BRIAN MURRY, California..... Scammer buying cameras.

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TedG954

Senior Member
Beware of people offering to buy your photo equipment. A moron named Brian Murry, from California, contacted me to buy my D700. He asked if I would ship it to California and I said I would. Total price: $,1700. A short time later, I received an email from "PayPal" telling the funds were being transferred. After doing my due diligence, I found the following....

Let's Get the Craigslist Scammers: Scammer Selling "Fishstixx" Uses Alias "Brian Murray"


I sent the emails to [email protected]. And, I'm stringing 'ol Brian along for a while, hoping he spends his money before he gets it. :greedy_dollars:

Sellers beware.


Here's the reply from PayPal....

Thanks for forwarding that suspicious-looking email. You're right - it
was a phishing attempt, and we're working on stopping the fraud. By
reporting the problem, you've made a difference!
Identity thieves try to trick you into revealing your password or other
personal information through phishing emails and fake websites. To learn
more about online safety, click "Security Center" on any PayPal webpage.
Every email counts. When you forward suspicious-looking emails to
[email protected], you help keep yourself and others safe from identity
theft.
Your account security is very important to us, so we appreciate your
extra effort.
Thanks,
PayPal
 
S

stmv

Senior Member
This is an interesting subject, I have learned that selling can create great risk. The system is set up to protect the buyer, so,, even after the funds
are transferred, and you dutifully send the camera, the buyer can say no thankyou, and Paypall gives back automacticly the money back to the buyer,

Meanwhile, you are out a camera, and funds are gone!

I had this happen to some guy in CA, and the address in a bankrupt foreclosed Condo!,, Let me tell you I was stressed, but turned out the guy
was somewhat honest, and I got my camera back!

but it opened my eye, I don't think I will sell any large ticket item that way, Craiglist, cash,

I'll only sell books, and lens, a reasonable risk level for me.
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
UPDATE

I emailed Brian and told him that I would try to get to the post office today and that I'll send him the tracking number. Here's his reply....



Okay friend Ted

i will be looking forward to read from ya regarding the shipment details ..

thanks

On 12/28/12, Ted Smith wrote:

> Hello Brian,
>
> I will try to get to the post office today, and I'll send you the tracking
> number. Again, thanks for your purchase.
>
> Best wishes, Ted
>
>
>
>
>>________________________________
>> From: Laurena Archiga <[email protected]>
>>To: Ted Smith
>>Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 10:38 AM
>>Subject: PAYPAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE GO AND SHIP OUT THE ITEM IMMEDIATELY
>>
>>Dear Friend :
>>
>>I'm Happy to Tell you that The payment have been made and i believe
>>you should have receive the payment Notification Confirmation from
>>paypal in your ( IN-BOX OR SPAM, IF IT IS IN YOUR SPAM BOX, MOVE IT TO
>>YOUR IN-BOX ) and read it ..
>>
>>Here is the shipping address below Again for cross check
>>
>>Name: Brian Murray
>>Address: 1937 Hunter Point Road
>>City: Upper Lake
>>Zip-Code: 95485
>>State: CA
>>Country: United States
>>
>>Hope to read from you after the shipment... Thanks
>>
>>Best Regards
 
J

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
Ha! you should send him a box full of old pinball machine parts (or similar). Or how about a picture of a D700? haha
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
This is why I only sell local, cash only on Craigslist and meet at a public area. I used to get scammers, but after I started posting "local sale only, cash only" and used words for my phone numbers, all the scammers pass me by.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Which is why I have a PayPal account tied to a bank account used only for PayPal. When money hits PP it immediately gets transferred to the bank account. When it hits my bank account it immediately gets transferred to the real bank account. PayPal has the right to lock down every account associated with the PayPal account when a dispute is in effect, including the bank and credit card accounts, so if you're dealing with them I strongly advise having an account of each type set up only for use with PayPal. Any and all disputes take long enough before they lock anything down for money to get from your PayPal account to your regular bank account (about 3 business days), so even if you're shipping you can get the funds secured. If PayPal won't let you transfer the funds out of your PayPal account then you don't really have them yet, and shouldn't ship.

