kii552007_alt Computer Hardware Scammer

[bill gator]

What happened:: User kii552007_alt posted a thread in Computer Hardware to sell their equipment which they have access to because of their high-quality manufacturing connections that produce top-tier GPUs and Motherboards. Many users have placed orders with this user and none have received their gear. Multiple users have reported suspicious activity, such as requesting multiple payments, delays, fake tracking numbers and disputes that have resulted in promises of refunds. The user has stopped replying in their sales thread for about a week at this point, but there are many users that have been promised their goods will be shipped or have been shipped, yet nobody has received a valid tracking number or a package. This has gone on for too long and I would like to save users that are interested in purchasing equipment the headache and time that would come along with this scam.

Scammers Profile Link: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1326951 - kii552007_alt

Reference Link: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2928797.0

Amount Scammed: Final amount unknown as of now, potentially $1000's.

Payment Method: Paypal

Proof of Payment:
Proof of payment would be confirmed through the agreements made public by Buyer & Seller (There are more in the thread, and many in PMs that may be willing to come forward if needed):

Started a transaction with seller via PayPal for a couple of cards that are supposed to ship out Friday via EMS; I will document the entirety of the transaction here good or bad.

I confirm I'm trading with this user, I hope this could be a good start for either of us.
Thanks.

I've ordered a motherboard from this guy as a test, he did say 7-10 days for shipping paid and will document the process to see if anything changes or nothing comes through.

I confirm the order with this member.
I just found out we have a more competitive price on MOBO than GPUs.
So if there's a need of MOBO, you can contact me as well.
Thanks.

PM/Chat Logs: Contacting affected parties

Additional Notes: I advise you to not deal with this user until this dispute is resolved.

Hi guys

I did try and purchase some gear off OP. Phil you may recall in your thread when I was asking about different branded cards. The deal fell through.

Here's how it went: I had a thread looking to buy cards and OP  responded. After some back and forth I decided to go through with a purchase of 6 cards using PayPal G&S.

After initial payment the payment was returned, it was a larger payment and the funds were in hold in Op's account.

He then invoiced me for 3 separate orders broken down into 3 cards each and one including shipping.

After payment we did communicate daily for 2 days as I tried to verify he placed the order or had the cards. He then contacted me presumably from his shop or the shop he purchases from, saying he had different cards on hand and that they would be a little cheaper, or I could pay a little more and step up to different cards.

This was a second flag for me the first being the returned funds, this one because in the PayPal terms multiple payments for 1 item voids the protection.

I had opted for the cheaper cards and a partial refund.

After this he began to ask where in Canada I was presumably he was thinking of delivering the cards to me, as he said he was coming for a business trip; first time it was mentioned. I told him I wanted the cards shipped.

I heard nothing for 3 days then started a dispute with PayPal. At this poi t OP contacted me and said he couldn't do business with someone like me, even though I said if he could prove shipment or ownership of the cards I would drop the dispute. At this poi t he was also apparently landing in Ottawa.

I received all my funds back through PayPal. So there was no loss in my part. And we parted ways.

Quick update - First batch of item has been shipped out
2nd batch will be handled tomorrow

Says they've been shipped, but nobody has seen their tracking numbers move.

I got an EMS number today, tracking just says label created so it’s not actually shipped, but I’m remaining hopeful for now.

He just responded to me by PM saying he was picking up a delivery in a different city and would update the shipping information as soon as he got back. He also linked me some images of the GPUs in hand, but no forum username/date in the pictures, so they could be from anywhere.

Ok so still no movement, little to no response from the seller by PM, and no replies in this thread from him. I was really hoping this was legit but the red flags are becoming too hard to ignore, so guess I will have to file a PayPal dispute today if I don’t see movement on the tracking number. Sigh.

Update:

18/02/2018 I purchased GPU, seller confirmed receiving funds from me on PayPal
23/02/2018 Yesterday, order supposed to be shipped Friday
24/02/2018 Today, I messaged the seller where is my shipping number, waiting for answer.

Feedback left on scammers account. Will remove if this turned to be legit, which I doubt very much.
Also claim opened on PayPal:

I’m still waiting as well. I have an EMS tracking but whether it didn’t ship or it’s just EMS not tracking properly I don’t know yet. All I can do is wait a bit and see what happens. I already have paypal claim in and will cancel it if I receive cards.

Interesting, on the day I decided to order the motherboard, he refunded me.. However it takes 7 days for the refund to come through once you WITHDRAW into your bank account.

He had told me that he has not withdrawn the money, if he didn't withdraw the money why did paypal now say it's going to take 7 + days for a refund?

Fishy. Glad he refunded me anyways.

[crypto_curious]

Long story short:
Paid 18 February through PayPal.
Supposed to be shipped 23 February
25 February: Received EMS tracking number

Number is not valid, no contact with seller since last message 25th February.

PayPal invoice and Thunderbird conversation: https://imgur.com/a/EDtOY
Bitcointalk PMs: https://imgur.com/a/OCi5l
PayPal claim: https://imgur.com/a/aHHpF

Last message from him on e-mail, 25/02/2018 00:44 from Cliff Chang <cliffstudiouk@gmail.com>:

Hello,

Sorry for the late reply, it was late night here.
Here's your tracking number:
(...)
I think it would take 1-2 working days for the details to be showed up in the system.

Nothing since then, despite my numerous attempts to contact.

[timerland]

If he's just giving invalid tracking numbers and after a few days it's still not working, it's definitely not legit and he's probably making stuff up here. For everyone it's probably beneficial to start a paypal dispute as soon as possible before he moves his paypal funds.

At least most/all of the people involved have used paypal, and that is reversible. When doing these kind of deals either deal with something that you know is reversible, or just use one of the escrows on forum.

If the scammer tries to claim that he'll start shipping it or just keep waiting until the tracking number works, don't believe him. Start a dispute with paypal straightaway. The success rate is probably higher the sooner you do the dispute.

[Chris!]

Long story short:
Paid 18 February through PayPal.
Supposed to be shipped 23 February
25 February: Received EMS tracking number

Number is not valid, no contact with seller since last message 25th February.

PayPal invoice and Thunderbird conversation: https://imgur.com/a/EDtOY
Bitcointalk PMs: https://imgur.com/a/OCi5l
PayPal claim: https://imgur.com/a/aHHpF

Last message from him on e-mail, 25/02/2018 00:44 from Cliff Chang <cliffstudiouk@gmail.com>:

Hello,

Sorry for the late reply, it was late night here.
Here's your tracking number:
(...)
I think it would take 1-2 working days for the details to be showed up in the system.

Nothing since then, despite my numerous attempts to contact.

Awesome. Super glad to hear that you paid with PayPal. I hope no one bought with crypto, but I mean of course these scams happened on bitcointalk so that's unlikely.

Post as much as you can to find this guy.

[bill gator]

Awesome. Super glad to hear that you paid with PayPal. I hope no one bought with crypto, but I mean of course these scams happened on bitcointalk so that's unlikely.

It's funny actually, earlier in their sales thread I asked if they were accepting crypto or escrow; the answer to both was no and it was immediately strange and alarming. I don't know why they refused to accept Crypto, and maybe they responded differently through PM, - at least publicly they refused to accept it for their Hardware and so I can only hope that everybody has means of recourse and reversal.

[quick1unc]

Figured id add mine to the list. I purchased 7 1070ti’s from OP with over $3k ties up and paid via PayPal/credit card.

First cards were supposed to ship on Friday and I received an EMS number that has yet to track. Second batch OP provided picture of 5 cards on counter with time stamped paper with his and my name on it as well as new EMS tracking. That one isn’t tracking yet either.

I have Spoken to OP extensively over the past week via Skype with no issues and he provided me numerous photos of cards but never was able to provide photos of the cards in shipping packaging to show the cards outside of the store, so he never proved to me that the cards were purchased.

I have also been in contact with OP’s partner but still have no proof that either of the tracking numbers are legit. I have opened up paypa claim in the meantime.

[looperjack]

He's been threatening some of his victims, but I managed to get someone to share screenshots of chat from the time dealing on upwork.

https://imgur.com/a/oJ8Fg
As you can see, the guy was suppose to delivery by Feb 1, but Feb 4 and no response.

Like I said on the other thread, his upwork profile got banned on desktop, but here's a screenshot of what it looked like. And just like I said, he placed 1st in English and his posts show it.
https://imgur.com/ASdhjoA

Here's a link to another forum where he's been scamming people and people are warning others not to deal with him if it helps any.
https://w.ebptt.com/b/soho/M.1505379421.A.3C0.html

[bill gator]

Thanks looperjack and quick1unc for sharing your experiences and what evidence you can provide. I haven't heard a single user claim to have received anything from this user. The only interactions I've heard take place are promises of refunds, lies, fake tracking numbers, nonsensical explanation, schemes to revoke buyer protection and avoidance. I expect more users to come forward and share their evidence/stories. kii552007_alt has received $1000's from users that are now in dispute. Do you have evidence that they are threatening their victims?

This user has claimed to be the partner of kii552007_alt:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1854909 - ATRD

If this goes south, might as well hold everyone that is self-admittedly involved accountable.

[kebabman]

Similar story here;

- ordered 10x Sapphire Nitro+ RX580s for $3500 and paid via PayPal on 2/19

Assuming payment is made on 2/19/18, the Seller agrees that the purchased items will be shipped on 2/24/18 via EMS (International Express Mail Service), and Cliff Studio will provide a tracking number to the Buyer as soon as possible. The shipment will be sent from Taiwan. The estimated, but not guaranteed, delivery time is 5-7 days and can vary based on shipping service. Both parties agree that returns are not accepted, and all transactions are final.

- received tracking number EE775534246TW on 2/24
- last contact with kii552007_alt on 2/26 when I asked for an update on why the tracking number hadn't moved, he replied with the following

Hello, I'm picking up an item for my another trade in another city right now, I will send you the shipping info once back home
However, I have the photos for your items here:
https://imgur.com/a/TAlMB
Thanks.

