[EDU] How to spot a scammer (Read this before doing any transactions!)

[Tomatocage]

Wow all you do speculate about ppl scamming on this post...
Wtf lol

Funny how that works. You get loaned coins and then you suddenly either lose all interest in Bitcoin (and paying back your debt) and/or "forget" your login and create a new account, again not paying back your debt. And I see you haven't logged in for a few days, so I wonder which category you fit into.

[wholesaler]

Wow all you do speculate about ppl scamming on this post...
Wtf lol

[Tomatocage]

Updated.

[Korbman]

Updated.

Good stuff as always. Since it's gotten quite a bit denser on the front page, you should also post what you've added / changed so we know what to look for.

[Tomatocage]

Good stuff as always. Since it's gotten quite a bit denser on the front page, you should also post what you've added / changed so we know what to look for.

Thanks, I'll try to do that from this point forward.

[John (John K.)]

I'm stickying this - ample warnings are given to anyone who are looking to post in this subforum.

[wholesaler]

Hi.

I am the president of Phi Beta Lambda for my local chapter. I'm also vice-president for PBL on the state level for Colorado. Here's a picture of my local officer team:


We want to raise awareness and create a scholarship in memory of the recent and tragic school shooting in Colorado. This goes towards community service and will be an excellent way to place Colorado on the national PBL map. All of the students (242 active PBL members in Colorado) are excited to move forward with this.

We decided to take a different approach this time. Due to budget cuts across the board in education, many school's student governments are being much tighter with their money; as we are activating new chapters left and right, funding is hard to come by. So, we turn to bitcoins. We are hoping to teach students economic lessons in a real-world environment.

We will be ordering t-shirts and reselling them across Colorado Campuses during high-traffic times. We have previously done this and sold out. Everytime. With food, valentine's goodies, tshirts, wristbands, you name it. We have contacted babbletees.com/ who will give us a discount and produce custom tees for us.

We also plan to raise awareness by creating a database of cell phone numbers and sending out a mass sms message to gently remind students to be kind and caring to one another. The service we selected for this was http://www.txt4coins.net/


I, Chris Dickerson, am asking you help reach our 40 bitcoin goal to fund this excellent endeavor. Any school names cannot be associated due to issues of contracts and liability. However, I can provide any information you need and guarantee that you will see a ROI within two and a half weeks. All I ask is that, in the nature of the project, you consider giving us a low interest rate.

I will provide whatever information you need upon a return message. Thank you for your consideration.


Warm Regards,

Chris Dickerson
Colorado PBL VP

this is my fav so far 2 posts and when i ask for docs proving this or to verify with btcjam just abandons the account. ahahahha

[wholesaler]

hahah your funny there is no limit you could have 100 good trades and still be suspect;)  but 5-10 and your in the clear and using escrow makes you very trustworthy

[Tomatocage]

How many successful trades does someone need before being recognized as a trustworthy trader and removed from "pending"?
Does this include OTC or just forum confirmations of reputable trading?

Good question. I put your entry up when you first started posting, but you've been around for a while now with (I'm guessing) some successful trades.

[Tomatocage]

Alright, so I've been PM'd by a few people what red-flags to look out for since I have a pretty good track record of spotting scammers.  Sometimes I get it wrong, but better safe than sorry.  Anyway, watch out for the typical behavior from scammers who will usually fit at least two or three (and sometimes even more) of the following characteristics:

1. New account (usually created within the last 3 months, plus or minus)
2. Low-medium message count with vapid posts of little to no contributatory value
3. Use of a seemingly realistic first/last name as their forum account name
4. Signs posts with full name
5. Straight out of Newbie mode right into Lending (requesting a loan of course)
6. Straight out of Newbie mode right into Currency Exchange (PayPal, Liberty Reserve, Western Union)
7. Straight out of Newbie mode and selling gift cards/codes/Steam games of any kind (they'll often be purchased with stolen CC info, leaving you holding the bag later on down the road)
8. Any user blatantly claiming to be female
9. New user trying to sell an Apple iAnything
10. Sob stories asking for handouts

