Notices
Site Announcements Look here to find out the latest MBWorld news and announcements!

Beware of scammers!

Old 10-13-2016, 01:02 PM
  #1  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Beware of scammers!

Every public social media community has scammers working to steal money. We have examples here of large sums of money stolen by sellers who disappeared after the money was sent. Please be skeptical of any transaction with someone you do not know personally. Check the account post history, if it was dormant for some time then suddenly active be cautious. NEVER send funds via wire transfer, money order or bit coin; once sent it's gone! Always use Paypal or a known escrow service. Understand that if you send money via PayPal as a gift to save PayPal fees you surrender your right to recover your money. Search the internet for any scam history associated with a screen name, phone number or email address provided to you by the buyer or seller.

Please report any unsolicited PM from a member with zero post offering a third party referral based upon your WTB ad or forum post. Below is a actual one removed from the community:

"HI
i can help you with a lead regarding your request.please contact rennie on XXXXXX@gmail.com. She is located in carlifornia and can arrange shipping.i have done business with her.she is trusted.i just wanna help. thanks."


Finally, do not make the hack of your account easy, you can change your email address and password while logged in from your user control panel linked below, the change is quick and easy.
https://mbworld.org/forums/profile.php?do=editpassword


Below in this thread are a few scam attempts which may include a user name, or phone number or email address.

MBWorld Staff
The following users liked this post:
pator60 (04-13-2017)
Old 01-22-2017, 11:32 AM
  #2  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
bump
Old 04-14-2017, 01:42 PM
  #3  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
New scammer referral email address used on MBworld.org.

kevinhopman9@gmail.com
Old 08-15-2017, 11:43 AM
  #4  
Newbie
 
GJB688's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: NJ/FL
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
1966 250se, 1990 560 SEC, 2005 SLK55 AMG
Just received a reply to 2 of my WTB posts, both from the same person and with the same wording. They are a new member and wanted to be contacted by email but I replied by PM. Based on your posting, I Googled their email and found this:
Default SCAMMER ALERT!!! User bn244
This person responded to my WTB thread. When I asked for pics this person sent pics that I was able to determine were posted on this group by a different user back in 2014. This person also indicated that their preferred meathod of payment is Western Union. When I asked for specific pics of a certain feature of the rifle, this person sent me pics from two different rifles. This person joined the group only 7 days ago and has no post history. Do not do business with this person. If you have, please begin Stop payment immediately!

Thanks for the warning! Will their account be closed or at least watched for fraud?
The following 3 users liked this post by GJB688:
C55er (08-28-2017), Jiffy73 (12-17-2020), newto (03-23-2023)
Old 08-15-2017, 11:57 AM
  #5  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Originally Posted by GJB688
Just received a reply to 2 of my WTB posts, both from the same person and with the same wording. They are a new member and wanted to be contacted by email but I replied by PM. Based on your posting, I Googled their email and found this:
Default SCAMMER ALERT!!! User bn244
This person responded to my WTB thread. When I asked for pics this person sent pics that I was able to determine were posted on this group by a different user back in 2014. This person also indicated that their preferred meathod of payment is Western Union. When I asked for specific pics of a certain feature of the rifle, this person sent me pics from two different rifles. This person joined the group only 7 days ago and has no post history. Do not do business with this person. If you have, please begin Stop payment immediately!

Thanks for the warning! Will their account be closed or at least watched for fraud?
Hi,

Thank you for letting us know, the account has been banned and all messages deleted.

Bob
The following users liked this post:
newto (03-23-2023)
Old 04-13-2018, 09:28 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
W202 Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C43 AMG
Now can I still get scammed if I have talked to the guy on the phone and he seems very real and trustworthy?...but doesn't really wanna do paypal...what do I do?...
Old 04-14-2018, 07:29 AM
  #7  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Originally Posted by W202 Life
Now can I still get scammed if I have talked to the guy on the phone and he seems very real and trustworthy?...but doesn't really wanna do paypal...what do I do?...
Did he/she ask for a payment method that is not recoverable should the part not be as described or is not sent? If the answer is yes then I would not do it. But that is your decision.

