Bitcoin Forum

i bought 6 bitcoins through paypal yesterday. This guy says he sent it to me. It is almost past 24 hours but I still have not received anything. this is my wallet: 18WqN5PttF2LQTSXcykC4zPVoorDZ9FCC2. I registered on blackchain.info if its any help. So i have no client. Do you think i should raise this issue to paypal or could there be any other reason? Thank you

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/FAQ#I_was_sent_some_bitcoins_and_they_haven.27t_arrived_yet.21_Where_are_they.3F

is your wallet synced?

blockexplorer is not recording any TX sent to your address, http://blockexplorer.com/address/18WqN5PttF2LQTSXcykC4zPVoorDZ9FCC2
ask the seller for the TX (transaction) proof that it's been sent maybe (as it provably has not yet been sent to your address), you have like 45 days or something to lodge a claim with PP & most likely they would chargeback the funds to you np, perhaps he didn't send it as the price has just taken off somewhat I expect or maybe just a scammer who moved the funds off a stolen/disposable PP account fast, if it was via eBay then open a dispute right away imo.

eg, I just sent you 0.0001 btc & it can be seen instantly here:
https://blockchain.info/tx/539261b36586e7093953ee64bdd3354d6b8a2a55160049481677c957decac882

who did you buy it from and what was the First Name, Last Name and email of the seller.

Please post here.

There is no reason for funds not to be send already

http://blockchain.info/address/18WqN5PttF2LQTSXcykC4zPVoorDZ9FCC2

I'm sorry but you probably got scammed.

i asked him for TX proof. this is what he sent to me wbR5tyiXMSNuxSN3tc2R . should i stsrt the resolution thing with paypal?

That looks like a paypal transactions number which, if legitimate, should correspond to the payment you sent him.  Check you paypal account.

They guy scammed you.

Post the First Name, Last Name and the paypal email address here to prevent other from getting scammed.

Sorry.

That looks like a PayPal transaction ID (for the PayPal transaction sending your money).  You can probably already see that in your PayPal account.

If he can't provide you with a BitCoin transaction ID (For the transaction sending you your bitcoin), then you should start the resolution thing with PayPal.

Yes.  Just file a goods not received complaint.

Still post his dox.  fucker.

(but it's probably a hacked account)

okay, but my transaction id is different from this wbR5tyiXMSNuxSN3tc2R ... i'm gonna post everything as soon as i sort the thing with paypal out

sorry, few more questions, should i mention the bitcoint thing to paypal? this guy also has couple of positive reviews tbh... here is the link to him: https://www.bitcoinary.com/en/users/1877/profile

and again... should i chose it as a "electronic goods"? sorry for all of these questions, first time buying this, and already being scammed :(

I just PM's you.

By the way Bitcoinary is a cesspool.  I can't tell you how many user I've seen get scammed over there then come over here to complain.

this is how he replied to paypal: "I gave the customer the goods and now hes trying to scam me by taking his money back. If he gets the money back i will stop using paypal because this seems to come up a lot."

Now, I'm going to post everything up including his info when we PayPal makes their decision

If PayPal determines that he was using his account to try to sell Bitcoin, they will probably close his account for him.  Of course if they find out that you were using PayPal to purchase bitcoin there is a possibility that they will close your account also (after giving you your money back).

PayPal doesn't like people to use their service for the exchange of Bitcoin.  They claim that it is against the Terms Of Service that you agreed to when you signed up for your account.

Correction.  They don't allow their payment network for the purchases of coins where PayPal is paid with the expectation of digital currency in return.     They seem to be fine with the use of Bitcoin cash-out where PayPal is the payment network used for settlement of the cash-out transaction.

It is pretty easy for PayPal to verify which is occurring.  When Bitcoin cash-out is occurring, the person providing cash-out will mostly have a flow of funds that is in inflow of funds through bank transfers and an outflow to other individuals.  The PayPal account will generally maintain a sizable account balance and will be paying the PayPal fee (either Mass Pay or the normal 2.9% + $0.30 per trx).  There are few payments received from other PayPal users so this is an account with a low risk profile to PayPal.  These account usually have never filed a chargeback and have never had a chargeback filed against them.

