Gumtree Swag Scam

[Benduro]

Hi all,

Thought I'd post my recent experience in buying a swag off Gumtree in the hope that others do not experience a similar fate.

Below is my report:

I purchased a 'G and G Saddlery Kimberly Swag (brown)' from a person who advertised item on Gumtree.
The seller (probably shouldn't name and shame at this stage) had his mobile number listed in the ad and as such I communicated with him this way to make the purchase.
The seller removed the ad following purchase and as such I don't have an ad i.d.
The seller charged me a total of $120 for the swag and shipping from Adelaide to my home in Ocean Grove, Victoria.
The seller provided me with his bank details and I forwarded funds via direct deposit. I have a receipt from bank confirming that funds were sent to the seller's Westpac account.
Seller became very impatient and agitated when funds had not appeared within two days believing I was a scammer and saying he was going to put the item back up on Gumtree. I assured him that I was not and that he should be patient as his bank obviously hadn't cleared the funds. I did at no stage expect him to send the item without cleared funds appearing in his account.
I have made multiple attempts to contact him by phone and text. He ignores my calls but will reply by text and still makes out that I am the scammer and that he had other buyers that he could sell to.
It is now more than a week later and he has requested no further contact.
I have contacted my bank and also his and was advised that the account (in his name) is legitimate. Funds cleared from my bank on the day of transfer.
I have reported this to Gumtree and will contact the 

I consider myself to be an honest person and as such expect the same from others. This leaves a really sour taste in my mouth and a hole in my bank account.

If anyone comes across a Swag similar (they would be reasonably rare, especially the brown colour), please exercise caution before proceeding with purchase.

Ben   



Thanks,
Ben.

[Bird]

post the mobile # so he can get 100-200 phone calls asking where it is

[Oldandslow]

I would only ever buy off Gumtree if it was a pick up or cash on delivery. There are more scammers on Gumtree than there is in Nigeria. Good luck getting your money  back.

[Benduro]

Have had a bit of a search (Face tube and the like) and from what I can see the seller is an actual person in Adelaide.
So not one of those elaborate OS scams.
Would love to post the phone number but prob' not wise, besides he is sick enough of me at this stage.
Feeling stupid and sucked in and have definitely learnt some valuable lessons... Hopefully other swaggers can also learn from my mistake.

[Bird]

Have had a bit of a search (Face tube and the like) and from what I can see the seller is an actual person in Adelaide.
So not one of those elaborate OS scams.
Would love to post the phone number but prob' not wise, besides he is sick enough of me at this stage.
Feeling stupid and sucked in and have definitely learnt some valuable lessons... Hopefully other swaggers can also learn from my mistake.

he has your money... you have his **** all..

[Barry G]

Sorry to hear that Ben.
It is difficult to see how he would think it would be possible to get away with this, given that you can prove the funds have gone into his account.  I'm sure the police would be interested in your experience.

[scarpsD40]

post the mobile # so he can get 100-200 phone calls asking where it is

x2. If you don't want to post up the number, send it to a few of us who like being PITA;D

[Benduro]

Haha, appreciate the support lads but will give the Police and Gumtree a crack at it 1st.
If all else fails...

[geopaj]

What is/was the collection suburb?

Maybe an Adelaide 'Swager' could collect it in person on your behalf. At least, then you will have only lost the postage??

[scarpsD40]

Haha, appreciate the support lads but will give the Police and Gumtree a crack at it 1st.
If all else fails...

also let us know if they post up again, we know how to deal with Nigerian Princes and dot painting salesmen, 20 of us could buy but never pay;D

[Skinnee]

Always pay with PayPal if you use gumtree for the protection it offers

[Bookleaf]

Not to be a nark or anything, but there is a little message on Gum Tree, just below the sellers phone number, next to a shield
It says
"Only trade with sellers who you can meet in person and never send or wire money"

I guess this is why - more scammers on the selling side than the buying side.

