Beware of Trade Me Paypal scammers from Ghana

**inazuma1200** · 5th November 2014, 21:35

Originally Posted by atroberts

Just got an email from this asshole about a car I've got listed on TradeMe. Same pattern: text, then the same email about their son in dubai.

Thanks for posting everyone! Saves me a lot of wasted time.

For JaseH: I haven't got enough site involvement to send a PM, so here is the text. The number I received it from came up as '538' at 8:24 am this morning. I use Vodafone.

"i want to know if your vehicle on trademe is still available. Kindly email me on comfortdias@gmail.com as this is urgent."

LOL cant believe they use the same format for every text and the same gmail account...i think we should spam the email with midget porn etc.

**inazuma1200** · 5th November 2014, 21:38

Originally Posted by Paulo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MTFauI8INY

wire me the monies!!!!!!

hahaha it was actually a little less convincing than that.

**Jase H** · 6th November 2014, 07:39

Here's what to do. Some of it may be a bit bloody obvious, but at least it's all here. (Mods - if you think this is best placed somewhere else for everyone to see, go ahead.)

1. Do NOT reply to any of these texts. If they are coming from a number that looks like what is known as a short code (e.g. 1234), you could get billed for sending a premium text. Also, if it's the "You've won a million dollars"-type texts, they're simply sending to sequential numbers (020000000, 020000001, 020000002, etc). So, replying to these messages gives you away as being a real cell phone number.

2. Also, if the text looks like it came from a short code, check your phone bill/ credit balance to make sure you haven't been ripped off to receive the text.

3. Forward all texts to 7726 (if you look at the associated letters on a keypad, it spells SPAM). This is a free service run by the Department of Internal Affairs to report unsolicited/ suspicious messages. They can look into this.

4. Finally, contact your carrier (Vodafone, Spark, 2-degrees, Skinny) and report it. If this came from a messaging system run in NZ, they can follow it up. The legitimate messaging companies work with the carriers on this and have a strict policy on unsolicited messaging. We can get the accounts deactivated. If the short code is actually a spoof from an international source, it may be possible to follow up overseas and/ or put a block on that source.

Hope this helps.

**awa355** · 7th November 2014, 15:27

He cant have liked your Kwaka very much. Our marine biologist is now wanting to buy my neighbours Hyo 250.

**Akzle** · 7th November 2014, 16:02

Originally Posted by awa355

He cant have liked your Kwaka very much. Our marine biologist is now wanting to buy my neighbours Hyo 250.

no-one wants to buy your neighbour's hyo250.

**awa355** · 7th November 2014, 16:12

Originally Posted by Akzle

no-one wants to buy your neighbour's hyo250.

My uncle from Ghana does.

**Gremlin** · 7th November 2014, 16:25

Originally Posted by Jase H

Here's what to do. Some of it may be a bit bloody obvious, but at least it's all here. (Mods - if you think this is best placed somewhere else for everyone to see, go ahead.)

Thanks for the tips Jase. Timely thread indeed, as I have a ute for sale on TM. Got a txt this afternoon (not this same fella) but same vein...

Since I'm with Spark, they actually re-iterate the advice of reporting to DIA: http://help.spark.co.nz/app/answers/...-text-messages

**Bean** · 7th November 2014, 19:11

I received this email from Trade Me, the day after I was contacted by Comfort Dias!

We have concerns about a member who recently viewed your Trade Me Motors listing(s). They were not legitimate and may make contact and attempt to defraud you by asking you to make a payment offshore or directing you to a fraudulent website. Do not do this.

Never pay via Western Union or make a payment overseas.

If you click a link in an email or text message, make sure you check the website address you're being sent to. For Trade Me, the URL in the address bar will always start with http://www.trademe.co.nz/

We can’t point you at a specific membership/person to look out for as the fraudsters are based offshore and are not likely to contact you through a compromised Trade Me membership. They generally make contact via anonymous text messages and differing email addresses.

**allycatz** · 10th November 2014, 08:45

Got similar email yesterday.Buying for son and buyer is marine biologist working on rig off the coast of Australia.Have not replied back

**imdying** · 10th November 2014, 13:00

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

lets all email him about our shit for sale. Or just shit generally

I sent him some still shots from everyones favourite chocolate pudding guide, 2 girls 1 cup...

**mashman** · 10th November 2014, 13:27

**inazuma1200** · 11th November 2014, 23:33

Originally Posted by imdying

I sent him some still shots from everyones favourite chocolate pudding guide, 2 girls 1 cup...

ROFL good shit

nickmorrell · 24th November 2014, 19:20

After chasing your probably awesome bikes, he/she has decided she/he would rather have a Gn250... Good choice obviously but since the email has the same format, its been easy to find links online, not to mention trademes email of warning. I wish it was possible to get some detective work in this. If I were a detective or police officer or who ever does study into this, i would...

Continue emailing and do as this comfort asks, wait for the pick up guy come and collect the bike and discuss with that person who the bike is going to.
The person collection most likely wouldnt know but would know where the bike is going.
Then contact authorities of where the bike is going and discuss a fake transfer to the person with a bike from the country its meant to be going. Then, being a set up and all...
the authorities arrest who ever is scamming, would be to nice keep the money though of course.

just a dream

**mossy1200** · 24th November 2014, 20:27

Originally Posted by inazuma1200

LOL cant believe they use the same format for every text and the same gmail account...i think we should spam the email with midget porn etc.

Im not sending my midget porn. Last thing I need is for the site to be closed.

**JimO** · 24th November 2014, 21:42

Originally Posted by nickmorrell

After chasing your probably awesome bikes, he/she has decided she/he would rather have a Gn250... Good choice obviously but since the email has the same format, its been easy to find links online, not to mention trademes email of warning. I wish it was possible to get some detective work in this. If I were a detective or police officer or who ever does study into this, i would...

Continue emailing and do as this comfort asks, wait for the pick up guy come and collect the bike and discuss with that person who the bike is going to.
The person collection most likely wouldnt know but would know where the bike is going.
Then contact authorities of where the bike is going and discuss a fake transfer to the person with a bike from the country its meant to be going. Then, being a set up and all...
the authorities arrest who ever is scamming, would be to nice keep the money though of course.

just a dream

there never is a pick up guy, they dont want the bike they want your money