SCAM accusation: initforthemoney - selling AsicMiner Blades for a low price

[BenTuras]

I most likely have been scammed by initforthemoney. He was and still is offering Asicminer Blades for a low price.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=262699
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=264149
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=264554

Below is a copy of all PMs(Sorry for the lousy formatting, his replies are in italic):

« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 06:15:32 AM »
I'll buy one if you still have one.

Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 06:19:57 AM »
Okay, please send payment total to: 1k7U5LRT1r1Cvdpyffb7D7sWwo58HsUr9 and send me a PM with blade quantity & shipping address along with transaction ID. Price is 16 BTC per blade, thanks.

-Mat
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 06:28:24 AM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 06:19:57 AM
Okay, please send payment total to: 1k7U5LRT1r1Cvdpyffb7D7sWwo58HsUr9 and send me a PM with blade quantity & shipping address along with transaction ID. Price is 16 BTC per blade, thanks.

-Mat

Hi Mat,
Thanks, I will pay 15BTC now and another 1.8BTC within 10 minutes (waiting for enough confirmations).

Shipping address is:
XXX

phone: NNN

Cheers
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 06:29:16 AM »
I have reserved 1 blade for you just let me know when you send the payment with the information for me to confirm it,thanks.
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 06:29:21 AM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 06:19:57 AM
Okay, please send payment total to: 1k7U5LRT1r1Cvdpyffb7D7sWwo58HsUr9 and send me a PM with blade quantity & shipping address along with transaction ID. Price is 16 BTC per blade, thanks.

-Mat

Small correction, shipment is 0.9BTC so I will pay another 1.9BTC in a minute.
Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 06:31:00 AM »
Hi Mat,

First payment: https://blockchain.info/tx/e78ae6140218413023d94757066e64b4f963dbaf815c21e18b562e3435fa58b1

remaining 1.9BTC in a minute.

Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 06:35:52 AM »
Perfect, I can see the 15 BTC being confirmed now. Will update in the morning and confirm the 1.9 remaining as it is late here now, thanks for the prompt payment Ben.

-Mat
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 06:36:27 AM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 06:35:52 AM
Perfect, I can see the 15 BTC being confirmed now. Will update in the morning and confirm the 1.9 remaining as it is late here now, thanks for the prompt payment Ben.

-Mat
Thank you too and have a good night sleep!
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 07:27:25 AM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 06:35:52 AM
Perfect, I can see the 15 BTC being confirmed now. Will update in the morning and confirm the 1.9 remaining as it is late here now, thanks for the prompt payment Ben.

-Mat
The remaining 1.9BTC has been paid: https://blockchain.info/tx/2acd2942ac71fdbd914f9f1eae0644c3d5848f8411f062764d3451b9d0ad796b

Hope to receive the shipment tracking number in a day or two.

Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 02:00:21 PM »
Hi Mat,

Can you confirm receiving 16.9BTC and the shipment address for the blade ?
When will you be able to ship it and supply me with a tracking number ?

Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 05:21:33 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 06:35:52 AM
Perfect, I can see the 15 BTC being confirmed now. Will update in the morning and confirm the 1.9 remaining as it is late here now, thanks for the prompt payment Ben.

-Mat
Hi Mat,
You're rather silent, everything OK ?

Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 05:23:40 PM »
Yes everything's fine I was running rather late to work so I didn't get chance to mail it yet very sorry (my sisters cat had to be put down last night I was up very late). I will pack it up tonight and either ship it today or tomorrow, sorry about that. Will update you asap.
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 05:26:31 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 05:23:40 PM
Yes everything's fine I was running rather late to work so I didn't get chance to mail it yet very sorry (my sisters cat had to be put down last night I was up very late). I will pack it up tonight and either ship it today or tomorrow, sorry about that. Will update you asap.

