Possible Mobile Phone Supplier - Scam? Need some help here

Greetings,

I'm new to the site and looking to get into the e-bay market. Like everyone I'd like to make a bajillion dollars by working very little at home but honestly I'd be happy just to make an extra hundred or more dollars a month. Anyways I've been looking all over the net for suppliers. I first started looking for Seiko watches and then cell phones but really have only found the Chinese suppliers that only take wire transfer and western union so I'm hesitant. Anyways, I've found a guy in the UK and was hoping some of you UK people could help me do a little research on him. Below is some e-mails we've been sending back and forth.



--- Link hidden: Login to view wrote:

From: paul cooper
To: Link hidden: Login to view
Subject: Cell phones
Date: Sat, 27 May 2006 09:21:58 -0700 (PDT)

Mr. Abell,

You recently sent me a message/reply through alibaba.com asking me to e-mail you about price list and other information. If you could please send me a list of your prodcuts and their related prices I'd really appreciate. Also make sure to tell me what all is included with a cell phone and if it comes with its original box. Also please let me know if they are unlocked and need sim cards. What is the minimum size order and would you allow me to order 1 to 5 phones just to sample your services before I make a bigger commitment? Finally do you offer drop shipping and if not would you be willing to drop ship for a little extra money per phone?

Regards,
Paul



Hello,

All the products are brand new with warranty. I am located in London, United Kingdom and I buy with a good price from a discount store.
Payment for first deal: Wire transfer for a fast and easy deal(if you pay today you get the package in 48h at your door).
Shipping : UPS 2 day air insured.
Shipping, insurance and handling taxes to your location are paid by me.
Min order is: $1,000US. Discounts for orders larger than $1,500US.

Edit The Following is a very long price list

Here is the price list:

MOTOROLA V872 $130
MOTOROLA V878 $140
MOTOROLA V300 $110
MOTOROLA RAZR V3 $105
MOTOROLA RAZR V3i $110
MOTOROLA V600 $120
MOTOROLA V600i $130
MOTOROLA V80 $110
MOTOROLA MPx220 $95

NOKIA 2650 $30
NOKIA 3100 $35
NOKIA 3108 $40
NOKIA 3120 $40
NOKIA 3200 $40
NOKIA 3220 $40
NOKIA 3230 $40
NOKIA 3300 $40
NOKIA 3660 $40
NOKIA 5140 $45
NOKIA 6170 $50
NOKIA 6020 $50
NOKIA 6060 $60
NOKIA 6108 $60
NOKIA 6111 $90
NOKIA 6680 $120
NOKIA 6681 $220
NOKIA 6100 $65
NOKIA 6220 $90
NOKIA 6260 $100
NOKIA 6620 $100
NOKIA 6630 $110
NOKIA 6230 $85
NOKIA 6600 $80
NOKIA 6610i $80
NOKIA 6670 $140
NOKIA 6800 $105
NOKIA 6810 $105
NOKIA 6820 $110
NOKIA 7610 $120
NOKIA 7600 $135
NOKIA 7250i $80
NOKIA 7260 $100
NOKIA 7270 $110
NOKIA 7280 $125
NOKIA 7710 $130
NOKIA 7200 $130
NOKIA 7700 $90
NOKIA 8800 $145
NOKIA 8910i $115
NOKIA 8850 $100
NOKIA N70 $140
NOKIA N90 $150
NOKIA N91 $240
NOKIA N-GAGE $110
NOKIA N-GAGE QD $120
NOKIA 9210I COMMUNICATOR $110
NOKIA 9300 COMMUNICATOR $140
NOKIA 9500 COMMUNICATOR $150

SAMSUNG S200 $50
SAMSUNG S300M $60
SAMSUNG S500 $60
SAMSUNG V200 $70
SAMSUNG X100 $50
SAMSUNG X400 $60
SAMSUNG X410 $60
SAMSUNG X430 $65
SAMSUNG X600 $70
SAMSUNG X460 $70
SAMSUNG X120 $40
SAMSUNG x450 $40
SAMSUNG D100 $25
SAMSUNG D410 $70
SAMSUNG D500 $80
SAMSUNG D600 $85
SAMSUNG D700 $90
SAMSUNG E105 $35
SAMSUNG E100 $30
SAMSUNG E400 $40
SAMSUNG E500 $50
SAMSUNG E330 $40
SAMSUNG E310 $40
SAMSUNG E300 $40
SAMSUNG E600 $60
SAMSUNG E610 $60
SAMSUNG E800 $70
SAMSUNG E810 $75
SAMSUNG E630 $70
SAMSUNG E700 $65
SAMSUNG E715 $70
SAMSUNG E410 $50
SAMSUNG C100 $20
SAMSUNG C110 $30
SAMSUNG Z105 $60
SAMSUNG P510 $75
SAMSUNG P705 $80
SAMSUNG P500 $75
SAMSUNG P730 $80

