by emi_lou33
Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:18 pm
Hi,
I would like to report and make people aware of a scam that has just happened to me. The con man claims to be called 'Max Altman' from Holyhead - Wales (UK). However I suspect he does not actually live there and is not really called Max.
I have been saving up for over a year to buy a canon camera and finally had enough last week along with an early cash Christmas present to buy the one I wanted second hand. I found an add on Gumtree which looked legit to me. The seller was quick to email me back and accept a slightly lower offer I made. (I asked to buy the camera body for £1100 and not buy the lens which was meant to come with it at a total cost of £1600).
The advert itself was very convincing. Everything from the photo to the description about the shutter count, and most importantly the fact that it is from one of the best camera shops in the UK who don't deal with grey goods (Park Cameras).
He said I could pay cash on collection or bank transfer. Then he said he was in Holyhead which is in Wales. As I live a long way from there I said it would have to be bank transfer. I asked if he would accept paypal but he refused and said this:
I was anxious not to upset him as I was so excited to get the camera I had been saving for at a slightly lower price than advertised. I gave him my phone number and suggested he may prefer to call me with his bank details so he didn't have to send the info online. However he emailed the details over and didn't offer his number.
I feel really stupid for not getting his phone number and address so I could check him out before sending over my entire savings account. I have always been a very trusting person and have never bought online like this before, so never considered the safest way to deal with this sort of thing. I was honestly too excited at the thought of getting the camera I had spent so long saving for to think sensibly.Really stupid, but I have learned a valuable lesson.
Two days after I made the transfer I received an email saying that my money had arrived and his wife had posted the camera that morning. I should expect the camera to arrive on Tuesday and he would email me the tracking number later that evening. Of course the tracking number never arrived despite another email from me asking for it.
3 days after the camera was meant to arrive I have contacted the police and 'Action Fraud' however it was not taken seriously as they thought the camera could be lost in the Christmas post. I have since spoken to the camera shop 'Park Cameras' who confirmed that the man who has conned me does not exist on their records. I will be contacting Gumtree, my bank and his bank (Barclays PLC with the sort code registered to EALING BROADWAY 3) However I don't think any of this will get me anywhere.
I do not have this mans email address as Gumtree hides your email for safety reasons. There is nothing online about this particular scam or person. I don't know whether it has happened before or if I am the first of many so I want this information out on the internet in case this happens again and a picture can begin to be drawn about this con. I really hope that this post is able to warn people prior to being conned by the same person in case they are looking into this person before making a similar purchase.
Here is a 'print screen' from my phone of the Gumtree advert.
Below is the entire email thread. Nothing has been changed but I have removed my name and contact details for safety reasons. My emails are navy blue and his emails are red:
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 10:58 AM
SUBJECT: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A REPLY TO YOUR AD: Canon EOS 5D MK3 Hello,
I am interested in your camera and I wondered where you are based and what forms of payment you accept? Many Thanks
-----------------------------------
On 4 Dec 2012, at 11:07, Gumtree Mail <[email protected]> wrote:
Cash on collection or bank transfer.
Regards
-----------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 12:04 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Thank you. Where are you based for cash on collection? My gumtree just says Uk.
Many Thank
-------------------------------------
On 2012-12-04 14:29, Gumtree Mail wrote:
I'm in Holyhead.
Regards
------------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 5:06 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi,
Thanks for the info. I am living in ***** so I could arrange for a courier
if I were to buy from you. Would you consider selling the body without
the lens? I just ask because I already have a similar lens. The lens
you are offering seems to be going for between £480 and £550 second
hand, depending on how old the lens is. If this were a possibility I
will definitely buy it. Could you let me know either way.
Many thanks for your time.
-------------------------------------------------
On 2012-12-04 18:10, Gumtree Mail wrote:
Hi again sure,you can arrange your own courier.
You can have the body for £1100.
Thanks
---------------------------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 11:40 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi,
Thank you very much. I will definitely buy the body please. The money
is in my ISA account so I would need to call them tomorrow to get it
transferred to my current account. Would you like a deposit to secure
the sale whilst I am waiting for the remainder of the money to
transfer? If so I can arrange that for tomorrow once I have your
details.
Would you accept pay pal to your bank account due to it being a
secure method of payment? I am told that if I set it up as a 'gift
payment' it wouldn't take a percentage so you would receive the same
amount I send.
I am happy to arrange a courier, or happy for you to arrange one and
pay you the extra. Whatever option you would prefer.
Thank you!
----------------------------------
On 2012-12-05 12:43, Gumtree Mail wrote:
Hi again,can post it for £18(tracked and insured).
I understand your concern but you'll have to understand that I won't
risk my identity,credit history and bank account over £1100.
Best regards
Max Altman
----------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 1:55 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi Max, The £18 for delivery is fine. Thank you very much.
