Think I am being scammed by lensteam.com

So I found a great deal on a lens that I really wanted for Christmas. I called to see if I could speak with a live person, and did so (a man named Joseph)...I asked if it was a legitimate Nikon lens, not aftermarket, gray market, or counterfeit and he swore it was all brand new, Nikon, no problems, not refurbished, etc. All my funds were in Paypal at the time and of course, they did not accept Paypal. They did say they would take a credit card or a COD. I figured I could get my Paypal funds to my bank in time to do a COD and also thought since they were accepting credit cards, they must be legit because the credit card companies would come after them.

Well, the Nikon 24-70 2.8 I was supposed to get came in as a Sigma 18-250 (for a Canon, no less) with no packing slip whatsoever. I chased down the UPS man and asked for my cashiers check back in return for the package and he said he could not.

I called the company at lens team and Joseph answered once again and said the warehouse mislabeled my package and mixed mine up with someone elses and that I would receive mine the day after Christmas, along with a check for $25 for the inconvenience. None of this feels right, I feel like he is a professional con artist. Does anyone have experience with this company and what can I do if my lens never comes in??

Thanks,

Kassi

I have done a search on the website and it has been around for over 3 years, so it could be legit, I would suggest you wait and see wether the lens arrives

The fact that you received a lens, and that it appeared to be real, means that this is not a fraud site like the sites we deal with--those sites advertise items they don't have, and take money with no intention of delivering anything or with the intention of dealing counterfeit knockoffs.

But the site and registration (below) do have some red flags.

The domain name itself has been around a while, but there was a drop in registration in the middle, and the current registration is only 6 months old.
It has been registered for the minimum period of 1 year.
The owner's information is hidden, not something you would expect of an actual retail company.
The phone number on the website is a mobile.
I can't find a physical address anywhere.
The site itself is pretty much a template site.

Based on this information, it might be a legitimate site connected to a small business, or just a single individual reselling items out of his home. The seller might not keep a stock on hand, and might have to wait for the return from the other buyer to ship the other lens, or he/she might have limited shipping options for the holidays.

If you don't receive the replacement lens, you will need to gather all available documentation, and file a report for fraud. I would be prepared to do that, but at this point I certainly don't think you are at the point where you need to assume that it is fraudulent.

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, LLC (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: LENSTEAM.COM
Created on: 13-Jun-12
Expires on: 13-Jun-13
Last Updated on: 07-Nov-12

Registrant:
Domains By Proxy, LLC
DomainsByProxy.com
14747 N Northsight Blvd Suite 111, PMB 309
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States

http://www.scambook.com/report/view/190 ... or-$540.00

I have done some deeper research on this company...based on the name I was asked to fill the cashier's check out to "design nation thirty six zero" or design nation 360. UPS also said it was going to a place called "lens cabinet" which I have found several bad reviews with exactly what they did to me. Sent a cheap Sigma, not even in the same ball park of what they asked/paid for. Read review above. There are SEVERAL more that can be found when you look in to past aliases...all asking for money to be paid to "design nation 360 or design nation thrity six zero".

Now, how do I proceed from here.

And no, I have not received another package today as promised and no, they are not answering their magic jack phone today...surprise.

YES No Doubt This Is A Scam I was scammed by the same people (also called Boardwalk Lens) I ordered with a credit card then they called and asked for COD. I thought UPS would let me inspect the package but a after opening it to discover a much less valuable item inside they said that they could not send it back. I cancelled the money order and I think I will get my money back. Do not do any business with them. Do not give them any more money and cancell the money order if it still is possible. Do not send the item back at least you can recoup part of your losses.

Sorry to hear another victim of this cold hearted grinch. But glad you may be able to get your money back. My credit union has stopped payment on my cashiers check as well and has flagged it as fraud so the authorites will be notified when he tries to cash it. Hope this jerk goes to jail for a long time. Found stacks of cases against him, all with little variations which may have been why he has gotten away with it for so long. FBI and Internet Crime Complaint Center, Federal Trade Commission and State Attorney's office in NY (where we believe he is located) have all been informed and are investigating him. If you have not made a claim against him, please do so to all of these places. Be sure to put all of his aliases that you know of so they can make the connections.

So far we know of him as:

Boardwalk Lens
Lensteam.com
Lens Cabin
Len Cabinet
Design Nation Thirty Six Zero
Design Nation 360
360 Design Nation
360 Designation
Designation 360

If you know of any other people that have been victimized by him, please report to all three agencies and list all possible aliases so they can stack the cases against him when caught.

IC3 (Internet Complaint Center-FBI)
FTC Federal Trade Commission
NY State Attorney General office

If you need any more information on him such as address the checks were going to, please let me know.

If they do not find him, I am considering hiring a private detective in NY to do so based on principle. Anyone want to go in on it, let me know!

Let's catch this SCUM!!

Please post addresses and email addresses used etc . No harm, only good in it

I was also scammed by this guy. Please post any physical addresses or email addresses you have found, or if preferred please email me directly. I am in contact with NY State law enforcement.

I too was given this BS story of the wrong label and that he would send the right item ASAP and Blah Blah Blah... I feel pretty taken. I'm submitting my claims to all of the authorities but would be interested in the private investigator deal mentioned by CKboo above, I'll pitch in for the principle of it, douchebag already got $299 it's worth it if we get the chance to expose this person.