Amazon Marketplace scam

I always liked Amazon Marketplace more than eBay and have probably sold a dozen or more of books from my apartment just this year. Generally it provides a pretty good environment and is reasonable hassle-free for sellers and buyers. The Marketplace account is tied up to seller’s checking account, so at least Amazon has some data on the seller, they process all the payments, so no chance of ending up with reversed PayPal payment or fake Nigerian cashier’s check, they also enforce shipping costs, inflation of which is so typical of eBay.

So browsing their electronics top-sellers, I come across this nifty itemSamsung HP-R5072 50″ Widescreen Flat Panel HD-Ready Plasma TV, which generally sells for $4,000 to $5,000 and above. Now, if you look further into Amazon Marketplace section, you will find a bunch of Marketplace sellers selling the item for $650-900, which is a rather hefty discount. Now, we all know that LCDs are kicking plasma’s proverbial backends, but come on, that’s a pretty hefty discount for a best-seller item on Amazon.

Thankfully, a post from FatWallet explained the tactics:

Why going off Amazon Marketplace through Western Union is a no-no

I am glad I did this search before sending the money using Western Union as this scamer’s instructions were, here is my story: I find in the Amazon.com Marketplace a guy that sells an X2 Infocus DLP Projector for $550 plus $10 S&H, very appealing; I place my order asuming Amazon.com will charge my VISA Card and forward the money to this “Emanuel” guy as they have done it with my previous purchases from the Marketplace. The day after I place my order I get an email from Amazon.com that reads:

“We’re sorry, we’re unable to complete your order from an Amazon Marketplace seller enjoythegroove1@hotmail.com. We have canceled this transaction and you have not been charged for the order.”

I emailed “enjoythegroove1@hotmail.com” and asked him why he had cancelled the order. He immediately replys:

“Sir the offert is avaible.But if you want to buy the projector you must send me your full name and address so i can call to Amazon center to approve the transaction.After that you will receive an email confirmation from them with the all shipping details and payment method. Please email me asap with your full info!”

I sent him my full name and address and then I did get 2 (TWO) identical emails from Amazon (since when Amazon.com sends the emails twice?) saying that the item was sold to me and telling me the payment instructions. They were asking me to pay via Western Union Wire Transfer (I thought Amazon.com was supposed to charge my Credit Card!!!) I even chatted with the guy on the yahoo Messenger he told me he was in London, so I asked him where the item was, he told me the projector was in the United States, in the Amazon warehouse. What the heck!!?!?!?! Does this guy think I’m stupid? I went on with his game and decided to do a Google search on this BASTARD, I found this Forum and was stunned to realize I was not the first one. So please be careful when buying in Marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, ALWAYS use Amazon itself or PayPal when paying for goods. that way you’ll be protected. OOh by the way, that email “from Amazon” asking me to send money through Western Union to:

Emanuel Derich
449 Luton Rd
London NW109PT
United Kingdom

also totaled $550, as I was chatting with the guy I asked him what about the S&H??? He said it was included. Yeah Right! When I completed my purchase in Amazon when I placed the order Shipping was $10 making a total of $560, and now this new “Amazon” email doesn’t say anything about shipping ??!?!?!? That was stupid very stupid my Emanuel friend. I hope you read this and are behind bars when you do it. Have your mother send you wire transfers!!! As*sho*e! I hope this comment was useful for other people to keep them from doing business with this kind of guys.

Posted Thursday, August 18th, 2005 under Gadgets, Internet scams, Money, Technology.
  • buses

    This is another one to look out for.

    First name: Ioana
    Last name : Williams
    Address: Via Torino 57
    City: Roma
    Zip code: 00185
    Country: Italy

    Williams Ioana

  • Kitty

    I very nearly got sucked in….offer on amazon.co.uk a sony bravia KDL37W5500 £400 price too good to be true…I emailed Xpress Trading to get them to confirm price etc. The next day the offer had disappeared off amazon but got a private email from Brad Terman email address golfcollector@live.com to say offer still on and to supply my name and address and they would begin the order process through Amazon…….Alarm bells rang!!! Googled Xpress trading amazon and found a thread that led me to this…….thank god!!!

