WARNING!!! PSA SCAM

[aemsee]

I was taken on Kubota parts. A "member" sent me an e mail that Rida Mech had parts I was looking for. Contacted "them" and they sent a few pics. Decided on a grill assembly for $240 shipped. That was a month ago. Zero contact from them after they said item was being shipped.
Just searched on line and found same scam by same people being run on other automotive sites. Just pissed at myself. Here is the address I mailed the check to:
Marie Osbey
20919 Birnamwood Blvd
#937
Humble Tx 77338

 

[OntheRidge]

Google maps says that address is a bookstore...I hate thieves!

 

[#40Fan]

If anyone gives you someone else's email address saying they have the part you're needing, it is a scam.

 

[Mrlunchbox]

Sucker born every day as they say. Bottom feeders are the worst scum.

 

[aemsee]

Sucker born every day as they say. Bottom feeders are the worst scum.

Thanks. I enjoy being called a sucker. Makes things much better.

 

[NCL4701]

Thanks for the heads up and reminder to be cautious.

Kind of unusual thing about that scam is a real person had to be at that address to receive the check, endorse the check, and cash the check. It would be near impossible to get law enforcement or a DA interested in criminal prosecution of a $240 fraud claim where they have to prove intent to deceive in the creation of the contract, not just a failure to perform.

You clearly have a breach of contract action (civil case). If you and they lived close enough to each other for it to be practical to drive to a courthouse with jurisdiction to file, have them served, and show up for a hearing, depending on the cost of small claims type court in your area, it might be worth pursuing on your own without a lawyer. But with them in an apartment in Texas and you in New York, the costs involved would be several thousand dollars at a minimum. Even if you got a judgement that included your costs (far from guaranteed), chances of collecting from a scammer renting an apartment isn’t great. They’d likely just ignore it because you can’t execute a judgement and seize assets from people who have no assets.

To me, the thing that really sucks is they can sit there in their home in Texas, pulling the same crap over and over with impunity because they know all of the above. Pretty disgusting.

Sorry this happened to you. Probably doesn’t make you feel any better, but before I retired, I dealt with a wide variety of fraud. I’ve known some really smart and business savvy people who, for a variety of reasons, lost money to scammers.

BTW, this is the location per Google Maps.

 

[aemsee]

Thanks for the heads up and reminder to be cautious.

Kind of unusual thing about that scam is a real person had to be at that address to receive the check, endorse the check, and cash the check. It would be near impossible to get law enforcement or a DA interested in criminal prosecution of a $240 fraud claim where they have to prove intent to deceive in the creation of the contract, not just a failure to perform.

You clearly have a breach of contract action (civil case). If you and they lived close enough to each other for it to be practical to drive to a courthouse with jurisdiction to file, have them served, and show up for a hearing, depending on the cost of small claims type court in your area, it might be worth pursuing on your own without a lawyer. But with them in an apartment in Texas and you in New York, the costs involved would be several thousand dollars at a minimum. Even if you got a judgement that included your costs (far from guaranteed), chances of collecting from a scammer renting an apartment isn’t great. They’d likely just ignore it because you can’t execute a judgement and seize assets from people who have no assets.

To me, the thing that really sucks is they can sit there in their home in Texas, pulling the same crap over and over with impunity because they know all of the above. Pretty disgusting.

Sorry this happened to you. Probably doesn’t make you feel any better, but before I retired, I dealt with a wide variety of fraud. I’ve known some really smart and business savvy people who, for a variety of reasons, lost money to scammers.

BTW, this is where they live per Google Maps.
View attachment 177196

I am going to contact the Humble Police tomorrow. At least give them a heads up, tho I guess they already know. Also going to talk with my Credit Union to let them know. Thanks

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I am going to contact the Humble Police tomorrow. At least give them a heads up, tho I guess they already know. Also going to talk with my Credit Union to let them know. Thanks

Calling the Humble P.D. will be a waste of your time.
P.D.'s don't deal with civil issues.
You can talk to your C.U. but sadly you have probably done everything too late.

 

[Bee-Positive]

As you say - check with your credit union to see if there's anything they can help with.

 

[PaulL]

Some PDs in smaller locations might take the time to go door knock and say "we're on to you." Might at least make them move location.

 

[D2Cat]

I had this happen tome about 10 years ago. I did have his address and had corresponded with him a few times, he just never sent the item, but said he did. I found a town a few miles from his address and told him I had family there and was going to be visiting soon. I'd stop by and see him when I was in the area. Some time later the item arrived.

 

[GeoHorn]

I am going to contact the Humble Police tomorrow. At least give them a heads up, tho I guess they already know. Also going to talk with my Credit Union to let them know. Thanks

The Justice of the Peace, of that precinct would get more action for you. It costs $5 to file a small claims in JP court. Also, the state atty general has a consumer fraud division that might take action.

From the atty gen website:

• • Report the fraud directly to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by calling their toll-free hotline at 1-800-621-0508 or by filing an online report through the Texas Attorney General Consumer Complaint Portal. [1]

Unfortunately….in Texas…our Attorney General is Ken Paxton,… HIMSELF a Cheat, Fraud, Adulterer and Liar …and is running for U.S. Senate with You know Who’s endorsement….

 

[skeets]

Well that just plain sucks, and as for you being called a sucker I dont think that was meant as a cut, just an old saying PT Barnum said it I think. Sad thing is we all would like to take people at face value, but times have changed and not for the better I fear. Though it might be worth a road trip just to see the country, and see if they have brush fires down that way.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Sad to hear. I was scammed about 5 years ago for a second hand auto part. I advertised what I was looking for on Gumtree (not sure if you have it in the US), someone answered with a photo. I paid $100 and when the item hadn't arrived in a couple of weeks I started to wonder. He always had good reasons in our text exchanges. I google searched the photo he sent me and found it somewhere else. I felt pretty stupid.

I ended up reporting it to the police here along with copies of all of the communication with the scammer. They ended up catching the bloke who was a fairly prolific scammer, sometimes for items with several thousand dollars, as they had received many complaints - enough to put it all together and work out who it was and where they lived. Last I heard he ended up spending some time in jail.

What I learnt from this - if I ever advertise what I'm looking for I'll only ever respond to someone I know is trustworthy or where I can view the thing before I pay for it. It seems there are scammers just sitting and waiting for exactly this opportunity, but I don't reckon they'll get me again.