There.  Pretty much in a nutshell how to spot a scammer.  There's still some finesse to spotting a scammer, but these rules will separate most of the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.  Oh, and I guess there's one more rule:

11. Never trust ANYBODY.  Except people who like big butts.  Because they can not lie.

Examples of posts that fit the scammer pattern:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=149335.0 Jenger (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=147971.0 HyAfo (Scammer*, Tries to get you to install a remote-access app so he can "configure" your GPU to mine LTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=148593.0 UncleBuckRIU (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=146968.0 flavius (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=146788.0 d3adleavez (Pending, New account + loan request)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=146362.0 OrangeVonPurple (Scammer*, Possibly alt of marketersales . Went straight to selling XBoxLive points.)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145505.0 RHCwebhosting (Pending, Multiple red-flags on this one. Should be pretty obvious)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145274.0 bluedye (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145219.0 nlovric (Pending, User appears to be legit)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145225.0 nlovric (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=147357.0 ironcross360 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144992.0 ironcross360 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145195.0 emma (Pending, May be legit, but as always use caution. See: http://forum.litecoin.net/index.php/topic,1179.msg6757.html)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144665.0 tldoctor (Pending, more elaborate than a typical scammer, but numerous red flags are raised)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144559.0 hiddenoreo (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144582.0 jspring (Pending, Gift cards)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=142104.0 flatlinezor (Pending, Gift cards)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=143883.0 tantienstar69 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=143415.0 tantienstar69 (Pending, vouched for by audiation)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=142058.0 koelen3 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141424.0 claire (Scammer*, Loan requests (check!), MoneyPak (check!), gift cards (check!))
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=56835.00 SirChiko (Scammer)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144012.0 realityfalacy (Pending*, Might be legit but the timing of the loan request is suspicious)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141739.0 realityfalacy (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141548.0 lakzo (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141456.0 uhnonamiss (Pending, more Giftcards for Bitcoins)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141215.0 Currencevents (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140690.0 ridgemont4 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140846.0 KJTetc (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140933.0 blakbeard (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140531.0 raven666 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141039.0 cardinalG (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140049.0 cardinalG (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140095.0 AndrewJ (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139935.0 constitution (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139727.0 itai3856 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139257.0 tono18 (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139398.0 tono18 (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137865.0 thomison360 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141182.0 hardup (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=138513.0 hardup (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=138153.0 hardup (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=88315.00 unkn0wn12 (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136346.0 furrycoat (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137633.0 SouthernComfort (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136941.0 JonMcAlpine (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136785.0 chillywilly (Pending*, possible alt of cozz)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=130251.0 Ploni (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136282.0 marketersales (Closed, Accused of scamming then "found loan elsewhere" but no TXID provided)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136306.0 teodor87 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=138807.0 shoopwooper (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=135612.0 shoopwooper (Pending*, "found loan elsewhere" but no TXID provided)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=135459.0 Marker88 (Pending, long-dormant 2011 account recently revived)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=138131.0 Jakers (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136749.0 Jakers (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134835.0 Jakers (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=131217.0 swc1 (Scammer)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=133052.0 leominer (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=132983.0 AnonCard (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129567.0 SynOps (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=130459.0 drakedog (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129557.0 heart_mons (Pending*, User has had one successful loan of 5BTC before, but going from 5->60BTC is a huge jump and raises some eyebrows)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134921.0 61197da925c1 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129615.0 61197da925c1 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129508.0 Dakster (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=126470.0 Dakster (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=128160.0 SynOps (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=133368.0 Roxyoursox (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=128437.0 Roxyoursox (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=128017.0 andrew12 (Old dormant account suddenly revived and now asking for a loan)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=126819.0 pereiaex (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=127143.0 quirky53 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=123435.0 Crookid (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=120647.0 Metta28 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122729.0 RantinRave (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122668.0 Serenity.Sapphire (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=121136.0 pat231 (Scammer* though I suspect he's less a scammer and more likely just really bad at managing his money)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119831.0 jackdavis1983 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122082.0 hobo66. (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=121998.0 Ssoftware (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=120233.0 Bitcoinscene (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119871.0 ChrisNelson (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119384.0 CoinCleaner (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=121012.0 LionHeart (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119824.0 LionHeart (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=118514.0 Gretchen (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=99233.00 noobularkid (Scammer*)

* Account appears to have been abandoned once it was flagged as a scammer, or became apparent he wasn't getting a loan.