  • Martinanks

    Same shit happened to me. I was really happy to buy a Sony Bravia for 350 pounds. I wait for the message and in the mail they say I have to pay through MoneyGram to a person in Roma, Italy. This was the point I got sceptical and began my Google Research. Thanks for help.

  • Nick Law

    Yeh, it’s happened to me a couple of times with camera gear, on gum tree too. Think i’ve just come across another one got the same ”If you want to buy send me your full name and address and i will contact Amazon asap to process your order.” as FatWallet ^. Price is too good too. I’ve asked the seller if the transaction can all be done through amazon, no reply yet but just been back on amazon and the item has been removed, next will come the western union bit i’m sure. I’ll see where it leads.

    Seller name : nicollobraun@hotmail.com – scum!

    If the deal looks too good to be true then it is!

  • Annoyed!

    I had the same thing today, a Canon 5D Mkii for £995… too good to be true, but I thought i’d give it a try.

    Had the similiar exchange of emails, though got an auto-confirmation from Amazon saying to pay via MoneyGram. Upon closer inspection, noticed that the MoneyGram shipping address was in Italy, as well as the dispatchers.

    Guy’s name (seller) and address was

    Brad Terman
    Via Monza 18
    Milano
    21574
    Italy

    email… mariopalalila@hotmail.com

  • Jasper

    As if this guy thought i was stupid enough to fall for his gypsy trick.

    Amazon agent details where you must send the payment:

    First name: Constantin Ovidiu
    Last name : Mucalau
    Adress: Via Aleardo Aleardi
    City: Padova
    Zipp code: 35121
    Country: Italy

  • Ben

    These Italian thieves are still going strong… i very very very nearly got done yesterday but had a eureka moment on the loo this morning and avoided the scamster… then found a different forum and tonight had it all confirmed on here! Thank you for being here.

    I think the thing is that the psychology of people looking for a really great bargain is to WANT SO MUCH TO BELIEVE THAT ITS TRUE. Yesterday I said to my girlfriend 10 times “but what if I really could get a D700 for less than half price?” – i’m a photographer so ALWAYS need to save money :)

    Here’s how it worked for me;

    to angelus1977@live.com
    date 13 September 2010 22:40
    subject Nikon D700

    Hi there,

    Quick question I have for you regarding this item;

    - when you say it is used like new can you please give me a bit more information on how old the camera is, how many shots might have been taken with it (to the nearest 2-3.000) and whether it has ever had any problems?

    Thanks very much,

    regards,

    HE RESPONDS under the name EDUARD MADISON – clue right there right…. Edward is spelt wrong.

    Hello,
    the Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Body Only is in Mint, ‘As New’ condition with all accessories, UK model,
    comes with 1 year full warranty. Only used for one day as a demo , therefore it has not been used. The price is £745.00 + £5.00 for delivery ( 2 – 3 days by airmail ). Return policy is full money back in 30 days. If you want to buy send me your full name and delivery address to have your order placed with Amazon.

    Regards ,

    MY RESPONSE TO THAT?

    Thanks very much Eduard. Appreciate your prompt feedback!

    I would like to buy it. Can I give you a quick call first because I have a couple of questions regarding the item’s provenance….

    I am on skype at “xxxxx xxxxx” – i am based in Prague but am British – and i can call you if you are on skype or at your home/ office,

    thanks very much

    HE WRITES BACK… and as he’s doing so I am thinking… this guy responds fast (that’s GOOD)!!

    i;m at office right now i don;t have skype.
    we can talk here by emails no problem.
    so the camera comes with warranty from Nikon 12 months. all original accessories.
    if you like i will deliver to Prague, no problem.
    wait your email.

    I THEN WROTE:

    OK Eduard… understand. My question is simply if its been used as a demo version for one day only – i.e; barely used – why is it being sold so relatively cheap? !!! I am REALLY HAPPY IT IS CHEAP but need some sense of where it comes from. Don’t want to be spending £750 on something dodgy in any way. Reading your reviews gives me plenty of reassurance but want to hear about the origins of this camera direct from you. Hope you can understand.