I never pay with funds in my PayPal account. I always use the credit card when dealing with unknown sources (it has buyer protection as well) and on any big ticket item I specify that I will not ship until funds are clear and will provide references if the person balks. I've heard too many internet sales horror stories not to be skeptical about everything. Thankfully I've completed tens of thousands of dollars in internet transactions (mostly from my guitar buying and selling days) and never had an issue with scammers. Avoided a few, for sure.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Rick M said:
This is why I only sell local, cash only on Craigslist and meet at a public area. I used to get scammers, but after I started posting "local sale only, cash only" and used words for my phone numbers, all the scammers pass me by.
Click to expand...

Anyone unwilling to have a phone conversation when money is involved will never be dealt with in my book.
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
Dave_W said:
I'm confused, did his funds hit your paypal account?
Click to expand...


No. I received a phony email saying that PayPal had received the funds and that they would release the funds to my account as soon as I provide a tracking number showing that the camera shipped.

As I stated earlier, moron.
 
D

Dave_W

The Dude
TedG954 said:
No. I received a phony email saying that PayPal had received the funds and that they would release the funds to my account as soon as I provide a tracking number showing that the camera shipped.

As I stated earlier, moron.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's horrible. I wonder how many people fall for this crap? Paypal never requires a tracking number before they release funds. You may want to forward that fake Paypal email to Paypal fraud division, as well.
 
D

Dave_W

The Dude
stmv said:
This is an interesting subject, I have learned that selling can create great risk. The system is set up to protect the buyer, so,, even after the funds
are transferred, and you dutifully send the camera, the buyer can say no thankyou, and Paypall gives back automacticly the money back to the buyer,

Meanwhile, you are out a camera, and funds are gone!
Click to expand...

I don't agree with this statement. Paypal is pretty even handed between sellers and buyers. I run a rare coin store and have sold items over 10k via paypal without fear. Paypal will never give a buyer back his money just because the buyer is unhappy. There is a long process for this and it requires proof of both mailing and receiving the packages. When ever I get a return, I pick it up at the PO and I film myself receiving the package and opening it up in front of the postal worker just in case the buyer has tried to send me a rock instead of the original coin. I've never had a problem but I have also used every effort to protect myself.

I've had a few bad apples try to play games and was very impressed with how fast Paypal shut them down. Scams like paying with a credit card and then try to charge back the transaction thru the card company is dealt with harshly by Paypal.

And Hippie is right about keeping separate accounts for your Paypal, very good advice, but I also want to add that you should only use a "burn" credit card when giving the number to paypal. Often times when a dispute happens and the money has been removed from the bank account, paypal will put a charge equal to the money against your listed CC, which can't happen if the only card number they have is a burn card with $50 on it.
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
Dave_W said:
Wow, that's horrible. I wonder how many people fall for this crap? Paypal never requires a tracking number before they release funds. You may want to forward that fake Paypal email to Paypal fraud division, as well.
Click to expand...


You have to read the thread from the start. I've already notified Paypal.
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
Hmmmm.... Brian says that the tracking number I sent him is not valid. I wonder what happened. I told Brian to be patient and if he didn't get the confirmation, I'd contact the post office. Poor guy, having to wait for his camera.
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
Dave_W said:
Did you advertise your D700 on Craigs list or ?
Click to expand...


Yes, I put it on there on a lark. I honestly don't care if it sells. Kind of a fate thing. If it sells, I'll make a profit, and buy either a D600 or a refurb'd D800.

That's the part that $#&$#&*'d me off the most...... I started thinking seriously about the decision I'd have to make.


I really don't know why I even listed it. I love the D700 and its results..........

View attachment 23032
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
Well, I guess the jig is up. I got bored with Brian. Here's our exchange of emails. I sanitized the last email since this is a family site.


Re: PAYPAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE GO AND SHIP OUT THE ITEM IMMEDIATELY


From Ted Smith
To Laurena Archiga



Come on Brian! I'm not a #$%&^% moron like you.


I didn't mail the camera, just like you didn't pay with Paypal.


Do you really think everyone is a stupid @&$% like you?


