Sony VGN-A290 for $800?? can this be true?

While I was researching at Amazon.com about this laptop, I notice the link "used" for abomut $ 400.

I thought I didn't lose anything if I asked the seller about this and this is what he wrote me back:

------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
The price you have seen on amazon is available only if you buy minimum 4 laptops.
If you buy just one the price is 800 USD including shipping taxes!
For our safety i would like to use a 3rd party to handle the deal , and i was thinking in Square Trade !
If you agree to proceed please send me your full name and adress so i can send them to Square Trade with our transaction`s details!
the Square Trade is sort like Escrow and they will take care of this transaction is very safe for bouth ...
All the laptops are brand new, in sealed boxes, with all standard
accesories and with 1 year international warranty, i also
have a wholesale discount for purchasing a greater quantity than 5
laptops so please tell me how many laptops are you interested in
purchasing.
let me know your decision....
Thank you!
------------------------------------------------------

So I went to google his *ss off and found the same address in several other pages stating almost the same.

Although his offer it's very tempting, what do you guys think of it? Ever bought a notebook this cheap?

Thank you for your time.

 

btw, this is his email address:
From: popa marian [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Lunes, 15 de Noviembre de 2004 20:40

 

I don't think it's true, but it would be fool to not look into this further because of the deal. Why don't you send an email to Amazon and see if they have more information about the seller? Even though they are not technically responsible for the link, it still hurts their business if this guy is a fraud.

 

this guy is unvelievable!!!

He just sent me the "details" of his transaction with a fake Square Trade email!!!. It came from a [email protected] (Being consultant.com a free webmail service).


Here's a transcript of the email:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
From: SquareTrade Customer Support [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Martes, 16 de Noviembre de 2004 17:38
To: juanma@***
Subject: Amazon Safeharbor Department and Square Trade-Case ID: 0905H944045

A SquareTrade Seal Member in good standing
since 11-13-2003.


Identity and/or Contact Information Verified.

Continues to meet strict Seal Membership Criteria.

Committed to Dispute Resolution and Mediation.

Item #0905H944045 is backed by SquareTrade's
Buyer Protection Policy - up to $ 800.00*.

The criteria for SquareTrade Membership.

Currently, the seller has a $5.6,000.00 deposit in an Amazon and SquareTrade managed purchase protection account. Transactions with this Amazon seller are covered by purchase protection against fraud and description errors.

--
___________________________________________________________
Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com
http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup

------------------------------------------




Of course, minutes later:
--------------------------------------------
From: SquareTrade Customer Support [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Martes, 16 de Noviembre de 2004 17:39
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Square Trade-Case ID: 0905H944045]
Dear Juanma Teixido,

Our customer ( Popa Marian ) require the payment to be done through Western Union money transfer service.
If you are not familiarized with the Western Union money transfer services please visit: www.westernunion.com. If you want to locate the nearest Western Union Office in your area please click here. You have to pay with cash at any Western Union Office.

Item Information
Item Title: Sony VAIO VGN-A290 17" Notebook PC


--------------------------------------------------------

Needless to say I went to the Square Trade site and looked up for the ID but it never showed up.

I was *THIS* close to fell in this *sigh*

 

Glad to hear that you didn't get taken! Someone tried to rip me off about a year ago for a grand, and forutnately I was able to recover my money. Man, it pisses me off that people try to do this to others

[ !]

 

I saw this on Amazon.com Looks like a fraud too, but I am giving the person a chance to answer for themselves. The person's new name and email is: Catalin Daniel Ivan [[email protected]]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002Y8F6K/qid=1101070460/sr=52-30/ref=sr_52_30_etk-pc/102-3735334-1307302?v=glance&s=pc&n=541966

They were selling the laptops for $300 if you by 10.

I'll let you know what I find out from this person if they reply.

 

Great! that'll be excellent. I'm crossing my fingers that's for sure!

 

They are undoubtedly scams. You are protected when you buy through Amazon, but only if you use the Amazon payment system. That's why they are asking for Western Union and giving you outside emails.

Just for a laugh you could pay for it through Amazon and see what happens, but it seems mroe hassle than its worth.

Steve

Asus M6 WSXGA

 

Hi! I was really close to buy one of this laptops, thanks for the warning. They no work with amazon, I has question this to some of this sellers.