When a party is instead accepting PayPal to sell bitcoin, the risk profile is nearly the opposite.   The flow of funds is mostly incoming from other PayPal users -- mostly using funds sent from a credit card.  The account quickly withdraws or spends the funds, thus there is a low balance in the account.  It doesn't take long for chargebacks to be filed against these accounts.

So PayPal allows one and freezes funds and closes the account for the other.

If he plays it this way he will need to prove that he sent you the goods, by providing tracking information, which he can't.

sorry, didnt get this :) will i get my account blocked? cheers

it's probably not enough for them to freeze or limit your account

thanx everyone. so much help from all of u.

now there is this new guy has contacted me, look at what he wrote to me, sounds like a scam? Or could he be legit? thanx


"Alright whats your bitcoin address? Here is my feedback http://bitcoin-otc.com/viewratingdetail.php?nick=sturles

And you must send the paypal funds as a gift, otherwise your order will be cancelled and refunded."

I told him that i was just scammed and i won't buy anything until it is resolved. this is what he wrote:

"Alright look if we can trade now so I can meet my quote before the end of the day I can give you coins at 8.50$ each if you pay with a moneypak and 9.50$ if you pay with paypal. Deal? And whats the scammers name I can run an IP Zeus on him and hijack his bitcoin wallet."

who is this "new guy".   President Obama?  Steve Jobs?  "new guy" means absolutely nothing.

sturles is a trusted trader but 99% chance he wouldn't be selling BTC for $8.50.    So if it is some random scammer claiming to be sturles well he is a scammer.
on edit:  is it this guy (who got caught pretending to sturles) https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=125489.0;topicseen ?

BTW a link to "rep" means nothing.  Anyone can link to anyone profile.  See here is an authentic link to my house:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/whitehouse_historypg.jpg (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/whitehouse_historypg.jpg)



Hint:  NOBODY is selling BTC for $8.50.  They could sell on fastcash4bitcoins 24/7/365 with no risk and and get more than $11 right now.

cool guys. i agree i am not very educated on this. cheers

For the future: Don't just look at the reviews. Click the trades. You will see that all of these reviews are by members 1 or 2 days old. It can be reasonably assumed that each and everyone of those is a sock puppet of the guy who scammed you.

thank you all guys for the tips and the help. really appreciate this.

ANATOMY OF A BITCOINARY SCAMMER.  
this is to memorialize our encounter with our little scammer friend and if he does not follow up with the $20 payment for fees we will again post his photo and public documents  (I don't get paid enough for this shit!)

BCB: You a scammer??
SCAMMER: No
BCB: then why'd you scam that guy on bitcointalk
give him his money back or send the btc
SCAMMER: I dont even know what bitcoin talk is.
BCB: do you have a paypal account?
SCAMMER: ya
BCB: someone is buying bitcoin with your paypal
this is also a likely story if you were a scammer
 SCAMMER: wait wat is bitcoin talk
7:08 PM i do buy and sell bitcoins tho
 BCB: so pay the guy you scammed back or send him his bitcoin
 SCAMMER: wats his name and im not a scammer
7:09 PM BCB: you met him on bitcoinary
 SCAMMER: wats there name
 BCB: no idea he just sent me your name and email and told me you scammed him
7:10 PM SCAMMER: lol da fuq
 BCB: he sent you paypal andyour never sent bitcoin
  you better pay up
 SCAMMER: i havent scammed anyone
  check my rating
  ive got like 5 5 stars
7:12 PM BCB: so you say he is lying
 SCAMMER: ya hes lying
7:15 PM whats his name on bitcoinary
7:16 PM BCB: i'll find out
 SCAMMER: alright   6 minutes
7:22 PM SCAMMER: u get it
  ?
7:23 PM BCB: https://www.bitcoinary.com/en/users/1877/profile
 SCAMMER: thats me lol
7:24 PM BCB: hang on
 SCAMMER: i dont got all day hurry up
 BCB: who is this?
 SCAMMER: its mikejohnson
 BCB: so you are mike johnson
7:32 PM SCAMMER: no its just my username
 BCB: so pay the guy
 SCAMMER: wat guy lol
  and can u send me a free bitcoin too
  i will buy some off you then
7:35 PM BCB: so the guy sent you 60 USD
7:36 PM what are you going to do
  that was a loan buy the way
 SCAMMER:  ya he disputed it instantly so i didnt give him the bitcoins because he tried to scam me
7:37 PM BCB: his name is XXXX
  send me a copy of his transaction
 SCAMMER: XXXX XXXX
  y idk who you even are
7:38 PM XXXXXXX
  gmail.com*
7:39 PM BCB: yea
 SCAMMER: so what do u want lol
7:40 PM BCB: his money back or the BTC
 SCAMMER: i cant because he disputed it instantly after so the money is being held by paypal right now
  if i send the btc he still could get the money back then
7:43 PM BCB: it was not instant
7:44 PM than log in and verify the claim so paypal releasese the funds
  or just cancel the transaction
7:47 PM what's going on

