Buyer BEWARE!!! Scamming method that hard to track using Bank Deposit and Prepaid Reload credit card.
Buyer should be aware of any transaction done using Bank Deposit due to the recent abuse of Prepaid Reload Credit card, for example "the Australian Post Load and Go Card". Such cards are easy access to be bought by scammer who intent to use the card for illegal frauds, and It is very difficult or rather IMPOSSIBLE to lodge a successful dispute on.
This is my Story
I saw an ads on Gumtree, regards a DSLR that was sold 1/4 of it's original price. The ads have image attached and on the description, it says "item was won in a local raffle, selling for money." My instant response was "Wow, this is a good price!" so I contacted the seller regards the camera by email. He provided me with his mobile number, and I text-ed him for payment method, he replied with an email saying he got the SMS and would prefer bank transfer, the email comes with his Bank detail - legit looking Names, BSB and Account number. I thought "well his mobile number seem to be working, I got his bank detail too, there's no way it would go wrong. At the worst case, I can just make a dispute if this doesn't work out" - I CAN'T BE MORE WRONG.
So I paid him the money including Postage fee, he said the transaction will take at least 2 days and once he got the money, he will post the camera. That's good, I'm excited and waited for my camera like a naive child waiting for new toy. And of course, turns out that the camera did not arrive. I tried to contact the seller and there's no reply at all, both email and mobile - I started to worry. I made a little investigation on his BSB number 880100, found out it was owned by Heritage Bank limited for Australia Post prepaid cards. As soon as I saw the words "Australia Post prepaid cards" I was almost certain that this is in fact a SCAM. I searched a little more onto his email and mobile phone, both did zero help. - There's no data regards his email, his mobile number turn out to be just a $2 Prepaid Virgin mobile sim with no recharge in it. There's personal detail in his account but possibly fake name and address - different from what he provided me. Now, I'm sure this is a scam and some action need to be taken immediately, I DID.
I went to my bank, they put a dispute for me, however it will take at least a month and they can not guar·an·tee that I will get the money back. Of course, how would you get money back if client on other end just take the money out from ATM, then throw the card with fake detail away. I chatted with Australian Post and made phone call to Australian load and Go service, seeking for help, telling them the fact there's a obvious way a criminal can abuse your system. However, they decide to do nothing and keep provide this golden method of dirt money transfer service to criminals. Lastly I went for Police and you know how story ends.
You would wonder how easy is it to abuse the system? I have to say, it's very easy. All you have to do is buy yourself one of those Prepaid card, have a database of fake names and seem legit address. Get yourself one of those $2 sim from supermarket, think of a product, it can be an Iphone 5, Samsung, Nikon Camera whatever that doesn't pop the 999 credit cap for your prepaid card. Then just put your ads on and you can sit back wait for your victim - I'm not teaching you how to scam, so please do not try.
So, what did I learn and how to prevent this from happening?
It's lucky for anyone who is reading this post, I learnt all this by the hard way. My pain is your gain, so here's the tips to help you stay away from Scams.
- Always use safer payment method, Paypal or Cash on delivery(A service provided by Australian post, basically you pay for the item to Australian post before receiving in person) for transaction, even though there's fee for the service, at least there's insurance to help you when obvious scam happens.
- At worst case, when A bank deposit have to be taken out. Please gather as much information as possible before transfer the money. For example - tell him to give you his landline number and call over to confirm. Google his Email and mobile number to see such person exist. Search on the bank detail that he given and see if there's anything fishy. Check his account if it is too new...beware!
- Ask him some knowledge regards the product and request more photograph. Normally it would be hard for them to do so because usually they don't really own the item.
To be honest, I'm actually pretty aware of internet scam and stay alert all the time. But scam still gets me - all because of that I am not aware of the existence of Preapid cards. See how important it is to keep update with knowledge?
- Lastly when something is too good to be true, stay alert. If you feel sad about missing the deal, just tell your self, that must be a scam.
Anyways if you want more information regards this type of scam or you want to look for similar victim like me click here http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1955042 (beware that for my case, I didn't put "pay n load pty" for account name, and the transaction still made though)
As final words, I really hope police can be more serious regards internet scam, and hope every buyer who saw this post will start aware and learn how to protect themselves. Sorry for my bad english as I'm not a background speaker. If you find this post helpful and have few extra money to spare please donate to me via paypal by Dreamlight2000@hotmail.com I really need money for a new camera. Also if you are interested and what to ask more question about my experience with scammer, feel free to email too.
Cheers, and have a wonderful transaction
Shun Yu Cao