SONY ERICSSON K500 $70
SONY ERICSSON K500I $75
SONY ERICSSON P800 $100
SONY ERICSSON P900 $130
SONY ERICSSON P910 $150
SONY ERICSSON P910i $160
SONY ERICSSON T230 $50
SONY ERICSSON T310 $60
SONY ERICSSON T610 $70
SONY ERICSSON Z1010 $110
SONY ERICSSON Z200 $60
SONY ERICSSON S710 $90
SONY ERICSSON F500i $70
SONY ERICSSON S700 $90
SONY ERICSSON K700 $70
SONY ERICSSON Z500 $70
SONY ERICSSON T630 $60
SONY ERICSSON Z600 $90
SONY ERICSSON T230 $40
SONY ERICSSON T105 $20
SONY ERICSSON T100 $20
SONY ERICSSON T600 $30
SONY ERICSSON T300 $20
SONY ERICSSON T200 $20
SONY ERICSSON Z700 $80
SONY ERICSSON T68i $35
SONY ERICSSON W600 $105
SONY ERICSSON W900i $135

The phones are brand new in their original boxes with one year international warranty. The phones are unlocked for any network. The
phones come with all accessories: car kit, car charger, hands free, manuals etc. You will have 15 days to inspect the merchandise and if you are not satisfied you will be fully refunded within 48 hours. Any damaged unit will be either replaced or refunded in full.

I can provide references so if you need any please let me know. Also I can drop ship for the same prices.

Best regards!
John Abell


--- Link hidden: Login to view wrote:

From: paul cooper
To: Link hidden: Login to view
Subject: Re: Cell phones
Date: Sun, 28 May 2006 12:11:15 -0700 (PDT)

John,

Thanks for the quick response and I'd like to do business with you. Would you let me buy 1 or 2 phones so I know everything is legit and running smoothly? After I receive the first 1 or 2 phones then I can know what to expect from you then I'll place a larger order to at least meet the minimum $1000.

Regards,
Paul



Hi,

I have always used wire for faster deals. And never had problems. I buy and sell a lot each week and I have references to confirm for me. I am serious and run a legit business.

Here are the contact details of a few customers as references. Please contact them and ask about me:

KTR Ltd Las Vegas NV US Link hidden: Login to view
Karl Sandzimier Ontario, CA Link hidden: Login to view
Tod Sisk New York US Link hidden: Login to view
James Mack Montreal, Canada Link hidden: Login to view
Michael Iosue Painesville, OH Link hidden: Login to view

Thanks
John



Alright, so he is supposed to be in the UK so he shouldn't have a problem with CC or Paypal and he never really comes out and states he won't accept them just says he always uses wire transfers. Now I haven't e-mailed any of his references and was wondering what you guys think I should do. For all I know his references could just be his other e-mail accounts.

What I'm thinking of doing right now is e-mail his references and ask him if he can take any pictures for Proof of Stock and if he would be willing to go through CC or paypal for my first several payments. If any of you some suggestions I would really appreciate it. Alos if any of you could help me with a background check and or also e-mail his references and see if they are legit I'd really appreciate it.

I would email those people and see what they say. I would post up the replies and see if the people have the same style of wording.

Its hard to see if he is legitamite or not. I almost got scammed by a guy called Benny who was selling face plates. He was selling them at 8cents US and would only sell in bundles of 100 each design. I asked for refrences and samples and he said he would let me do 1 order with MO of 100 total. He would only accept wire transfer tho. I was almost going to do it but i had an odd feeling and left it. He emailed me once after that when i said i couldnt afford to do the deal he wanted. Now his website seem to have dissapeared!