That's understandable. If you want to give me your bank details then,
I will transfer you the £1118. If you would rather give me your
details over the phone so that they are not stored on line/email that
is fine too. My number is 07*********. All the best
-------------------------------
On 2012-12-05 14:37, Gumtree Mail wrote:
Here are my bank details :
> Account holder : M. Altman
> Sort code : 20-27-49
> Account no : 03782115
> Bank: Barclays Bank PLC
Please let me know when the transfer is done,also please send me your
full delivery details (name and address).
Best regards
Max
--------------------------------
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 9:24 PM
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi Max,
I have arranged the payment of £1118 by bank transfer. The reference to look out for is 'E Harris-Canon5d'
My details to send to are:
********* Address details deleted for safety ********
Email address should you need it is: contact@**********************
I will be able to receive the camera any day or time.
Many thanks. I really look forward to receiving it!
----------------------------------
On 5 Dec 2012, at 23:10, Gumtree Mail <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi,sorry for my late reply I'll check my account tomorrow morning and arrange postage.
Thanks
----------------------------------
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, December 7, 2012 12:12 PM
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi Max,
I am sorry to hassle you but could you confirm receipt of my payment and let me know when you have arranged the delivery. A tracking number for the courier would also be great. I am very worried that I have not heard from you as the money sent is my entire savings.
Please can you email or call me as soon as you get this.
Many Thanks
----------------------------------------
On 7 Dec 2012, at 15:00, Gumtree Mail <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi,funds reach my account today at 1:32 PM.Now I'm at work as soon as I'll get home I'll post the camera.
Don't worry you just bought an immaculate camera.
Thanks
--------------------------------------------
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, December 7, 2012 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Thank you Max, That's a relief it was received fine! If you could give me a tracking number once its posted that would be great. I really look forward to receiving the camera!
------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Date: 2012-12-08 14:50
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
Hi,my wife post the camera this morning I'll email you the tracking no as soon as I'll get home.
Will reach you Tuesday.
Regards
---------------------------------------------
[color=#0000FF]Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Date: 2012-12-11 17:54
From:
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Hi Max,
I stayed in today for the camera but it has not arrived. Can you forward me the tracking number and delivery details so I can find out where it is.
Many Thanks
----------------------------------------
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Date: 2012-12-12 17:11
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Hi Max,
Once again I've stayed in all day but the camera has not arrived. Please acknowledge receipt of this email and provide me with the tracking number for the item as promised last Saturday.
If I do not here from you by the end of this evening I will have to assume that your gumtree advert was fraudulent and take up the matter with the police, your bank and Gumtree.
Regards.
[/color]
I would like to report and make people aware of a scam that has just happened to me. The con man claims to be called 'Max Altman' from Holyhead - Wales (UK). However I suspect he does not actually live there and is not really called Max.
I have been saving up for over a year to buy a canon camera and finally had enough last week along with an early cash Christmas present to buy the one I wanted second hand. I found an add on Gumtree which looked legit to me. The seller was quick to email me back and accept a slightly lower offer I made. (I asked to buy the camera body for £1100 and not buy the lens which was meant to come with it at a total cost of £1600).
The advert itself was very convincing. Everything from the photo to the description about the shutter count, and most importantly the fact that it is from one of the best camera shops in the UK who don't deal with grey goods (Park Cameras).
He said I could pay cash on collection or bank transfer. Then he said he was in Holyhead which is in Wales. As I live a long way from there I said it would have to be bank transfer. I asked if he would accept paypal but he refused and said this:
I understand your concern but you'll have to understand that I won't risk my identity,credit history and bank account over £1100.
I was anxious not to upset him as I was so excited to get the camera I had been saving for at a slightly lower price than advertised. I gave him my phone number and suggested he may prefer to call me with his bank details so he didn't have to send the info online. However he emailed the details over and didn't offer his number.
I feel really stupid for not getting his phone number and address so I could check him out before sending over my entire savings account. I have always been a very trusting person and have never bought online like this before, so never considered the safest way to deal with this sort of thing. I was honestly too excited at the thought of getting the camera I had spent so long saving for to think sensibly.Really stupid, but I have learned a valuable lesson.
Two days after I made the transfer I received an email saying that my money had arrived and his wife had posted the camera that morning. I should expect the camera to arrive on Tuesday and he would email me the tracking number later that evening. Of course the tracking number never arrived despite another email from me asking for it.
3 days after the camera was meant to arrive I have contacted the police and 'Action Fraud' however it was not taken seriously as they thought the camera could be lost in the Christmas post. I have since spoken to the camera shop 'Park Cameras' who confirmed that the man who has conned me does not exist on their records. I will be contacting Gumtree, my bank and his bank (Barclays PLC with the sort code registered to EALING BROADWAY 3) However I don't think any of this will get me anywhere.
I do not have this mans email address as Gumtree hides your email for safety reasons. There is nothing online about this particular scam or person. I don't know whether it has happened before or if I am the first of many so I want this information out on the internet in case this happens again and a picture can begin to be drawn about this con. I really hope that this post is able to warn people prior to being conned by the same person in case they are looking into this person before making a similar purchase.
Here is a 'print screen' from my phone of the Gumtree advert.