Thanks for the warning

 

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<body lang=EN-US style='tab-interval:.5in'>

Wow, these guys have balls. The guy wanted to use Square
Trade and <st1lace>Western Union</st1lace>. I got two fake emails from
Square trade. Really sent by mail.com. The person
committing the fraud actually put their name on it I think. His name <span
class=GramE>is  MIHAIL[/span] ALIN
GHEORGHESCU. Email [email protected] Do not
trust him! He refused again and again to use an escrow service. I copied the
email text and the message log of when he IM'd me. <span
class=GramE>What's balls[/span]! I copied this stuff so we can learn from it
and have a record of it on the internet. Sorry for the length. <o></o>

<o></o>

I can honestly say it was entertaining to chat with him. And
honestly I would have bought the laptop if he were honest and used escrow. <span
class=GramE>Too bad.[/span] I liked that laptop.<o></o>

<o></o>

------------------------------------------------------<o></o>

(1st Email from fake square trade **notice mail.com
footer)<o></o>

<o></o>

Dear Mark Stephan,<o></o>

<o></o>

Our customer ( MIHAIL ALIN
GHEORGHESCU) require the payment to be done through <st1lace>Western Union</st1lace>
money transfer service. <o></o>

If you are not familiarized with the <st1lace>Western
Union</st1lace> money transfer services please visit: www.westernunion.com. If
you want to locate the nearest Western Union Office in your area please click
here. You have to pay with cash at any Western Union Office.<o></o>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o></o>

Item Information <o></o>

Item Title:  Sony VAIO
VGN-A290 17&quot; Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (<span
class=SpellE>Centrino[/span]) <o></o>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o></o>

Payment Details <o></o>

Buyer:  Mark Stephan <o></o>

Subject:  Sony VAIO
VGN-A290 17&quot; Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (<span
class=SpellE>Centrino[/span]) <o></o>

Amount:  670.00 USD <o></o>

Down Payment:  0.00
USD <o></o>

Shipping:  0.00 USD <o></o>

Total:  670.00USD <o></o>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o></o>

Delivery Information <o></o>

Buyer: <o></o>

Address: (removed my info)<o></o>

<o></o>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o></o>

Seller Details <o></o>

First Name:  MIHAIL
ALIN  <o></o>

Last Name:  GHEORGHESCU
<o></o>

Street:  <span
class=SpellE>Str[/span]. 24 Ianuarie nr.5 <o></o>

City:  <st1:City><st1lace><span
class=SpellE>Pitesti[/span]</st1lace></st1:City> <o></o>

Zip code:  0300 <o></o>

Country:  <st1:country-region><st1lace>Romania</st1lace></st1:country-region>
<o></o>

<o></o>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>   [/span]<o></o>

 Important notice<o></o>

 <o></o>

The payment details are confidential and will not be
released under any circumstances. Our customer chose this payment method in
order to speed up the transaction. Square Trade security measures are
constantly reviewed and modified given evolving circumstances globally, drawing
on both internal assessments and the support of government agencies. Our
constant priority is for the safety of our people, our customers, and the
general public. Square Trade always tries to fulfill its customers' needs.<o></o>

   How to make
payment? <o></o>

 1. Locate the nearest
<st1lace>Western Union</st1lace> Office <o></o>

 2. Make the payment
with cash using the above seller details 
<o></o>

 3. E-mail us the scan
paper of the payment receipt from <st1lace>Western Union</st1lace> with the
following details : <o></o>

  - MTCN - 10 digits
number from the payment receipt <o></o>

  - Sender Name and
Address <o></o>

  - Receiver Name and
Address <o></o>

  - Amount <o></o>

Once we receive the payment confirmation, we will instruct
the seller to start the shipping process. We will hold the payment details
until you send us your confirmation that you are satisfied with the product you
received. As soon as we receive your confirmation we will release the payment
details to the seller. <o></o>

