posted on February 28, 2002 08:28:02 PM new
My husband needed a camera and found one on ubid that he tried to bid on but the auction ended. He contacted the person and asked if he had any more cameras to sell.
Yes he did and offered it for what the auction had ended at $600.00 which is a really good deal for this video camera new in the box.
Through a week of emailing regularly twice a day (the seller seeming very kind, business like and responsible) they worked out the details of the camera and the transaction which would be sent cash by Western Union. The seller was in Romania and the camera would be shipped from there UPS Air immediately after the seller was paid.
The money was sent Fri. Feb 22, and followed by an email from my husband telling him the trans. #.
Well....... Mon Feb 25th the seller emails and says he hasnt received the transaction number yet and what is it please?
My husband promptly emails it back to him..........that was the last we have heard from him.
My husband has been emailing him twice a day asking if he got the money, had he shipped the camera yet? Etc. Still no answer. Today is the 28th!
What do we do? Or we duped! How can this go on? There were 2 other people who bought cameras from this guy on he same auction. Is there a way to contact them and see if they were taken too?
Please give advice anyone on what not to do and what is the right way to make purchases on the internet!
This blows the whole trust thing for using the internet for purchasing!
Thanks, Debbie
posted on March 1, 2002 12:20:41 AM new
Hi Debbie,
Most likely. Romania has a high instance of fraud. See my post under buyer beware. My boyfriend almost got into a deal with someone but happily he took my advice and didn't do it. Some countries just set warning bells off in my head - almost anything in Eastern Europe, Nigeria, etc.
I'm not sure what you can do about it now, sorry :\
posted on March 1, 2002 01:47:02 AM new
why dont you use your common sense ?
where do these romanians,indonesians,russian,nigerians,lithuanians get these nice cameras and why should they sell them to you?? at a great price??
posted on March 1, 2002 04:57:09 AM new
It is sad this happened to your family But there have been so many alerts regarding fraud from places like Romania, Indonesia ,Russia, Nigeria, and Lithuania I am surprised you weren’t aware of this before you made your overseas purchase.
The people who perpetuate these fraudulant schemes play on American’s greed. They offer high dollar products at unbelievable prices and unfortunately that is exactly what they are, unbelievable but people fall for this day after day after day even when numerous warnings have circulated forums like AW and others as well as notifications from the U.S. Government etc.
There is no way you are going to be able to recoup your funds. In fact that is specifically why they ask for Western Union payments.
I often wonder why people just don’t do business right here at home at a local stores they can trust. There are so many legitimate businesses to buy from in the U.S. that are that advertise for your hard earned dollars everyday.
More important is that if there is a problem with a product bought at a major store here in the U.S. you can get it fixed. (There is always an exception to the rule) You can go into that store and speak to a customer service person or the manager face to face and discuss the problem, get it repaired, exchanged or get a refund. People don’t think “what if” they have a problem with the product they bought in Romania for example what the heck are they going to do about it if it breaks.
My mom and dad taught me years ago “If it sounds to good too be true, most likely it is.” I pretty much use that as a guide for any purchases I make regardless of what it might be.
posted on March 1, 2002 05:33:49 AM new
i would say this is not about internet purchasing but more about common sense. why would someone in Romania have a camera at an unbelievable price? to rip you off....sorry to say but like katmommy says I would buy in US also or at least a recognized country such as Canada, UK, Germany etc.
Unless you paid by credit card I am sure the person(s) are out enjoying the cash already $600 goes a long long way in Romania.
posted on March 1, 2002 07:49:10 AM new
I wonder why this thread does not state how Western Union ripped them off and assisted in this scam. You can bet it would had the payment vehicle been PayPal......
posted on March 1, 2002 10:11:31 AM new
There's a 99.9% chance you have been duped. It is a classic fraud operation.
First, the shmucks always act professional and kind. Second, you got a good deal. Third, Western Union is used by scammers a lot. The faster they get their money the faster they can skip the country and evade getting caught. Fourth, Romania has high fraud rates. Fifth, High dollar amount, multiple sales.
Contact the FBI and hope for the best but you delt with a professional who is nearly impossible to track.
posted on March 1, 2002 05:29:44 PM new
NOW WHAT ABOUT IN THE BUYER BEWARE SECTION,SOME SELLER SCAMMED 1/2 MILLION AND HE IS BASED IN USA,HE SAID HE IS FROM NASHVILLE,TN,USA.
IN WALL STREET JOURNAL,SOME ONE WHO HAS A STORE IN MICHIGAN AND BEEN SELLING FOR 6 YEAS ON EBAY,TOOK OFF WITH A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND,HIS WIFE DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE HE WENT.
BY THE WAY,I AM OVERSEAS RIGHT NOW AND COULD USE SOME MONEY,SEND ME MONEY VIA WESTERN UNION,I AM AT THE IMPERIAL TOKYO HOTEL IN RWANDA.
posted on March 2, 2002 08:38:02 PM new
It is good to see everybody admits you were duped. Maybe a lesson well learned.
I heard a story about a couple who wanted to adopt a Russian baby. Due to residency rules, or other procedures, wife went by herself with a very large amount of cash to pick up baby. It worked out ok for her, but god only knows what wil happen to the next woman who tries the same thing. At least you only lost some cash.
Please make sure you and your husband read it.