Scam ALert!!!

A

A T Barr

Joined
Oct 10, 1998
Messages
634
I saw this on rec.knives. I've got a maker friend that has been exchanging emails with a fellow in Indonesia. Lucklie, he has not shipped out the two folders this guy ordered. He's going to request an International Money Order.

A.T.

--
"Don't you buy no ugly Knife"
New knives added 01.05.03
http://www.customknives.com/new.htm

"Raymond Coon" <raymond@damascusknife.com> wrote in message news:agx0a.9883$2H6.447@sccrnsc04...
> I have been notified by another knifemaker of people - mostly from
> Indonesia - indicating that they wish to purchase knives using their credit
> card. After the transaction is made and the knife is gone the purchaser
> then cancels the transaction through their credit card company indicating
> that they never received the merchandise. They then keep the item.
>
> Lately I've been getting an e-mail every other day from someone in
> Indonesia saying that they are anxious to buy one of my knives with a credit
> card. Like the scam about transfers of huge amounts of money from Nigeria,
> Botswana or some other country, they don't seem to give up and they don't
> seem to have any originality.
>
> Good luck
>
>
New knives added 01.21.03 http://www.customknives.com/
"Don't you buy no ugly knife"
 
There seems to be a lot of this going on with deals emanating from Singapore and Indonesia. Gene and Pat Osbourn lost a beautiful bowie to a con pulled by someone from Singapore. My recommendation is to not take credit cards from people overseas. If you are going to take the chance then make sure that the address that the knife is going to matches the address of record for the card holder. I still would not take the chance and would only deal with a money order, bank draft or wire transfer. The only problem with this is that some people do not have the money to pay everything right away and a credit card gives them the chance to defer payments. You may be taking a chance on losing a sale from an honest buyer, but better safe than sorry.


Edited to correct a spelling error.
 
I'm getting lots of inquiries from Singapore and Indonesia that seem "fishy". They are all quite similar though they don't always have the same name. I've just found out tonight that other makers are getting the same emails word-for-word.

In the suspect emails, you will generally be not addressed by your name, but rather by something generic like "Dear Sir/Madam" or "Dear Seller". The subject of paying by credit card will be mentioned, and frequently they will ask you to "RSVP".

We're having this same discussion here. You can see some actual examples of suspect emails that are being circulated.
 
Terry, there's a person that posts here, called Lachine, from the PRC. He is pretty squared away about knives, and really seems to know what's going on in China. You might do a search for him, and drop him a line about the potential Chinese customer.
 
Knifemakers,

In your place, I would only take a credit card payment from a repeat customer or the customer can provide references from other dealers/makers on recent deals done with the same credit card.

Otherwise, International Money Order is the way to go - a bit more hassle and some bank charges involved but better than losing a knife to the Internet cheats that seem so frequent. From the buyer's end, it is some extra work but if they REALLY want the knife, that shouldn't be any problem (at least it wasn't for me)

Take care and hopefully you will still continue to deal with the genuine knife enthusiasts from overseas who enjoy collecting and using your knives.

Andrew Lim
 
Unfortunately Indonesia has become infamous for it's credit card fraud. I have been told that some of the online bookstores will not ship a credit card purchase to Indonesia unless they have done business with that person before.
 
It is sad:( that Singapore was mentioned in one of the posts on this thread. I live in Singapore (at least for now) and I prefer to use credit card for overseas purchases due to the security (from customer's point of view) that it offers. IMHO, money orders/bank drafts are a real hassle as snail mail is long & tedious, especially if I want the knife fast. I hope that knifemakers/dealers do not go all paranoid but continue to exercise caution and look for "tell-tale" scams. I think scams emanate from anywhere in the world.

ps: is that why I don't get reply from knifemakers sometimes (when I mention that I need it shipped to Singapore)?

cheers,
Spyken
 
I sure hope not Spyken, but then again, what excuse is there for them not getting back to you, period. Even if this is a reason that makers don't want to sell overseas, they should be courteous enough to get back to you and inform you of that.
 
I personaly an done with credit card processing it is just too much hassell for the rewards you get out of it now I only take credit through paypal if is isnt the customers trying screw up your day it is the processing people trying to get more money out of you , Tank
 
Keith,
I think so too - not everyone checks their email daily, but not replying does smack of the lack of courtesy - arrogance possibly. I may not be able to spend thousands of dollars, but whatever little I'm going to spend isn't going to be on a knifemaker who doesn't give me the same courtesy as I give to everyone else, be they knifemaker, stranger, friend, family. Being nice doesn't cost a cent. Neither is it a chore.
Ok, now can someone tell me why RJ Martin & Mike Snody don't seem to be replying to emails? Damn - I really like Snody's knives.....someone help me....
Spyken
 
Many makers will not reply because they don't have the time. Many are one man operations. They also get plenty of business within the U.S.A. and because of the current anti-U.S. sentiment that is all the rage today, I think many would just as soon not have anything to do with customers in countries that are not so friendly to the U.S. Besides, people in the orient are so good at ripping off others, why would a domestic knifemaker supply them with a prototype? When you see people on the news that are burning the U.S. flags and chanting "death to the U.S.A.!", I think that isolationist menallity prevails.:eek: :eek: :rolleyes: :p ;)
 
Spyken,
RJ still post here sometimes so I know he is around but , Mike has been on the road for his regular job a good bit lately and has been real slow with the e-mail . He is a great guy just super busy over the past year or so .

Jerry
 
I just recieved this today! And they actually sent me their credit card #!!
Dear Charles,

I want to buy your knives is:

2 pc damascus fighter1

3 pcs beak2

2 pcs thin persian1

2 pcs chili_pepper


Billing and shipping address:
Daniel Kuncoro
Kusumanegara #139
Djogja, Kodya
Singapore 55167

Card type: Visa
Card # :
Exp.date : 03/03

Please process my order soon.
Please shipping via Global Express Mail Service (EMS)/ USPS Mail Service and give me the tracking number. Please write total value in the invoice only $100. And the real total value in the invoice please send it to my address via Air Mail.
I hope you can help me to write for total value in the invoice for $100.
I need for your kind to help me.

Thank you very much.
 
That address is as fake as Michael Jackson's face but I have seen it mentioned before. One of the Australian BF members (Ferret, I think) posted this in the Asia & Australia community forum when one of his pals was cheated. Smells like the same thing...

What I dont get is how the swindler gets the package when it has a fake address? Maybe he has somebody inside the Singapore Postal services who manages the "undeliverable" packages?

Andrew Limsk
 
yup, fake address. mebbe it's just a kid having some fun with the daddy's credit card?
 
I received this one in my email recently.

Dear There,

I'm your new customer from Indonesia and i would like to purchased you prduct. And the following item is:

- Scales Sambar Stag. Length 7 5/8", Blade Length 3 1/2 Qty : 1


Please give me all of information about your products that availabe at this time and ready to ship to my country . For the payment method i'm ready to pay with my credit card . And i will give my credit card details after you reply this message and agree with the term .About the shipping method i prefered using Express Mail Service . I hope we can make starting good bussines .Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks

Regards,
Stanley


I'd already moved the knife elsewhere but was planning on putting something similar together for this guy. Glad I stopped in this evening.
 
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