    I will prefer delivery to UK as I’ll be there in 3 weeks time anyway,

    thanks a lot

    YOU CAN TELL I’M SHOWING SOME DOUBT RIGHT? ALL THE TIME THINKING… IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

    HIS RESPONSE TO ME?

    hy again.,
    yes the camera has used as a demo version one day.
    the camera will be delivered from Italy , therefore will not be any import duty to pay. i sell in Uk because the camera has Uk plugs, Uk specifications and warranty from Nikon.
    So the shipping wil take 2-4 days.
    all i need to start the order is your deliver detaills.

    Thank you

    FEELING THAT HE STILL HADN’T ANSWERED MY QUESTION I RESPONDED LIKE SO:

    Hi again! I know all of that – well, except the Italy bit – but still why is it being sold so cheap? Forgive me if I am sceptical :)

    HE COMES BACK IMMEDIATELY:

    i sell so cheapp because the camera has Uk plugs, Uk specifications and Uk warranty. and here in Italy we have different plugs.

    I THEN WRITE:

    OK! You are in Italy :-) Now I get it.

    I should place the order via amazon.co.uk but don’t seem to be able to find the page anymore?

    We’ll get this wrapped up by the end of the day,

    HE THEN WRITES:

    I am not on the amazon website anymore ,
    my stock is about to end.if you want to buy send me your full name and address and i will contact Amazon asap to process your order.

    ALL THIS TIME I JUST WANTED TO BELIEVE HIM. THAT IS THE MINDSET THAT THE SCAMMER IS LOOKING TO TAP INTO. I REALLY REALLY REALLY WANTED TO BELIEVE THE BASTARD.

    SO I GO AHEAD AND SEND HIM A UK ADDRESS AND HE RESPONDS;

    ok, your order will be processed by Amazon ASAP
    Thank you and let me know when you will receive the confirmation from them.

    A FEW HOURS LATER – that was a warning in itself since amazon should be able to process these things pretty much instantaneously right? – I RECEIVED THIS COMPLETELY AUTHENTIC LOOKING MAIL FROM AMAZON.CO.UK. THIS SEEMED TO BE ALL THE ASSURANCE I NEEDED BUT FIRST RED FLAG WAS THIS WHOLE NO CREDIT CARD/ ONLY MONEYGRAM SHIT. THE DOUBT IN MY MIND IS RISING SO I SENT THIS EMAIL IN RESPONSE;

    Eduard – I’ve received the note from amazon and they are telling me that I have to pay via Moneygram.

    1) I’ve never done that and would prefer to pay via UK-based credit card; quicker, faster, easier

    2) I have to pay in Prague, Czech Republic where the local currency is Czech koruna… can I pay in pounds at Moneygram here ? I assume so which leads me to my next question

    3) How would I be able to obtain £750 in CASH when I live in a country where sterling is not the currency? Obviously the answer is a bank but that involves A LOT OF BANK CHARGES withdrawing money from my UK account in Prague in crowns then converting it to pounds then taking to Moneygram who I presume also add their own charges on top… they don’t offer their service for free do they?

    So, – best thing would be to pay via amazon.co.uk by card.
    - Next best thing would be to pay in Czech Crowns in cash via Moneygram here in Prague.

    Are either of these two options available to me?

    thanks for your feedback

    HE COMES BACK DAMN FAST;

    Hello,
    i understand your point , but since i am also internationally located i can not use credit card as well. Also , the camera will be sent from Italy , so the payment have to be sent in here. Local currency is Eur , so the best thing to do is for you to send the amount in euros aprox. 861.17 EUR conversion from £750.00. Also , you can not send any other currency in Italy , except euro. I have checked with Money Gram site and according to it , the exchange will be aprox. 21760 CZK . You can check with your local Money Gram agent . So , you can send CZK and the Money Gram will do the conversion. Let me know if you have any other questions .