Sincerly, <o></o>

Square Trade Financial Department<o></o>

___________________________________________________________<o></o>

Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com<o></o>

http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup<o></o>

<o></o>

<o></o>

<o></o>

-------------------------------------------------------<o></o>

(2nd Email from fake Square Trade)<o></o>

<o></o>

  Verified Seal Member
Profile       <o></o>

 Amazon ID: seller_amazon100
<o></o>

A SquareTrade Seal Member in good
standing <o></o>

since <st1:date Year="2003" Day="13"
Month="11">11-13-2003</st1:date>. <o></o>

   Identity and/or
Contact Information Verified.  <o></o>

  Continues
to meet strict Seal Membership Criteria. <o></o>

  Committed
to Dispute Resolution and Mediation. <o></o>

  Item #0905H944045 is
backed by SquareTrade's <o></o>

Buyer Protection Policy - up to $ 900.00*.
<o></o>

    The
criteria for SquareTrade Membership. <o></o>

 The <span
class=SpellE>SquareTrade[/span] Seal, along with other factors, can
substantially lower the risks of buying online. The Seal is<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  a[/span] guarantee of a successful
transaction or of a Seller's performance. 
<o></o>

   Contact the Seller <span
class=GramE>at :[/span] [email protected]<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>   [/span]<o></o>

You can apply to become a SquareTrade
Seal Member. It is eBay's largest community of trusted sellers - with 1.5
million listings every day proudly displaying the Seal. <o></o>

Buyers will feel comfortable buying from you knowing that
you are a verified seller and that you will resolve disputes. <o></o>

What happens if the seller does not respond after the
payment is completed? <o></o>

SquareTrade repeatedly tries to
encourage the other party to respond to a case, but we cannot guarantee
participation, since the process is completely voluntary. If the respondent
does not reply within one week from when the case was initially filed, it is
unlikely that you will receive a response and we will close the case. If we
hear from the other party after the case closes, we will reopen the case and
notify you. <o></o>

Currently, the seller has a $10,000.00 deposit in an Amazon
and SquareTrade managed purchase protection account. Transactions
with this Amazon seller are covered by purchase protection against fraud and
description errors.<o></o>

The insurer of this transaction is Amazon Inc.<o></o>

The account is managed by Amazon's SquareTrade
center.<o></o>

This transaction is supervised by Amazon's <span
class=SpellE>SafeHarbor[/span] team.<o></o>

For buyers or sellers safety, if the owner of this account
wants to withdraw the <o></o>

funds, he will have to wait at
least 15 days from that day before the funds are <o></o>

released and the purchase
protection account is closed.<o></o>

Should you need a refund for this transaction?<o></o>

The insured amount of the transaction will be taken from the
seller's purchase protection account and refunded to you. The refund is sent to
your bank account, or by check or money order. The way you are refunded is at
your discretion.You have 15 days from the above
verification date to request the refund. Refund requests are processed within 3
days.<o></o>

SquareTrade Buyer Protection
Policy  <o></o>

This policy was last modified on <st1:date Year="2003"
Day="4" Month="6">June 4, 2003</st1:date>. <o></o>

Amazon buyer ' Mark Stephan should feel confident purchasing
from a SquareTrade Seal Member. Seal Member ' MIHAIL
ALIN GHEORGHESCU' has been verified by SquareTrade
and is committed to customer satisfaction and resolving disputes via <span
class=SpellE>mediation.Seal[/span] Member 'Mark Stephan'<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  [/span]use Western Union Service for the payment due
the fact is not able to use PayPal,Escrow, Credit
Card or Cashiers Check  as a method of
payment. <o></o>

Our system confirm you that you are
fully protected in the transaction with 'MIHAIL ALIN GHEORGHESCU only in these
cases:<o></o>

Payment sent but merchandise not received. <o></o>

No response to your messages. <o></o>

Payment sent but merchandise not received as the seller
described it. <o></o>

The insurer of this transaction is Amazon Inc.<o></o>

The account is managed by Amazon's SquareTrade
center.<o></o>

This transaction is supervised by Amazon's <span
class=SpellE>SafeHarbor[/span] team..<o></o>

Currently, the seller has a $10,000.00 deposit in an Amazon
and SquareTrade managed purchase protection account. Transactions
with this Amazon seller are covered by purchase protection against fraud and
description errors.<o></o>

Square Trade's Buyers Protection is available even in case
the item is NOT purchased through Amazon.<o></o>

You have 15 days from the reception date to request the
refund. Refund requests are processed within 3 days.<o></o>

Thank you for using SquareTrade.<o></o>

  MIHAIL ALIN <span
class=SpellE>GHEORGHESCU'sSelling[/span] Standards<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>   [/span]<o></o>

