92 replies to this topic

[tucstwo]

I just wanted to take this time to point out that the scammer in our market who attempted/succedded in taking our members for several hundred dollars has been busted and banned, by me.

This member used a coordinated attacked that I would call a "hit and run". Created several member names, put up multiple devices for sale at great prices. Sold them and tried to run with your money. Some of you were hit before we noticed, and please understand that I personally apologize for what's happened and I encourage you to contact PayPal, your financial institution or credit card company and pursue this to the greatest extent that you can. I intend with this thread to give you as much info as possible to prevent anyone else who isn't up to speed on the issue from getting burned any further.

The Member names of the now banned scammers are:
lizzyb
thebanders
mralex
ericcole

Aliases used on other forums:
Bret
tRobert
Garrett1
dtanner
ColtonLane

These people are now BANNED. There is no in-forum contact that can be made with them.

The Email Addresses they used were:

brettalex30@yahoo.com
colton.lane11@yahoo.com
Elizabeth.lizzy1@yahoo.com

rg.boat@yahoo.com

Also physical addresses used:
ELIZABETH LORDEN 5762 SAINT CHRISTOPHER DR #4 ORLANDO FL 32822-2311
also
Colton Lane 15604 JONES LN DARNESTOWN MD 20878-3565

Robert Gampolo-no address provided

There is a 4th which I haven't seen yet, but the member involved is welcome to post it.

This guys "MO" was to sign up, post a new member thread in the welcome forum, make a hand full of "padded posts" and then put up a newer device: Maxx or SSGS3 for a stupid cheap deal. Always saying "t's my wife's or I have 2 phones" He also used babies or young girls as his avatar. He would then rope his mark in, tell them to send it PayPal as "cash or gift" as opposed to "good and services" because he knew gifts can't be disputed.

I am happy to say that, I also caught this low-life peddling his fakes on Android.net, this actually helped me close this case as he was using ANOTHER alias there "Bret" to sell the same devices. I notified their admin and his threads were pulled there and member names banned there as well.

If ANYONE is still in contact to buy/trade with anyone going with these names, emails, etc...STOP NOW!!

This guy is bad news. Luckily at least one of his PayPal accounts have been frozen but please please please, watch out and pay attention to who you're dealing with. This guy was semi-pro. If it weren't for him signing up with all these aliases at the same time from the same ISP, I would have never figured him out.

His Scam Threads include:

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Also from other forums:

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He's also still active in at www.android.net where I nailed him again today

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I am 99% sure that I have banned all of his alias accounts and locked down all his threads here (and else where) but for the next week or so, be vigilant because this sleaze ball can still be around, and if you buy on other forums be aware of his aliases and MO.

As you may or may not know, we have implemented new

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for the Market. I know it's a drag to have to have new, stringent rules but it beats the alternative which is having no open market at all and just using Swappa. This is an awesome site, with an amazing community of people, we all would prefer to NOT have to kill the for sale section but we are out for our members protection FIRST. I think it's safe to say it's over.

I just wanted to make it clear that it was not a group of scammers but rather 1 clown using sock puppets trying to ruin everyone's day. From now on, I will be watching to Market forum because I personally would like us to be able to keep it. Please follow the new guidelines and help another person out.


Thank You All Again!

[Chuckleb0ne]

Nice work! The guidelines for the new market aren't hard to get at all. It is not a big deal people, i actually prefer it! Thanks TUSCTWO!

[Thach]

I would like to thank TucsTwo for all the work he did on this. As soon as we were notified of these activities, we talked about a course of action and the rest is history. Tucstwo and I talked throughout this whole ordeal and it was very apparent that the members protection and well being were his top priority. He informed he of his every step and because of his quick response, we were able to narrow down who was involved.

I'm glad he posted all of this for a couple of reasons.
1. So anyone thinking of trying this again knows that we are watching.
2. To reassure you the members that we aren't sitting back idly. We are being as proactive as can be without putting restrictions and being too controlling over things.

Thanks again to everyone involved in catching this guy before he got away with everyone's hard earned cash

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

[xlightwaverx]

Nicely done Tucs...

So anyone wanna buy a cheap phone?



X

[tucstwo]

Nicely done Tucs...

So anyone wanna buy a cheap phone?



X

I'm sure we all do.. Just make sure u follow the damn guidelines, lol

[eek88dj]

Im glad he got caught. I don't buy online from a person u cant trust them.

[Maxxaholic]

Good job! Did their ip address get banned as well? Glad they got caught! I hope the ppl that were scammed get their money back some how from their banks or something :/

Sent from my Droid Razr using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

[tucstwo]

Good job! Did their ip address get banned as well? Glad they got caught! I hope the ppl that were scammed get their money back some how from their banks or something :/

Sent from my Droid Razr using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

Most but not all members had some kind of legal recourse with paypal/their financial institution. But sadly, to the best of my knowledge I can't say with 100% certainty that everyone was refunded. Not because they weren't, only because I wasn't notified.

Sadly with mobile phone broadband these days almost every time you turn your phone on you're assigned a new IP address. So when dealing with a scammer posting from a new, yet similar ip address with every thread/post is rough when it comes to banning.

[priddyma]

When I first saw one of those threads by LizzyB I was suspicious... seemed way too good to be true...
People like this are what ruins being able to trade/sell items in communities...

[Hero_Indeed]

Well done, I applaud your effort and vigilance!

[snchz403]

hey good job for watching out for us i know i can trust this fourm many thanks!

[superrelaxx]

Good job, detective!

[Nubia1]

Who is this person?

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[medic7046]

The email LizzyB used was Elizabeth.lizzy1@yahoo.com

[Nnnnr12]

Sickens me.. truly I'm happy to report that I contacted PayPal and I should be getting a refund for the full $380 next week I think, cause it takes up to 10 days.

[Thach]

Sickens me.. truly I'm happy to report that I contacted PayPal and I should be getting a refund for the full $380 next week I think, cause it takes up to 10 days.

Glad to hear you were able to get things figured out. I've also confirmed that the same person running scams here was also on Phandroid.com. I'm sending out notifications to other big sites to get the word out.

Sent from my Motorola Xyboard

[robthefive0]

Unfortunately the criminals are always 1 step ahead of those chasing them. This person will be back. People, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

[Thach]

Unfortunately the criminals are always 1 step ahead of those chasing them. This person will be back. People, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

I believe you are correct and to think this person won't try again would be just lying to ourselves. I think we do have a good idea of what to look for now and will be more prepared than before. I know for sure of 3 other sites that they have hit and spreading the word about this is something we can all do. Lets make this guys chances of success very minimal.

[Nubia1]

Who is this person if he's been caught, who is he?

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