Bob
Old 04-23-2018, 11:16 AM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
Will Ng's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: New York
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
2016 Mercedes C300 Sport
Just a suggestion, I would recommend that people tag their pics in the marketplace (within a suggested timeframe) or risk getting their post deleted. This would reduce a considerable amount of bad peeps. Thanks.

Last edited by Will Ng; 04-23-2018 at 11:19 AM.
The following users liked this post:
jdgun (09-08-2019)
Old 04-29-2018, 03:05 PM
  #9  
Newbie
 
drpr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
04 CL55
Angry Scam through Ebay and Paypal by Highteckoemparts BEWARE

I was scammed through Ebay and Paypal. I bought through ebay a used Mercedes Bluetooth puck for my 04 CL55. It would not work. The car could not see it. I asked for a replacement from Highteckoemparts (ebay username), who mailed me a shipping label and a paid postage stamp (How Nice!). I returned the puck (placed in a post office box inside post office). Now he claims he never got it. He bought the postage but never provided a tracking number (THIS IS THE SCAM). Since I did not have the tracking #, Ebay closed my claim. Paypal is doing the same. Overall I will be out $150. I am trying to keep you guys and girls from being a victim like me. The seller is Serje Stopaev, out of North Hollywood. STAY AWAY from this seller if you value your money.
The following 4 users liked this post by drpr:
dj2543 (04-30-2019), kiwioz (07-28-2020), newto (03-23-2023), Vancouver (04-18-2022)
Old 09-18-2018, 04:17 PM
  #10  
e65
Senior Member
 
e65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 341
Received 55 Likes on 41 Posts
2014 E63 S model
user Mc81b, Melvin Chiang advertised oem carbon ceramic brakes on mbworld. He advertised one set sold to multiple buyers. He ships damaged rotors, sometimes with different part number, keeps the profit. Im out $6.5k

User b0kix, Solo motorsports, 6000 Jimmy carter blvd. I sold a set of Powerhaus turbos on mbworld, he offered me $3.5k USD. Wanted them ASAP for his customer so I shipped before receiving payment seeing their 4.9/5 business rating on google. He questioned whether turbine wheel was upgraded vs OEM - I told him to compare with factory turbos and pay me after his doubts were cleared. I Paid $9k to weistec for W3 compressor wheel and thousands more to Powerhaus for turbine wheel, that work was contracted to Tial. It's been almost a year since I rushed the shipment to him. He didn't pay me. Every time I asked he told me he hadnt compared side by side with Factory ones yet.
The following users liked this post:
Jiffy73 (12-17-2020)
Old 09-03-2019, 04:05 PM
  #11  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
New Scammer today

Originally Posted by Paulpeter
"A friend I met at a UPS branch mentioned he had those for sale, you should contact him at

Sure


paulpeterson633@gmail.com




apologies if this is an intrusion"
Old 09-09-2019, 07:41 AM
  #12  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Another....


Sent by: Rufustrucks
Original Content:
Quote:
Last time I got a headlight from Jake he asked if I needed one of those, you should contact him if it’s still available his gmail is

jake66193@gmail.com

I apologize if this is an intrusion
Old 09-17-2019, 12:15 PM
  #13  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Another

Sent by: Jackson21
Original Content:
Quote:
Last time I bought a headlight from Rufus he mentioned he had one for sale, hit him up and let me know what he says, here his gmail

rufusjob08@gmail.com
Old 09-17-2019, 03:54 PM
  #14  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Another

