a little help please?

Hi all,
i was randomly looking for a place to buy a new phone, and came across this site. But I have totally no idea whether its authentic or not. Please help!

http://www.phonedealerstores.com/servle ... about/Page

The address appears to be an appartment building

185 Center St,St Marys, Pennsylvania.USA

"Elk Towers 185 Center St St. Marys, PA 15857 814-834-4445. http://www.ApartmentRatings.com/...ate/ ... owers.html. New link for Elk Towers. Elk Towers St. Marys, PA. New link for Elk Towers. New photo for Elk Towers. Elk ..."

The Phone number is listed nowhere other than that website

Phone Dealer Stores's customer service goal is simple: We are committed to providing our customers total satisfaction. Every time. Guaranteed. Contact us at [email protected] or call +14125640534 anytime

The only thing I can find on their name is an advertisement by them on a Miami Springs forum

FOR SALE: BRAND NEW UNLOCKED APPLE IPHONE 3GS 32GB

New Unlocked Apple Iphone 3GS 32GB Black white Warranty...$350usd This phone is unlocked and can be used with any SIM card. No activation required With iPhone, Apple combined innovative hardware features with the world’s most advanced mobile operating system to redefine what a mobile phone can do. Applications work together seamlessly and they sync with your computer — whether you’re on a Mac or a PC. The fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. Improved performance 3-megapixel autofocus camera Video recording Voice Control Digital comp Cut, Copy & Paste MMS Spotlight Search Landscape keyboard Voice Memos Product Includes: Apple iPhone 3G S 32GB Unlocked Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic Dock Connector to USB Cable USB Power Adapter Do entation SIM eject tool FOR ENQUIRY OR MORE DETAILS VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://WWW.PHONEDEALERSTORES.COM OR EMAIL US via [email protected] [email protected] MSN CHAT: [email protected]

A search on the opening line of the advertisement leads to over 1,200 other identical iphones being sold for the same price Click Here

The site appears to be quite new and has a 1 year registration

Domain Name: PHONEDEALERSTORES.COM
Registrar: ENOM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.enom.com
Referral URL: http://www.enom.com
Name Server: DNS01.PROSTORES.COM
Name Server: DNS02.PROSTORES.COM
Name Server: DNS03.PROSTORES.COM
Name Server: DNS04.PROSTORES.COM
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Updated Date: 19-aug-2009
Creation Date: 19-aug-2009
Expiration Date: 19-aug-2010

Looking through the site it has very little content.

Fake sites is not my area of expertise and I am not comfortable to make a call on this.

I am however concerned by a couple of things;
that the site was only recently created
The one year registration
The address leading to an appartment building.
Their advertising and price is identical to a thousand other sites

Have you received any emails from this company? a header from one of their emails may be a huge help

It's merely an observation, but when I have come across more sophisticated scams, they have often used very generic company names to hinder any possibility of finding out anything about them.

For example

Car Dealer or Florida Holidays

A reputable company usually wants to establish an identity and reputation. By using a generic name they are doing the opposite and making it hard to trace them if you have any problem.

Whether they are a scam or not I can't tell, but I wouldn't deal with them.

Anyone have any more ideas on this company. The prices look too good to be true for the Iphone.

I sent them an email and they replied.

I don't want to be the guinnea pig

http://twitter.com/midwestgsm?max_id=55 ... twttr=true

# Avoid the following alleged iPhone scam sites: phonedealerstores.com, authenticiphones.net, and svetsin.tk.1:46 PM Oct 7th from web

I found this photo used with the advertisement on another site. It doesn't look very professional, or that they're making much attempt to look professional, but they're putting a lot of effort into spreading the advert all over the place. It's not a good sign.

I'd only proceed if you accept the risk of losing your money.

http://cundinamarca.olx.com.co/de-nuevo ... d-49904174



I also note that in their adverts they usually claim to be located in the country or place that the advertiser is located. They tell lies.

Nuff said ?

Hi: This is the message I got back.


Hello

Thanks for placing your order with us.

Your order will be packaged and labeled now and will be shipped as soon as
payment is confirmed.We accept payment via moneygram and your package will
be shipped as soon as we confirm your payment and it will be delivered
within 24hours after we confirm your payment.

