Scammers prowling RFF

hoot

hoot

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As some of you may know, I recently posted a WTB on RFF. Shortly afterwards someone sent me the following e-mail:

Hi i am bill i have this product for sale,it is in a perfect condition and it is only 6 months old,i want to sell this cos i got a new one,i assure u that it is good shape it is only $120,and it is stil negotiable,so if you are interested let me know as soon as possible.Best regards Bill Scott
NOTE:I only accept wire transfer and i will be needing ur contact info so as to send the item.Hope to hear from you.
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I sent him the following response:

Hi, Bill,

Thanks for your offer! Hope you don't mind a few questions first, specifically:

1) What is your RFF nickname?

2) Assuming you require a payment in advance, can you point me to RFF members who can vouch for you?

3) Would you be willing to accept a PayPal payment if I cover all of the transaction fees involved, leaving you with a net amount we agree on in advance?


Thanks again, and let me know!

Best regards,
Ronnie
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"Bill" never responded after that.
 
Hoot, it pays to be cautious and I'd say you nailed "Bill" as a scam artist. I'd also consider using an escrow holder who is a known member in good standing of RFF to hold funds until the item had been delivered and the buyer was satisfied. Then the money could be sent to the seller. I'd never agree to a wire transfer in any event.

You did the right thing.

Walker
 
I received a similar scam email in response to a WTB on pnet, looking for a Curtagon lens to fit a Retina IIIS rangefinder. Note that the lens is only 6 months old! LOL!! :


Subject : Curtagon 35mm lens to fit Kodak Retina IIIS for sale


Hi i am bill i have this product for sale,it is in a perfect condition and it is only 6 months old,i want to sell this cos i got a new one,i assure u that it is good shape it is only $120,and it is stil negotiable,so if you are interested let me know as soon as possible.Best regards Bill Scott

NOTE:I only accept wire transfer and i will be needing ur contact info so as to send the item.Hope to hear from you.
 
It would be so easy to catch these people --- some of the time at least --- it's a pity there isn't a system for it. Immediate upload to San Quentin, or something like that.
 
On Ebay I used to get them after losing out on an auction. I have been offered new SP's (before the re-issue), M3's, etc.

IGGERS: Are you still looking for a Curtagon? Place a WTB here at RFF.
 
Thanks for the warning and for the very expert way to discourage the scammer, Hoot! I don't think I would have fallen for the offer... but I wouldn't know how to determine whether the offer came from a real RFF member or a scammer.
 
Curtagon

Curtagon

I've borrowed a Curtagon 4/35 from a friend, and am shooting with it on my Retina IIIS. The camera has a cool feature, that it automatically sets the framelines for the focal length. Basically I need to figure out whether I'm willing to spend real money ($40-plus) or chump change ($20 - am I dreaming?) for the lens, based on the results. Mind you, shooting on these grey snowy days here in Toronto is not great.

Brian Sweeney said:
On Ebay I used to get them after losing out on an auction. I have been offered new SP's (before the re-issue), M3's, etc.

IGGERS: Are you still looking for a Curtagon? Place a WTB here at RFF.
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hoot said:
As some of you may know, I recently posted a WTB on RFF.
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Is your email address public to the world via the member's list? It may be safer to privatise it so that only the admins can use it, any member will have to PM so you'd know if they were genuine.
 
A couple of days ago I e-mailed a E-seller who claimed to be a cam shop and I asked if he takes CC. All of sudden the camera got bid up a way too high and I received the replay, "Yes." 😀 He's feedback was 94. 🙁
 
Hi,
I think you will find that if you opt to receive emails, other members can email you but the address is not visible. It is routed through RFF. 😉

Kim

smudwhisk said:
Actually I may stand corrected - am unsure if you can see member's email addresses even when open to other members???
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