Suggestion to all
If you want to buy something on Gum Tree and you can not get there in person - ask for help from a fellow swagger

[Bird]

Always pay with PayPal if you use gumtree for the protection it offers

yea... that's not its all its meant to be anymore either.

face to face or pay more and buy it local.... the only way to fly

[dales133]

Not to be a nark or anything, but there is a little message on Gum Tree, just below the sellers phone number, next to a shield
It says
"Only trade with sellers who you can meet in person and never send or wire money"

I guess this is why - more scammers on the selling side than the buying side.

Suggestion to all
If you want to buy something on Gum Tree and you can not get there in person - ask for help from a fellow swagger

Good advice book leaf but it dosn't actualy work that easily.
I quoted a job for someone who contacted me from Gumtree and they accepted my qoute in person then from the day I started they began to do what they've made a life time doing, she would have to be the biggest frontbum I've ever met and he's a total pussy that is Shit scared of her wrath.
I'd say more than a few of you use his products but as I have pending legal action and debt recovery in action I'll let you know the details in good time.

Regards dale

[Bird]

Lets be honest search the net for "Gumtree scams" or even just this forum. willions of hits...

I haven't looked at Gumtree in a few years now...

[neowatcher]

Always pay with PayPal if you use gumtree for the protection it offers

Actually, that is not safe for gumtree. Paypal does not offer buyer and seller protection on gumtree. Gumtree is primarily for face-to-face contact and cash hand-over. For that reason, be very, very careful when doing online transactions on gumtree!

When you want to have an item off gumtree through online transaction, ask the seller to post it on ebay. I just did something similar. The buyer was happy to post it on ebay and I immediately bought the item when it was available. This is the safest way for both buyer and seller as both have (some kind of) protection.

[Benduro]

What is/was the collection suburb?

Maybe an Adelaide 'Swager' could collect it in person on your behalf. At least, then you will have only lost the postage??

I don't know where in Adelaide as the seller did not provide an address. Another mistake by me
Gumtree has started investigating the matter although I'm sceptical as whether this will help me at all.
Next, I'll visit the local Police. Again this will prob' be an inconvenience and prob' not high on their priority list.

Cheers Swaggers.

[Bird]

I don't know where in Adelaide as the seller did not provide an address. Another mistake by me
Gumtree has started investigating the matter although I'm sceptical as whether this will help me at all.
Next, I'll visit the local Police. Again this will prob' be an inconvenience and prob' not high on their priority list.

Cheers Swaggers.

So u aint been to cops yet

[Benduro]

No Bird, I'm awaiting Gumtree's investigation/reply but will certainly be going down this line if I'm not satisfied with Gumtree.

Also posted on pajeroclub forum.
Would be awesome if social media could flush this low life out. It's probably a better chance than the usual channels!

[loanrangie]

Since gumtree is owned by ebay , their so called investigation will mean **** all.

[tk421]

Have you checked the Westpac account number was correct. There wasn't a digit transposed somewhere?  Either accidentally when they gave it to you or when you entered it.  Just asking because I've done that before and it took over a week for them to tell me I'd got it wrong

Otherwise hope it's sorted

If it is a scam, they've probably just used someone else's name grabbed from Facebook to seem legit, so I'd be wary of anyone attempting to seek them out by name alone

[Bird]

Since gumtree is owned by ebay , their so called investigation will mean **** all.

agree... I'd bypass bumtree and head for the cops.
but in reality I'd take a road trip... but then you don't have his addy

[Benduro]

Have you checked the Westpac account number was correct. There wasn't a digit transposed somewhere?  Either accidentally when they gave it to you or when you entered it.  Just asking because I've done that before and it took over a week for them to tell me I'd got it wrong

Otherwise hope it's sorted

If it is a scam, they've probably just used someone else's name grabbed from Facebook to seem legit, so I'd be wary of anyone attempting to seek them out by name alone

Checked with Westpac and the account is legitimate.
Will speak to the Police tomorrow.

[loanrangie]

Can you get your bank to reverse the payment ?

[oldmate]

Can you get your bank to reverse the payment ?

Yep x 2 ive done this before