Please note that the accounts listed above aren't necessarily or automatically assumed to be scammers. They just fit the description, so to speak.

Examples of posts that fit the pattern that were successful:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137766.0 MoneypakTrader.com (Successful Trades!, Has completed a few successful transactions. As always, use caution, even when dealing with senior members)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136132.0 DPony13 (Successful Loan! 2.5 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122658.0 xx78213 (Successful Loan! .2 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=123728.0 heart_mons (Successful Loan! 5 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134847.0 Jakers (Successful Trade!, iTunes codes)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134918.0 polymorphous (Successful Trade! 2.0 BTC)

TLDR: Be careful before you freely give away your coins. From the evidence collected here, you stand substantial chance of getting ripped off if lending to someone who fits the scammer profile.  If that chance is worth making an extra 1-10% on your money, I can't stop you.  But I will laugh at you later

OP Backup.

[sublime5447]

Money pak trader will be removed from my list. I think he is trust worthy. I have been watching him for months.

Tomatocage will you let me know when you update your list? can you just post added or removed with the names and link and I will edit my list based on that

[sublime5447]

tldr has also been removed from my list he is trusted MPT tradefortress has been added until the matter has been resolved

[Tomatocage]

Changed the color of legit users (ie. ones probably not shell accounts created for the sole purpose of scamming) to green. They are still may "fit the profile," so as usual use caution when doing business with anybody on here.

Changed the color of users who have completed successful trades to green as well.

[poly]

Money pak trader will be removed from my list. I think he is trust worthy. I have been watching him for months.

Tomatocage will you let me know when you update your list? can you just post added or removed with the names and link and I will edit my list based on that

Why are you using someone else's list and claiming it to be your own?

[nicoin]

Thanks for this post - really useful. Can we please confirm this user as a scammer. Was a real noob investing on his loan, we all have to learn don't we Now I spend a lot more time before investing anything, and I have made back that loss with good loans fortunately,

itai3856
https://btcjam.com/users/1681
฿18.05 overdue payments
no response to pm, forum account appears abandonned

He might have scammed other users on the forum selling stuff.

thanks

[sublime5447]

Money pak trader will be removed from my list. I think he is trust worthy. I have been watching him for months.

Tomatocage will you let me know when you update your list? can you just post added or removed with the names and link and I will edit my list based on that

Why are you using someone else's list and claiming it to be your own?

Poly I am sick of you please stop posting to me. I asked permission to use the list, now fuck off.

[tacoman359]

I'm not a scammer. Take a look at my eBay rep (same name). I'd even be happy to send first with older members.

I sell Xbox cards because I buy them in bulk. Just trying to get into the bitcoin market, too.

[tjohej]

8. Any user blatantly claiming to be female

Then also
9. Any user blatantly claiming to be male?

Explain?

There actually are females using bitcoin, but it is common practice among scammers to pretend to be females in order to receive more favorable conditions, including using it as a scapegoat for making various mistakes. (read: I'm just a helpless girl!)

To add on to this: regardless of their sex, why would anyone need to announce their gender? You don't see the males of the forum going "Can anyone lend me some BitCoin? I'm a guy, btw "

Announcing your gender then. Wonder why nobody else could come to that conclusion.

If somebody announces also that they are a vegetarian could that cause any prejudice too? "I can't trust veggies! They are scammers. In the old days we had no freakin veggies, we threw them in the sea"

[shibaji]

Please see this thread as well : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=157998.0

[Manstef]

Along with not using paypal for bitcoin you shouldnt lend people bitcoins. It just encourages scammers.

....even an exchange (btc-e)?