    I SLEPT ON IT. I THEN REALISED THAT HIS CURRENCY CONVERSION WAS OFF… AND THAT WAS WHEN THE PENNY DROPPED FOR ME ON THE LOO SO I SENT HIM THIS EMAIL AFTER A BIT OF RESEARCH;

    Hi “Eduard”,

    I don’t understand why one cannot use credit cards internationally. That’s the whole point of credit cards!!

    Also, the exchange rate into Czech crowns you quote me is below what it should be – the first time this would have happened in trading history!!

    Also, your “email from amazon” is a fraud. It pretends to be from amazon but is very far from being. It is from @live.com the same provider that you are using. I am not reassured.

    Also, why would you suddenly come off of the amazon marketplace without reason or explanation the moment i make an enquiry? Because your so-called recommendations on amazon are not, in fact real …correct?

    Also, why would you sell a product for less than half what you could receive for it just because the plugs are different… makes no sense when you are trying to sell that product in the UK????

    Also, Moneygram give me little or no protection in spite of what it appears.

    Also, I have never seen any pictures of this so-called D700.

    Also, this thread tells me all i need to know about you; http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=89346

    Therefore this “transaction” is now OFF. You will never receive a penny from me.

    HE PANICS;

    Hi again,
    I was informed by Amazon that they send you all the payment and delivery informations. Search your inbox carefully and also check your junk folder because it might have arrived there.
    Please let me know asap.

    I TELL HIM TO F*** OFF AS POLITELY AS I CAN;

    no, nothing there. as i said you won’t be receiving a penny from me

    END OF CONVERSATION;

    THE DETAILS HE WAS TRYING TO SCAM ME WITH ARE AS FOLLOWS IN THIS CASE BUT THIS WILL ALREADY HAVE BEEN CHANGED;

    The seller requests to be paid via MoneyGram® Money Transfer.
    To submit the payment with MoneyGram Money Transfer you have the following option:
    Pay for the transfer with cash at a local MoneyGram agent.
    Click here to locate the agents in your area.
    To confirm your payment with Amazon send a fax with your customer receipt from Money Gram to 44-7006-036-876.
    Use this secure way to confirm your payment only if you feel unsafe to release the payment details directly to your seller.If you need further assistance contact Customer Center by Clicking here

    Once the payment was sent, provide the following information:
    1) Reference Number (MoneyGram Reference Number):
    2) Sender name :
    3) Sender address :
    4) City where you sent the money from:
    5) Amount sent:
    Then wait for the confirmation that the payment was received. After that you will receive the tracking number for your product.
    The funds will not be released under any circumstances! We will hold the payment until you will send us your confirmation that you have received, inspected and you agree to keep the item. When we will have your confirmation we will transfer the funds to the seller. If the item it is not what was described you will ship it back to the seller and we will refund your money 100%.
    E-mail Address: angelus1977@live.com

    Ship from Address:
    First name: Eduard
    Last name : Madison
    Address: Via Torino 6
    City: Roma (RM)
    Zip code: 0040
    Country: Italy

    Payment Address:
    First name: Eduard
    Last name : Madison
    Address: Via Torino 6
    City: Roma (RM)
    Zip code: 0040
    Country: Italy

    PLEASE DON’T FALL FOR THIS FOLKS!!! I WAS this CLOSE TO LOSING NEARLY A GRAND THAT I CAN ILL AFFORD TO LOSE AT THIS JUNCTURE IN MY LIFE.

    CHEERS!

    Ben

  • Ben

    forgot to mention that one of the funny things about his “feedback” was that it said, on the amazon.co.uk marketplace, that he was a “great ebayer”… that should have been the biggest red flag of all.

    here’s the URL to his so-called feedback.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/seller/feedback.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceSeller=1&seller=A1SBR6M8SS2RQ7

    Can’t somebody find these common thieves and send them to jail?

    If not, why not?

    or, come to think of it, i see no reason why the poor, beleaguered Italian taxpayer should have to pay to keep these people in jail year after year. Personally, I’d line ‘em up against a wall and have ‘em shot. Or stoned.