There have been several "alleged" scammers that I have spotted in recent months and have developed a method to eliminate suspicion. Suspicion of nefarious activity arises when the seller is new, has very few posts, and is posting high dollar items but it seems they don't know very much about the item. They claim ignorance or simply ignore requests for information or requests for detailed pictures. Of course, they don't have the part and they probably don't know much about cars. These "alleged" scammers aren't Mopar guys playing for the dark side, in my estimation, they are probably doing this in the antique tractor world, Euro, Ricer, Sportbike, Harley, ...whatever world.
This isn't a process, per se. It's a feeling based on the big picture, filter out the noise. Priced to move FAST. Faster the better (for them!) No mentions of local pick-up.
Next flag, they're new. Look at the previous posts and see if they've been conversational or if they have just posted for sale ads. I have seen some scammers post a few innocuous posts like "Cool!" , "Nice car.", and then goes to a mass of 'too good to be true' for sale ads from them. They make it clear, they're here to sell.
I also use photo searches. The latest guy showed up in January, does an innocuous intro with no follow up replies. He then goes right to posting some nice parts at really good prices. I used the awareness of the above mentioned details and saved his images then used google image search function. His FABO sale ad photos were indeed used is previous ads (by the real, original sellers) on platforms like Facebook and right here on FABO. They tend to copy ads that are about 2 years old or older.
They key with photo searches is to use simple key words WITH the image you upload to google image search. So, save image> google image search> keywords: "W5 intake for sale" or "410 Mopar stroker".... Sometimes they will use the original ad's detailed description, as in the 410 short block ad. He simply changed the price (50% less or so) and the location.
Use this in your situational awareness and you too can catch a scammer. Are they new? Is the price a great deal? Do they reply with pictures? Can you get a hit on the images history?
We've had the discussions about what can be done. Minimum post counts, time limits, ... I like it the way it is. I think buyer beware is just fine but as buyers we have to use situational awareness. The use of the image search technology really helps. Personally, I only buy from people who have been here long enough to have been in conversations about Mopars. I don't like to buy from people who ONLY post for sale ads and I especially am not buying from someone who is new and has only post for sale ads. I'll pull up their previous activity and look at the postings. Just use the tools at your disposal and it quickly becomes clear when you're dealing with a scammer.
This isn't a process, per se. It's a feeling based on the big picture, filter out the noise. Priced to move FAST. Faster the better (for them!) No mentions of local pick-up.
Next flag, they're new. Look at the previous posts and see if they've been conversational or if they have just posted for sale ads. I have seen some scammers post a few innocuous posts like "Cool!" , "Nice car.", and then goes to a mass of 'too good to be true' for sale ads from them. They make it clear, they're here to sell.
I also use photo searches. The latest guy showed up in January, does an innocuous intro with no follow up replies. He then goes right to posting some nice parts at really good prices. I used the awareness of the above mentioned details and saved his images then used google image search function. His FABO sale ad photos were indeed used is previous ads (by the real, original sellers) on platforms like Facebook and right here on FABO. They tend to copy ads that are about 2 years old or older.
They key with photo searches is to use simple key words WITH the image you upload to google image search. So, save image> google image search> keywords: "W5 intake for sale" or "410 Mopar stroker".... Sometimes they will use the original ad's detailed description, as in the 410 short block ad. He simply changed the price (50% less or so) and the location.
Use this in your situational awareness and you too can catch a scammer. Are they new? Is the price a great deal? Do they reply with pictures? Can you get a hit on the images history?
We've had the discussions about what can be done. Minimum post counts, time limits, ... I like it the way it is. I think buyer beware is just fine but as buyers we have to use situational awareness. The use of the image search technology really helps. Personally, I only buy from people who have been here long enough to have been in conversations about Mopars. I don't like to buy from people who ONLY post for sale ads and I especially am not buying from someone who is new and has only post for sale ads. I'll pull up their previous activity and look at the postings. Just use the tools at your disposal and it quickly becomes clear when you're dealing with a scammer.