   Disclose pricing,
shipping and return policies in a clear and accurate manner<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  [/span]<o></o>

   Disclose contact
information, if requested to do so by a buyer <o></o>

   Respond to disputes
filed and participate in mediation, if buyer requests <o></o>

   Commits
to meeting SquareTrade Standards. <o></o>

<o></o>

Sincerely, <o></o>

SquareTrade Customer Support <o></o>

Please do not respond to this email with information
regarding your case, as it can only be processed through the <span
class=SpellE>SquareTrade[/span] website. If you have other questions, please
Contact US  . <o></o>

-- <o></o>

___________________________________________________________<o></o>

Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com<o></o>

http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup<o></o>

<o></o>

<o></o>

--------------------------------------------<o></o>

(IM Message Log)<o></o>

<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you are agree to
use a therd part Square Trade?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: they will told you about me and the
transaction<o></o>

seller_amazon100: &lt;ding&gt;<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you are there?<o></o>

markestephan:
Yes i am here<o></o>

markestephan:
Which item are we talking about?<o></o>

markestephan:
?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: about Sony VAIO VGN-A290 17&quot; Notebook
PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (Centrino), 1 GB
RAM,  <st1:Street><st1:address><span
class=GramE>100[/span] GB Hard Drive</st1:address></st1:Street>, DVD+/-<st1:Street><st1:address>RW
Double Layer Drive</st1:address></st1:Street>)<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  [/span]<o></o>

markestephan:
ah<o></o>

markestephan:
I emailed you but got no response<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ?<o></o>

markestephan:
I didn't see enough info to show me it wasn't a fraud.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i sent you an
email now<o></o>

markestephan:
You were selling it for $300 right?<o></o>

markestephan:
oh, one sec<o></o>

seller_amazon100: <o></o>

seller_amazon100: $570<o></o>

markestephan:
You understand my reservation, as there are a lot of frauds, especially for
this particular model.<o></o>

markestephan:
Why are you selling it so cheap, if I may ask.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: in this cause i
use a 3rd part service<o></o>

seller_amazon100: Square Trade<o></o>

markestephan:
I am looking up square trade now.<o></o>

markestephan:
It's an escrow service?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: yes i like
escrow service<o></o>

seller_amazon100: if you are agree please send me your
details and i contact then<o></o>

markestephan:
Why not use Paypal, isn't it a good suitable escrow
service?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: and then will contact you<o></o>

seller_amazon100: because i have
little problem with me paypal account<o></o>

markestephan:
I understand, Paypal isn't very forgiving.<o></o>

markestephan:
What details would you like?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: please send me your details and <span
class=SpellE>i[/span] contact Square Trade service<o></o>

seller_amazon100: delivery detail's<o></o>

markestephan:
What's your Square Trade member page?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: they will contat
you and they will told about me and for the transaction<o></o>

markestephan:
I sent you my address, if you can send me that information, to my email account<o></o>

markestephan:
I'll have to do my research on Square Trade and you. Again, you'll understand,
lot's of frauds out there.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ok<o></o>

seller_amazon100: right now i
contact Square Trade<o></o>

markestephan:
Where are you based out of?<o></o>

markestephan:
Btw, my name is Mark Stephan, your name is?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: <st1:country-region><st1lace>Romania</st1lace></st1:country-region><o></o>

seller_amazon100: Mihail <span
class=SpellE>Alin[/span]<o></o>

markestephan:
I live in <st1:City><st1lace>Istanbul</st1lace></st1:City>.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i <span
class=SpellE>recive[/span] your email<o></o>

markestephan:
We're neighbors<o></o>

seller_amazon100: k<o></o>

seller_amazon100: yes<o></o>

markestephan:
My address is my house in <st1:country-region><st1lace>america</st1lace></st1:country-region>.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: k<o></o>

markestephan:
I'll be returning there for Christmas in a few weeks<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i contact right
now Square Trade<o></o>

markestephan:
Where is the item located? <st1:country-region><st1lace>Romania</st1lace></st1:country-region>?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: yes<o></o>

markestephan:
So you never answered why you are selling it so cheap.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: sorry<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i buy the laptop
to my friend <o></o>

seller_amazon100: in <st1:City><st1lace>Dubai</st1lace></st1:City>
<o></o>

seller_amazon100: and i do not pay
the any fee's<o></o>

markestephan:
Is the Keyboard a normal US keyboard, or arabic, or
something else?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: US keyboard<o></o>

