Forum Scams

d2d101

Dedicated Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Points
29
I wanted to share this experience for awareness but also know that scammers will read this too, so I can’t get into too much detail. I placed a wanted advert for style 42 rims. A forum member messaged that they had rims in good condition. I was about to reply, but something in the message was a red flag. On checking, they were a member for a few days and had three non-quality posts which were just welcoming other members into the forum. You need five posts to be able to place a for sale advert.

Through further investigation I was able to determine their IP address which was in Lagos, Nigeria. I contacted the user to say did they have the rims in Nigeria! I reported it, but no moderator has got back to me yet. The user's account seems to have been deleted, so either the moderators deleted it or the user deleted the messages in the belief it would hide their tracks.

Personally, I would ask the user to list the item on eBay, as you can view the user's eBay account to get more details and have a limited level of protection via eBay. I will keep using the forum for buying and selling, but be aware that scams are everywhere and not just on this forum.

To all scammers, I would suggest not to target this forum as the members will now watch out for such scams.
 

GazHyde

Administrator
Administrator
Global Moderator
M Power
Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Points
226
Location
Berkshire
Model of Z
Z4 MR
I reported it, but no moderator has got back to me yet. The user's account seems to have been deleted, so either the moderators deleted it or the user deleted the messages in the belief it would hide their tracks.
For a bit of extra info - we don't get visibility of conversations in any form even when reported, so can only check out the account for our usual list of things that usually are a scammer. We get an alert thread created in the Moderators area.

1756986465807.png


Once we've reviewed the reported user we spam clean them which bans/deletes pretty much everything to do with them including posts or any messages they've sent. We then close the alert thread and it's not usually something that we go back to the person who reports it.

I'm sure I've done a post previously about the ways to spot SCAM contacts through the messaging system - but can't find it right now. The usual signs are them immediately trying to make contact outside the forum, usually by email. The other is that they try and karma harvest by mentioning another member. If I find the post I'll link it here.
 

Pond

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Points
144
Location
Spaldingski, Lincs
Model of Z
Z3 project
Personally, I would ask the user to list the item on eBay, as you can view the user's eBay account to get more details and have a limited level of protection via eBay. I will keep using the forum for buying and selling, but be aware that scams are everywhere and not just on this forum
I wouldn't presume eBay is immune. There are many scammers on there who steal genuine members' profiles and adverts. It takes a while for eBay to do anything even when reported.
But Facebook marketplace is by far the worst. Seems like every other ad on there is a scam. FB are terrible at security which makes it the 'go to' place for scams.
Luckily most scammers on these type of sites are not very bright, so it's usually quite easy to spot them. The classic ads of being miles too cheap for what the item is are still tried a lot.

Scams are everywhere these days. Just always do due diligence and if it seems even remotely dodgy walk away.
 

Scooblitz

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Aug 7, 2017
Points
135
Location
Glasgow, Scotland
Model of Z
2.8
Ahhhh.

Even reached our forum. Shame to hear it.

As a general rule of thumb, if I havnt seen a members z related posts cropping up on the site, I ain’t buying from them or selling to them. Familiar faces is the way.

I avoided an attempted scam on Bimmerforum
last year for an alloy wheel. I was a bit vulnerable as I was searching worldwide for 1 alloy wheel that was very rare, for around 12 months. Polish, French German classifieds, even as far as Japan.

I asked for a photo of the wheel he was ‘selling’ and it turned out to be a picture of one of the alloy wheels I had already bought from Polish Ebay, 6 months prior. 😂 I turned the rouse on them by asking for more photos. The reverse, the bbs nuts, the lips, the valve stem hole. Unsurprisingly my request was not fulfilled. I was already pretty sceptical as the wheel in question is beyond rare. You don’t search the World Wide Web daily for 12 months, come up empty handed, only to find exactly what I’m looking for after 24 hours on Bimmerforum.

When confronted, the scammer admitted their scam and said he had to make some ends meet. Standard. 😂


Perhaps a fresh look at the rules for selling is in order? A car forum I am on charges £1 to get access to their ‘market place’.
 

mikeyH

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 8, 2024
Points
54
Location
South Devon
Model of Z
2.2 Z4 E85
I wouldn't presume eBay is immune. There are many scammers on there who steal genuine members' profiles and adverts. It takes a while for eBay to do anything even when reported.
But Facebook marketplace is by far the worst. Seems like every other ad on there is a scam. FB are terrible at security which makes it the 'go to' place for scams.
Luckily most scammers on these type of sites are not very bright, so it's usually quite easy to spot them. The classic ads of being miles too cheap for what the item is are still tried a lot.

Scams are everywhere these days. Just always do due diligence and if it seems even remotely dodgy walk away.
And on another forum I belong to just a couple of days ago, luckily the member was too smart to be out smarted by the scum:thumbsup:
 

ExMX5owner

Moderator
Staff member
Global Moderator
Supporter
Australian Zeds
Joined
Aug 31, 2022
Points
129
Location
Queensland, Australia
Model of Z
99 2.0
As @GazHyde said, the team here do our very best to keep the scammers off the forum, It,s important to us that you use the "report" option in the message window, if there is any doubt whatsoever "the message and the individual who posted it is immediately bought to our attention" next time we are on line of course. Investigations are made and action is taken. I personally try to thank any member that reports these activities as some of you know, but sometimes its just not possible. The offender would just appear to disappear in those instances. Keep up the vigilance,

Shawn :thumbsup:
 
Top