SportsShooter.com - ss.com fraud detectives sniff this one out for me.

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ss.com fraud detectives sniff this one out for me.

Garrett Hubbard, Photographer

Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 1:25 PM on 01.07.05

->> I got an email recently in response to a ss.com classified ad I put up. I will post the correspondance between me and this potential buyer.

****************

On 1/6/05 8:41 AM, "Yomi Justice" wrote:

Hi Garrett,
Thanks for your early response to my message.

In regard to your response, I have contacted my colleague immediately in U.S who will be making out the payment, but he said he will be making out the payment through U.S postal money order.

So quote me the total price excluding the shipping cost of the item and give me the name and the address where the payment will be sent to immediately.

I will arrange for the pick-up as soon as you receive the payment.
Waiting to hear from you asap.

garrett wrote:
Yomi-

I will be shipping all of these pieces out of Santa barbara, Calif. So if you want to pick them up there that is fine.

d1x 1575
f5 775
Ac adaptor $45
total: $2370

If you want me to ship the stuff we‚ll add shipping to that total.

I noticed your not a ss.com member. Drop me a line and convince me that this is not a fraudulent request. Forgive me if that sounds rash, but all the elements add together to be a little odd.

I look forward to hearing from you,

-garrett
805.452.6535

Total 2370

On 1/5/05 11:35 PM, "Yomi Justice" wrote:

Garrett,
Thanks for your early response to my message.

In regard to your response, I have contacted my colleague immediately in U.S who will be making out the payment, but he made me understand that he's not on paypal and he's going to be will be making out the payment through U.S postal money order cashier's check.

So quote me the total price of the item and give me the name and the address where the payment will be sent to immediately, your phone number will also be needed.

I will arrange for the pick-up as soon as you receive the payment.
Waiting to hear from you asap.

This is an email sent from sportsshooter.com.

This is in regard to your classified item at:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/classitem.html?id=6417

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Message from: Yomi Justice
Yomi Justice's email address: yomijustice@yahoo.com
Yomi Justice's phone number: n/a
Message from Yomi Justice:

Dear garrett hubbard,

Compliments of the season. I would love to have your Nikon Gear (D1X, F5, AC adaptor purchased from you as soon as possible.

Kindly give me your sales terms and note that I am an international customer but I have a relation in US.

Please, let me hear from you as soon as possible.
Yomi.

-------------------------------------------------------
Sent from IP Address: 192.116.123.7
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

SportsShooter.com
http://www.sportsshooter.com

************************

My planned course of action is to ask for a money order mailed to me and then let the buyer pick up the equip after it clears my bank. Any other suggestions?

Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Lexington \| VA \| USA \| Posted: 1:33 PM on 01.07.05
	->> Well, the max amount for a postal money order is $700. He could send you 4, I suppose. As long as you wait for it to clear, there should be no harm done. I've had stranger payment arrangements in response to some of my eBay auctions. You're right to be suspicious but as long as he's willing to wait until you actually have the money in your account, you should be OK.

Mike Isler, Photographer

Santa Barbara | CA | US | Posted: 1:39 PM on 01.07.05

->> "he's going to be will be making out the payment through U.S postal money order cashier's check"

That sounds scary... a cashier's check and a money order are two separate things. If the person is confused about that, it's not a good sign. I am always wary of "third-party" deals where someone else sends me the money.

Not only will you have to wait for it to clear, but also wait an extra few weeks... as in the past, the cashier's check will clear and the money will be made available to you, then your bank would notify you a few weeks later that they found out it's a fake, and are taking back all of the money... after you've shipped your gear.

Watch out... and with online transactions, if you're not comfortable with something, just back away.

Jerry Laizure, Photographer, Assistant

	Norman \| OK \| USA \| Posted: 1:42 PM on 01.07.05
	->> Read this. Although your international friend is looking for camera gear instead of love, the scam is still the same. http://www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect/penpals.htm

PJ Heller, Photographer

Santa Barbara | CA | USA | Posted: 1:44 PM on 01.07.05

->> Take it to the Post Office and have officials there verify that the MO is real (there are plenty of fake ones making the rounds). Do a Goggle on the topic and you can read all about it.

That said, I got the identical e-mail from Yomi wanting to buy the PDA I have listed on SS. Same deal, says he'll send a MO and have somebody pick it up.

Not holding my breath. He's refused so far to provide any kind of contact info (on himself or his supposed colleague).