markestephan:
You ever live in the us?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: yes i live 5 day<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i have a little
firm i travel lot<o></o>

seller_amazon100: in all the world<o></o>

markestephan:
What time is it there?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: <st1:time Minute="34" Hour="13">01:34</st1:time><o></o>

markestephan:
same here<o></o>

seller_amazon100: why?<o></o>

markestephan:
It's late for me. <o></o>

seller_amazon100: and<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ?<o></o>

markestephan:
I'm going to bed.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ok<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you recive <span
class=SpellE>tomorow[/span] an email from Square Trade<o></o>

seller_amazon100: please contact me after that<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ok?<o></o>

markestephan:
k<o></o>

markestephan:
You just have one laptop to sell?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: bye<o></o>

seller_amazon100: no i have 4<o></o>

markestephan:
You got 4 from a friend? All the same type?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: 2 Sony Vaio and 2
Toshiba Satelite<o></o>

markestephan:
Okay, good night<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ok<o></o>

seller_amazon100: we talk tomorow<o></o>

seller_amazon100: bye<o></o>

seller_amazon100: hello<o></o>

markestephan:
Hello<o></o>

markestephan:
I just sent you an email.<o></o>

markestephan:
That wasn't an escrow service you sent me. Me sending
the money via <st1lace>Western Union</st1lace> to you directly isn't escrow.<o></o>

markestephan:
It would need to be to a third person.<o></o>

markestephan:
I should be sending the money to Square Trade<o></o>

seller_amazon100: no<o></o>

markestephan:
I emailed Square Trade to have them verify who you are.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you send the money to my <span
class=SpellE>addres[/span] and just confirm to Square Trade<o></o>

markestephan:
Then how is that Escrow?<o></o>

markestephan:
Why use Square Trade? I could send you the money directly and then tell you I
sent it.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: After you recive
the product you confir that to square trade and they
will offer me the payment confirmation<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ok<o></o>

markestephan:
Why do you need payment confirmation when the money has already been sent to
you?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: for i can verify
if you put the money to my name<o></o>

markestephan:
All you need is an ID to pick up the money from <st1lace>Western Union</st1lace>.
You don't need a confirmation number.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you don't understand<o></o>

markestephan:
If I don't please explain, because I don't see how I am protected from fraud
here.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i can't use here
in <st1:country-region><st1lace>romania</st1lace></st1:country-region>
<st1lace>Western Union</st1lace> auction payment<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you must go to western union and send the
money to my name<o></o>

seller_amazon100: and they will give you a
MTCN# (Money transfer control network)<o></o>

seller_amazon100: for i can verify
if you put the money to my name i need the MTCN# and
sender info's<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you understand me?<o></o>

markestephan:
How do you get the money?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: direclely from
western union<o></o>

seller_amazon100: lat me tell you<o></o>

seller_amazon100: let me tell you about the transaction<o></o>

seller_amazon100: after you confirm me the payment (MTCN#
and sender info's) i will
go directely to UPS and i
will send to the product<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you will have in your hand in max. 2 day<o></o>

markestephan:
So you will send the product when you get the money?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i verify the
money to the site<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i don't get the
money<o></o>

markestephan:
What keeps you from getting the money?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i am a business
man and this is my procedure<o></o>

seller_amazon100: after you inspect the product <span
class=SpellE>i[/span] will get the money<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i wait your
confirmation<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you understand me?<o></o>

markestephan:
I am a businesman as well, and I don't see any escrow
being used here. Once I send the money in your name to western union, nothing
keeps you from taking it before you send any product. <st1lace>Western Union</st1lace>
is not an escrow service.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you say me:Why
use Square Trade? I could send you the money directly and then tell you I sent
it.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: it is your word's<o></o>

markestephan:
It's called Sarcasim. 
<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ?<o></o>

markestephan:
I will only send money to a certified escrow service. If that is Square Trade,
I will need Square trade to verify that they know you. That thrid
party then will hold the money for you until I <span
class=SpellE>recieve[/span] the product, then will then release the money to
you.<o></o>

markestephan:
<st1lace>Western Union</st1lace> does not do this, and they don't insure my
money.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you recive the
email to square trade<o></o>