Ok thanks for your reply,

Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 10:24:27 PM »
About to go to the post office. You didn't want to buy the 2nd board by any chance? I could make a deal for you since you already bought 1, let me know and we'll go from there thanks!
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 10:27:48 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 10:24:27 PM
About to go to the post office. You didn't want to buy the 2nd board by any chance? I could make a deal for you since you already bought 1, let me know and we'll go from there thanks!
I might be interested, if you can send me a pic with both the board and this message on your monitor to my email address: aaa@bbb
At the moment I can offer you 11BTC for the 2nd board.
It's over bedtime here, but I'll be online another 15 minutes.
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 10:35:54 PM »
Well I got both packed up i'm selling the other board for 12 BTC I can do that price for you since we already have a transaction in place. I have to say this was a smooth transaction thus far and I would rather sell to you since I would like to build a better reputation and your recommendation would help me out alot. Appreciate your co-operation!
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 10:38:19 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 10:35:54 PM
Well I got both packed up i'm selling the other board for 12 BTC I can do that price for you since we already have a transaction in place. I have to say this was a smooth transaction thus far and I would rather sell to you since I would like to build a better reputation and your recommendation would help me out alot. Appreciate your co-operation!
OK, we can have a deal at 12BTC, if you agree with a split payment (due to confirmation waiting again) 9BTC right away, 3 BTC tomorrow.
But, I do want to see that picture with the boards and this message on your monitor before I pay.
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 10:44:23 PM »
That sounds perfect! I don't want to do any communication outside of the forums until you get the blades (I just need to establish some rapport). I hope that is okay with you. I will send them both out while I wait for confirmation to finish and have your tracking number asap. I wouldn't be selling at this price if it wasn't for my requirement of bitcoins atm and banks take 3-5 days to transfer so I am still waiting on my deposits). You've been great so far and will give a recommendation at anytime for you.
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 10:52:34 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 10:44:23 PM
That sounds perfect! I don't want to do any communication outside of the forums until you get the blades (I just need to establish some rapport). I hope that is okay with you. I will send them both out while I wait for confirmation to finish and have your tracking number asap. I wouldn't be selling at this price if it wasn't for my requirement of bitcoins atm and banks take 3-5 days to transfer so I am still waiting on my deposits). You've been great so far and will give a recommendation at anytime for you.
Hmmm, can you imagine my hesitation to send over us$2500 to a stranger with only two weeks on bitcointalk ?
You can post the picture on http://www.imageshack.us/ to prevent communication outside bitcointalk, you don't need an account there.
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 29, 2013, 10:55:37 PM »
I know I can understand it. In fact it's the only reason i'm selling so low as I don't think anyone would pay me market value tbh but overall I think this will benefit me in the long run and for my requirements.
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 11:07:17 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 10:55:37 PM
I know I can understand it. In fact it's the only reason i'm selling so low as I don't think anyone would pay me market value tbh but overall I think this will benefit me in the long run and for my requirements.
Ok, if you don't want to make that picture, how about you send both boards to me and I will pay the second board after receiving a track & trace number that works. Once it works I will pay. Of course that's still a risk for me, you could send me a brick in the box, but so be it.
My address is:
XXX
phone: NNN
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 30, 2013, 04:09:34 AM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 10:55:37 PM
I know I can understand it. In fact it's the only reason i'm selling so low as I don't think anyone would pay me market value tbh but overall I think this will benefit me in the long run and for my requirements.
So, what did you do ?
Send one or two ?

Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 30, 2013, 05:00:04 AM »
I did ship out the 1 blade.
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 30, 2013, 05:21:20 AM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 30, 2013, 05:00:04 AM
I did ship out the 1 blade.
Great, and the track & trace number is ?
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 30, 2013, 05:07:56 PM »
To be honest the tracking wasn't an option it was too much money. I sent the item without tracking it may take a little bit longer the post office said but I couldn't afford to send it with anything but what was offered.
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 30, 2013, 05:55:30 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 30, 2013, 05:07:56 PM
To be honest the tracking wasn't an option it was too much money. I sent the item without tracking it may take a little bit longer the post office said but I couldn't afford to send it with anything but what was offered.
Jason,
Which company did you use to send the package to the Netherlands ?
Cheers, Ben
---
« Sent to: BenTuras on: July 31, 2013, 05:53:26 AM »
Canada Post.
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 31, 2013, 06:22:04 AM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 31, 2013, 05:53:26 AM
Canada Post.
You probably took International Parcel - Surface, the cheapest one.
1. I paid 0.9 BTC for shipment, you probably paid about halve. So you owe me.
2. Do you realize it will take 4-6 WEEKS for the package to arrive ?! For an item that is time sensitive to receive ?!
3. How will I ever get any ROI when it eventually arrives, if ever ?
4. You should have contacted me before sending. I could have paid the shipment by CC and you could have refunded me the 0.9BTC.
5. You have seen all the scam accusations, your actions till now are not very positive in my eyes.

