99% sure it's a scammer.. but a catch to it?

[Raizon.I.T.]

I got this off the "contact us" page on my site today:

please need to buy the microsoft windows xp pro dsp package x 80 units please contact me on *cell number* my name is billy

Now, my immediate reaction was it was a scammer, but phoned the guy up nevertheless.

He is based in Limpopo but wants me to ship to his colleague in Jhb so that it can be taken to clients in the DRC.. I mean, that sounds dodge.

But then when I asked how he's paying, he said he can pay however I want.. so I asked if he'd do EFT and he said with pleasure.

I also made sure to tell him that we will only dispatch the goods once the full amount has been cleared in our bank account, for safety. He said he'll do a transfer tomorrow and I as soon as it's cleared I can deliver it to him.

If this is the case, that he's willing to wait for it to clear.. can it STILL be a dodgy scammer?

Don't wanna get the shorter end of this stick - so just getting advice. Anyone else dealt with something like this before?

Advice would be much appreciated.

Jaryd

 

[Just_Ice]

Sounds oddly authentic.
Just be 110% sure the funds are in your account before doing anything!!!!!

 

[killadoob]

dude its quite simple

when u see the amount in your bank phone the bank and check its not a stolen check

they will also fax u a bullshyte deposit slip if this is a scam

eft is a good way to go because you cannot get scammed this way

DO NOT LET ANYTHING GO WITHOUT CONFIRMATION BY YOUR BANK that the money is legit and its in your account

 

[.Froot.]

If I remember correctly you may only buy DSP products with new hardware, correct?

 

[JAV]

All I can suggest is: when the money has been payed into your account, CONFIRM WITH THE BANK!!! Ask them how the money was deposited!!

One modus operandi is to deposit a cheque, make up a false EFT confirmation, fax it to you, you check account, see balance with money "payed" in and dispatch goods. Couple a days later the bank reverses the stolen/false cheque and you sit, no goods, no money!!

Please, please, just be carefull!!

They took us/me for over R12'000 this way!! Learned the hard way!

 

[Devill]

dude its quite simple

when u see the amount in your bank phone the bank and check its not a stolen check

they will also fax u a bullshyte deposit slip if this is a scam

eft is a good way to go because you cannot get scammed this way

DO NOT LET ANYTHING GO WITHOUT CONFIRMATION BY YOUR BANK that the money is legit and its in your account

Yes phone the BANK for confirmation after the funds have been deposited.

 

[sn3rd]

Sorry to sound like a broken record, but it's the best advice possible. Phone the bank. Once you have their comfirmation that the money is in your account and has cleared, then you are in the driving seat, and you can go ahead and purchase the goods for delivery.

Many times people have tried to scam me this way. I learnt the hard way once, and since then I have been ever vigilent (read: paranoid).

 

[Biggie]

An EFT can be reversed...or better...he can pay from a stolen(hacked) account,which means he can't transfer to he's own account.It can also explain the different delivery address...just a thought.

 

[LazyLion]

An EFT can be reversed...or better...he can pay from a stolen(hacked) account,which means he can't transfer to he's own account.It can also explain the different delivery address...just a thought.

Yes, EFTs can be reversed by the bank, even days later.... if the funds turn out to be false, or the account they were transferred from gets frozen, or the cheque is fake, or he gets arrested and has to give back all the money he stole... the bank can reverse the money back out of your account, even if you have drawn the money out. If you are going to get scammed in this way, there is nothing you can do to avoid it.

The only best surefire guaranteed way to do a transaction you are scared of is to deal in cash! If he is willing to pay you in any way, then ask him to do an EFT to a friend in Joburg, the friend draws the cash and pays you in hard currency. Just make sure the currency isn't fake either!

if you think you are going to get scammed, then don't do the deal.

 

[Raizon.I.T.]

Thanks a lot for all the advice thus far guys - would love to do the cash option, but I'm in Cape Town and don't have offices in jhb, so was simply going to ship there direct from suppliers.

I will give my bank a phone call tomorrow and see what they have to say about it, ABSA generally is very helpful when in need of advice.

I am a bit worried about the whole deal though, just seems like one of those typical scam deals you see on Carte Blanche.. Oh well. Will keep you guys posted.

Thanks again.

 

[LandyMan]

The amount of units ordered, seems very familiar to me ... I am sure there are a couple of posts about the same order on the forum, and it turned out to be a scam ... did the guy give a company name?

 

[Raizon.I.T.]

No company name.. I just remembered something that urges me further to believing it's a scam. He said his name was Billy on the mail.. But when I called, I ask "who's speaking?" and he responded Graham.. mmhmm :S

 

[LandyMan]

No company name.. I just remembered something that urges me further to believing it's a scam. He said his name was Billy on the mail.. But when I called, I ask "who's speaking?" and he responded Graham.. mmhmm :S

Man, I am sure this is the same dude ... same MO ... get in touch via Contact us page, needs to ship 80 DSP packages to some African company, but to be dispatched somewhere in Jhb ...

If I were you, I would not go through with this deal ... it is all just to familiar

 

[Syndyre]

Sounds dodgy. Maybe get something in writing from the bank that the EFT's legit etc. and they won't reverse it, if you can.

 

[Raizon.I.T.]

I won't be upset if it doesn't go through - it didn't get my hopes up because I expected it to be a scam from the very start.

Just hope he doesn't pull in some naive bloke and take away about R80 000 worth of stock.

 

[SlyFly]

Its sad that the world has come to this...

I know of someone that sells construction equipment and someone from Angola contacted them via their website (In South Africa) said they wanted a machine (Million rand machine) and the people were dodge, so they gave him a savings account with nothing in it, incase it was a scam... 3 days later the guy paid in the money... Turns out it was legit, I just wonder how many other companies didnt take the chance and lost a sale because of it...

 

[.Froot.]

These scams are so damn funny. I tend to google them and see how many results pop up

 

[Big Kriss]

I have a savings account for internet sales..EFT direct into it,withdraw the cash and THEN only ship the goods off.
I state this fairly in my communication with the buyer from the start..withdraw the cash,its in your pocket,no reversals and nonsense like that.

Mo ?? SCAM...

 

[PaddyTM]

Construction equipment I can understand, but software for the DRC? Unlikely in my opinion.

Scam

 

[Praeses]

If you can, try to empty your bank account after he's paid the money, just to be sure. Sometimes monkeys work at the bank so their assurance doesn't mean much