Scammers ??

[tomhorn1903]

I recently placed a WTB ad on a S&W 396 NG. I received an email response from a "Wayne Woods" ([email protected]) offering me his 396 NG for $650 delivered. Problem: The 2 photos he attached had the Gander Mtn. logo in the lower left hand corner. I responded that I was suspicious of the pics. No reply.

This morning I get an email from an "April Brandon" ([email protected]) offering to sell her "late husband's"396 NG for $ 700.00 and asking where I live. I asked for photos, no reply. Offered to deal using www.escrow.com. No reply.

Are these folks scamming or am I paranoid ??

Thanks

 

[sophie]

Well Tom, I would say that no response from either party would indicate a scam for sure.

 

[tomhorn1903]

I felt pretty sure of that. Prices were too low for one thing. And the stock photos ere almost laughable. Curious if any others had same experience.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I am pretty sure Waywatcher is a respected member of the forum,Don't know if that is his E-Mail address though.You have to be careful in the WTB section Becuase the crooks have a leg up on you because they know exactly what item to lure you in with.

 

[JJEH]

Smells fishy...

 

[jjbrewst1]

Smells fishy to me too..A good way to secure a good transaction is to use a FFL you can call and locate as a legit business...then tell the seller that you will gladly send the Money order to the FFL and then let them handle the transfer. Of course you would have to talk with the FFL and see if they would do this, but usually they offer a transfer and charge a fee so they should happy to do so.. Now if the seller has a good feedback and no reason to question..go ahead ans use whatever means necessary. hope it helps

Jim

 

[Waywatcher]

Whoa!

For the record, my email has no resemblance to my username on this website; my email is my actual name.

 

[AR_Black]

Also got an e-mail from "[email protected]" in response to my WTB ad for a Ruger 454 Alaskan... here is the text of the e-mail

I am selling my Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. Everything is very tight
- no play or loosening from firing .454 most of the rounds I used were
45 long colt when I practiced. I am also including the Diamond D
leather holster that is in the pictures, about 25 - 30 rounds of 45
long colt and 18 rounds of .454. I'm asking $850 let me know if your
interested and if we could make out a deal. I can get you pictures if
needed, please do let me know.

Smelled bad when I first red it, now I know. Says "leather holster in the pictures" and then "I can get you pictures if needed".

This is not from the real waywatcher. I will request a picture of the gun with S/N visible, with an egg perched on the trigger guard, and a copy of the book "Catcher in the Rye" under the gun, etc......

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Also got an e-mail from "[email protected]" in response to my WTB ad for a Ruger 454 Alaskan... here is the text of the e-mail

I am selling my Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. Everything is very tight
- no play or loosening from firing .454 most of the rounds I used were
45 long colt when I practiced. I am also including the Diamond D
leather holster that is in the pictures, about 25 - 30 rounds of 45
long colt and 18 rounds of .454. I'm asking $850 let me know if your
interested and if we could make out a deal. I can get you pictures if
needed, please do let me know.

Smelled bad when I first red it, now I know. Says "leather holster in the pictures" and then "I can get you pictures if needed".

This is not from the real waywatcher. I will request a picture of the gun with S/N visible, with an egg perched on the trigger guard, and a copy of the book "Catcher in the Rye" under the gun, etc......

Usually asking for a picture of the gun with todays dated paper in the photo scares them off.

 

[tomhorn1903]

Also got an e-mail from "[email protected]" in response to my WTB ad for a Ruger 454 Alaskan... here is the text of the e-mail

I am selling my Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. Everything is very tight
- no play or loosening from firing .454 most of the rounds I used were
45 long colt when I practiced. I am also including the Diamond D
leather holster that is in the pictures, about 25 - 30 rounds of 45
long colt and 18 rounds of .454. I'm asking $850 let me know if your
interested and if we could make out a deal. I can get you pictures if
needed, please do let me know.

Smelled bad when I first red it, now I know. Says "leather holster in the pictures" and then "I can get you pictures if needed".

This is not from the real waywatcher. I will request a picture of the gun with S/N visible, with an egg perched on the trigger guard, and a copy of the book "Catcher in the Rye" under the gun, etc......

THAT is funny.

 

[tomhorn1903]

Smells fishy to me too..A good way to secure a good transaction is to use a FFL you can call and locate as a legit business...then tell the seller that you will gladly send the Money order to the FFL and then let them handle the transfer. Of course you would have to talk with the FFL and see if they would do this, but usually they offer a transfer and charge a fee so they should happy to do so.. Now if the seller has a good feedback and no reason to question..go ahead ans use whatever means necessary. hope it helps

Jim

Excellent idea. Thanks. Some buyers might balk at www.escrow.com as too slow/complicated.

 

[s&wchad]

Moved from feedback to the Lounge.

Posting your email address online is not a good idea. You open yourself to contact from ANYONE who reads your post; spammers, scammers and other low forms of life.

You should set your profile to receive email through the forum. That way, no one can see your email address and only registered users can contact you.

 

[AR_Black]

........
You should set your profile to receive email through the forum. That way, no one can see your email address and only registered users can contact you....

Thanks for the advice Chad. I had my e-mail address visible in the WTB ad. Just received yet another Scammer.... they had my entire post in the Subject Line of their e-mail, just like their first try. Removed my visible e-mail address and requested any contact via Forum PM.

This time, e-mail was from [email protected]
Body of message was different: Hello, I have one for sale. Let me hear if you are still looking and also
your location.
Chris


^^^^^^^^^^^

I also got fished by a scammer via Armslist... someone had a gun listed but did not note the caliber. I asked if it was a .44, they replied yes. I then replied I was looking for the .454 and they then said it actually was a .454, he read the marking wrong. Warning Flags to that one too.

 

[JJEH]

Report those scammers to the FBI.

 

[s&wchad]

Removed my visible e-mail address and requested any contact via Forum PM.

FYI, you can also have them safely contact you by email through the forum.

Click "User CP", click "Edit Options", check the box marked "Receive Email from Other Members", scroll down and click "Save Changes".

When members click on your Username in the ad, they'll have to option to send you an email, but they won't see your email address. They'll only see your email address if you reply to their message. Non-members won't be able to contact you.

 

[jaykellogg]

When I use Craigslist I use the option so they cannot contact me through Craigslist. I also post in the body, no texts, phone calls only. If I do not do this I get emails saying "Do you still have this?" Then If I reply, the scammer has my email address. I suspect there are people out there who are paid to deliver verified email addresses to spammers. I ignore texts also, but it chaps my butt to pay 20¢ for a spam text.