SCAMMER: o sry computer lagged
  and paypal is holding the money to decide
 BCB: so you canceling the transaction
 SCAMMER: i cant do anything
 BCB: all you have to do is release the funds
 SCAMMER: i cant
  paypal decides where it goes
7:55 PM BCB: yes you can. Go to the transaction and cancel it
 SCAMMER: no i cant
  and he did cancel it anyway so he did try to scam me
7:58 PM BCB: dude you sent him fake transaction number
  what was up with that
  I have all your chat logs
 SCAMMER: no i didnt
  and if your excusing me for all this stuff then im done talking to you
7:59 PM BCB: i have the logs
  chat logs
 SCAMMER: i really dont care he tried to scam me
 BCB: you sent him to fake transaction numbers
  how old are you
8:00 PM SCAMMER: dude wtf
  or chick wtf
 BCB: he will cancel the dispute if you pay the btc
8:01 PM SCAMMER: hes got to cancel the dispute first
  he already tried to scam me
 BCB: ok
  hang on
8:02 PM SCAMMER: alright
8:04 PM BCB: he doesn't trust you
8:05 PM send me the btc and I'll tell him to cancel the transaction
 SCAMMER: HA no
  sounds like a bigger scam
 BCB: it's called excrow
  escrow
8:06 PM SCAMMER: sounds fake so no
 BCB: ok, so I'm going to post all your dox and chats so everyone know you are a scammer
8:07 PM SCAMMER: What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little bitch? I'll have you know I graduated top of my class in the Navy Seals, and I've been involved in numerous secret raids on Al-Quaeda, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in gorilla warfare and I'm the top sniper in the entire US armed forces. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe you the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this Earth, mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me over the Internet? Think again, fucker. As we speak I am contacting my secret network of spies across the USA and your IP is being traced right now so you better prepare for the storm, maggot. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. You're fucking dead, kid. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can kill you in over seven hundred ways, and that's just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in unarmed combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the United States Marine Corps and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable ass off the face of the continent, you little shit. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little "clever" comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your fucking tongue. But you couldn't, you didn't, and now you're paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will shit fury all over you and you will drown in it. You're fucking dead, kiddo.
 BCB: dude you pay the guy now or all your scammy dox go on line
8:08 PM SCAMMER: No i dont work that way for scammers.
8:09 PM He needs to cancel the dispute first then i will send btc.
  If i dont send btc then he can just put up another dispute
 BCB: by the way threats of violence are illegal and a punishable felony offence. All I need to do is send this to my local police station and you have a knock on your door before the weekend is over.
8:10 PM SCAMMER: Lol you havent seen the navy seal post on the internet
 BCB: 1. you are a scammer
  2. you just threatened me
  3. Send him the btc now our you are done
8:11 PM stop fucking with me
 SCAMMER: no stop fucking with me
 BCB: look i've got this guys dox   too
  i fucking hate scammers
 SCAMMER: bro do u even lift
 BCB: if this doesn't get resolved tonight
8:12 PM SCAMMER: then wa
  t
 BCB: what?
  some one is getting doxed
 SCAMMER: whtas doxed mean
 BCB: finish the deal now or its you
8:13 PM I will post every document I have of you on line
  so everyone knows you are a scammer
