by Jim
Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:45 pm
Are you attempting to purchase phones or other electronics through email? It may be a scam!
How electronics scams work:
Electronics scammers will place "advertisements" on various message boards throughout the internet with large lists of their "products" (usually phones, but in some cases they offer other electronics and even things like designer shoes) for far cheaper than retail, and an email address (or several) for interested parties to contact them. Once you place an order and pay for your items (usually through Western Union or Moneygram), a new fee will come up that you have to pay before the order can be shipped, or before it can be exported from the seller's country, or any number of lies the scammer will tell. After you pay that fee, another one will come up. This keeps happening until the you either stop paying or run out of money.
What to look for in an electronics scam ad:
Electronics scam "ads" fortunately follow a fairly predictable pattern, with any or all of the following characteristics:
Example electronics scam "ad"
How to tell if you're involved in an electronics scam:
If they are using the name of a company, do a Google search for the company. There is a good chance that all you will see are links to message boards with their "advertisements" all over. Sometimes they will have a website, but be careful there as well, because the scammers will set up fake websites to try and scam even more people!
The easiest way to tell if you are involved in a scam is this: If you are being asked to pay for electronics through Western Union, Moneygram, or Bank transfer by somebody on the internet that you don't know, IT IS A SCAM. The best way to buy electronics is by actually going to the store and getting them. Don't be fooled by these scammers' low prices!
What to do if you are involved in an electronics scam:
If you have been communicating with an electronics scammer, the best thing to do is to write them and politely inform them that you are cancelling your order. Once you have done that, DO NOT talk to them any more. Chances are they will try whatever they can to get you to send money with discounts and lies, but simply ignore them and they'll eventually go away.
PLEASE remember that these scammers do not intend to sell you actual electronics and don't actually have any for sale. They will steal whatever money they can convince you to send them and you'll receive nothing in return. The low prices are very alluring, but the old saying is true: If it's looks too good to be true, it is!
A listing of some reported fraudulent electronics sites can be found at Artists Against 419, here: http://forum.aa419.org/viewforum.php?f=30
How electronics scams work:
Electronics scammers will place "advertisements" on various message boards throughout the internet with large lists of their "products" (usually phones, but in some cases they offer other electronics and even things like designer shoes) for far cheaper than retail, and an email address (or several) for interested parties to contact them. Once you place an order and pay for your items (usually through Western Union or Moneygram), a new fee will come up that you have to pay before the order can be shipped, or before it can be exported from the seller's country, or any number of lies the scammer will tell. After you pay that fee, another one will come up. This keeps happening until the you either stop paying or run out of money.
What to look for in an electronics scam ad:
Electronics scam "ads" fortunately follow a fairly predictable pattern, with any or all of the following characteristics:
- *Gigantic lists of products and prices that are much lower than the product normally sells for
*Most advertise some kind of promo for free items when you buy more than one
*An assurance that they are a "legitimate" business or seller of goods
*Main form of contact is an email address, most always from a free email provider (Yahoo, MSN, GMail, etc)
*Often they will use the name of an actual registered company to try and prove their legitimacy
Example electronics scam "ad"
CONTACT DETAILS
EMAIL : [email protected]
EMAIL : [email protected]
We are accredited mobiles and household electronics Sellers. We give you the best of service around the Globe and the best Pda and Xda products. Our Products are, durable, longlasting and portable for usage.We have a lot of Cellphones in Stock and in Store,they are all Brand new ones unlocked with complete accessories and In The Real manufactured Company Box.We give you 1[one] year international warranty with* 3[Three] months return policy on every items purchased from us.
NOTE:Bulk Purchase order:IF YOU BUY 5 UNITS OF CELLPHONES,YOU GET 2 FREE AND IF YOU BUY 10 UNITS YOU GET 3 FREE.
Contact us for more price list incase you have any Inquires about our product.
We sell in Bulk order, and in GOOD Discount prices,We make shipment through Fed Ex courier services and UPS, and they deliver within 48hours which is[ 2 days home delivery].
Asus P535 .....................................$190
Asus P525 ..........................$180
Asus P505 ..................................$160
Asus Z810....................... $200
Asus V85............................... $150
Asus V75 ............................$130
Motorola Razor v3x ....................$145
Motorola V3i................. $140
Motorola A1010 ............................$110
Motorola A1000................ $100
Motorola Rock1.............................. $120
Motorola W220.......................... $160
Motorola Q for Verizon……...............$200
Motorola Mpx 220......................... $122
Motorola Mpx 300 .................$130
[snip]
Apple Iphone 8gb............$300
Apple Iphone 4gb............$250
Apple iphone 16gb...........$400
Ipod touch 8gb.............$200
Ipod touch 16gb.............$300
Ninitendo wii...........cost $200usd
XBOX GAMES:
Xbox 360 Core System ............. $163
Xbox 360 Prenium pack ...........................$190
Xbox 360 Platinum Bundle Console ...................... $155
Intec G8600 Xbox 360 9.2 TFT Screen........$100
Panasonic TH-42PD50U Television..............$600USD
Panasonic TH-42PX50U Television....................................$100 0USD
Panasonic TH-50PX50U Television...................$500
Panasonic TH-42PWD6UY Television...................................$500U SD
Panasonic TH-42PD25U/P Television.........................$400USD
Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK Television............$450USD
CONTACT DETAILS
EMAIL : [email protected]
EMAIL : [email protected]
THANKS
MANAGEMENT.
How to tell if you're involved in an electronics scam:
If they are using the name of a company, do a Google search for the company. There is a good chance that all you will see are links to message boards with their "advertisements" all over. Sometimes they will have a website, but be careful there as well, because the scammers will set up fake websites to try and scam even more people!
The easiest way to tell if you are involved in a scam is this: If you are being asked to pay for electronics through Western Union, Moneygram, or Bank transfer by somebody on the internet that you don't know, IT IS A SCAM. The best way to buy electronics is by actually going to the store and getting them. Don't be fooled by these scammers' low prices!
What to do if you are involved in an electronics scam:
If you have been communicating with an electronics scammer, the best thing to do is to write them and politely inform them that you are cancelling your order. Once you have done that, DO NOT talk to them any more. Chances are they will try whatever they can to get you to send money with discounts and lies, but simply ignore them and they'll eventually go away.
PLEASE remember that these scammers do not intend to sell you actual electronics and don't actually have any for sale. They will steal whatever money they can convince you to send them and you'll receive nothing in return. The low prices are very alluring, but the old saying is true: If it's looks too good to be true, it is!
A listing of some reported fraudulent electronics sites can be found at Artists Against 419, here: http://forum.aa419.org/viewforum.php?f=30
Got a warning from [email protected]? That's me!
Remember, legitimate businesses CANNOT accept payment through Western Union or Moneygram! Scammers use these services because once they receive money it is virtually untraceable!
Remember, legitimate businesses CANNOT accept payment through Western Union or Moneygram! Scammers use these services because once they receive money it is virtually untraceable!