Get back to us to let us know how soon you would like to make the payment
so we can schedule your package for shipment and we will email you our
details for moneygram payment.

Regards
Jonathan
Sales & Export Dept.
http:// www .phonedealerstores. com
Phone # : +1-412-564-0534

Disabled site link - Ralph

Hi Bill

Thank you for posting this additional information,

It will help to alert and save others

If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to ask

We accept payment via moneygram

That makes it a scam. Dropping money in the street is safer than paying someone you don't know personally that way.

CLONE ALERT !!

I'm feeling like a smarty pants.

Domain name: wholsalessolution.com

Registrant Contact:

DESERT LOVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ()

Fax:

608 Verna trail N

None

FORT WORTH, TX 76108

US

Administrative Contact:

DESERT LOVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ([email protected])

+1.7478290017

Fax:

608 Verna trail N

None

FORT WORTH, TX 76108

US

Technical Contact:

Prostores

Domain Tech ([email protected])

+1.9789468886

Fax:

400 Minutman Rd

Andover, MA 01810

US

Status: Locked

Name Servers:

dns01.prostores.com

dns02.prostores.com

dns03.prostores.com

dns04.prostores.com

Creation date: 25 Jun 2009 17:37:56

Expiration date: 25 Jun 2010 17:37:56

Note the funny spelling in the domain name 'wholsalesolution'

The About Us page is an exact copy of the other website, even the bad spelling - "We insure that the products" - should be 'ensure'.

Company details from website

WHOLESALE SOLUTIONS UK LIMITED
Registered No. 06710836
address:HOUSE 6-20 BURRELL ROW,
City:BECKENHAM,
State:England
Country:United Kingdom
Zip code: BR3 1AT
Phone number:+447024075859 UK redirect telephone number
[email protected]

I don't know whether this company is really the registrant, but this is info held on them

http://watchdog.net/ein/320086676/deser ... evelopment

Desert Love Community Development

This is a description of a US tax-exempt organization, based on IRS records.
EIN 320086676
IRS approved on 200406
Last filed 200812
Contact % Roberta J Watts
Address 608 Verna Trl N
Fort Worth, TX 76108-4305
Filing month 12
Assets $0
Income $0
Revenue $0
Category Charitable Organization
Classification Senior Centers, Services
Filing 990 - Not required to file Form 990 (income less than $25,000)
Filing No 990-PF return
Foundation Organization that normally receives no more than one third of its support from gross investment income and unrelated business income and at the same time more than one third of its support from contributions, fees, and gross receipts related to exempt purposes. 509(a)(2)
Affiliation Independent
Exemption Unconditional Exemption
Organization Corporation

UK Companies House

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/2ad90 ... ompdetails

Name & Registered Office:
WHOLESALE SOLUTIONS UK LIMITED
PROVIDENT HOUSE
6-20 BURRELL ROW
BECKENHAM
ENGLAND
BR3 1AT
Company No. 06710836

Status: Dissolved 13/10/2009
Date of Incorporation: 30/09/2008

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Company Type: Private Limited Company
Nature of Business (SIC(03)):
None Supplied
Accounting Reference Date: 30/09
Last Accounts Made Up To: (NO ACCOUNTS FILED)
Next Accounts Due:
Last Return Made Up To:
Next Return Due:
Previous Names:
No previous name information has been recorded over the last 20 years.
UK Establishment Details
There are no UK Establishments associated with this company.
Oversea Company Info
There are no Oversea Details associated with this company.

There are more, and I'll add them as I track them down and compile info on them.

Another one - same 'About Us' page with bad spelling.