Just be very careful when someone only accepts wiretransfer or western union.

let us know how you get on

Its a scam 100%. I promise. Ive dealt with companies in alibaba with a pricelist like that before. Scammers love the lists because they can copy and plug in thier own numbers. Im kinda a pro at this so lemme point out the holes in his story for ya.

1.) Website...where is it?
2.) Emails...You mean to say all those companies dont have thier own websites with an email with their domain at the end?
3.) References...They have no phone numbers?
4.) Min orders are usually in units, not in dollar amount.
5.) Do you know how much 2nd day air costs from China to London **edit: even from Uk to UK its pricey??? (a buttload)
6.) The shipping alone is scary, but the prices of the phones are very very low, too low.
7.) So if u have $1000 worth of the cheap phones, and he ships them 2nd day air, if its honest u can get about 5-7 phones. So a phone with box is about 1-2 pounds, for a total of 5-14 pounds. Actual shipping u can est at 15-25 per pound, so thats 75-350 to ship 2nd day air.
8.) Oh and yes, you can also add all the so called fees hell have to pay on his own and deduct that as well. Its not hard to see now that with what money he has made left, theres no profit.
9.) lemme tell you why he wants 1000-1500. scammers love nice even numbers.
10.) Wanna test him? Ask him for pictures of his warehouse, or ask for him to fax or send you his company documents. See how fast he dodges the quesitons:P.

Hope this sheds some light on your situation!

-Benjamin

that is really helpfull for me alone. thanks so much!!!

No problem, anyway I can help is great for me. I dont wanna see anyone fall for a scam if they dont have to, it such a headache. If anyone needs some advice on things like these feel free to ask like dragon did. If he didnt ask, he could have lost a lot of money. If anyone needs some pointers how to point out scammers, I suggest posting their experiences with that potential company like dragon did, emails and such, so we can better pick the points in the email that are trademark patterns of scammers. I've personally come across many scams, so many that I had to create my own way of investigating companies from scratch. If we combine our resources we can better identify scammers.

P.S. You might want to read up on the new blog about this subject.
Link hidden: Login to view


-Benjamin

Oh and some more information on Mr. John Abell.

If you type it in its a contruction company. I know that there are many John abell's in the world, but scammers usually pick names like that. Also, try to put two and two together, if he is from China(I know in this case he isnt), his name better be Chinese...or at least a knockoff American name that sounds like Thomas Choo or something. An American/English first and last name for someone in China is a sign for caution.

Centercorp,
you said it....after reading your post you have opened my eyes a little bit more. Thanks.

i know most of that is commom sense but you have to actully READ it to see it.

great post

Roger that, Thanks :)


-Benjamin

Nice spotting Ben.

Though I do have one small issue with one of your statements. I don't deal in electronics, so that may normally be minimum orders by pieces, but for some of the stuff I've been dealing in or looking into, including clothes, jewelry, body jewelry, etc, most places I've looked at have minimum dollar amount orders. Most body jewelry sites have a $100 minimum order. One clothing site I've been checking out starts you with a $500 minimum order... stuff like that. So minimum dollar orders aren't always a sign of a scam. (and the body jewelry company I ordered from is legit and I got my stuff with no problems... and the clothing outlet is certified by ebay - I actually found them while wandering aimlessly through various areas of ebay)

Otherwise, everything you said sounded right on mark.

Roger that. I guess I should have been more specific. I meant that on trade sites such as alaibaba or e2trade, ect. and not the company's website itself. The minimum orders in cash values are usually signs of a scam.


-Benjamin

Ah, ok... that makes sense. :)

Something I love about this place is I learn at least one new thing each day. :D

Ditto! By the way I love how fast the replies come in....I love outlook( or should I say automatic email notification)!


-Benjamin

I've send out some e-mails to the references and requested some pics with a recent newspaper and business docs. I also stated that I'd have to build up a relationship first if I was to ever use wire transfers and that since he lives in the UK he should be able to use CC or Paypal no problem.

Great! Try to get his references' numbers. That is how you'll know for sure. Also his address, try to google earth it or type it in google and see what comes up. If its a hotel, no go :).



-Benjamin

Great! Try to get his references' numbers. That is how you'll know for sure. Also his address, try to google earth it or type it in google and see what comes up. If its a hotel, no go :).

Roger. If I get their phone numbers I hope I've got enough minutes on my cell to give them a ring. I may even see if any of these people would be willing to sell me smaller secure orders.