  just pay the guy is fucking btc and hell cancel the dispute
8:14 PM SCAMMER: no he needs to cancel first
 BCB: dude like he is going to trust you now and get screwed again. you already fucked that up
  just send
  now
8:15 PM SCAMMER: dude cancel the dispute
 BCB: you've got to send me or him the btc first
8:16 PM i'm ready to post this now
 SCAMMER: ok im not sending shit first
 BCB: dude you FUCKED him already
 SCAMMER: once the dispute is gone ill send the btc
 BCB: he trusted you and sent first and you FUCKED HIM
  you have no options
8:17 PM don't pay. he'll get his money back eventually and you still get doxed
  pay and this all goes away
 SCAMMER: Does he even lift
8:18 PM once the dispute is gone ill send the btc
 BCB: i've got about 5 more minutes of patience
 SCAMMER: well thats wasting 5 minutes
8:19 PM dispute is still up so your not getting btc
8:20 PM BCB: how is the weather in Wisconsin
8:21 PM SCAMMER: haha you think im going to give in by that
  lol
 BCB: you are going down
 SCAMMER: it says racine wisconsin on my account dumbass
8:22 PM BCB: http://www.facebook.com/xxxx.xxxxx
 SCAMMER: o damn
  we got a badass over here
8:24 PM so u gonna cancel the dispute
 BCB: it's not my dispute it
  's his
8:25 PM he trusts you about as far as hey can throw you
 SCAMMER: ok well im not doing shit until u cancel the dispute
  and you better drop the attitude
8:26 PM are you going to cancel it?
8:27 PM BCB: check you facebook
 SCAMMER: wat about it
8:31 PM BCB: i gotta go
  i'll send you the link
8:32 PM SCAMMER: alright and cancel the dispute well your at it
8:33 PM haha no link?
8:34 PM BCB: i'm going to post one of your face book photos too
8:35 PM SCAMMER: want a link to my realy fb that might help
  and send me the link
8:37 PM link?
8:39 PM ????
8:40 PM comon i wanna se the link
8:41 PM BCB: why did you ask me for 1 btc
 SCAMMER: where is my link
8:42 PM and did you cancel the dispute
8:47 PM https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=125504.new#new
[post of his name email facebook photos etc since deleted.]
  enjoy
8:51 PM buy the way you whole face book account is backed up
8:55 PM SCAMMER: wat?
 BCB: you're whole face book account is backed up.
  we have a copy of it
 SCAMMER: haha ok
  its good you got two pictures
 BCB: buy the way I just get a message from [face book friend]
8:56 PM you going to have some explaining to do
 SCAMMER: wat?
8:58 PM alright dude you got me ill refund the money
 BCB: pay him now
 SCAMMER: will you take the post down
8:59 PM BCB: as soon as he tells me he received the btc
 SCAMMER: ill give him the paypal money back its
  easier
 BCB: then reverse it now
9:00 PM SCAMMER: give me his email to send the money to it literally wont let me refund it
  or send me a invoice and say no refunds
9:01 PM ???
9:02 PM BCB: I'm waiting for him to reply
 SCAMMER: ok well im sending the money to him as a gift and it cant be reversed
  is that oka
  y
9:03 PM ?
 BCB: he want's 70 USD to cover his loss from the exchange rate
  email gife
  gift
  now
9:04 PM google is cataloging that post as week speak
 SCAMMER: alright but you have to take the post down
 BCB: as soon as he tells me he is paid
 SCAMMER: what do you mean catloguing
 BCB: if you don't pay now and I take that post down google will index it and it will still be searchable
  so hurry up
9:05 PM SCAMMER: k doing it
  omg it wont let me do it cuz im not verified
9:06 PM BCB: stays up until you pay
 SCAMMER: wats ur email lemme try that
 BCB: you fucked up
 SCAMMER: wats ur email i can try that
9:07 PM BCB: i don't want anything to do with your unverfied account
 SCAMMER: no i sold the last of them
  i have like 0.0005
9:08 PM BCB: well get in touch when you can pay
  thanks
 SCAMMER: wait wait wait
9:09 PM are you in the us?
 BCB: yes
 SCAMMER: i can give you 55 dollars from moneybookers
