Is this site a scam?!?
Doughans
-
Gege -
Gege -
Hello, I've done some research to find a low-priced iPhone, and among the ads available, I selected two that seem to be the most serious (having eliminated the others based on criteria seen in this forum regarding scams). I found both on https://www.2dehands.be
For the first one:
=> I received this email in response to my email: Hello, I am interested. What should I do? Are they still sealed? Are they unlocked for all networks?
RE: Apple iPhone 3gS 32gb
From: anderson martinez (anderson.mar@live.com)
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 1:50 PM
Hi, The phones are brand new sealed in their original box and SIM-lock free. The price for 1 piece is 300 EUR.
For more pieces, I will make a discount. Let me know how many you want to buy?
Thank you!
Date: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 6:05:44 PM +0100
From: confirmation@kapaza.be
Dear Bag,
=> After that, I replied: Hello, don't you have any photos? And how can we arrange payment? I live in Belgium, and I was thinking of payment by mail or cash delivered after verification of the product; it's safer for both! And are the iPhones factory unlocked?
And I received this email:
RE: Apple iPhone 3gS 32gb
From: anderson martinez (anderson.mar@live.com)
Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 12:25 PM
Hello there and thanks for your interest,
I am located in the UK and the price includes all costs.
The phones are brand new, unlocked, 100% original with all original accessories. Have all languages and 1-year international warranty.
The phones need a SIM-Card and will work perfectly.
I will only conclude the transaction through eBay & UPS for our own protection. They act as a neutral third party.
If you are still interested, please get back to me ASAP and I shall explain to you the process, so that you know what you are getting into! Looking forward...
=> I replied: I am interested; what do you propose for payment and delivery? (Don't you have any photos?) It would be for a black iPhone 32GB. Regards, Hugo
And I received:
RE: Apple iPhone 3gS 32gb
From: anderson martinez (anderson.mar@live.com)
Sent: Monday, November 2, 2009 11:08 AM
Look:
If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact eBay and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will be needing your full name, address, and phone number for that. You will receive a notification from eBay shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well.
First, I will go with the package to UPS and they will inspect it; after this, they will contact you by email with the payment instructions.
Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to eBay. They will hold and insure your money until receipt of the item in good condition. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as the seller is concerned, I will be glad to know that eBay has possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance.
The item will be delivered to your address in no more than 2-3 working days. You will be given a 7-day inspection period from the day you receive the item at home. If you decide to keep the item, then you will have to authorize eBay to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you are not satisfied with the item, you will be able to send the item back through the same shipping company and ask eBay to return the funds to you.
If you wish to proceed with the purchase, please provide me your full name, address, and phone number so I can initiate the deal through UPS & eBay right away.
NOTE: First I will go to UPS and start shipping, after this I confirm shipping details to eBay. Then eBay sends you instructions for payment, and after you complete the instructions to one of their agents, you receive the package in 2-3 days. After you receive the package and test it for 7 days, you confirm to eBay if they can release the funds to me.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, and an attached photo of a completely normal iPhone (as expected) apparently taken in a room.
=> So he suggests doing this through eBay and UPS.
And for the second one from the same site:
=> I received this email after responding to the ad:
Re: Response to your Kapaza! ad Buying Original Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB - new in box
From: Gsm Shop (123Gsm-Shop@gmx.com)
Dear Customer, If you want to buy mobile phones at "Special Price," visit our website: www.123Gsm-Shop.com Select what model you want and place a direct order! Best Regards, www.123Gsm-Shop.com
=> I went to the site http://123gsm-shop.com and registered, and I received this email:
[123GSM-SHOP] Welcome!
From: 123GSM-SHOP (support@123gsm-shop.com)
Sent: Monday, November 2, 2009 11:39:59
Hello doug hans, Thank you for creating an account on 123GSM-SHOP. Here is a reminder of your access codes
You can now place orders on our website 123GSM-SHOP.
123GSM-SHOP made with PrestaShop™
=> And on the site, it states that the purchase must be made with eBay; it is based at "East Point Business Park, Dublin 3, Ireland," an existing address, but I don't know if the store exists! And the carrier is "My carrier" and "bank account transfer," and the general conditions are:
We have a contract with eBay, so this deal must go through them.
Complete the transaction in 5 easy steps:
1. Buyer and Seller (123GSM-SHOP) agree on the transaction terms and a selling price. Seller (123GSM-SHOP) contacts eBay with the transaction details;
2. eBay accepts the transaction and offers purchase protection to the Buyer [if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either
Buyer or Seller (123GSM-SHOP)];
3. The Buyer receives an invoice and sends the payment to the eBay Agent. After payment is verified by eBay, the Seller (123GSM-SHOP) will initiate shipping. The Seller (123GSM-SHOP) has three (3) business days to provide a tracking number to both the Buyer and eBay. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the Buyer;
4. The Buyer receives the product and has three (3) business days to inspect it. If it is as described and as agreed, the Buyer should accept the product.
