payment if the buyer is picking up the item. Ie no proof of delivery.

This is also a rule of thumb if you're selling to people on 30 day accounts - don't ever use couriers who don't provide signed proof of delivery (ie couriers please) or you'll be processing credits for goods you know they received.

[submacd]

I got a bloke who,sight unseen, wanted to buy my Monty. BSB and account number was all he would work with. googled it and went with the safer PAYID that banks use just using your mobile number. Scammer blocked me!

[UTXR8]

many scammers ask to pay via Pay ID, but into the sellers paypal account....they can show an email to say the paypal account has received the funds, but its fake.....theyve tried it on me a couple times this year, but i only do bank deposit or paypal....and cash too...

[prktkljokr]

Had a guy trying to scam me today on a wanted ad on gumtree.

I have a wanted ad for a body wiring harness for the Ranger, I picked that he was a scammer straight away as a member of another forum I am on was scammed by the same dude last week and posted the scammers profile, first thought was to fob him off, then I thought I would play with him for a few hours while I had lunch.

He was pretty resourceful, he sent me a picture of a wiring harness that was for a ranger but google look up showed it was from a website and it was a 2,2 Auto, not a 3.2 Auto like I was wanting, he assured me that it was a 3.2 Auto, so I asked for the vin number, he sent me a picture of a vin number for a 2015 Ranger, google look up produced nothing, I was thinking this guy is pretty good coming up with the pics.

Anyway he tells me he is in the NT, Fannie Bay to be precise we agree on a price of $100 including postage, I give him a made up postal address and he gives me his bank details, I check it and its a ING account out of Sydney, by this time I finished lunch and he is harassing me if I have sent the funds, So I rated him badly and reported him as a scammer, when I told him he was getting nothing he just replied with LoL.

I have had 7 responses to this wanted ad, they have all been scammers, its getting hard to go online for things without dealing with this sort of trash.

[nearlythere]

Just lost $400, They are getting better and better.
No more

[Toiler]

Do not accept payment via PayPal.
The scammer will claim not delivered.
Almost always will get a refund (at your expense).
If they picked the item up or you posted it - you lose the item and the money.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by prktkljokr

I have had 7 responses to this wanted ad, they have all been scammers, its getting hard to go online for things without dealing with this sort of trash.

Unfortunately its happening everywhere. Even here in FF. I've had a couple of scammers replying to wanted ads in here, they stand out like dogs balls. A quick PM to Russ confirms they are out of country and applies an immediate ban.

Originally Posted by Toiler

Do not accept payment via PayPal.
The scammer will claim not delivered.
Almost always will get a refund (at your expense).
If they picked the item up or you posted it - you lose the item and the money.

Just need to do it the right way. Post with signature required, so there is no avoiding proof of delivery and load the tracking number into the payment info.

Otherwise force the buyer to pay under the "friends and family" option. This is excluded from buyer protection clause and the money can never be refunded. It would be the first step in establishing the credibility of the buyer. I know a few people who do it this way.