disturbing trend of scrams

[MrLarter]

Hello

I often look online for various cameras and other photography gear for sale. I use the gear for my own personal use and studio use and have for years delt with used goods. All of my camera gear is used and I often use for sale sites and the such.

I have over the past few months noticed a disturbing trend in photography gear. I know this exists in other areas as well but this is what effects us. Scammers selling photography gear at insane prices to lure in the noob. Often these people say they are in one place and end up being in another and often collect the money without sending the goods.

Anyone else been noticing this problem growing?

[Peter Wm. Richardson]

Hi Brian:
If you are a member of the PhotoPro forum, there is a truly bizarre account of an example of this very thing, that was posted by Bob Shell. I don't remember all of the details , but Bob was wary of the transaction and in the end avoided losing his gear that he was selling, but the story sounds like a dime store espionage novel. You really have to be careful, the thieves are everywhere.
Caveat Emptor was never truer.
Cheers,
Peter
Peter Wm. Richardson
Photojournalist
peterw@journalist.com

[MrLarter]

It's pretty nuts. I have attempted to make 5 purchases over the past few days and all have been scams.

I have common sense so can see a scam coming a mile away but it's others I worry about.

[Glen C]

Last month there was an ad on the Halifax Kijiji classifieds for a new D200 with the grip, some lens, and extra batteries. I asked what they wanted and they replied to make an offer so I did ($3,500) and they replied the lowest they would go is $2,700. That was the first clue. The second came when I said sure I'll take it for that and they replied, "Here's how it works. We'll send the camera gear to a third party to verify it works and is in new condition. Then they'll contact you for the payment. blah blah blah..." Kijiji is for local selling. As a warning to others I posted "*WARNING* D200 SCAM" and it ended up right above their ad and I told people not get sucked into it. I e-mailed Kijiji too and they removed the same ad that had appeared across Canada.

If it sounds to good to be true...

[andrewr]

It's pretty nuts. I have attempted to make 5 purchases over the past few days and all have been scams.


We're did you encounter all these scams, and how did you know they weren't legit?

Andrew

[andrewr]

I encountered a new ebay scam last night. I lost an auction for a Canon lens being sold by a well know store in the US and after the auction closed I was sent an email offering me a Second Chance to buy the item. The email looked very official and had all the ebay graphics, links, etc and said:

"The seller has issued this Second Chance Offer because either the winning bidder was unable to complete the transaction or the seller has duplicate items for sale. The selling of this item through Second Chance Offer is in compliance with eBay policy; you will be able to exchange Feedback with the seller and will be eligible for all eBay services associated with a transaction, such as fraud protection. To purchase this Item just Contact the seller directly at:"

The email looked very suspicious, and a quick google search turned up several links explaining the scam.

Ebay Second Chance Scam (http://www.safefromscams.co.uk/EbaySecondChanceScam.html)

Cheers,

Andrew