We'll talk about it later *^$$#@#.

I'll see you when I get to Redwood.

__________________________________________________________________________________________


From: Laurena Archiga <[email protected]>
To: Ted Smith
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 9:28 PM
Subject: Re: PAYPAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE GO AND SHIP OUT THE ITEM IMMEDIATELY


the tracking number you gave me is an old tracking and the item has
been delivered , see the details below ...and try and contact usps to
give the right tracking number


9400109699938118608122
First-Class Mail®
Delivered
September 06, 2012, 1:54 pm
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33442
Expected Delivery By:
September 7, 2012 Delivery Confirmation™
Arrival at Post Office
September 06, 2012, 7:02 am
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33442



From Ted Smith
To Laurena Archiga


On 12/28/12, Ted Smith wrote:
Hello Brian,


It's been nice dealing with you. Don't you just hate thieves? I mean really hate them.

It's been such a pleasure that I want to meet you face to face to discuss cameras.

I travel to Talmage on a regular schedule for business. I usually stay at the Hampton on Airport Park Blvd in Ukiah. I don't think that's very far from you, and I'll have a rental car.

I'm going to look you up while I'm in the area. Don't be scared if I walk up to you on the street. I like surprises, don't you.

I know I'm going to be happy to see you. It might be in the evening or even later since I'll be working during the day. If you're not home, I'm sure I'll find you.

I already have your address so you won't have to send it to me.


Take care, friend. Enjoy the new year.

Ted
________________________________
>> From: Laurena Archiga <[email protected]>
>>To: Ted Smith
>>Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 11:35 AM
>>Subject: Re: PAYPAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE GO AND SHIP OUT THE ITEM
>> IMMEDIATELY
>>
>>Okay friend Ted
>>
>>i will be looking forward to read from ya regarding the shipment details ..
>>
>>thanks
>>
>>On 12/28/12, Ted Smith <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Hello Brian,
>>>
>>> I will try to get to the post office today, and I'll send you the
>>> tracking
>>> number. Again, thanks for your purchase.
>>>
>>> Best wishes, Ted
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>________________________________
>>>> From: Laurena Archiga <[email protected]>
>>>>To: Ted Smith <[email protected]>
>>>>Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 10:38 AM
>>>>Subject: PAYPAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE GO AND SHIP OUT THE ITEM
>>>> IMMEDIATELY
>>>>
>>>>Dear
> Friend :
>>>>
>>>>I'm Happy to Tell you that The payment have been made and i believe
>>>>you should have receive the payment Notification Confirmation from
>>>>paypal in your ( IN-BOX OR SPAM, IF IT IS IN YOUR SPAM BOX, MOVE IT TO
>>>>YOUR IN-BOX ) and read it ..
>>>>
>>>>Here is the shipping address below Again for cross check
>>>>
>>>>Name: Brian Murray
>>>>Address: 1937 Hunter Point Road
>>>>City: Upper Lake
>>>>Zip-Code: 95485
>>>>State: CA
>>>>Country: United States
>>>>
>>>>Hope to read from you after the shipment... Thanks
>>>>
>>>>Best Regards
>>>>

 
J

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
Dah! Oh well.

Did anyone get my back to the future reference with old pinball machine parts? lol
 
S

Sandpatch

Senior Member
I sold a number of 1970's era Nikkor lenses on eBay last year with excellent success, but like all dealings, you have to keep your antennas up and be on the alert.

During one sale, a potential buyer e-mailed me asking if I could ship the lens to a different address than would show in his eBay account if he were the winner because he was soon moving. When I refused, he wrote that he'd significantly increase his bid if I agreed. When I refused that, he wrote several angry e-mails asking why I wouldn't work with him. I responded by asking why my lens was of such great interest when five others exactly like it were up for bid. He never responded.

I didn't report him to eBay because he never won the bid and no money was ever exchanged, but I have no doubt that he was a thief.
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
I've had several of the scammers offering more than the asking price "I want to get this to my son in Iraq before Christmas" or some other urgent sob story. It must work since it is so common, feel bad for the people that fall for this crap.
 
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