Domain Name: ASSORTEDCELL.COM

Registrant:
PrivacyProtect.org
Domain Admin ([email protected])
P.O. Box 97
Note - All Postal Mails Rejected, visit Privacyprotect.org
Moergestel
null,5066 ZH
NL
Tel. +45.36946676

Creation Date: 20-Jul-2009
Expiration Date: 20-Jul-2010

Domain servers in listed order:
ns1.host4unix.net
ns2.host4unix.net


Administrative Contact:
PrivacyProtect.org
Domain Admin ([email protected])
P.O. Box 97
Note - All Postal Mails Rejected, visit Privacyprotect.org
Moergestel
null,5066 ZH
NL
Tel. +45.36946676

Technical Contact:
PrivacyProtect.org
Domain Admin ([email protected])
P.O. Box 97
Note - All Postal Mails Rejected, visit Privacyprotect.org
Moergestel
null,5066 ZH
NL
Tel. +45.36946676

Billing Contact:
PrivacyProtect.org
Domain Admin ([email protected])
P.O. Box 97
Note - All Postal Mails Rejected, visit Privacyprotect.org
Moergestel
null,5066 ZH
NL
Tel. +45.36946676

The UK head office postcode is wrong - close but wrong. It also quote a UK redirect phone number, which has been used in other 419 scams

http://419.bittenus.com/9/9/SamAnuka.html

HEAD OFFICE.
TEL: +44 7031959782
FAX: +44 1204 325728
Tewkesbury GL18 4TX
Gloucestershire United Kingdom
CONTACT PERSON FOR LONDON : CHARLES PETERSON
MSN: [email protected]
SKIP: [email protected]
[email protected]
YAHOOMESSANGER: [email protected]

You've pointed us at a right nest of vipers billhaf.

We better get one of our axemen site killers some coffee and a stiff drink.

whois -h whois.melbourneit.com universallcd.com ...

Domain Name.......... universallcd.com
Creation Date........ 2006-10-26
Registration Date.... 2006-10-26
Expiry Date.......... 2010-10-26
Organisation Name.... Mahmoud Ghanem
Organisation Address. PO Box 61359
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. Sunnyvale
Organisation Address. 94088
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. US

Admin Name........... Admin PrivateRegContact
Admin Address........ PO Box 61359
Admin Address........
Admin Address........ Sunnyvale
Admin Address........ 94088
Admin Address........ CA
Admin Address........ US
Admin Email.......... [email protected]
Admin Phone.......... +1.5105952002
Admin Fax............

Tech Name............ TECH PrivateRegContact
Tech Address......... PO Box 61359
Tech Address.........
Tech Address......... Sunnyvale
Tech Address......... 94088
Tech Address......... CA
Tech Address......... US
Tech Email........... [email protected]
Tech Phone........... +1.5105952002
Tech Fax.............
Name Server.......... ns73.worldnic.com
Name Server.......... ns74.worldnic.com

This one's hilarious.

We guarantee that every transaction you make at UniversalLCD.com will be 100% safe. Don't you mean 'risky free' ? This means you pay nothing if unauthorized charges are made to your card as a result of shopping with us. So, if they steal your money, they guarantee to pay you back We use secure server software (SSL)Not according to my pc you don't

The same 'About Us' page.

That looks like the lot, apart from some semi-completed websites and domains that have expired or been parked.

Hi,
I consider my self as an "expert" on fraud, -not because I am smart, but --the opposite--because I have been cheated a couple of times.
Those guys http://www.phonedealerstores.com/servlet/StoreFront , according to my "guts", they are fake.
Why?
1. They don't accept PayPal or Moneybookers.
2. I just receive a reply from them:
Hello,

Thanks for your mail.

Yes we ship worldwide but we only accept moneygram for all first orders due to our recent experience...we got paid recently with fakes and stolen paypals...So we take all first orders and sample order and we only accept payment vua moneygram.

Regards
Jonathan
http://www.phonedealerstores.com
Phone # : 412-564-0534

"We only accept moneygramm ... bla-bla-bla ... first order". The first order will be the last from those guys.

3. All the fake & stolen PayPal thieves have gone directly to those suckers!!!

NEVER USE MONEYGRAM OR WESTERN UNION TO PURCHASE FROM A STRANGER. NEVER...
YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MONEY... GUARANTEED.
ONLY USE PAYPAL. -

I hope i was helpful.
On the other hand, if you decide to follow your "guts", just let me know of the outcome.

Good Luck

Hi Dival

Welcome to Scamwarners

I am sorry you have learnt about scams the hard way.

Thank you for posting this information, it will help prevent others from being scammed

If you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask