Wanted TR6 hardtop fraud/scam ALERT

[dhthree6s]

Hello -
I recently joined this forum.
On another similar forum I was recently the victim of a fraud scheme.
I was attempting to purchase a TR6 factory steel hardtop.
The "seller" provided pics, etc.
We agreed on all matters and I sent a small payment via venmo to cover the shipping.
Then -- silence. Did some more checking and realized I was scammed.
I managed to get the account delisted from that forum, and at the same time saved two others from my fate.
I can provide a name, address, cell phone, venmo id, email id, and pics used by that "seller".
My only motivation is to keep this from happening to others.
Open a conversation to my userid and i will provide the aforementioned particulars.
Good luck and use caution.
Thanks,
Dan Hellstrom
Ashburn, VA

 

[mezy]

If you have all this great information on this guy why have you not taken this further, as in legally.
I dont wish to appear rude, but what would anyone on this forum do with such information.

 

[Gliderman8]

Hello -
I recently joined this forum.
On another similar forum I was recently the victim of a fraud scheme.
I was attempting to purchase a TR6 factory steel hardtop.
The "seller" provided pics, etc.
We agreed on all matters and I sent a small payment via venmo to cover the shipping.
Then -- silence. Did some more checking and realized I was scammed.
I managed to get the account delisted from that forum, and at the same time saved two others from my fate.
I can provide a name, address, cell phone, venmo id, email id, and pics used by that "seller".
My only motivation is to keep this from happening to others.
Open a conversation to my userid and i will provide the aforementioned particulars.
Good luck and use caution.
Thanks,
Dan Hellstrom
Ashburn, VA

Hello @dhthree6s
Did Venmo reinstate your funds? I sure hope so!!!

 

[dhthree6s]

Hi Elliot -

They did not. The app is advertised as being for exchanges between people who know/trust each other. I did get that account closed in venmo.

Venmo also sent me a note that there is a purchase protection feature ("With Purchase Protection, you can feel confident about buying from someone new, whether it's a hairdresser, a handyman, or a vintage seller you found online. The next time you make a purchase on Venmo, tap the Purchase Protection toggle before sending your payment. If your purchase doesn’t go as planned, you could be eligible for a full refund.*")

I was not aware of that feature and am not sure of the fine print or if it would have helped in this case.

Just going to be more careful and less trusting next time.

Thx for reaching out.

DAN

 

[Gliderman8]

Hi Elliot -

They did not. The app is advertised as being for exchanges between people who know/trust each other. I did get that account closed in venmo.

Venmo also sent me a note that there is a purchase protection feature ("With Purchase Protection, you can feel confident about buying from someone new, whether it's a hairdresser, a handyman, or a vintage seller you found online. The next time you make a purchase on Venmo, tap the Purchase Protection toggle before sending your payment. If your purchase doesn’t go as planned, you could be eligible for a full refund.*")

I was not aware of that feature and am not sure of the fine print or if it would have helped in this case.

Just going to be more careful and less trusting next time.

Thx for reaching out.

DAN

Thanks for the detailed info Dan. Many years ago I sold a rare part to a person overseas. The guy I sold it to was afraid that he would send me payment and not get his part. I tried reassuring him by showing him my eBay rating. After I shipped the part I send a photo of the customs declaration form and tracking info. I received a nice letter from the buyer after he received his part.
Sorry you had the a bad experience but it’s good that you used the situation to make others aware. Like you say it’s best to be more careful and less trusting.

 

[HealeyRick]

Sorry to hear this, Dan. As the administrator for the Austin-Healey Club of New England's Facebook page, I've become acutely aware of these scammers. Hardtops seem to be a particular favorite of theirs as well as "parting out" cars. Mostly they will steal a picture from another site or listing and offer the part at a very reasonable price. Sometimes you can catch them by doing a Google Image Search on the part and finding the original listing.