seller_amazon100: ?<o></o>

markestephan:
I contacted them directly. That email was sent from mai.com There
was nothing that had an email that said @squaretrade.com I contacted them to
verify they sent it. <o></o>

seller_amazon100: if you don't want to use western union you
can pay me in my accoun<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i give you pay
account details<o></o>

markestephan:
Account where?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: In my country<o></o>

markestephan:
That is not an escrow service.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: to my bank<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i do not use
escrow service<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i say you before<o></o>

markestephan:
Take a look at this: https://www.escrow.com/index.asp<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i am sorry but <span
class=SpellE>i[/span] don't use escrow service because i
was ripped in past<o></o>

markestephan: I am going to take a
shower, look that site over and see if you would be willing to use this or an
escrow service like this. <o></o>

markestephan:
Okay, well I know thousands of people who have been ripped off by doing what
you want me to do.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: <o></o>

markestephan:
Unless I have an insured was of doing the transaction, I won't be sending any
money.<o></o>

markestephan:
Going to take a shower. If you really had a laptop to sell, you should be
willing to do this. It's safe and secure for the both of us.<o></o>

markestephan:
bbl<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i don't want to
go to jail for a little money<o></o>

markestephan:
Back<o></o>

seller_amazon100: k<o></o>

markestephan:
You're in <st1:country-region><st1lace>romania</st1lace></st1:country-region>,
most people wouldn't pursue international courts for 6704<o></o>

markestephan:
670$<o></o>

markestephan:
Escrow service is simple to use. I don't know how you got ripped off before,
but it's unlikely.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: yest it is<o></o>

markestephan:
How did you get ripped off before?<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i sent the item
but i don't recive the
money<o></o>

markestephan:
If they recieved the item, the escrow service should
have given you the money.<o></o>

markestephan:
If it is a true escrow service, the money is left to a thrid
party, and no one gets the money until the buyer gets the product. The buyer
can't even get the money back .<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i <span
class=SpellE>undertand[/span] you but i am afraid to
use this<o></o>

markestephan:
https://www.escrow.com/solutions/escrow/process.asp Explains it clearly. Simple,
safe, and protects both you and me.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i use for the
money transfer western union<o></o>

markestephan:
Okay, well then we shouldn't waste our time anymore. I am not sending via
anything but a insured third party.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: k<o></o>

markestephan:
$670 is a lot, even if it is a good price for that computer.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i make you an
offer<o></o>

seller_amazon100: to you can see that i
am a good seller<o></o>

seller_amazon100: send me first half of money $335USD and
after that i will go directely
to UPS and i will send you the product<o></o>

seller_amazon100: after you recive
the product you must send me the rest of money<o></o>

markestephan:
Sadly, I still really don't trust you. $335 is still a lot.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  [/span]Honestly, you need to get over your fear of
escrow. It's like me trying to tell you to send the laptop, then
I'll send the money. You have no reason to trust me either. That's why we use an
escrow service who does this type of transaction
thousands of times a day. Their honesty is their business. If they did fraud,
no one would use that company. I'm sorry, this has
fraud written all over it. Even those emails from Square Trade looked faked. I
am not a novice buyer. I know what fraud looks like, was just
wanting to see how far you would go. If there really is a laptop, I will
only buy it via a escrow service. But I doubt there is
a laptop. Nice talking to you though. Wish we could have done business. I like
that laptop.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: it is your problem<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i make you <span
class=GramE>a[/span] offer <o></o>

seller_amazon100: 335 is lot of money for a laptop?<o></o>

markestephan:
It's a lot of money to lose.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: how can i know
you send the rest of money<o></o>

markestephan:
Dude, That's what I am saying, you can't know. That's why we should use an
escrow service.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i tell you<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i don't want to
use escrow service<o></o>

markestephan:
okay, I understand. If you used Escrow you would have to send me the laptop. No
problem I understand.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: <o></o>

markestephan:
Maybe I will take a vaction to <st1:country-region><st1lace><span
class=SpellE>ROmania[/span]</st1lace></st1:country-region> this week. I
always wanted to visit there.<o></o>

markestephan:
I have friends there too.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: it is your problem<o></o>

seller_amazon100: im not
interesting<o></o>

seller_amazon100: you are not serious<o></o>

seller_amazon100: bye<o></o>

markestephan:
hehe, okay. DOn't worry. I'll
find another laptop, and you'll find some old lady to sell to.<o></o>

markestephan:
But know, Jesus knows you.<o></o>

seller_amazon100: yes<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i know that<o></o>

seller_amazon100: i see that you
know how it work with &quot;old lady&quot;

</body>

</html>

 

geeeeeeeezzzzz, this guys is full of craaaaaap, maybe they're all cousings or something

Remembers me from Tom Hanks in "The Terminal".