Juerg Schreiter, Photographer

Fort Lauderdale | FL | USA | Posted: 1:46 PM on 01.07.05

->> ... no offence... but why do you even waste your time with this?
It is soooooo obvious a scam. Did you track the IP? I would almost bet it goes to either england, netherlands or nigeria. My next bet would be that it won't be a USPS money order but a fake cashiers check. Unless someone would bring me cash (and have your pen ready to make sure it's not counterfit), I wouldn't touch this one with a 10 foot pole.
...YOMI JUSTICE B ... c'mon :-)

good luck and don t get ripped off.
J

John Riddell, Photographer

	Toronto \| ON \| Canada \| Posted: 2:12 PM on 01.07.05
	->> IP is to Isreal, routed to Belgium and then to the U.K. for what it's worth. I'd avoid it at all costs. There are others out there to legitimately buy your gear other than this scammer. You obviously doubt the validity of it to ask about so avoid it. John Toronto

Garrett Hubbard, Photographer

	Columbus \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 2:23 PM on 01.07.05
	->> thanks my ss.com friends. mike-thanks for the deposited and available then revocation of funds info! jerry-I am thankful he is not looking for luv. pj-let me know if it goes through juerg-no offense taken. how about a 11 foot pole? john-how'd you do that? that move you did is straignt out of sneakers/matrix/and waynes world. too cool. thanks again. -g

Michael Granse, Photographer

	Urbana \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 2:46 PM on 01.07.05
	->> Garret, if you want to know where an email is comming from do a WHOIS search on the domain name at http://www.whois.sc/ARIN This is also searchable by IP address, if you prefer.

Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer

New York | NY | USA | Posted: 2:49 PM on 01.07.05

->> Garrett,
FYIW, I got the SAME email from "Yomi Justice" about items I recently put up. I have one question for "Yomi" and all the other scammers out there-why do you always ask the price when it is clearly mentioned in the ad, along with our full names. I emailed this guy once thinking he may be for real and then quickly realized he was not when he insisted someone would meet me to pick up the equipment and repeatedly asked my full name (which is also on all my emails) and phone number.
Debbie

Ben Chen, Photographer

Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 2:50 PM on 01.07.05

Clark Brooks, Photographer, Photo Editor

Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 2:50 PM on 01.07.05

->> Garrett:

It is a scam. Do a search on SS and you'll find several other postings with letters written in a similar fashion. If you decide to go through with it do not turn over the merchandise until the bank clears the payment instrument.

You can also take the M.O. or cashier's check to your bank and they can confirm if it is good or not. They will scan it with a UV device to look for anti-counterfeit measures embedded into the paper. If is not good they will not accept it for deposit. Even if they do you still may want to wait 5-10 days before turning over the gear. I would NOT turn over the merchandise until you are 100% sure the payment will clear.

If they are coming to pick it up, tell them to bring cash as you will feel much better about the transaction. If you still want to take the cashier's check or money order have the folks meet you at your bank. Let the teller check the payments and go from there.

My bet is if you suggest to meet at your bank the deal will be off.

Good Luck!

Kevin Novak, Photographer, Assistant

	Bel Air (Baltimore) \| MD \| USA \| Posted: 3:16 PM on 01.07.05
	->> I got a couple of these a while ago. I know my situation is a bit different, but I just replied to them with the following: I would be happy to make the delivery to your relative at my place of full-time employment--Baltimore County Police Dept., Essex Precinct, ... Funny, I've never heard back from them after that. :-)

Mike Brice, Photographer

Northwood | OH | USA | Posted: 3:39 PM on 01.07.05

->> Kevin, that is too funny.

One thing that I notice about scams is that they never seem to ask about the equipment - its condition or other important details you would want to know.

I put something up for sale, and the person what around the members only sale by e-mailing me via my member page.

But they asked about the gear, knew how the used price compared with the new price, and paid via pay pal promptly after we agreed upon terms.

I would be very suspicious if someone wanted to buy a piece of equipment and never asked for any details or didn't haggle a little over the price.

PJ Heller, Photographer

	Santa Barbara \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 3:57 PM on 01.07.05
	->> Kevin: I've used the same tactic with scammers. Gave them the name of the police chief and the address of the PD and told them to send payment there. Last I ever heard from them.

Julian Jenkins, Photographer

	Canyon Country \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 4:36 PM on 01.07.05
	->> Listen to your friends here at ss.com and Nike- Just DON"T do it. Seriously, scam written all over this. Do what I do. I will reply this: United States Cash in person only. Thanks. You know, I never hear back from them. Hmmm..... Julian

Greg Francis, Photographer

	Rochester \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 4:57 PM on 01.07.05
	->> I asked the highest limit on a US Postal Money Order at my Post Office and they said $1,000.00, at least in my state. Greg

Greg Ferguson, Photographer

	Scottsdale \| Az \| USA \| Posted: 6:23 PM on 01.07.05
	->> Why not reply with something like... "I'd love to do business with you. Regards, [insert name] cc: email-fraud-division@cia.gov " I bet they will run screaming.

