• FAQ  • Search  • Memberlist  • Usergroups   • Register   • Profile  • Log in to check your private messages  • Log in 

BEWARE Scammer on Marketplace "Ngoc Tran"


Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> trumpetherald.com
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
theslawdawg
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 843
Location: Waikiki, Hawaii

PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:56 pm    Post subject: BEWARE Scammer on Marketplace "Ngoc Tran" Reply with quote

Just wanted to warn everyone about someone that was inquiring about a horn I'm selling. I don't know how to post screenshots otherwise I would, but his last email to me was this:

"So tell me the final asking price.how is the condition of the item and i would love to come and see the item but presently i'm located back to San Jose California but don't worry about the pickup of the items and i will arrange for the pickup of the items..Also i would like to sent the certified check or money order for the payment of the item.I will be glad to read back from you soon.Thanks Ngoc"

Obviously not falling for it. His email is:

ngoctran2484@gmail.com

When I told him what I do for a living and did he really want to go down this road....I did not get a reply back.
_________________
My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tpt_Guy
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1101
Location: Sacramento, Ca

PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 9:14 pm    Post subject: Re: BEWARE Scammer on Marketplace "Ngoc Tran" Reply with quote

theslawdawg wrote:
When I told him what I do for a living and did he really want to go down this road....I did not get a reply back.


Now this raises a question - what do you do for a living?
_________________
-Tom Hall-

"A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence."
-Bruce Lee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
theslawdawg
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 843
Location: Waikiki, Hawaii

PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 9:24 pm    Post subject: Re: BEWARE Scammer on Marketplace "Ngoc Tran" Reply with quote

Tpt_Guy wrote:
theslawdawg wrote:
When I told him what I do for a living and did he really want to go down this road....I did not get a reply back.


Now this raises a question - what do you do for a living?



_________________
My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
TrumpetMD
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 2410
Location: Maryland

PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 4:45 am    Post subject: Re: BEWARE Scammer on Marketplace "Ngoc Tran" Reply with quote

Tpt_Guy wrote:
Now this raises a question - what do you do for a living?

He could tell you, but then he'd have to kill you.

More seriously, thanks to the OP for the warning.

Mike
_________________
Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Bach Stradivarius 184 Cornet (1988), Yamaha 13E4 Mouthpiece
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jadickson
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 23 Jun 2006
Posts: 1294
Location: Raleigh, NC

PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 6:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

yep he sent me an email too
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
kehaulani
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 8965
Location: Hawai`i - Texas

PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Living? theslawdawg spends his time hanging at Waikiki, drinking Mai Tais and watching the mainland co-eds go by. That's living!
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Getzen Capri Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
theslawdawg
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 843
Location: Waikiki, Hawaii

PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 8:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kehaulani wrote:
Living? theslawdawg spends his time hanging at Waikiki, drinking Mai Tais and watching the mainland co-eds go by. That's living!


Listen, it's hard doing all that stuff.....hard I tell you!!!
_________________
My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
kehaulani
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 8965
Location: Hawai`i - Texas

PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

theslawdawg wrote:
kehaulani wrote:
Living? theslawdawg spends his time hanging at Waikiki, drinking Mai Tais and watching the mainland co-eds go by. That's living!


Listen, it's hard doing all that stuff.....hard I tell you!!!


_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Getzen Capri Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
trumpetherald
System Administrator


Joined: 25 Oct 2001
Posts: 1493
Location: USA

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Confirmed that this is a scammer. The same old tricks, don't fall for it.

-td
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
JetJaguar
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 20 Nov 2006
Posts: 1504
Location: Vancouver, BC

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What makes that message from Ngoc scammy? If he sent a certified bank check and it cleared, wouldn't that be OK?
_________________
1938 Martin Handcraft Imperial #2 bore, 38 bell
Connstellation 7B-N mouthpiece

I'm looking for a Connstellation 5C-N or 5B-N mouthpiece

www.jazzscales.org

The Coady Strengthening Exercises: http://coady.coolwarm.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
theslawdawg
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 843
Location: Waikiki, Hawaii

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JetJaguar wrote:
What makes that message from Ngoc scammy? If he sent a certified bank check and it cleared, wouldn't that be OK?


