I got scammed on alibaba trying to buy Bitmain Antminer D3, Must Read!

[kamasutra]

Hi All,

I got scammed on www.alibaba.com trying to buy a Bitmain Antminer D3. The reason I am posting this is to alert everyone of the amount of sophisticaton
these scammers use and hopefully by this experience you can try to avoid this situation. Also I would to ask you to check my bitcoin wallet address 17zBkbJm6gpz5rkzaB7eTBi3oYmkTMkSzi for verification and trace the bitcoins to his first address and the other addresses he/they forwarded the funds.

Scammers wallet address: 17NYyaoMBQrgsUHqZdTuFGe2nvMF8nPCn5

The process:
Date (08/22/2017)

I browsed through available products on www.alibaba.com and found products posts like "Bitmain Antminer D3 (Factory Direct)" and I though these maybe have been used for cloudmining by Genesis and others.

Finally I found one product posting that looked the guy knew what he is talking about the description was spot on no mistakes, misspellings, it looked reliable.

I contacted the seller and he was asking the price of $2500 USD with Western Union, MoneyGram, Bitcoin/Etherum/LiteCoin. The seller seemed authentic with (4 years) Gold Member Status. I asked him if I could pay with Visa card but he said no and repeated the payment methods mentioned above.

Being an honest person myself I tend to trust people the same way I think they should trust me, unless I really make an effort and try to have the though guy hat on. So I accepted the deal and purchased the amount in Bitcoin which was transferred to my Blockchain wallet a few hours later.

I re-established the contact with the seller and he was still online, I transferred the bitcoin amount of 0.621025 to him hoping to get my Antminer D3 and mine some Dash for real. During the conversation he was always answering quickly but as soon as I transferred the amount his replies became more reluctant and finally he stopped replying.

Moments later the product page was removed so I could not find the product at the sellers mini site.

Date (08/22/2017)
I tried to contact the seller through alibaba but he was still unresponsive so I opened a dispute of type offline transaction and attached the conversation history and product link, proof of payment as attachements.

After sometime of trying through google, linkedin and skype I managed to get hold of the seller through his skype id and he told me that his account has been hacked and he has updated the dispute notifying www.alibaba.com of the this fact.

Proof of transaction
http://imgur.com/a/stAgZ

I would like to continue mining some coins, if you can feel free to donate a small amount to me so I can recover some of my losses from this awful, stupid experience. My new address from same wallet is:1NYWQz63FheTqis2Eg2S8CC4kRbXGkF2La.

Many Thanks,

Kamasutra





Transcript: Communication between me (buyer and seller on www.alibaba.com)
Buyer(2017-08-21 09:24:52)
hi

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:25:19)
I am interested in orderin 1 unit, when can i get it?

Seller(2017-08-21 09:25:57)
WHERE ARE YOU SHIPPING TO ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:26:03)
somewhere in europe

Seller(2017-08-21 09:26:21)
Delivery takes just 3-4 days to your home doorstep through FedEx,DHL,UPS shipping courier services.  

Seller(2017-08-21 09:26:38)
Antminer D3 COST...$2,500 each unit including shipment to your home address

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:27:14)
sounds good, but is it already available, cause people mentioned 1 st batch in september...`?

Seller(2017-08-21 09:27:35)
We are now  shipping

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:27:57)
ok

Seller(2017-08-21 09:28:04)
Ship today , by  THURSDAY YOU RECEIVE

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:28:45)
are you shipping from eu to me ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:30:18)
I would like to buy one, how do I pay? And can I trust you

Seller(2017-08-21 09:30:33)
We accept payment through WESTERN UNION or MONEYGRAM transfer, BITCOIN, ETHEREUM & LITECOIN. Which one would you prefer ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:35:49)
you there?

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:36:14)
is it possible with visa?

Seller(2017-08-21 09:36:32)
We accept payment through WESTERN UNION or MONEYGRAM transfer, BITCOIN, ETHEREUM & LITECOIN.