Oh well, lesson learned. Never buy anything when just back from a nice holiday. My guards were down, will not happen again.

(I will be surprised when the package arrives in 4-6 weeks, for now I tend to think I have been scammed and lost 16.9BTC).

Oh, you could make a scan of the receipt you received from Canada Post, but I am sure you will not.

And since you didn't deny it, thanks for nothing Jason Aldridge from Winnipeg, Canada.

* frustrated and disappointed *

Ben
---
« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 31, 2013, 08:07:28 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 31, 2013, 05:53:26 AM
Canada Post.
No more replies ?
---

And then he went silent...

Few things to note:
1. I was really NOT thinking at all. Multiple red flags by other forum members, still I went for it.
2. He signed his messages with Mat now and then. When I got suspicious, I did some investigation and found his real name, Jason Aldridge from Winnipeg, Canada. When I mention his first name out of the blue, he didn't even notice it, nor reacted on it.
3. No spelling errors (that I could see) from his side, so must be a grown up and educated.

There you go Jason, my first scam accusation, congratulations.

In the unlikely event that I will receive a blade in 4-6 weeks, I will update this message.

I have sent him a PM with a link to this thread.

[realestone]

Sorry to hear this but I kinda saw it coming did he reply to your request for a scanned receipt

[BenTuras]

No, no new contact beside what's copy/pasted above.
And I agree, I should have seen it coming too, all the signs were there, my only excuse is that I just came back from a lovely vacation and my scam guards were down.

[escrow.ms]

Damn, you should have read his thread properly, some people posted warning too.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=264149.msg2827360#msg2827360

[BenTuras]

Damn, you should have read his thread properly, some people posted warning too.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=264149.msg2827360#msg2827360

I bought it in that thread before the scam warnings appeared.
But I should have known better myself.
We never stop to learn!

[tarui]

ben

do u have his email address or any contact details?

try searching for it and doing some CSI work to dig up his identity

i did exactly that when i got scammed soem years back on ebay

[chanberg]

damn sucks... hope everything works out for you Ben!

Danny

[realestone]

any word from this guy yet? he made a post saying he messaged you an explanation

[Tomatocage]

I've flagged him with negative trust in hopes that it'll prevent anybody else from doing business with him (under that account anyway) until this matter is cleared up.

[Damnsammit]

Sorry to hear about this, but I did have to laugh at this part:

« Sent to: initforthemoney on: July 29, 2013, 10:52:34 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on July 29, 2013, 10:44:23 PM
That sounds perfect! I don't want to do any communication outside of the forums until you get the blades (I just need to establish some rapport). I hope that is okay with you. I will send them both out while I wait for confirmation to finish and have your tracking number asap. I wouldn't be selling at this price if it wasn't for my requirement of bitcoins atm and banks take 3-5 days to transfer so I am still waiting on my deposits). You've been great so far and will give a recommendation at anytime for you.

Hmmm, can you imagine my hesitation to send over us$2500 to a stranger with only two weeks on bitcointalk ?You can post the picture on http://www.imageshack.us/ to prevent communication outside bitcointalk, you don't need an account there.
---

This was AFTER you already sent a stranger with only two weeks on bitcointalk $1500!  You gotta use escrow!

[BenTuras]

This was AFTER you already sent a stranger with only two weeks on bitcointalk $1500!  You gotta use escrow!

I know, and I have been using escrow before, so I should have known better.
I was still in vacation mode, not very handy when seeing a too good to be true offer.