  and then 60 from paypal
  once the dispute finishes
 BCB: go to the store and get a 70 money pack
 SCAMMER: cant
9:10 PM can you take that offer plz
9:13 PM hey dude
  u there
9:14 PM BCB: how much do you have in money bookers
9:15 PM SCAMMER: i cant send it in that shit either can we just wait for the dispute to be done i can try and figure something out right now but can u take the post down plz i will pay u 80$ in the end if u do
9:16 PM BCB: dude yo burnt your trust when you tried to screw the other guy
  why should I trust you
 SCAMMER: because if i dont pay you put it right back up
 BCB: why can't you send paypal
9:17 PM SCAMMER: cuz im not verified
  but i can get verified really quick
  im getting a card so i can
 BCB: you need a credit card or a bank account
 SCAMMER: im getting a credit card tonight probs
9:18 PM SCAMMER: well im getting verified tonight
 BCB: ok i'll wait
9:19 PM SCAMMER: can u take the post down till then because i dont wanna be a scammer i trade a lot on here
9:20 PM BCB: fine
  but right now you are a scammer
  and it's not coming down until you pay
 SCAMMER: can u take it down till i pay i dont want a bad rep
  im trying to figure out how to pay
9:21 PM and if i dont pay by tonight you can just put it back up
 BCB: you have NO trust
  you bles that
 SCAMMER: plz
 BCB: blew that today
  I'm signing off
9:25 PM SCAMMER: cmon
 BCB: better call a friend
 SCAMMER: what do u mean
 BCB: call a friend to borrow some money to send this guy his money
9:26 PM SCAMMER: im trying to figure it out sec
9:28 PM alright i figured it out
  http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/38739-paypal-dispute-but-i-cant-refund.html
9:29 PM read the fourth post thats what we need to do
  if you remove the claim i can send the money
9:30 PM or refund the money
9:31 PM BCB: how much do you have in paypal now
 SCAMMER: like 50 not including the disputed 60
 BCB: so 110
 SCAMMER: ya
9:32 PM BCB: ok you'll send 80 if he removes the dispute
 SCAMMER: yes
  and ill leave both of you good reviews on site so you can get more business
9:34 PM did you do it?
9:38 PM you there???
9:41 PM so this isn't happening?
________________________________________   11 minutes
9:53 PM SCAMMER: ??????????????????
 BCB: hang on this guy is afraid to release the dispute because he thinks you scam him again
 SCAMMER: why the hell would i do that my job is at risk
9:54 PM even if i did he could dispute again
  and then my account is stil on that site
 BCB: should have thought about that before you scammed him
9:55 PM let me check
 SCAMMER: alright please try and get him to take it off
 BCB: you are a scammer until you pay back
  relax
9:58 PM SCAMMER: wat
  im trying every way to pay back
  i didnt mean to do this
 BCB: but you did
  Actions have consequences my friend
9:59 PM SCAMMER: yes i know
  im sorry
10:01 PM BCB: ok he's releasing it now
 SCAMMER: alright ill refund it as quick as i can
10:02 PM BCB: ok its done
  what's going   on
 SCAMMER: alright doing it now
10:03 PM it will only let me send the 60 back
  but when i get verified i will give you more
 BCB: ok send that NOW
  then send the balance
 SCAMMER: did it
10:04 PM did u get it
10:05 PM and can you remove the post
 BCB: as soon as he tells me he got it
 SCAMMER: alright
  and sry about the mistake
 BCB: then you owe him 20 for the fees
 SCAMMER: yes i will do that when i get verified
  im trying to get verified right now
10:07 PM did you remove the post
10:08 PM BCB: ok he got it. I'm taking it down now
 SCAMMER: and can you post me the forum so i can check please
 BCB: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=125504.0
10:09 PM SCAMMER: ty very appreciated
  again very sorry for the mistake
 BCB: hope you learned a lesson
 SCAMMER: i did im sry
 BCB: good
  good night
 SCAMMER: ty

