Bitcoin Forum

I put $115.05 on a moneypak greendot card looking to buy 1 btc and a member by the name of HelpPlease said he would trade with me I sent him the number on the back of the card and he said he would send me the btc once he loaded his card, once he loaded his card he went offline and I haven't received my btc. This is just extremely fucking cruddy. I really don't wanna get on a soapbox, but I am absolutely and entirely losing my faith in humanity, this 1 btc I was looking to buy was supposed to be for an investment to help me make money, I'm an 18 year old with not a single cent to my name and I don't have contact with my family or anything anymore and this is really fucking me hard in the ass, I just really don't get why people feel like it is okay to rob people like this.
"HelpPlease" my fucking ass "help please" nice name I should have known from the beginning this was going to happen you piece of shit

Sorry for your loss. there are always going to be bad people around, and you just happened to run into that kind of person. Use escrow next time.

Sorry :(  In the newbie readme it says "do not trust people"  -- wise words there.

Shit, that sucks.

Seriously, when you think of BTC, think of it as a handful of cash.

Then think about who you would be willing to trust that handful of cash to.

If you come into some more money, I strongly recommend looking at LocalBitCoins.com.  Probably the most trustworthy (and most often local) way to trade USD for BTC.

you got scammed.

I think you should just go through a reputable exchange. I mean even exchanges has risk let alone some stranger on a forum.

Ugh, sorry to hear this happened to you man... In the future you may want to use a trusted escrow.

The first time always hurts.  But anyone witty enough to avoid these things has been naive enough to be scammed in the past.

haha

Yes, it does appear you were scammed. Sorry man, you should have known tho.. Not only is "HelpPlease" as scammy of a name you can get, but the guy was a noob with hardly any rep on the forums. Lesson learned.

1btc = US$110 is a lot to lose for..

honestly, i would rather pay extra % for a reliable service than just doing a straight business. things like this can go sour most of the time

thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it, I definitely learned a huge lesson, I've always just used blockchain/bitinstan cash deposit but that option is no longer available on those sites. What is the most reliable and safest way that I can purchase bitcoins now?

Try purchasing in person with escrow on local bitcoins.com.  And be sure to post about that guy in the scam accusations thread to help others.

but yet this user called me a scammer on someone i didnt scam. And he gets scammed? How much a coincidence. But its alright sorry for your loss. Should have used escrow.

Step one.  Take a few minutes to learn who on the forum has built up a reputation as trustworthy.  If someone tells you they are trustworthy or that they have a good reputation, that should be an immediate red flag.  It doesn't take long to see from someone's post history if they've been a reputable participant in the forum.

Step two.  Check out localbitcoins.com and see if there is anyone within a reasonable distance of you willing to meet face to face to make the exchange. If not, consider adding your own advertisement to localbitcoins.com.  (If you decide to meet with someone from localbitcoins, meet in a populated, public location.  Preferably one with at least a bit of security.  Take the same precautions you would if you were going to meet with a complete stranger to buy or sell something valuable (such as jewelry).

Step three. If you aren't going to meet up with someone, and you absolutely must do the transaction over the internet, use an escrow provider.  There are several escrow providers that are pretty well trusted throughout the forum.  See this list:

Escrow list (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=108716.0)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=108716.0

Escrow in it's simplest form:

• Seller sends the bitcoins to the mutually trusted escrow provider
• Buyer sends payment directly to the seller
• Seller notifies escrow provider that he has received payment
• Escrow provider sends the bitcoins to the buyer

If the seller falsely claims that they id not receive payment, then the escrow provider begins a mediation process.  He collects from each party whatever proof is available, then makes a decision about which proof is the most believable and compelling. If it is determined that the buyer is most likely scamming/lying about paying, then the escrow provider sends the bitcoins back to the original seller.  If it is determined that the seller is most likely scamming/lying about not being paid, then the escrow provider sends the bitcoins to the buyer.

For additional security, and less chance of being scammed by a really good liar that can convince the escrow provider to believe his lies, the arrangements can be made for the escrow provider to receive both halves of the transaction and then once all pieces of the transaction are under the escrow provider's full control, they can forward each piece to the appropriate recipient.  This adds some complexity depending on the payment method.

Some escrow providers advertise a specific fee, others do it for free just to help build the bitcoin community.  If the transaction goes well, and the escrow service made you feel secure that you would receive what you were due, a reasonable gratuity is generally appreciated.  This can be a flat amount (0.1 BTC for example) or a percentage (0.5% of the transaction for example).  Just consider how much the peace of mind was worth to you in addition to the convenience of not having to deal with MtGox or BitInstant, and then tip accordingly.

Scammers always play on pity -- and it's what all sociopaths do. First step is always to make you pity them.

Lesson learnt.

I know $115 bucks is a lot for an 18 year old, but you'll make it back. No reason you can't be in the game.

Yes, "never send first, never trust anyone"

MODS, split this and sticky allover the forum

  Shitty people everywhere..Just use local bitcoins or find someone local so you can do face to face next time..Sorry this guy was scum..

That's because you ARE a scammer Juneteenth. Like how you robbed me for $429.81 and NEVER sent the 5.2 btc you promised. My fault , I know. But PLEASE don't parade yourself around as an honest and honorable person when you CLEARLY are not. Anyone who cares feel free to PM me and I will forward you the conversation of the transaction that was suppose to go down

Hope you never have the opportunity to take advantage of anyone ever again

sorry you got scammed, hope karma works things out :)