"yes..."
"yes..."
"go to new york now"
"yes..."



Excellent info btw! thank you!

 

Here is the next episode. He tried to "fool" me again.

-----------------------------
seller_amazon100: <ding>
seller_amazon100: are you there?
markestephan: yes
seller_amazon100: how are you?
markestephan: good
seller_amazon100: about the Sony VAIO VGN-A290 17" Notebook PC
seller_amazon100: are you interested to buy?
markestephan: Did you get the email I sent you?
seller_amazon100: you don`t receive the HTML email from Square Trade?
markestephan: Yes, and I sent it back to Square trade, they then sent me an email, which I then sent to you.
seller_amazon100: so?
markestephan: I just resent it to you
markestephan: Well, according to Square Trade, they never sent thos eother emails, in fact those other emails are frauds.
seller_amazon100: i have make you the reservation to UPS
markestephan: ?
seller_amazon100: for your laptop
markestephan: You mean C.O.D.?
seller_amazon100: no...
seller_amazon100: the laptop is in UPS and you must confirm me the payment for i can start the delivery
markestephan: You mean UPS has the item, when I pay?
seller_amazon100: if you make the payment right now tomorrow you receive the laptop
markestephan: So who do I pay and how? And how do I know the item is guaranted to be delivered?
seller_amazon100: i pay the taxes for delivery and i don`t want to lose this money
seller_amazon100: please go right now and make the payment to Western Union and imediately after that i will go to UPS and i will start the delivery for you can receive the laptop tomorrow
markestephan: but there is no evidence that you will do that. I need collateral.
markestephan: Escrow works, everything else dosen't.
seller_amazon100: i will give you the scanned paper from UPS but i will cover the tracking number and when you confirm me the payment i will give you the tracking number
seller_amazon100: are you interested?
markestephan: Why not, go send the item now, and when I recieve it, I will send the money. I'm an american, you can always take me to court if I don't pay.
markestephan: But I will.
markestephan: Rememer, I haven't sent any fradulent emails. Someone else has.
seller_amazon100: mister i will give you the invoice from UPS about the laptop for you can see that the laptop is in your way but i will cover the tracking number
markestephan: Those can be easily faked.
seller_amazon100: when you confirm me the payment i will give you the Tracking#
markestephan: Anyone with a scanner and photoshop can do that.
seller_amazon100: ok bye
markestephan: have a good day. Sorry you wouldn't do escrow. It would have protected both of us.

 

TWELVE ¡°RED FLAGS¡± TO WARN OF A FRAUDULENT TRANSACTION

Most people who are defrauded are victims of their own greed. Anytime a transaction appears to be ¡°too good to be true, it likely is. If 3 or more of the following relate to your transaction, application of common sense can preserve your money.

