Postal workers enjoying my R-D1s

ludoo said:
The Italian post is infamous for its track record of lost packages, but this is the first time I hear of a package arriving without goods inside. I have shipped lots of things from here (Italy) in the past couple of years, mainly headphones and amps, and never had one missing or stolen. The only package that disappeared en route was coming from the UK, and had just a bunch of bulk audio cables inside.

That said, I hope the seller really shipped insured, as international insured shipments involve special packages with a seal, etc. Does your package have a slip on it, or just a label with the shipment cost?
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I remember reading (several years ago) about how, at the end of a postal worker's strike, in Italy, some postal workers burned the accumulated mail on the loading docks.
 
Since you know this was a scam ... threaten the seller to contact the police. You have his bank details ... since accounts are not opened that easy, he will know that somehow the police could get back to him or whoever lent him his account.
 
Phantomas said:
Thanks ludoo, I appreciate your advice and offer for help.

Some details: the guy sent besides reliable description and ebay reference (which obviously appears to be not him) sent very clear photos of the camera. Even serial number is visible. He also appeared to know what he's talking about in respect to photo equipment, knowledgeable in that aspect.
Silly thing from our side - the transfer was made to his "wife's" account (but then my money was also transfered from my girlfriends account 🙂 ).

Well, we've been had. And i know I've had to be more careful, but unfortunately my previous exclusively positive online camera purchase experience, especially here on RFF, made me relax a bit. Well, turns out to be an expensive lesson.
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Contact the police and possibly the postal inspectors. Press criminal charges.
 
sorry to hear that!

I think, I remember the classifieds - the offers were from a guy with only few or none postings, correct?
 
Guys,
the seller had only joined RFF in April and had only a couple of posts before he advertised...
Unfortunately in my excitement to find an RD1 closer in Europe, did not check this before!
As mentioned, bank transfers in the EU are pretty common.
Of course we will apply as much pressure as necessary and see what happens...
As he had three ads, I wonder if anyone else also got scammed here by him.... we have two so far on the RD1s (phantomas and me)!
Soto
 
try to google his name, take a look into facebook, 123people or so. Maybe you will find his correct adress if the name is ok. Try also the name of the wife from the bankaccount, contact this bankhouse, etc.
a lot of work und maybe not satisfying, but ....
when you know the adress of the bankhouse or the wife with this account contact the local policestation via mail. Maybe somewhat happens fast in Italy ;-)
 
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Checked all his data (given the false name that makes little sense), verified SWIFT and IBAN (at least these match the area).
I'm still receiving emails from the guy (got one this morning) that he's investigating and will come back with a solution 🙂 I'm willing to see what his "solution" is before we finally spook him.
In the meantime, yes, I will open the cases with local police, Italian police (ludoo - those "Postal & Communication Police details would indeed be handy) and the bank.

There were a couple of other people responding to the three of his ads. If someone is in the same boat please come forward, I believe we can excercise greater pressure in larger numbers.
 
Phantomas said:
Checked all his data (given the false name that makes little sense), verified SWIFT and IBAN (at least these match the area).
I'm still receiving emails from the guy (got one this morning) that he's investigating and will come back with a solution 🙂 I'm willing to see what his "solution" is before we finally spook him.
In the meantime, yes, I will open the cases with local police, Italian police (ludoo - those "Postal & Communication Police details would indeed be handy) and the bank.
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Ok, I finally found a telephone number and address for the relevant office, guess a night's sleep helped some. 🙂

The office for Lombardy (where Como is) is in Bergamo, full details:

Compartimento Polizia Postale e delle Comunicazioni per la Lombardia -Sezione di Bergamo
Via Matris Domini n.4 24100 - Bergamo (BG)
Tel. (+39) 0354532208

Best thing would be for you to open a case with your local police, and have them get in touch with the Italian Postal Police. I could also give them a call and ask about proper procedures. Then translate whatever you need translating.

Edit: found a PDF file with all the local offices, and there's one in Como, with fax and email addresses.
 
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just a thought, how about someone from italy offer the scammer a trade with something valuable that he won't resist? give an out of country address for him to send, while you send your package (with nothing in it of course). then have the package sent followed... if he gives a different address, at lease there's a chance that he will get the package himself some time... a long shot, but it's worth a shot...
 
thinkfloyd said:
just a thought, how about someone from italy offer the scammer a trade with something valuable that he won't resist? give an out of country address for him to send, while you send your package (with nothing in it of course). then have the package sent followed... if he gives a different address, at lease there's a chance that he will get the package himself some time... a long shot, but it's worth a shot...
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Not a great idea imho, as you would commit fraud too by sending an empty package instead of the traded item. And muddle things up considerably for an investigation.
In my experience the simpler your case is and looks, the more chances of having someone actually give a shot at following up and closing it.

Edit: what might really be important is for all the scammed people to get together, open up cases with their local police, then assemble a single file to forward to the Italian Postal Police. One case might be chance, two or three might become something to look into from the pov of the police, as the thing might escalate in the future.
 
hmmm... you got a point... scratch that idea then...🙂

but yeah, it's better to file a case as one with many complainants. that way the police wouldn't dare overlook it... and better start right away, else he smells something fishy and disappears altogether...
 
620 grams

620 grams

The R-D1 (without battery) weighs 620 grams. Add to that the weight of the charger, battery, cds and the shipping box itself.

The shipping label might have the total weight of the package written on it or possibly embedded somewhere else (bar code?). Finding out this information is necessary if you want to determine with 100% probability what exactly happened, and when.

Good luck with this case!
 
Kevin said:
The R-D1 (without battery) weighs 620 grams. Add to that the weight of the charger, battery, cds and the shipping box itself.

The shipping label might have the total weight of the package written on it or possibly embedded somewhere else (bar code?). Finding out this information is necessary if you want to determine with 100% probability what exactly happened, and when.
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8.50 is for a package weighing 350g, uninsured. No need to find the actual weight printed.

Sometimes the clerk writes the shipping costs on the seller's slip, so before starting to harass the seller it might be a wise move to ask him for a scan of his receipt, saying you (the OP) are trying to find if your local post can reimburse you. My bet is he won't send you anything, and that will be your final proof. If he does though, post it here or send it by PM.
 
Feedback, instinct, track-record, long-time forum participation, not being afraid to ask questions, and previous dealings....

The above are fundamentals for me when I deal (buy or sell) on valuable items.....

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but at least this case has become a timely reminder to us all that we all need to be cautious in internet deals.

I have been complacent, so I thank Phantomas and sas0662 for sharing their unfortunate experience and giving me a good reminder. I wish you guys all the best in the recovery of your funds, and hope that you have better luck next time.... there are a lot of good guys here, but the odd few always ruin it for everyone.
 
Very unfortunate for this to happen here. Buyers beware no bank transfer must be done no matter what and where. I will only buy from a trusted seller with positive feedbacks thru confirmed paypal, if not possible then cancel the deal and wait. Everyday there new classified ads coming up. If one can't wait maybe KEH or similar good reputation sellers will be the only alternative.
 
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