Fuck Ya! well done

BCB I think I speak for everyone when I say you're a beast.  Excellent work friend. 

And hopefully this will serve as a warning to other would be scumbag scammers. 

Guess what.  This num nuts shows up on bitcoinary claiming to be Glooboy from irc trying to scam again tonight.    We might have to contact his Mixed Martial Arts coach Charles Johnson from Waukesha, Wisconsin on facebook  and let him know what his student has been up to.

BCB, you have gained my eternal respect  ;D

Great read BCB. Keep that coming.

BCB is a legend :D



I can verify that I got a refund of 60 dollars + he sent me 20 dollars later. I'm not very happy with the note he left lol "Now dont do anything on the forum". Will see what paypal thinks about that. I guess my story is over. And I cant believe he just tried to scam someone again?!

thank you everyone and THANK YOU BCB

No send nothing with paypal

can i ask u why isn't paypal seen as safe thing? i thought it is safer to use paypal since u can always claim if someone tries to scam u? thank you

If only this were true!   EMC's PP account was shut down and all it did was payout funds and maintained a sizable balance.  They are still holding onto at least $750 of mine that they refuse to release.  Paypal is the debil.

That thing about navy seals was funny and it was in perfect English, unlike the rest of his communication.  So a quick search on the interwebs found quite a few of the exact same quote.   :)

http://www.kongregate.com/forums/2-off-topic/topics/309510-why-are-their-so-many-jackasses-around

"bro do u even lift"

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

BCB you are the man!  Really impressive, thanks for being one of the good guys!

So all of this because some moron couldn't wait for his order to process.

lol this is awesome, maybe someone here should make a Bounty Hunting service for people who have been scammed through Bitcoin?

if this is about me, u r the only moron here. He did admit he scammed me at the end. He never sent BTC so there is no order to process. Can't see why you would insult me.

If it is not about me, than i never meant to write the above thing.

Oh Please......


You do know it takes about an hour to confirm a btc transaction.

Have you even read the whole topic ?

What about the fake transaction numebr ?  ::)

Yeah, I mean it's pretty clear this dude was scamming and the shithammer that BCB brought was warranted.

Are you serious!

I side with the vendor.
No one was trying to scam anyone. The op was simply impatient.

BCB should reserve his resources for real scam victims.

I've read the entire thread.

This a false positive.

Dude, you tried to scam him and got burned yourself. Now give it up and move on. :P

Yea  Jaw3bmasters is a scammer or an alt for the Hower boys.

huh?

I guess this is your way of trolling.

Why stop there.

I also lead a gang of genetically altered apes.

sounds about right.

Harrison Hower was on bitcoinary scamming later that nite pretending to be glooboy of IRC

and Derek Hower is brother scammed another guy.

There scammers dude.

Go back to your rave.

Good idea.

Gonna catch up on some more reading to avoid making newb mistakes.

Nah, I can usually confirm that a transaction has been sent into the bitcoin network within a few seconds of it's creation.  It also typically makes it into the blockchain in about 10 minutes (although for a situation like this there really isn't any need to wait for that). 

Transactions generally requires six confirmations, in six blocks, completed in about an hour at 10 minutes a block. No?

Not exactly, six confirmations is actually just a made up number, 6 is considered safe by most people because its a pretty big number of blocks. 1 confirmation is safe enough for small transactions though.

Everyone can see a transaction within 10 seconds of sending it, it just isn't confirmed yet and could be a double spend.

And a double spend in this situation is either too expensive to make it worth the effort, too difficult to time right, or to quickly revealed to get away with.  So 0 confirmations is plenty.  So, if the transaction was created/sent it should have been immediately visible.  There was no need to wait an hour for anything.

Whatever. You guys are the experts. I'll continue my trolling in the morning.