1. An expensive item is usually involved - often an electronic item (especially plasma TV), computer, camera, fitness equipment, automobile, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile, etc. Often, it is listed at auction at a significant discount off fair market value. Multiples may be offered in the fixed price format.
2. Western Union or Moneygram wire transfer are the only acceptable payment methods. Wire transfer was created for sending money to someone whom you KNOW and TRUST. Money wire transfer is untraceable and unrecoverable after the thief picks up the money, which is typically very soon after it is sent. In an attempt to provide the illusion of safety, the prospective buyer is often told to send the money to a fake name or use a secret password, which the buyer will change only after receiving the item. Also be wary if an auction requires payment by e-gold.
3. The item is no longer listed on eBay, so the deal will be an ¡°off-eBay¡± transaction. Often the auction was removed by eBay after being identified as fraudulent. At other times, once a buyer indicates serious interest, in order to reduce the opportunity for the authentic account holder to detect the fraud and notify eBay, the hijacker may end the auction early. A buyer who transacts ¡°off-eBay¡± obviously forfeits all fraud protection provided by eBay.
4. Bidder was an unsuccessful bidder on an expensive item and subsequently receives emailed offer (customarily from a person in a country thousands of miles away) offering to sell an identical or similar item off-eBay for a huge discount.
5. Bidder is required to be pre-approved. When pre-approval is sought, seller offers instant sale (usually off-eBay) at significantly less than true value. Also, some ¡°private¡± auctions are fraudulent. After placing a bid on a private auction, the bidder receives an emailed offer to sell the item ¡°off eBay.¡±
6. Item listed on hijacked account. Some characteristics of hijacked accounts:
--Seller with excellent feedback, which was acquired solely from buying or from selling items unrelated to the expensive item being offered.
--Long dormant account suddenly listing expensive items.
--US or UK registered seller but the item location city/country as other than in US or UK. The location city and country may be bizarre (e.g. Bucharest, USA or Madrid, UK).
-- Payment terms for an auction listed from a US location include the customary PayPal, money orders, & checks. When contacting the auction winner, the seller claims to be in a country thousands of miles away on a business trip, vacation, or other excuse, and wire money transfer abruptly becomes the only acceptable method of payment. (Sure¡­most sellers take along a few Plasma TVs when traveling to Europe for a vacation, don¡¯t they?)
7. Seller offers free shipping, from distant countries, often premium (very expensive) shipping such as FedEx overnight. (Imagine the cost of overnight shipping for a horse trailer from Romania, a tractor from Greece, or a motorcycle from Spain to the US).
8. No actual photo, or a generic photo or illustration of the item taken from a catalog or website. (Inconclusive in the absence of other red flags)
9. A one or three day auction, often ending on a weekend, (Inconclusive in the absence of other red flags)
10. Poor or unusual grammar / spelling indicative that English isn¡¯t the user¡¯s primary language. (Inconclusive in the absence of other red flags)
11. Seller recommends an escrow service other than escrow.com, which is approved by eBay. Fraudulent escrow sites are created daily by thieves, for the purpose of attempting to defraud unsuspecting users. How to spot a fraudulent escrow site: https://www.escrow.com/fic/ficspot.asp
12. Bidder/buyer who is doubtful and undecided receives email (typically containing poor or unusual grammar) appearing to originate from eBay, vouching for the seller and security of the transaction, which advises the buyer to complete the transaction. Recent variations of the email assert that the buyer is protected by Square Trade. (Square Trade is neither a division of eBay nor a provider of purchase protection insurance. It is an independent provider of dispute resolution services.) Other variations have claimed that purchase protection is guaranteed by the eBay ¡°Safety Board¡± or ¡°Trade Secure Division,¡± neither of which exist. The emails often assert that the seller has placed a multi-thousand dollar security deposit with eBay. Some further claim that the item will be shipped from an eBay warehouse. eBay is not a traditional ¡°auctioneer¡±, but is only a venue. eBay neither holds security deposits, nor confirms the safety of transactions. eBay has no merchandise to ship, nor a warehouse in which any merchandise is stored.

 

It happened to me many times, too. The whole situation of first one or two times were similar as mstephan's case. After that, if I was asked to use Western Union and/or Square trade, I would 100% sure it was a fraud.

I contacted western union before, they told me anyone could identify himself can get the money, no matter what and no matter in what country. Wersten Union should only be used to send money to your family, your close friends, in that way, you do not need to worry about whom the money goes to.

 

Hi Guys,

I preordered a P910a Symbian PDA & Phone from Amazon and they granted the sale to one "Mihail Gheorghescu" [email protected] and debited my card. I was greatly please to learn that i would be getting my p910, until i emailed the seller asking for pictures and other details of the item. Here is the response i got:
<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>
"Sir .. what money?
I don`t receive any money
please be serious .


Wolfie wrote:

Hello,

Can you please send me some information regarding my Amazon order? This
is the second email that i am sending you, after having paid [edit]+ dollars.

Thank You.
-Randall
"
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

I have subsequently contacted Amazon regarding this issue for a resolution. When i traced the IP that was used to send the email it originated from guess where? "Romania". It bothers me that Amazon just grants sales to anybody who signs up, i was not able to control the sale awarding process or get any sort of information before the transaction had finished. It seems that i am covered by Amazon in their A-Z gurantee but this is a hell of a thing to do to someone at Christmas.