[Tomatocage]

He mentioned that he had PM'd you about an explanation. What was the explanation?

[BenTuras]

any word from this guy yet? he made a post saying he messaged you an explanation

Indeed I have this in my inbox:

« Sent to: BenTuras on: Today at 03:10:56 PM »
I got you the proof since I felt like you were going to do something drastic, although I'd appreciate it if you took down your accusation I posted proof here: http://i42.tinypic.com/1z2d6wn.png which took a while t o get a camera because the one on the back of my phone was busted, you have the pics you asked for and I will not be sending until you remove your posts your preventing me from selling the other.


And my reply:

« Sent to: initforthemoney on: Today at 05:01:00 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on Today at 03:10:56 PM
I got you the proof since I felt like you were going to do something drastic, although I'd appreciate it if you took down your accusation I posted proof here: http://i42.tinypic.com/1z2d6wn.png which took a while t o get a camera because the one on the back of my phone was busted, you have the pics you asked for and I will not be sending until you remove your posts your preventing me from selling the other.
Listen Jason,

I can only conclude that you haven't sent it yet, still in one of your previous messages you said you sent it by Canadian Post.

So for me there is no reason to remove the scam accusation.

I am going to leave my scam accusation on Bitcointalk, until you supply me with a track & trace number. Then I will update my message, stating that I got a track & trace number.

After I have received the package, inspected it and the blade is mining I will remove my accusation.

[realestone]

any word from this guy yet? he made a post saying he messaged you an explanation

Indeed I have this in my inbox:

« Sent to: BenTuras on: Today at 03:10:56 PM »
I got you the proof since I felt like you were going to do something drastic, although I'd appreciate it if you took down your accusation I posted proof here: http://i42.tinypic.com/1z2d6wn.png which took a while t o get a camera because the one on the back of my phone was busted, you have the pics you asked for and I will not be sending until you remove your posts your preventing me from selling the other.


And my reply:

« Sent to: initforthemoney on: Today at 05:01:00 PM »
Quote from: initforthemoney on Today at 03:10:56 PM
I got you the proof since I felt like you were going to do something drastic, although I'd appreciate it if you took down your accusation I posted proof here: http://i42.tinypic.com/1z2d6wn.png which took a while t o get a camera because the one on the back of my phone was busted, you have the pics you asked for and I will not be sending until you remove your posts your preventing me from selling the other.
Listen Jason,

I can only conclude that you haven't sent it yet, still in one of your previous messages you said you sent it by Canadian Post.

So for me there is no reason to remove the scam accusation.

I am going to leave my scam accusation on Bitcointalk, until you supply me with a track & trace number. Then I will update my message, stating that I got a track & trace number.

After I have received the package, inspected it and the blade is mining I will remove my accusation.

sorry man i hope it wasnt a big loss this guy definitely isnt sending anything 

[escrow.ms]

I think he is a liar as this image doesn't contains EXIF data which i found in his some old screenshot,Probably he took this screenshot from other phone.


He have a nexus 4 cellphone.

His old image: http://i44.tinypic.com/oqlkra.jpg

Code:

EXIF IFD0

    Camera Model {0x0110} = Nexus 4
    Y/Cb/Cr Positioning (Subsampling) {0x0213} = centered / center of pixel array (1)
    Y-Resolution {0x011B} = 72/1 ===> 72
    X/Y-Resolution Unit {0x0128} = inch (2)
    X-Resolution {0x011A} = 72/1 ===> 72
    Camera Make {0x010F} = LGE

EXIF Sub IFD

    Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) {0x829A} = 1/20 second ===> 0.05 second
    Digitization Date/Time {0x9004} = 2013:07:30 11:26:31
    ISO Speed Ratings {0x8827} = 1300
    Colour Space {0xA001} = sRGB (1)
    Original Date/Time {0x9003} = 2013:07:30 11:26:31
    FlashPix Version {0xA000} = 0100
    Components Configuration {0x9101} = 0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00 / YCbCr
    Lens F-Number / F-Stop {0x829D} = 265/100 ===> ƒ/2.65
    Image Height {0xA003} = 2448 pixels
    EXIF Version {0x9000} = 0220
    Image Width {0xA002} = 3264 pixels
    Focal Length {0x920A} = 460/100 mm ===> 4.6 mm