Happy to discuss in private if you would like. I would google certified check scams. Lots of info.

If the check cleared, and truly is certified, then life is good right? How easy would it be if someone could just send me a check with whatever amount I wanted on it. And then someone could stop by and just pick it up??? I don't have to do any work???

I've actually asked for a million dollar check and they had no problem with that amount despite the fact the bicycle I was selling was 500 bucks. It's really all automated so they don't check what is really written. They only look for key phrases.

In a nutshell...The check will bounce, it might clear the initial process but not all of them. And then you will owe for it. That's why no matter what price it is...they will send you a check for it. Just because they say it is certified does not mean it is. It might even look legit. The bank might even think it is certified until it bounces and you will owe, and could also be out of a horn. It might take a couple of days for the bank to find out there are no funds, but you've already sent your item off.

There are a few paths they take and you can easily google that.

If they do this to a thousand people, at least ten will fall for it.

So after all that....if you still don't believe me...will you take a check for your olds super recording horn? I promise it's legit.
_________________
My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
JetJaguar
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 20 Nov 2006
Posts: 1504
Location: Vancouver, BC

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks but all you're saying is, checks can be fraudulent. What is it about this message that is suspicious? Payment by check is not inherently fraudulent.
_________________
1938 Martin Handcraft Imperial #2 bore, 38 bell
Connstellation 7B-N mouthpiece

I'm looking for a Connstellation 5C-N or 5B-N mouthpiece

www.jazzscales.org

The Coady Strengthening Exercises: http://coady.coolwarm.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Speed
Veteran Member


Joined: 13 May 2015
Posts: 295
Location: Mississippi

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am personally familiar with counterfeited "official" checks that appear to be drawn on legitimate banks. Let the buyer beware.

Take care,
Marc Speed
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
trumpetherald
System Administrator


Joined: 25 Oct 2001
Posts: 1493
Location: USA

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A certified or cashier's check can come back as bad as much as 2-3 wks. after deposit. Not saying that's common, but it's possible. Asking the bank to verify the check at the time of deposit will help but not guaranteed.

The usual scam is "Hey I'll send you a check for $1000 just ship me the horn and send me back the difference." So you sold the horn for $500 and send them $500, only to find out a week later that the check was bad. You're out of the horn as well, but they couldn't care less about that. They've got your $500.

-td
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
trumpetherald
System Administrator


Joined: 25 Oct 2001
Posts: 1493
Location: USA

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 4:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JetJaguar wrote:
Thanks but all you're saying is, checks can be fraudulent. What is it about this message that is suspicious? Payment by check is not inherently fraudulent.


No, that's true. Here's some tip offs:

He's asked people to communicate by text, no phone calls.
He's indicated that he'll have someone come pick up the horn.
He's insisting on paying with a 'certified' check.
His english is poor but he (supposedly) lives in San Jose.
He's using a free email account.
He refers to 'the item' and not specifically what it is you're selling.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
JetJaguar
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 20 Nov 2006
Posts: 1504
Location: Vancouver, BC

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

trumpetherald wrote:
JetJaguar wrote:
Thanks but all you're saying is, checks can be fraudulent. What is it about this message that is suspicious? Payment by check is not inherently fraudulent.


No, that's true. Here's some tip offs:

He's asked people to communicate by text, no phone calls.
He's indicated that he'll have someone come pick up the horn.
He's insisting on paying with a 'certified' check.
His english is poor but he (supposedly) lives in San Jose.
He's using a free email account.
He refers to 'the item' and not specifically what it is you're selling.