If he refuses it, the Buyer must ship the product back to the Seller (123GSM-SHOP);
5. After the inspection period is over (3 working days), the Buyer must contact eBay with the result of the inspection. If the Buyer refuses the product, he will receive the refund only after the tracking number for the returned shipment is verified. If the Buyer accepts the product, the payment will be sent to the Seller (123GSM-SHOP) within three (3) business days.
A) Product Offering - Online stores are designed to sell products. Most websites that offer products find categorizing the products helpful. The navigation on the site allows shoppers to easily browse through several pages of products to select the item they wish to purchase.
B) Ordering Process - Online stores must use an "add to cart."
This software allows customers to select the item, enter delivery information, billing information, and provide any other pertinent information. For example, online stores that offer gifts ask for the shopper's information, as well as the recipient's information. Online gift stores typically have a space where customers can write a short gift card message to the recipient.
C) Order Fulfillment - Once the customer enters an order online, the online store receives the order and prepares to deliver or ship the ordered item(s), after the customer needs to pay at eBay, and after the order is shipped he/she will receive the tracking number. The tracking number is often emailed to the shopper once it is available.
D) Marketing - Unfortunately, a website that isn't marketed properly is rarely visited. Online stores must utilize online marketing methods such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid search advertising to gain traffic. This is vital for an online store.
E) Store Templates - There are several online store templates available so that people don't have to build their website and order software from scratch.
F) Design - Online stores are as varied as the people who run them. Although the basic structure of online stores is fairly similar among them all, it is the design of the site that tells the shopper if they want to shop at that online store. Shoppers want the website to be appealing and easy to use. The design of the website is extremely important to the success of the online store.
NOTES:
1. SHIPPING: UPS Delivery - Time: 3-4 working days.
2. PAYMENT: Bank Account Transfer.
3. THE PRODUCT WILL BE DELIVERED ONCE EBAY CONFIRMS THAT YOU HAVE PAID!
4. WE DON`T DELIVER TO NIGERIA.
5. DON`T ORDER IF YOU DON`T ACCEPT THESE TERMS.
=> There you go, I've tried to be as complete as possible and write as well as I can, and I hope you can help me see if this is a scam! Thanks in advance. Best regards, Hugo.
For the first one:
=> I received this email in response to my email: Hello, I am interested. What should I do? Are they still sealed? Are they unlocked for all networks?
RE: Apple iPhone 3gS 32gb
From: anderson martinez (anderson.mar@live.com)
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 1:50 PM
Hi, The phones are brand new sealed in their original box and SIM-lock free. The price for 1 piece is 300 EUR.
For more pieces, I will make a discount. Let me know how many you want to buy?
Thank you!
Date: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 6:05:44 PM +0100
From: confirmation@kapaza.be
Dear Bag,
=> After that, I replied: Hello, don't you have any photos? And how can we arrange payment? I live in Belgium, and I was thinking of payment by mail or cash delivered after verification of the product; it's safer for both! And are the iPhones factory unlocked?
And I received this email:
RE: Apple iPhone 3gS 32gb
From: anderson martinez (anderson.mar@live.com)
Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 12:25 PM
Hello there and thanks for your interest,
I am located in the UK and the price includes all costs.
The phones are brand new, unlocked, 100% original with all original accessories. Have all languages and 1-year international warranty.
The phones need a SIM-Card and will work perfectly.
I will only conclude the transaction through eBay & UPS for our own protection. They act as a neutral third party.
If you are still interested, please get back to me ASAP and I shall explain to you the process, so that you know what you are getting into! Looking forward...
=> I replied: I am interested; what do you propose for payment and delivery? (Don't you have any photos?) It would be for a black iPhone 32GB. Regards, Hugo
And I received:
RE: Apple iPhone 3gS 32gb
From: anderson martinez (anderson.mar@live.com)
Sent: Monday, November 2, 2009 11:08 AM
Look:
If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact eBay and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will be needing your full name, address, and phone number for that. You will receive a notification from eBay shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well.
First, I will go with the package to UPS and they will inspect it; after this, they will contact you by email with the payment instructions.
Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to eBay. They will hold and insure your money until receipt of the item in good condition. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as the seller is concerned, I will be glad to know that eBay has possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance.
The item will be delivered to your address in no more than 2-3 working days. You will be given a 7-day inspection period from the day you receive the item at home. If you decide to keep the item, then you will have to authorize eBay to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you are not satisfied with the item, you will be able to send the item back through the same shipping company and ask eBay to return the funds to you.
If you wish to proceed with the purchase, please provide me your full name, address, and phone number so I can initiate the deal through UPS & eBay right away.