I still think the OP panic.

hey, the issue has been resolved. why are people still arguing about it?

the transaction wasn't sent. that can generally be seen by everyone in about 10 seconds or so. confirmations can take time, yes, but there was no transaction sent to confirm

because that's what we do here on bitcoin talk.  Argue.  Sometimes about stupid shit.

so i'll always have something to keep me entertained :)

When a transaction is made, the transaction is immediately sent to all the nodes in the network. At that point the transaction exists, but it is "unconfirmed". It becomes "confirmed" after it has been added to the block chain. Every block after it that is added to the block chain is another confirmation.

It only takes a couple minutes at most to verify that a transaction has been made. Determining whether it is valid or not takes longer.

By the way this isn't really a technical discussion thread.  Its a scammer thread.  While the comments about confirmations are helpful the tactic used here is all too common both here and bitcoinary and irc.

On bitcoinary scammer will create multiple account and "trade" which himself giving highest rating.  Then when scammer gets in touch with victim (who is usually a new user) he will say I have higher ratings then you and tell victim to send first.  Victim sends and scammer will give excuses like the payment "got stuck in the blockchain."  Another popular ploy is scammer will tell victim to send BTC first and then scammer will tell victim he will pay once he sees "x" amount of confirmations.  Meanwhile by the time the transaction confirms the scammer is gone.

Scammers will also use a "friend" to handle escrow.  Make sure who ever is providing escrow is legitimate.  DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU TRADE.

I'll post some conversations who you can see how it works.

In the mean time tomatocage has posted a very helpful primer to spotting scammers in lending and trading.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119896.0

Here is another scamming attempt by our friend harrison hower.  He uses many of the tactics discussed in Tomoatocage's post.

victim:.
I'd like to sell a total quantity of 10 Bitcoins in exchange for
Paypal (USD) and I'm looking for a price of Negotiable .

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Hey ill buy 10 bitcoins for 11 paypal usd

victim:.
sure send to xxxx@gmail.com and post your BTC address here.

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
alright its 1AwbR5HeqjtyiXMSNuxSN3tc2R6hEUzWyB
SCAMMER TACTIC: you send first and they disappear.

victim:.
ok all set. Send PP to xxxx@gmail.com. Thanks.
NOTE: always ask for payment for BTC first unless you know or trust the buyer/seller

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
ok

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
did you send coins?

victim:.
not yet. The are not reversible. You should send the PP first. Thank you.

victim:.
xxxx@gmail.com

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
ok

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Sorry i never send first and im rated on many bitcoin trading sites.
TACTIC:  Higher rating/false statements (“many bitcoin trading sites” – which ones??)

victim:.
I never send bitcoin first. I always send paypal first. that is the rule in bitcoin. Are you new here?

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
About a week old on this site but been trading bitcoins for a couple months.

victim:.
then you should not that paypal always sends first. Once I send you the BTC they are not reversible. Thanks.

victim:.
Are you sending. I have another offer

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
I can do it so the paypal money will not be reversible.
Send me a invoice and put no refunds or disputes allowed, thats usually what i do for my trades. If you dont want to do that then you can go to the other offer.
NOTE: ALL PAYPAL TRANSACTIONS ARE REVERSIBLE.  DOES NOT MATTER HOW YOU SEND.


victim:.
ok sent

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
you still need to send the bitcoins then ill send the paypal and it cant be reversed
TACTIC: trying to speak authoritatively about something which they have not clue.
ALL PAYPAL TRANSACTIONS ARE REVERSABLE.

victim:.
oh no. I can't do that. I just told you I would not dispute in the invoice.
 Please send the paypal and I'll send the BTC.
I already have your address in my client. Thank you

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Sorry i dont work that way its just my safety policy.

victim:.
Are you BTCmixers on IRC
did you scam Manes out of a 170 money pack?

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
no


MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
No i am Glooboy
TACTIC: Nic Squatting.  Pretending to be someone reputable in the community.  If I really wanted to trade with this guy I would have told him to hop on irc, authenticate and if it really was his and his rep was acceptable, I’d send first. (I may ask others I trust about him before I trade if I never heard of this nic)

victim:.
oh you've got good ratings

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
ya i told you ive been doing this for a while
TACTIC: I’m got more experience so you should trust me.

victim:.
ok cool we've traded before on irc.
So go ahead and send paypal and I'll send BTC.
You the one who always says paypal send first. lol

victim:.
Glooboy, I didn't get it yet. Did you send??