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:37:32)
I think bitcoin in that case, is this transaction insured by alibaba, cause someone could take my bitcoin and I receive nothing

Seller(2017-08-21 09:40:56)
This is our 4yrs in service , i think our reputation is more important to us

Seller(2017-08-21 09:41:10)
it is our responsibily to deliver what you paid for

Seller(2017-08-21 09:41:24)
And i also think that is why we are here  to do business globally

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:42:07)
Ok, please send me a quote for Antminer D3, I will order today, with receipt proof of payment

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:42:37)
paying with bitcoin

Seller(2017-08-21 09:43:45)
To order, your valid deliver  address is required to process your order. Full Name: Full Address: City: State: Zipcode: Tel: E-mail: Unit: Country:

Seller(2017-08-21 09:44:39)
0.621025 BTC

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:45:43)
Address: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:45:59)
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Seller(2017-08-21 09:46:30)
tel number :

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:48:32)
Tel: +xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Seller(2017-08-21 09:48:48)
OK

Seller(2017-08-21 09:49:07)
17NYyaoMBQrgsUHqZdTuFGe2nvMF8nPCn5

Seller(2017-08-21 09:49:09)
0.621025 BTC

Buyer(2017-08-21 09:51:10)
Ok, I am just getting some bitcoin will let you know when I have transferred

Seller(2017-08-21 09:53:26)
OK

Seller(2017-08-21 09:53:37)
Shipping notification , SMS or E-mail

Seller(2017-08-21 09:53:45)
which one would you prefer  ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 10:01:55)
shipping notification, sms please

Seller(2017-08-21 10:05:07)
OK..DONE WITH THE PAYMENT ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 10:09:39)
Have now bought bitcoins, I am waiting to receive the bitcoins

Seller(2017-08-21 10:11:56)
OK.

Seller(2017-08-21 10:27:34)
Done ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 10:30:25)
Just spoke to xxxxxxx, It will take up to 1 hour to receive my bitcoin, guess we have to wait

Seller(2017-08-21 10:30:56)
ok, no problem then.

Seller(2017-08-21 11:41:26)
Ready ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 11:46:18)
Just checked, she said my bitcoin purchase is confirmed should receive shortly

Buyer(2017-08-21 11:46:34)
I was wondering, does it include PUS

Buyer(2017-08-21 11:46:36)
PSU

Seller(2017-08-21 11:46:50)
yes of course

Buyer(2017-08-21 11:46:57)
ok, good

Seller(2017-08-21 12:25:52)
ready ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 12:30:40)
nope, still waiting

Buyer(2017-08-21 13:01:54)
I will be back in 2 hours, hopefully I get them by then

Seller(2017-08-21 13:02:43)
ok..

Seller(2017-08-21 14:46:54)
DONE ??

Buyer(2017-08-21 14:48:56)
I just got back, will contact them now

Seller(2017-08-21 14:49:17)
You have not receive  it yet  ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 14:53:54)
these guys are slow, can't belive this (https://xxxxxx.com/)

Buyer(2017-08-21 14:54:52)
if u trust me, you can ship it I will transfer btc to you today or tomorrow, I am honest

Seller(2017-08-21 14:55:33)
I have no problem about that but my MANAGER

Seller(2017-08-21 14:55:50)
What cause the delay from the seller of BTC ?

Buyer(2017-08-21 14:58:41)
she says, there liquidating partner has set status "ongoing" and she is waiting for them to contact back

Seller(2017-08-21 15:00:40)
ok.

Buyer(2017-08-21 15:45:29)
ok, I got the bitcoins

Seller(2017-08-21 15:46:04)
ok..

Seller(2017-08-21 15:46:45)
17NYyaoMBQrgsUHqZdTuFGe2nvMF8nPCn5

Seller(2017-08-21 15:46:48)
0.621025 BTC

Buyer(2017-08-21 15:48:45)
I have sent you, please check

Seller(2017-08-21 15:49:19)
ok

Buyer(2017-08-21 15:57:15)
did you get?

