BEWARE: LocalBitcoins Screenshot Scam

[yuriygeorge]

Beware of this guy: Sucram on local bitcoins:
https://localbitcoins.com/accounts/profile/sucraM/

He just scammed a lot of people, asking for a screenshot of the pre-funding page "for verification/security" and then when he gets the screenshot, he releases the funds. The screenshot has the authentication code to release the funds. WATCH OUT!

Someone on there lost over $8,000...

Also this guy's number is:  1-913-200-1331. Need to come up with a way to counter-scam this jackass.

[1714059533]

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[1714059533]

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[1714059533]

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[1714059533]

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[1714059533]

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[stex2009]

was he using TOR, did you check?
Localbitcoins may be able to provide you his IP.

So, get his:
IP
phone no (trackable who created this googleVOIP).

Then, Police report with those details?

[KingOfSports]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=277744.0

[DannyHamilton]

He attempted to scam me as well.  He tried to get 55 bitcoins from me using the same technique.  I realized what he was attempting and avoided getting caught in the scam, but I saw that there was a good chance he was going to get away with it with some others.  I posted two posts regarding his scam here in bitcointalk to warn people:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=86012.msg2966477#msg2966477

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=277744.0

This scam appears to have crossed multiple state boundaries, and therefore is possibly an interstate fraud case for the FBI.  If anyone contacts the FBI, let me know.  I'll call and share the details of the attempted fraud against me.

Like Trendon Shavers, we need to let these scammers know that they can't get away with fraud just because it's "bitcoin".

[bitsalame]

Beware of this guy: Sucram on local bitcoins:
https://localbitcoins.com/accounts/profile/sucraM/

He just scammed a lot of people, asking for a screenshot of the pre-funding page "for verification/security" and then when he gets the screenshot, he releases the funds. The screenshot has the authentication code to release the funds. WATCH OUT!

Someone on there lost over $8,000...

Also this guy's number is:  1-913-200-1331. Need to come up with a way to counter-scam this jackass.

I did an investigation on him: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=279648.0
So if you know of anyone who got victimized by this kid, send them to that topic so they can do a proper report to the FBI and to the local authorities.

[JWU42]

@Bitsalame,

DOX master 

[Tomatocage]

Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.

[DannyHamilton]

Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

[flagel8]

Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

Exactly. if you can read and follow instructions, you should be fine. No need to send anyone the screenshot, as you can tell when the transaction is funded right on the site when you log in. When the funds are released, THEN the person selling the coins gets the code, letting the buyer know that the coins are now in the buyer's wallet.

For that matter, even if he doesn't fund the transaction before the meet, you can still go, since he can fund the transaction while the two of you drink coffee. I think it takes 3 confirmations before the transaction can proceed. Meanwhile, you can talk, it's quite stress free. When he gives you the release code, you KNOW the coins are in your wallet. (This is from the point of view of the buyer, sorry, I've never sold any... yet).

If you really want to be safe, you can give localbitcoins your mobile number, and SMS texts will be sent to you upon funding/release actions having taken place. Very well thought out, but you MUST follow the rules and use "COMMON" sense. The Heinlein definition of Common Sense?

[escrow.ms]

Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

I think they should give release code via sms upon sellers request instead of showing code on website.

[bitsalame]

Doesnt matter what measures are taken, social engineering will always work with UNTRAINED personnel/customers.

[BurtW]

I think they have done a great job.  You now have to explicitly click a link to have the code be shown.  I toyed with him and sent him the screen shot he asked for (without clicking the "show" link of course).  So he now has to ask you to click the show link and then sent the screen shot.  That should make most people stop and think (we hope).

[bitsalame]

I think they have done a great job.  You now have to explicitly click a link to have the code be shown.  I toyed with him and sent him the screen shot he asked for (without clicking the "show" link of course).  So he now has to ask you to click the show link and then sent the screen shot.  That should make most people stop and think (we hope).

At first I thought that his game was not to get the release code (because he was saying that it is okay to send him the screenshot since the code is blocked out), so I thought that he needed the screenshot to social engineer the support team to convince them that he was the legitimate user of our accounts.

[Tomatocage]

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

Email the release code instead of displaying it on the screen?

[DannyHamilton]

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

Email the release code instead of displaying it on the screen?

And the scammer will ask the victim to forward a copy of the email.  What does that solve?

[Tomatocage]

The simply answer is to just remove the release code "feature" - something that can be done quite easily in code. It is, after all, a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

[DannyHamilton]

The simply answer is to just remove the release code "feature" - something that can be done quite easily in code. It is, after all, a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

The release code is a solution to transferring bitcoins between users in a face-to-face meeting location that doesn't have WiFi.

It allows fast (nearly instant) transactions that don't require any confirmations as long as you trust localbitcoins.  It prevents the possibilities of the receiver being a victim of a double-spend attack.

With the release code feature, the only thing the buyer needs to have with them at the meeting is the cash they are using to pay with, and the only thing the seller needs to have with them is an old cheap cell phone capable of sending txt messages.

It isn't a necessary feature for some people, but for those that use it, it is a very valuable and desired feature.

[Lionel]

did those scammers have 100% positive feedbacks? how many feedbacks?

[saif313]

did those scammers have 100% positive feedbacks? how many feedbacks?

no limit they can take as much they can no body can stop them from to do this

[rammy2k2]

wow ... thanks for posting this