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
I just recently stopped doing that because i ran my tests and i lost more money by getting scammed when i didnt go first.
Its my new policy im sorry but it safer for me and my customers.
TACTIC:  “Ran my tests”  WHAT TESTS?  Scammers are expert if not pathological liars.


victim:.
Dude, that's a little sketch. You talking like a scammer. lol
come on just send. I gotta hop.


MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
I told you my tests say i have more profit at the end of the month. Im sorry im just a little tight on cash flow and im trying to maximize it.

victim:.
wait, why aren't you using your glooboy account here??

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
IRC and this site are both different. And when i tried to use the name glooboy on here someone already stole it. I was really pist.
TACTIC: Scammers have a shady excuse for everything.

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Are we going to do otherwise i got to find another person.
TACTIC: Rushing the trade. SCAMMERS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS IMPATIENT.

victim:.
no you have glooboy here too. What's this mike johnson shit??


MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Im not that glooboy on the website the guy is trying to take my ratings.

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Mike Johnson is my real name btw.

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Alright so no deal?

victim:.
Let me hope on irc an ping you.

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
victim:.
Dude your on a path to nowhere either now or never.
TACTIC: once I suggest IRC he gets desperate and tries to rush the trade.  Anyone time ANYONE trys to rush you through a trade you are not comfortable with walk away!


MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
We traded before and i want to do business again with you.

victim:.
ok let's just get this done. Send now and I'll send btc

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Do we really have to go over this again. Uggggh.
just recently stopped doing that because i ran my tests and i lost more money by getting scammed when i didnt go first. Its my new policy im sorry but it safer for me and my customers.
TACTIC:  empathy.  “I’ve been scammed man.  I know how you feel.”


MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
there sent it i guess but don’t scam me

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
I went against my new policy for you
TACTIC: making fake concessions just for you.
NOTE: at this point Scammer sent me and invoice NOT a payment to paypal.  If someone was not paying attention, they could possibly release funds with our realizing they received no money.


victim:.
Thanks man

victim:.
i didn't get anything yet

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
check your email i sent it in a invoice you need to accept it, and i got rid of the fees by sending it as a gift


victim:.
Is your name Harrison Hower?
NOTE:  his nic here is Mike Johnson.  He tells me his is glooboy.  Now I receive an invoice from Harrison Hower.  At this point victim should RUN not walk away.

victim:.
No?

victim:.
I thought your name was Mike Johnson??

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
o lol my friend forgot to log off guess i just sent you the money from there, damnit

victim:.
The invoice say pay 111 to harrison hower

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
ya thats my friend you can accept it
NOTE: NEVER receive a payment from a paypal account you are not certain belongs to the owner.  

victim:.
but its and invoice for payment. Your suppose to pay me???

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Its a payment from me....

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Are you new with paypal, thats what it says for you to accept the payment.

victim:.
no it says PAY Harrison Hightower

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Wtf i might have misclicked or something can we pick this up in the morning is 2 am here.

victim:.
no is says invoice form Harrison Hower you said that is not you. I know that name from somehwere.

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
Very sorry this seems very unprofessional.

victim:.
Wait I know that name.
You the scammer from bitcoin talk. I say your photo on there tonight.
You are a scrawny kid and thier was some photo of you looking like douch in a porshe.
You were just trying to scam me!
   

MikeJohnson5898(SCAMMER);
No you were trying to scam me

Do it. Fuck scammers. We've let them cheat people with impunity for too long.

BTW, he kinda reminds me of the "sashatoshi" kid who showed up on OTC begging for 1 btc, claiming to own a bitcoin casino and trying to scam TheGent lol. Might wanna look into the possible link -- the English skills are too equally bad to be coincidence!  :D :D :D

Yeah, he's probably trying to scam you. Always use Escrow if you're uncertain about a trade.