Below is the entire email thread. Nothing has been changed but I have removed my name and contact details for safety reasons. My emails are navy blue and his emails are red:
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 10:58 AM
SUBJECT: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A REPLY TO YOUR AD: Canon EOS 5D MK3 Hello,
I am interested in your camera and I wondered where you are based and what forms of payment you accept? Many Thanks
-----------------------------------
On 4 Dec 2012, at 11:07, Gumtree Mail <[email protected]> wrote:
Cash on collection or bank transfer.
Regards
-----------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 12:04 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Thank you. Where are you based for cash on collection? My gumtree just says Uk.
Many Thank
-------------------------------------
On 2012-12-04 14:29, Gumtree Mail wrote:
I'm in Holyhead.
Regards
------------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 5:06 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi,
Thanks for the info. I am living in ***** so I could arrange for a courier
if I were to buy from you. Would you consider selling the body without
the lens? I just ask because I already have a similar lens. The lens
you are offering seems to be going for between £480 and £550 second
hand, depending on how old the lens is. If this were a possibility I
will definitely buy it. Could you let me know either way.
Many thanks for your time.
-------------------------------------------------
On 2012-12-04 18:10, Gumtree Mail wrote:
Hi again sure,you can arrange your own courier.
You can have the body for £1100.
Thanks
---------------------------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 11:40 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi,
Thank you very much. I will definitely buy the body please. The money
is in my ISA account so I would need to call them tomorrow to get it
transferred to my current account. Would you like a deposit to secure
the sale whilst I am waiting for the remainder of the money to
transfer? If so I can arrange that for tomorrow once I have your
details.
Would you accept pay pal to your bank account due to it being a
secure method of payment? I am told that if I set it up as a 'gift
payment' it wouldn't take a percentage so you would receive the same
amount I send.
I am happy to arrange a courier, or happy for you to arrange one and
pay you the extra. Whatever option you would prefer.
Thank you!
----------------------------------
On 2012-12-05 12:43, Gumtree Mail wrote:
Hi again,can post it for £18(tracked and insured).
I understand your concern but you'll have to understand that I won't
risk my identity,credit history and bank account over £1100.
Best regards
Max Altman
----------------------------------
FROM: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
TO: [email protected]
SENT: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 1:55 PM
SUBJECT: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi Max, The £18 for delivery is fine. Thank you very much.
That's understandable. If you want to give me your bank details then,
I will transfer you the £1118. If you would rather give me your
details over the phone so that they are not stored on line/email that
is fine too. My number is 07*********. All the best
-------------------------------
On 2012-12-05 14:37, Gumtree Mail wrote:
Here are my bank details :
> Account holder : M. Altman
> Sort code : 20-27-49
> Account no : 03782115
> Bank: Barclays Bank PLC
Please let me know when the transfer is done,also please send me your
full delivery details (name and address).
Best regards
Max
--------------------------------
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 9:24 PM
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi Max,
I have arranged the payment of £1118 by bank transfer. The reference to look out for is 'E Harris-Canon5d'
My details to send to are:
********* Address details deleted for safety ********
Email address should you need it is: contact@**********************
I will be able to receive the camera any day or time.
Many thanks. I really look forward to receiving it!
----------------------------------
On 5 Dec 2012, at 23:10, Gumtree Mail <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi,sorry for my late reply I'll check my account tomorrow morning and arrange postage.
Thanks
----------------------------------
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, December 7, 2012 12:12 PM
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Hi Max,
I am sorry to hassle you but could you confirm receipt of my payment and let me know when you have arranged the delivery. A tracking number for the courier would also be great. I am very worried that I have not heard from you as the money sent is my entire savings.
Please can you email or call me as soon as you get this.
Many Thanks
----------------------------------------
On 7 Dec 2012, at 15:00, Gumtree Mail <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi,funds reach my account today at 1:32 PM.Now I'm at work as soon as I'll get home I'll post the camera.
Don't worry you just bought an immaculate camera.
Thanks
--------------------------------------------
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, December 7, 2012 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Thank you Max, That's a relief it was received fine! If you could give me a tracking number once its posted that would be great. I really look forward to receiving the camera!
------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Date: 2012-12-08 14:50
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
Hi,my wife post the camera this morning I'll email you the tracking no as soon as I'll get home.
Will reach you Tuesday.
Regards
---------------------------------------------
[color=#0000FF]Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Date: 2012-12-11 17:54
From:
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Hi Max,
I stayed in today for the camera but it has not arrived. Can you forward me the tracking number and delivery details so I can find out where it is.
Many Thanks
----------------------------------------
Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Canon EOS 5D MK3
Date: 2012-12-12 17:11
From: Gumtree Mail <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Hi Max,
Once again I've stayed in all day but the camera has not arrived. Please acknowledge receipt of this email and provide me with the tracking number for the item as promised last Saturday.
If I do not here from you by the end of this evening I will have to assume that your gumtree advert was fraudulent and take up the matter with the police, your bank and Gumtree.
Regards.
[/color]
Last edited by emi_lou33 on Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