Seller(2017-08-21 15:57:52)
yes just now

Seller(2017-08-21 15:58:12)
i will inform you with  the shipping information

Buyer(2017-08-21 15:58:27)
ok, tracking number would be nice

Buyer(2017-08-21 17:34:16)
hi

Buyer(2017-08-21 17:34:42)
can I get a receipt, proof of purchase

Buyer(2017-08-22 08:38:41)
good day

Buyer(2017-08-22 09:05:49)
are you there?

Buyer(2017-08-22 09:34:13)
hi

[1715700926]

1715700926

[1715700926]

1715700926

[leowonderful]

Why would you pay with bitcoin on aliexpress without escrow or protection of any sort as you did not use valid Alibaba payment methods? No matter how much trust the seller may have they can just take the money and you can't really do anything about it.

Is it that difficult to transfer BTC to PayPal or bank transfer?

[kamasutra]

Why would you pay with bitcoin on aliexpress?
It was www.alibaba.com not aliexpress

Why would you pay with bitcoin on alibaba without escrow or protection of any sort as you did not use valid Alibaba payment methods?
I see what you mean, but it was in the heat of the moment. I should have left the conversation when he said he does not accept paypal, creditcard.
But in this case it was not the seller that fooled me, someone hacked his account, posted a product, sold it and then removed the product.

[leowonderful]

Why would you pay with bitcoin on aliexpress?
It was www.alibaba.com not aliexpress

Why would you pay with bitcoin on alibaba without escrow or protection of any sort as you did not use valid Alibaba payment methods?
I see what you mean, but it was in the heat of the moment. I should have left the conversation when he said he does not accept paypal, creditcard.
But in this case it was not the seller that fooled me, someone hacked his account, posted a product, sold it and then removed the product.

It's essentially the same thing besides a few features anyways. This kind of scam happens even on sites like eBay where people post a cheap item or rare item and delist it as soon as it sells. All the methods he offered would have no way of reversing, big red flag.

[klixion]

I would not pay for anything on Alibaba with bitcoins.  They accept credit cards and some sellers on there even accept Paypal.  Always look to see if they are a Gold seller too and how many years they've been selling on the site. 

[kamasutra]

I would not pay for anything on Alibaba with bitcoins
Yes, I learned my lesson now.

Always look to see if they are a Gold seller too and how many years they've been selling on the site.
In this case the seller was a gold seller with 4 years trading, but the account was hacked and an unrelated
product was added to their products. The hacker was logged into the account and communicating with potential
buyers.

[mousehouse]

In this case the seller was a gold seller with 4 years trading, but the account was hacked and an unrelated
product was added to their products. The hacker was logged into the account and communicating with potential
buyers.

Sorry but I really don't buy that. Scammers will do anything to decoy you and point you in the wrong direction. I've been scammed on Ebay ~15 years ago on the purchase on a laptop, it's all the same red flags all over the place.

If something looks to good to be true, it usually is. A D3 will make a multitude of the seller's offer, no way he will let go of the miner for that price -> scam sign 1.

I feel your pain, you've just had an expensive learning lesson...

[Hamphser]

In this case the seller was a gold seller with 4 years trading, but the account was hacked and an unrelated
product was added to their products. The hacker was logged into the account and communicating with potential
buyers.

Sorry but I really don't buy that. Scammers will do anything to decoy you and point you in the wrong direction. I've been scammed on Ebay ~15 years ago on the purchase on a laptop, it's all the same red flags all over the place.

If something looks to good to be true, it usually is. A D3 will make a multitude of the seller's offer, no way he will let go of the miner for that price -> scam sign 1.

I feel your pain, you've just had an expensive learning lesson...

This is the thing we should put up on our minds on which we should always think or think twice if something is offered or sell in too good to be true prices then you should not bother to make transaction with unless if the discounted price or lesser price isnt too far on the usual market price because on that one maybe its still legit but for those prices which to way cheap than on its usual or normal price then we should really think twice.

[kamasutra]

Yes, I think my wishful thinking and the rush with which I wanted to get the miner got me down.

[tyuner4]

Sorry for your losses and thank you for notifying us here. Move on and be safe in the future.