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Yet another way to spot a scammer

949 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  Fullcircle, 
weatom
Don't think we can discuss this topic enough.

So I posted a gun for sale on Texas Gun Trader, and this same guy always
pops about a week after you run the ad. It's always a cut/paste, never asks
relevant questions, and doesn't even bother negotiating the price.

So I replied to his initial inquiry with a FULL and detailed description of the
guns condition, any issues, etc. Here's what I got back-

Hi, I apologize for my late response to your mail. I want you to brief me about the
following as regards the firearm.
(1) what is the condition ?
(2) Does it have any faults or defects whatsoever ?
I'm in Melbourne, Florida.I have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) to receive the
firearm for me if you are willing to ship it once you receive your payment.If yes,
what's your shipping cost to Florida? Or I can arrange for a local dealer in your
area where you can drop it off and they will do what is necessary for me to receive
the firearm at my FFL address without your concern... Please note that the shipping
will take place once you receive your payment....

Note, my reply email about the condition was ignored. It's just a cut/paste fishing trip.
"Brief me on the condition"? Who talks that way? Russian scammers?

And the part that sounds so good (that you don't need to ship until payment is received)
is BS too. Not sure the angle, but they probably send you a fake cashiers check, or some
other creative method of non-payment.

We always want these to be legitimate, but folks if it smells like fish.............
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md1600
weatom said:
Don't think we can discuss this topic enough.

So I posted a gun for sale on Texas Gun Trader, and this same guy always
pops about a week after you run the ad. It's always a cut/paste, never asks
relevant questions, and doesn't even bother negotiating the price.

So I replied to his initial inquiry with a FULL and detailed description of the
guns condition, any issues, etc. Here's what I got back-

Hi, I apologize for my late response to your mail. I want you to brief me about the
following as regards the firearm.
(1) what is the condition ?
(2) Does it have any faults or defects whatsoever ?
I'm in Melbourne, Florida.I have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) to receive the
firearm for me if you are willing to ship it once you receive your payment.If yes,
what's your shipping cost to Florida? Or I can arrange for a local dealer in your
area where you can drop it off and they will do what is necessary for me to receive
the firearm at my FFL address without your concern... Please note that the shipping
will take place once you receive your payment....

Note, my reply email about the condition was ignored. It's just a cut/paste fishing trip.
"Brief me on the condition"? Who talks that way? Russian scammers?

And the part that sounds so good (that you don't need to ship until payment is received)
is BS too. Not sure the angle, but they probably send you a fake cashiers check, or some
other creative method of non-payment.

We always want these to be legitimate, but folks if it smells like fish.............
Click to expand...
It's bad when they are on the forums. I miss the days when they stuck to Craigslist and Armslist.
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weatom
md1600 said:
It's bad when they are on the forums. I miss the days when they stuck to Craigslist and Armslist.
Click to expand...
Sadly, Texas Gun Trader which is an otherwise very good trading site is full of these fools.

The site has a "tracking" icon you can click on in items for sale. Shows the sellers IP location
which is a great security feature. Not even sure if most buyers even notice it (looks like a bullseye
below the listing). I've lost count the number of too good to be true listings, where the IP location
is the middle of the desert, or in Florida. Yet listed as "Texas" guns.

Damn shame these people are out there, but they seem to have every trick in the book. To me if the
slightest thing seems to be off, just pass.
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md1600
weatom said:
Sadly, Texas Gun Trader which is an otherwise very good trading site is full of these fools.

The site has a "tracking" icon you can click on in items for sale. Shows the sellers IP location
which is a great security feature. Not even sure if most buyers even notice it (looks like a bullseye
below the listing). I've lost count the number of too good to be true listings, where the IP location
is the middle of the desert, or in Florida. Yet listed as "Texas" guns.

Damn shame these people are out there, but they seem to have every trick in the book. To me if the
slightest thing seems to be off, just pass.
Click to expand...
Better safe than sorry for sure. Especially when it comes to big ticket items like guns.
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Amigo
I’ve yet to buy or sell on any personal internet sites. Maybe one day.
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J
weatom said:
I'm in Melbourne, Florida.I have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) to receive the
firearm for me if you are willing to ship it once you receive your payment.If yes,
what's your shipping cost to Florida?
Click to expand...
I would just tell them I'd be happy to ship to their FFL of choice after I have received and spent their payment ;)
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weatom
Jay702 said:
I would just tell them I'd be happy to ship to their FFL of choice after I have received and spent their payment ;)
Click to expand...
Yeah I know. I've though long and hard about it. Tempting to put the scam back on them
thinking you'll come out the winner. But since you know it's a scam it'll end up a rabbit hole (waste of time).
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Deputydave
weatom said:
Don't think we can discuss this topic enough.
Click to expand...
Agreed. The more people that learn about these scammers the better.

In years past I've gotten some very good deals on Armslist and Florida Gun Trader but both have gone off the cliff with scammers and psychos. Really have to be careful. I only deal FTF and in a location of my choice which is the parking lot of the Sheriff's substation. They have a specific safe area in their parking lot for FTF meet ups which is nice. If the person isn't willing to meet there then it's a non-starter.
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airgunner
weatom said:
Hi, I apologize for my late response to your mail. I want you to brief me about the
following as regards the firearm.
Click to expand...
All I would have to read is that first sentence to know it wasn't written by someone who speaks English and would automatically assume scam and stop all comms with the person/bot.
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ExMany
I think these sort of threads are two edge swords. We learn of the various ways in which scammers, but sometimes the scammers learn to adapt. I don't think that's a risk here, or at least a low one, but it's something to keep in mind. FWIW, there are some groups out there that try to do a good job in screening admission (EDC GO or NOGO on FB is one I use) of members, and on those boards they share updates about who the scammers are, and the techniques being used.

And you are correct to be concerned, even as a seller, as it is pretty scary how many ways you can be had even as the seller.
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A
weatom said:
Sadly, Texas Gun Trader which is an otherwise very good trading site is full of these fools.

The site has a "tracking" icon you can click on in items for sale. Shows the sellers IP location
which is a great security feature. Not even sure if most buyers even notice it (looks like a bullseye
below the listing). I've lost count the number of too good to be true listings, where the IP location
is the middle of the desert, or in Florida. Yet listed as "Texas" guns.

Damn shame these people are out there, but they seem to have every trick in the book. To me if the
slightest thing seems to be off, just pass.
Click to expand...
Thats the first thing I do when something looks "too good to be true"
Usually, they are in New York or North Carolina.

Im such a grouch that I just go through and "report as a scam", and "flag to remove ad"

Theres a guy that keeps relisting a Sig MCX with Eotech for something like $1400. I hate that dude....haha
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weatom
[QUOTE="Adjutant, post: 6006468, member: 217322"
Theres a guy that keeps relisting a Sig MCX with Eotech for something like $1400. I hate that dude....haha
[/QUOTE]

LOL, I know. There's a guy in Houston that's selling a NIB 226 Legion for $600.00.
Been relisted more times than I can count in the last year. NO ONE is falling for it
buddy!! :p
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F
Sad people work so hard to mess people over instead of a real job.
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