Thanks that all makes sense and I agree. Except about free email accounts. They are all the rage today.
_________________
1938 Martin Handcraft Imperial #2 bore, 38 bell
Connstellation 7B-N mouthpiece

I'm looking for a Connstellation 5C-N or 5B-N mouthpiece

www.jazzscales.org

The Coady Strengthening Exercises: http://coady.coolwarm.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
theslawdawg
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 843
Location: Waikiki, Hawaii

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JetJaguar wrote:
Thanks but all you're saying is, checks can be fraudulent. What is it about this message that is suspicious? Payment by check is not inherently fraudulent.


From my experience:

One huge paragraph, and just overall bad grammar. But bad grammar in a way with a few words you would never expect to be misspelled are. It is subtle but after you see this scam more than once, you can tell. You can also tell them a lot of extra stuff in your response and they won't respond to it. They aren't reading it. They are on a script.

In this case, I was one hundred percent sure it was a scam.

He asked me the price (which was clearly listed). I told him a completely different price much higher, and he didn't respond to that.
He asked me the condition of the horn. I sent him the same pictures I had listed and I did not respond to his question. He did not reply back.
He asked me my payment method which I clearly stated in my ad. I told him paypal only. He responded with certified check or money order.
He said he lived in San Jose. I told him I had friends in San Jose that could give him the horn. He did not respond.

But really the end result is the same. There is always lots of variations to the story (my mother just died, I'm out of the country, etc.), but it always involves the fact the person simply cannot pick the horn up but would be happy to send someone to pick it up at a later time, and send you a check. They will always say it's certified check or a money order.
_________________
My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs


Last edited by theslawdawg on Mon Jun 22, 2020 4:15 pm; edited 3 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
trumpetherald
System Administrator


Joined: 25 Oct 2001
Posts: 1493
Location: USA

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Thanks that all makes sense and I agree. Except about free email accounts. They are all the rage today.


You're right of course but my point is that it's the combination of several of the things I noted that should really tip you off.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
LittleRusty
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 12647
Location: Gardena, Ca

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

trumpetherald wrote:
JetJaguar wrote:
Thanks but all you're saying is, checks can be fraudulent. What is it about this message that is suspicious? Payment by check is not inherently fraudulent.


No, that's true. Here's some tip offs:

He's asked people to communicate by text, no phone calls.
He's indicated that he'll have someone come pick up the horn.
He's insisting on paying with a 'certified' check.
His english is poor but he (supposedly) lives in San Jose.
He's using a free email account.
He refers to 'the item' and not specifically what it is you're selling.

Bad english is not unusual here in the Bay Area. We get a ton of people here on visas, and through other means.

But this scam has been around for over a decade. The basic outline of the email engagement is just as Todd posts, with very little variation scam to scam.

This scam takes advantage of the fact that the receiving bank cannot tell if the check is written on a real account. Basically, scammers can now create checks using home printers that are indistinguishable from real bank produced checks. Even down to the magnetic ink, but I doubt most scammers use that ink.

When you deposit the check the bank makes sure that the bank code and account number are legitimate. As Todd states, they may even check to see if the account has money in it to cover the check.

Many banks will immediately put the money in your account. Years back you had to wait on out of state checks to clear before you got access to the funds.

So the schmuck leaves the bank thinking the check was good.

The next step for bank 1 is to send the check to the bank that the check was drawn on, bank 2. That bank discovers, either immediately or later if it was fraudulently written on a real account, and asks bank 1 for the money back.

They in turn ask you for the money back.

In the meantime the scammer is long gone with your money and the item you sold them.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Crazy Finn
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 27 Dec 2001
Posts: 8331
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JetJaguar wrote:
Thanks that all makes sense and I agree. Except about free email accounts. They are all the rage today.

I haven't NOT used a free email account - post college... and that was quite awhile ago.
_________________
LA Benge 3X Bb Trumpet
Selmer Radial Bb Trumpet
Yamaha 6335S Bb Trumpet
Besson 709 Bb Trumpet
Bach 184L Bb Cornet
Yamaha 731 Bb Flugelhorn
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> trumpetherald.com All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group