Jared Anderson, Photographer

	BLUE SPRINGS \| MO \| United States \| Posted: 6:36 PM on 01.07.05
	->> I got the same crap from Yomi as well and I told him I can only accept paypal, and I would not ship until the money is actually in MY account.....havent heard back from him yet!

Garrett Hubbard, Photographer

	Columbus \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 3:19 AM on 01.08.05
	->> Yomi gets around. thanks much for all the tips! -g

Dianna Russell, Photographer

	Springfield \| MO \| USA \| Posted: 7:43 AM on 01.08.05
	->> Greg, Good one!

Lawrence Giberson, Photographer

	Woodbridge \| Va \| USA \| Posted: 9:12 AM on 01.08.05
	->> Well what do you know...Yomi contacted me also...only to sell something to me...LOL!!!...what a dirtbag.

Scott Lukaitis, Photographer

	Brick \| NJ \| USA \| Posted: 7:37 PM on 01.08.05
	->> I got an email from him as well. I told him sorry I will only sell to a Sportsshooter member in the United States. -Scott

Tom Fluegge, Photographer

	Crystal Lake \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 8:31 PM on 01.08.05
	->> i think every scam i've seen contains the phrase "as soon as possible" at least twice.

DJ Werner, Photographer

Beaufort | NC | USA | Posted: 5:54 AM on 01.09.05

->> The max amount on post office money orders was $ 700 for many years- perhaps it went up??
I sold many of them-when I worked there

you can also cash a post offcie money order at the post offcie- no waiting for it to clear- that is if the clerk has enough money to cover it-

I wouldn't want someone coming to my house to pick up the stuff-

if you tell them where you live - they can rob you- reminds me of an old trick they use to do when I was in NYC
ask if you can break a twenty-
if you say yes- then they know you have at least 20 bucks on you and mug you-

give them your home address and it's the same thing- they know you have gear in the house--
RUN from Yomi

DJ Werner, Photographer

Beaufort | NC | USA | Posted: 6:13 AM on 01.09.05

->> international money orders[for sending] have a different limit that those purchased in the states-
I do think doemstic went up to 1000$

but you also need to show ID when *purchasing* large amouts of money orders-

money laudering....
and drugs I think were the reasons given years ago-

I think the new limit is 3000$per day
so at say 2700$ they don't need to show ID to purchase-

Postasl Inspection Service can help too...for scams and fraud

the usps has a web site if you need more info/help

d

Tony Sirgedas, Photographer

Eatonville | WA | USA | Posted: 2:44 AM on 01.10.05

->> I'm betting you may be able to get the USPS Inspector General invoved in this. Tell Yomi sure, the deal is on, and then when it comes in the mail contact the IG that you have a possible fraudulant check sent through the mail. Then if the friend shows up, kindly contact the local police to have chat with the gentleman. I was recently contacted by the Postal Service about information (I thought that was a scam itself at first until checking it out) with a seller from EBAY for an auction I had won, they said I was one of the lucky ones who decided not to go through with the sale, several others had not been and lost in the 10's of thousands. Gut instinct won out......... I find it's usually right in most cases, I bet yours is too.

DJ Werner, Photographer

Beaufort | NC | USA | Posted: 7:55 AM on 01.11.05

->> if the payment *is* sent through the mail then the Postal Insepctors will be the right ones to contact- if yomi is slick and sends payment by fed ex or ups etc or in person - then the inspectors can't do anything because it was not sent through the mail system.

I suspect this is why they want to pick up the camera in addition to other reasons.

they may however and you can proablaby bet they are- violating the $3000 limit of post office money orders- but if slick they will spread out these purchases too.

yomi and friends are a scam--stay away from this one.

Dustin McIntosh, Photographer

	New Philadelphia \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 7:49 AM on 09.24.05
	->> Now Yomi's cousin is in on this..."Felix Adams" Same deal only using WalMart Financial Service money orders...almost looks ok until compared to a real one...I can't believe people fall for this. Dustin

Kevin Sanders, Student/Intern, Photographer

	Des Moines \| IA \| USA \| Posted: 2:25 PM on 09.24.05
	->> Today I got an e-mail from his other cousin... Fefe Dede or something. He said he would handle the shipping to his store in Africa. I didn't see this until I replied to him but I already thought it was a scam and said no. Good heads up, they are making their rounds.

Bill Akin, Photographer

	Athens (Watkinsville) \| GA \| USA \| Posted: 11:22 AM on 09.25.05
	->> Great decision to find another buyer, Kevin!

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