Cruel, cruel irony

[learningtofly]

Originally Posted by learningtofly

Thanks guys. As fortune would have it, I'm homing in on this at the moment, so wish me luck...

Well, I very nearly got scammed with this one

I guess the search goes on then!

[PhilM]

Do share on the post above, what happend?


Although the good news is that you didn't go through with it

[learningtofly]

Originally Posted by PhilM

Do share on the post above, what happend?


Although the good news is that you didn't go through with it

Well, the guy advised me that both he and the bezel were located in London. We agreed a price fairly quickly, but he then became what I perceived to be slightly evasive.

Following my insistence on some personal/contact details, he sent me his address and telephone number. The address was in Islington (I've Google street-viewed it, and it does exist) and he claimed to be in London right now. However, when I called him on the mobile number he gave me, I got an overseas dialling tone. In fact, when I asked him how/why that occurred, he claimed not to be able to hear me.

Throughout the conversation, in fact, the line was perfectly clear but pertinent questions were apparently very hard to hear. On the subject of personal collection, he said he didn't have the time; when I responded by saying "But I'll drive to you, with cash. It will only take 5 minutes of your time as I'll be the one travelling to meet you" he said "Just send me an email and tell me how you'll send me the money."

I've ascertained with a little digging that his email (with an @skymail.mn suffix) is hosted in Mongolia. Further, I've just called O2 to try to ascertain precisely where the call was received. Apparently, 070** numbers look like, but are NOT, mobile numbers. To quote Ofcom:

The 070 range shall only be used for Personal Numbering Services, which are defined as services “based on number translation that enables End-Users to be called or otherwise contacted, using a single Personal Telephone Number, and to receive those calls or other communications at almost any Telephone Number, including Mobile Numbers”. A Personal Number is also defined in the Plan as a Telephone Number “assigned by a Personal Numbering Service Provider, which allows a Subscriber to receive calls or other communications at almost any Telephone Number, including a Mobile Number.

Nothing has shown on my bill yet but apparently the call was almost certainly placed overseas.

Scamming b*stard

[DiamondJack]

There's always a reason....... and even though I hope not too many people actually saw you falling over that fat font bezel looks fantastic I personally much prefer the look of a fat font on the 1680. Fate eh

[conrail]

Wow - good detective work and instincts! You snuffed him out good. Unfortunately there is a lot of that going on recently w/ parts like bezels/inserts, especially on VRF (if thats where he contacted you from). I'm sure on here as well, and always with WTBs.... Its too bad. That email address for a fellow he claimed to be in London wouldn't give me the warm fuzzy feelings either!

[learningtofly]

Originally Posted by conrail

Wow - good detective work and instincts! You snuffed him out good. Unfortunately there is a lot of that going on recently w/ parts like bezels/inserts, especially on VRF (if thats where he contacted you from). I'm sure on here as well, and always with WTBs.... Its too bad. That email address for a fellow he claimed to be in London wouldn't give me the warm fuzzy feelings either!

Yes, it was though VRF. His name was Wes Gordon, incidentally.

[PhilM]

Lucky escape Tony, and good for you that you managed to do some research first before you made payment... and thanks for posting the further info too

[Johny]

well spotted tony.

[conrail]

Originally Posted by learningtofly

Yes, it was though VRF. His name was Wes Gordon, incidentally.

Wes Gordon with a Mongolian email address! I see they're taking western names now!

[learningtofly]

Originally Posted by conrail

Wes Gordon with a Mongolian email address! I see they're taking western names now!

He'll probably be using mine by now

[learningtofly]

Well, found a nice slightly-faded FF with a fantastic pearl, from an online dealer in France... one or two little marks but I think it'll look fine and it was a good price.



Due to land next week.

[roh123]

Looks great! You are not going to regret this accident. ;)

Please post pics when you have it mounted

[dddrees]

Sorry to hear about your luck Tony. But it does appear as you are going to be getting a verry nice replacement after all.

Please post some PICs when the replacement arrives.

[learningtofly]

Yes, will do!

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by conrail

Unfortunately there is a lot of that going on recently w/ parts like bezels/inserts, especially on VRF (if thats where he contacted you from).

Wow, didn't realize that. Good to know.

[Jagatai]

I'm so sorry. I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself though!

Good detective work on the scammer too!

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Racer X

Wow, didn't realize that. Good to know.

Yea "WTB: insert" is like an invitation to receive countless emails from fraudsters lately :(

[Chris B]

Well done Tony, cant wait to see pics in situ

[learningtofly]

There is a thread somewhere, but...

[ExpII]

Originally Posted by PhilM

Ouch, sorry to hear this, not great but like you say it could have been a whole lot worse....

Yea, like one of your teeth! Good luck finding a new one.