NOTE: First I will go to UPS and start shipping, after this I confirm shipping details to eBay. Then eBay sends you instructions for payment, and after you complete the instructions to one of their agents, you receive the package in 2-3 days. After you receive the package and test it for 7 days, you confirm to eBay if they can release the funds to me.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, and an attached photo of a completely normal iPhone (as expected) apparently taken in a room.
=> So he suggests doing this through eBay and UPS.
And for the second one from the same site:
=> I received this email after responding to the ad:
Re: Response to your Kapaza! ad Buying Original Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB - new in box
From: Gsm Shop (123Gsm-Shop@gmx.com)
Dear Customer, If you want to buy mobile phones at "Special Price," visit our website: www.123Gsm-Shop.com Select what model you want and place a direct order! Best Regards, www.123Gsm-Shop.com
=> I went to the site http://123gsm-shop.com and registered, and I received this email:
[123GSM-SHOP] Welcome!
From: 123GSM-SHOP (support@123gsm-shop.com)
Sent: Monday, November 2, 2009 11:39:59
Hello doug hans, Thank you for creating an account on 123GSM-SHOP. Here is a reminder of your access codes
You can now place orders on our website 123GSM-SHOP.
123GSM-SHOP made with PrestaShop™
=> And on the site, it states that the purchase must be made with eBay; it is based at "East Point Business Park, Dublin 3, Ireland," an existing address, but I don't know if the store exists! And the carrier is "My carrier" and "bank account transfer," and the general conditions are:
We have a contract with eBay, so this deal must go through them.
Complete the transaction in 5 easy steps:
1. Buyer and Seller (123GSM-SHOP) agree on the transaction terms and a selling price. Seller (123GSM-SHOP) contacts eBay with the transaction details;
2. eBay accepts the transaction and offers purchase protection to the Buyer [if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either
Buyer or Seller (123GSM-SHOP)];
3. The Buyer receives an invoice and sends the payment to the eBay Agent. After payment is verified by eBay, the Seller (123GSM-SHOP) will initiate shipping. The Seller (123GSM-SHOP) has three (3) business days to provide a tracking number to both the Buyer and eBay. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the Buyer;
4. The Buyer receives the product and has three (3) business days to inspect it. If it is as described and as agreed, the Buyer should accept the product.
If he refuses it, the Buyer must ship the product back to the Seller (123GSM-SHOP);
5. After the inspection period is over (3 working days), the Buyer must contact eBay with the result of the inspection. If the Buyer refuses the product, he will receive the refund only after the tracking number for the returned shipment is verified. If the Buyer accepts the product, the payment will be sent to the Seller (123GSM-SHOP) within three (3) business days.
A) Product Offering - Online stores are designed to sell products. Most websites that offer products find categorizing the products helpful. The navigation on the site allows shoppers to easily browse through several pages of products to select the item they wish to purchase.
B) Ordering Process - Online stores must use an "add to cart."
This software allows customers to select the item, enter delivery information, billing information, and provide any other pertinent information. For example, online stores that offer gifts ask for the shopper's information, as well as the recipient's information. Online gift stores typically have a space where customers can write a short gift card message to the recipient.
C) Order Fulfillment - Once the customer enters an order online, the online store receives the order and prepares to deliver or ship the ordered item(s), after the customer needs to pay at eBay, and after the order is shipped he/she will receive the tracking number. The tracking number is often emailed to the shopper once it is available.
D) Marketing - Unfortunately, a website that isn't marketed properly is rarely visited. Online stores must utilize online marketing methods such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid search advertising to gain traffic. This is vital for an online store.
E) Store Templates - There are several online store templates available so that people don't have to build their website and order software from scratch.
F) Design - Online stores are as varied as the people who run them. Although the basic structure of online stores is fairly similar among them all, it is the design of the site that tells the shopper if they want to shop at that online store. Shoppers want the website to be appealing and easy to use. The design of the website is extremely important to the success of the online store.
NOTES:
1. SHIPPING: UPS Delivery - Time: 3-4 working days.
2. PAYMENT: Bank Account Transfer.
3. THE PRODUCT WILL BE DELIVERED ONCE EBAY CONFIRMS THAT YOU HAVE PAID!
4. WE DON`T DELIVER TO NIGERIA.
5. DON`T ORDER IF YOU DON`T ACCEPT THESE TERMS.
=> There you go, I've tried to be as complete as possible and write as well as I can, and I hope you can help me see if this is a scam! Thanks in advance. Best regards, Hugo.
I confirm the scam, I found the ad on an online sales site in Switzerland. Having lived in Switzerland for 40 years, I didn't suspect anything at first; however, when I received the request to transfer 300 euros (which I didn't transfer) to an account in Spain, that's when I started to have doubts. I forwarded the fraudulent email to eBay, which confirmed the scam. The funniest thing is that the seller is still writing to me asking why I haven't made the payment yet; some people really have some nerve.
Talk to you later
Adriano