Usually he wont be able to give you the numbers, hell say something like he has to protect his sources or something like that. If he does give the nubmers to you Im in Texas and I have free nationwide calling, Ill call them for you. All those hotmail addresses are way too fishy, anyone can make a hotmail address, and its not real professional. If they were baller enough they'd spend 20 bucks to get thier own domain name and email. But nonetheless I hope for the best for ya, however Im positive its a scam.


-Benjamin

always check scam watches guys!!!

Yes, my companies also have dollar amount minimums so that is not unusual. Also I have a very good friend who is Chinese/American and his name is Larry Wu! So Thomas Choo cant be all bad...

Oh god! I'm worried after reading this, I've just bought 20 mobile phones from a guy on ebay, I had to pay with Western Union, are they dodgy?

what is the username of the guy? Whats his feedback rating? Do you have any contact information on him?



-Benjamin

the mobile phones were advertised on ebay as a 'buy it now' purchase, & if you wanted to make a purchase you email the guy at Link hidden: Login to view with your ebay user name, how many phones you wanted to order, your name & address. then I had to wait for an invoice to be emailed me from ebay, when that came it stated that payment was to be made via Western Union office & once it had been done I had to email the payment number to him.

payment was made today, an email has been sent telling him that I've paid for the phones & he replied saying I would receive a tracking number shortly.......

We've been scammed, fake emails claiming to be from eBay.

Oh and some more information on Mr. John Abell.

If you type it in its a contruction company. I know that there are many John abell's in the world, but scammers usually pick names like that. Also, try to put two and two together, if he is from China(I know in this case he isnt), his name better be Chinese...or at least a knockoff American name that sounds like Thomas Choo or something. An American/English first and last name for someone in China is a sign for caution.

That doesn't mean Jack. Asians always have english translations of their name and they always use their Ensligh name when dealing with western customers.


Another way to ask for proof is to ask him for previous tracking numbers of customers.
But the most obivious part of that scam is the prices. Nokia can't even make them that cheap!
If you want to play around with him just give a Western Union MTCN of an order that's already been claimed or just make up 10 random numbers and tell him it's the Western Union payment and he can pick it up. It pisses them off when they've found out that they're the ones getting played. I done that to a Romanian scammer once :lol:

EVERYBODY should do read ezines of online scammers, just google your questions before actually trying to hunt wholesalers first.

i thought i struck gold with a VERY similar list and contact,

but as soon as this guy rang me, pushing me to get my money by western union, my gut instinct felt very off and something told me to look up 'Nigeria wholesalers'

and guess what?

i missed the bullet!

just look up 'online scams' on google.

If your looking for online phones,

try dropshippernetwork.com

i have ordered a psp from them and was very impressed with fast delivery and quality of product.

I always ring before hand to inform them i submitted money and then after giving them the details. good to work with, professional.

just look at the prices i can see straight up its a scam obviously you are new to the bb sites only deal with the gold trustpass members as even some of the plain trustpass members have been revealed as frauds

this is all very fustrating

Damn I really feel bad for the ebay person who got taken for the 20 phones, and everyone has just brushed them off...are they still registered? What was the username?

Great to see another New Zealander! Good luck with the phones... But stay away from those people! Thanks

My friend said he thinks
Link hidden: Login to view
is legit?

I would email those people and see what they say. I would post up the replies and see if the people have the same style of wording.

Its hard to see if he is legitamite or not. I almost got scammed by a guy called Benny who was selling face plates. He was selling them at 8cents US and would only sell in bundles of 100 each design. I asked for refrences and samples and he said he would let me do 1 order with MO of 100 total. He would only accept wire transfer tho. I was almost going to do it but i had an odd feeling and left it. He emailed me once after that when i said i couldnt afford to do the deal he wanted. Now his website seem to have dissapeared!


SIR TO MY KNOWLEDGE ANY NOKIA 8800 AT $145 IS A FAKE, NOKIA REALLY CONTROLLED THEIR PRICE, AND NOKIA NEVER HAVE INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY, THE WARRANTY IS ONLY VALID AT THE COUNTY WHERE IT IS DISTRIBUTE ONLY, YOU CAN WRITE TO NOKIA.COM TO VERIFIED THIS, THANK YOU
Just be very careful when someone only accepts wiretransfer or western union.

let us know how you get on