Isu : Apa itu Scammer? ~ Λramonagraphy™

[ LONG POST ]

Assalamualaikum

Isu hari ni lebih tertumpu kepada sesiapa yang selalu online shopping macam aku. Just nak nasihat sebab aku pun nyaris terkena lebih dari RM1000 dengan sebuah syarikat UK.

Scammer : Penipu. Mostly kat internet.

Aku bagi satu situasi.

Hi guys,

I came across a deal on SG Camera Mall, USD$1200 for brand new Canon 5D MK 2 with Canon 24-70mm f2.8 lens. SCAM bells were violently ringing in my head already.

Seeing that it was too good to be true, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check it out.

So I contacted the dealer, and exchanged a few emails, and did some simple background digging to validate this business.

Here are signs of a scam:

Offers that are too good to be true
A second hand Canon 5D MK 2 body already costs more than the offer mentioned above. Do the math.

Shady email address
sales@reliablesales.net : The scammer really lacks creativity.
A simple background check on the domain name revealed that this guy's got something to hide. In general, proper registered businesses would make their company details available when they register a domain name.
Check out reliablesales.net Whois - reliables ales - Who.is

Afraid to meet face to face
Snippets from an email:
Me: Is it possible for me to collect it personally? I could travel down to your office. (Scammer claims his office is in Malaysia)
Scammer: Sorry we do not accept local pick up for sample order, we can only allow you do pick up if you are buying in bulk from 10units upward... We would have loved to meet you now BUT, according to one of our policies, We do not accept cash in our office for security reasons, we do not meet first time buyer if sample units have not been bought. For us to meet with you and do greater businesses, you will have to buy the 1 unit.

Essentially, this is what he's saying:
If you want to come and pick it up, buy more than 10 units first.
We won't meet you till you have bought at least 1 unit.

Desperate for business
Scammer: Also we accept 50% upfront payment before shipment and the balance after delivery of Product, that is if we can trust you.

He'd settle for 50% if 100% is too big of a con for you.

He also called me multiple times, with a blocked number. And when I refused to pickup, he got desperate and used an unblocked number, thinking that it was dubious to use a blocked number. Quick to respond to emails, and even asked how my family was doing. Awkward

Rude / sarcastic
Me: I'd have to cancel my order...
Scammer: Thanks for wasting my time all along, i will cancel it right away.

Clearly unprofessional. Pfft.

Conflicting information
The above few points were just the tip of the iceberg. Here's the bomb.

Business registration info: UK based company (Remember, he claims to have an office in M'sia, but the company website does not reflect any offices in M'sia)
Company information for ELECTRONIC BUSINESS MACHINES LIMITED (02440189) incorporated 06-11-1989

Type of Business: Catering equipment, cash registers, etc. (no link to cameras)
Welcome to Electronic Business Machines Limited

Payment method:
Below is the details of our company Western Union Account.
Receiver's Name: Kadiri Jerry Osikhena (A personal account? You've got to be less obvious bro...)
Receiver’s Address: UNIT 3 ARUNDEL ROAD,UXBRIDGE TRADING ESTATE,UXBRIDGE
Zip: UB8 2RP
Country : United Kindom

Let's be wise, and keep each other informed.