EXIF IFD1

    Y-Resolution {0x011B} = 72/1 ===> 72
    X/Y-Resolution Unit {0x0128} = inch (2)
    X-Resolution {0x011A} = 72/1 ===> 72
    Compression {0x0103} = JPEG compression (6)
    Embedded thumbnail image: 

EXIF Interoperability IFD

    Interoperability Index {0x0001} = R98
    Interoperability Version {0x0002} = 0100

EXIF GPS IFD

    GPS Image Direction {0x11} = 339/1 degrees ===> 339 degrees
    GPS Date Stamp {0x1D} = 2013:07:30 UTC
    GPS Image Direction Reference {0x10} = magnetic direction
    GPS Time Stamp / UTC Time {0x07} = 15/1,26/1,31/1 [hours, minutes, seconds] ===> 15h 26m 31s 

[tinus42]

Well with a nick like initforthemoney what would you expect? You might as well send it to someone who claims to be a "pirate 200 years too late". Sorry for your loss OP.

[wallet.dat]

If he stops signing into that account, you'll know it was a scam. No need to keep waiting for the package

[BenTuras]

I think he is a liar as this image doesn't contains EXIF data which i found in his some old screenshot,Probably he took this screenshot from other phone.


He have a nexus 4 cellphone.

His old image: http://i44.tinypic.com/oqlkra.jpg

Code:

EXIF IFD0

    Camera Model {0x0110} = Nexus 4
    Y/Cb/Cr Positioning (Subsampling) {0x0213} = centered / center of pixel array (1)
    Y-Resolution {0x011B} = 72/1 ===> 72
    X/Y-Resolution Unit {0x0128} = inch (2)
    X-Resolution {0x011A} = 72/1 ===> 72
    Camera Make {0x010F} = LGE

EXIF Sub IFD

    Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) {0x829A} = 1/20 second ===> 0.05 second
    Digitization Date/Time {0x9004} = 2013:07:30 11:26:31
    ISO Speed Ratings {0x8827} = 1300
    Colour Space {0xA001} = sRGB (1)
    Original Date/Time {0x9003} = 2013:07:30 11:26:31
    FlashPix Version {0xA000} = 0100
    Components Configuration {0x9101} = 0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00 / YCbCr
    Lens F-Number / F-Stop {0x829D} = 265/100 ===> ƒ/2.65
    Image Height {0xA003} = 2448 pixels
    EXIF Version {0x9000} = 0220
    Image Width {0xA002} = 3264 pixels
    Focal Length {0x920A} = 460/100 mm ===> 4.6 mm

EXIF IFD1

    Y-Resolution {0x011B} = 72/1 ===> 72
    X/Y-Resolution Unit {0x0128} = inch (2)
    X-Resolution {0x011A} = 72/1 ===> 72
    Compression {0x0103} = JPEG compression (6)
    Embedded thumbnail image: 

EXIF Interoperability IFD

    Interoperability Index {0x0001} = R98
    Interoperability Version {0x0002} = 0100

EXIF GPS IFD

    GPS Image Direction {0x11} = 339/1 degrees ===> 339 degrees
    GPS Date Stamp {0x1D} = 2013:07:30 UTC
    GPS Image Direction Reference {0x10} = magnetic direction
    GPS Time Stamp / UTC Time {0x07} = 15/1,26/1,31/1 [hours, minutes, seconds] ===> 15h 26m 31s 

Thanks, pity there is no GPS location ;-)
But I will find him if necessary.

[BenTuras]

Well with a nick like initforthemoney what would you expect? You might as well send it to someone who claims to be a "pirate 200 years too late". Sorry for your loss OP.

His nick only raised a little question mark for me because a lot of people are in Bitcoins for the money.

[BenTuras]

I have contacted the Winnipeg police department and inquired how to file a fraud/scam complaint against Jason Aldridge.