Sent by: lionc400
Original Content:
Quote:
You can try Gene Morgan,he has a W211 E-Class car cover he wants to part with.Here's his email genem365 @gmail.com
Goodluck...
Old 09-17-2019, 05:12 PM
  #15  
Junior Member
 
jmc1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 8 Posts
CLA250
almost makes you wanna do background and correlation checks for membership, doesn't it? yikes
in this day and age despite spoofing there should be ways to pinpoint the crooks' locations ... at least to within typical antennae field pattern range
and since some of these bad deals cross state lines ... all sorts of agencies can bear down and do some good especially since most damages are $$$$$
oh well sign of the times :-(
The following users liked this post:
newto (03-23-2023)
Old 09-18-2019, 08:11 AM
  #16  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Hi,

Considering that governments (at least the US) has yet to stop robo telemarketing calls, I'm not sure there is a government tech solution.

Our first line of defense is informed community members who immediately report spam and unsolicited PM referrals. Thanks!

Bob
The following users liked this post:
newto (03-23-2023)
Old 09-18-2019, 08:30 AM
  #17  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
ygmn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 2,336
Received 630 Likes on 470 Posts
2015 E400 Sedan
Turn off PM for new members until they have some number of posts on forum like 20 or so they have to work longer to get to try and SCAM people.
Also allows members to do a small background check on their posting.
The following users liked this post:
Jiffy73 (12-17-2020)
Old 09-18-2019, 10:44 AM
  #18  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Hi!

Let me rephrase my 'first line of defense' statement to read 'After they make it through the IB suite of spam filters' which are very good. It's a balance between locking down the site tightly and presenting as few road blocs to new members as safely as possible who want to place an ad or ask a question. Because of the volume of new registrations a few spammers/scammers make it through to the community. That is where we all help by reporting and removing the accounts.

Bob
Old 09-18-2019, 03:35 PM
  #19  
Junior Member
 
jmc1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 8 Posts
CLA250
well no system is perfect and guess it could be a lot worse so will count our blessings
and a thank you to all the admins who keep the wheels turning in the background
Old 09-21-2019, 04:48 PM
  #20  
Newbie
 
126.044's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
500SEC (C126)
One more:

xxxxcyone
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

BM

WTB C55 W202
Hit Spencer up at spencert319@gmail.com a good dealer, specialized in these kinda stuff. Thank me later
Old 09-21-2019, 08:12 PM
  #21  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Thank you, the account has been banned.

Bob
Old 11-15-2019, 07:23 AM
  #22  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Unsolicited PM

A very active scammer, search the email address if you have time.

"Check out Christopher in PA via Chrisjh365 @gmail.com,he has a Carlsson rear bumper and rocker panels he wants to part with."

Bob

https://mbworld.org/forums/site-anno...-scammers.html
Old 11-19-2019, 12:47 PM
  #23  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Unsolicited PM scammer

nt by: ruderrufus
Original Content:
Quote:
Dominic in boston has a 19" twin-spoke wheelset for sale,contact him via his email address dnorton164@gmail.com

you can thank me later
Old 11-19-2019, 12:50 PM
  #24  
Administrator Emeritus
Thread Starter
 
speedlimit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,408
Received 462 Likes on 348 Posts
Unsolicited PM scammer

Sent by: Johanmc11
Original Content:
Quote:
Contact Gillson Williams in Texas, He has a set of 19" AMG double spoke wheels for sale. Here's his email gillson.casandra05@gmail.com
Old 11-25-2019, 11:47 PM
  #25  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
COOPERDB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UNKNOWN
Posts: 1,270
Received 158 Likes on 127 Posts
NB8 PARACHUTE
`


I just found this thread and was very surprised -

Several months back I had posted in one of the

sub-forums looking for a specific part -

Boom - a guy who had just joined MBWORLD

p.m.'d me with his paypal info

stating that he had what I was looking for -

I was not thinking that I could be the victim

of a scam on MBWORLD but...

I dismissed and deleted his p.m. -

I will be checking this thread for both updates

and info relating to scammers -

Grateful to the O.P. -


Thank-You
D.B.


.


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:14 PM.