- opened PayPal dispute 2/27, was immediately replied to on the dispute by the guy who sent the PayPal invoice who claimed to be the OPs partner offered to Skype to explain
- had a conversation with him, he seemed honest to me but at the end of the day it's still just words, I suggested he posted what he had told me on BTCtalk to update the thread with his side of the story which he did with this profile https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1854909

Seems to me like either this is a scam, and while annoying my $3.5k is gonna be tied up for a few weeks I'll get my money back via PayPal from the partner, who ends up screwed by the OP as he's basically withdrawn the funds from his PayPal and then MoneyGram'd / WesterUnion'd the money to the OP, or it's not a scam and the OP is just slow and very bad at owning up to the fact he's over promised.

[looperjack]

I have no direct evidence as his victims have only told me they were threatened by him. The person who was willing to share his chat was not threatened so I have no direct evidence of his threats.

[ibminer]

I've left feedback for awareness.

[bill gator]

From what I've gathered about kebabman's story and what the partner has publicly posted there may be some truth coming from the partner. It might be the case that the partner is being scammed too; if the two have not met in person and there is no "collateral" between them then there is a high chance that after the funds have been withdrawn from Paypal and Moneygram'd that there will be little to no contact between the scammer and their "partner". It might be unfortunate, but the partner may be correct in that they will be taking the brunt of the blow here. I would like to hear more from them, because it's possible that kii552007_alt used their partner as a meat shield to make sure that all the problems fall onto them.

Thank you ibminer for helping us tag them until we figure out what's up.

[alia]

He has scammed me of $300 too. I have reversed the payment and sent proof to PayPal. I suggest everyone here do the same

[alia]

From what I've gathered about kebabman's story and what the partner has publicly posted there may be some truth coming from the partner. It might be the case that the partner is being scammed too; if the two have not met in person and there is no "collateral" between them then there is a high chance that after the funds have been withdrawn from Paypal and Moneygram'd that there will be little to no contact between the scammer and their "partner". It might be unfortunate, but the partner may be correct in that they will be taking the brunt of the blow here. I would like to hear more from them, because it's possible that kii552007_alt used their partner as a meat shield to make sure that all the problems fall onto them.

Thank you ibminer for helping us tag them until we figure out what's up.

As far as I can see the PayPal email the scammer used has been long since associated with the scammer and not the partner

[quick1unc]

There were 2 different PayPal emails. One supposedly belonged to the OP but he hit a limit and the partner took the rest of the payments.

[bill gator]

As far as I can see the PayPal email the scammer used has been long since associated with the scammer and not the partner

Care to share what you are looking at with the rest of the class? None of the Paypal emails have been made public, or at least have not been compiled into this thread. I don't know if that is considered doxing or what, but if you could even explain the evidence without giving away any personal information so that we know whether or not it is an avenue worth exploring.

He has scammed me of $300 too.

It would be more beneficial if you clarified your story, details about dates and what was agreed upon. Including where the deal went wrong would be fantastic, have they threatened you in anyway? Someone mentioned they were threatening people earlier and I'm wondering if we can get anyone with proof of this to come forward.

There were 2 different PayPal emails.

I'm assuming he was using his own at the beginning, but I am unsure if there even is a partner or if this was simply their explanation for having a second Paypal account with another identity. Unless you are saying that both Paypals have been being used to scam in an intertwined manner for awhile, is that the case?

[quick1unc]

The OP as far as I can tell only took a couple of smaller payments and then said he had hit his limit or something along those lines and referred payments to his partner, so the partner is on the hook for the majority of the money.

According to the partner he used Skrill to transfer money to OP to buy cards. If that is true then the OP pulled the perfect scam. He got someone else to assume liability for any fraud that takes place and can walk away relatively unscathed. I had $750 paid to the OP and $2k to the partner for different orders. The OP has ceased communication but I am still in consistent conversations with the partner via Skype.

[alia]

As far as I can see the PayPal email the scammer used has been long since associated with the scammer and not the partner

Care to share what you are looking at with the rest of the class? None of the Paypal emails have been made public, or at least have not been compiled into this thread. I don't know if that is considered doxing or what, but if you could even explain the evidence without giving away any personal information so that we know whether or not it is an avenue worth exploring.

He has scammed me of $300 too.

It would be more beneficial if you clarified your story, details about dates and what was agreed upon. Including where the deal went wrong would be fantastic, have they threatened you in anyway? Someone mentioned they were threatening people earlier and I'm wondering if we can get anyone with proof of this to come forward.

There were 2 different PayPal emails.

I'm assuming he was using his own at the beginning, but I am unsure if there even is a partner or if this was simply their explanation for having a second Paypal account with another identity. Unless you are saying that both Paypals have been being used to scam in an intertwined manner for awhile, is that the case?

He was to buy a camera for me on Amazon and I paid him. He kept stalling, at first there were large delays between messages, then suddenly he stopped replying. I can still see him going on and off on Skype. His PayPal email matches his real identity

[Steamtyme]

Sorry for the late info; been busy here is a screenshot of payment via paypal and refunds, as well as a link describing my experience.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2928797.msg30567418#msg30567418

https://imgur.com/0Dam2PF

Sorry I can't get more pictures up at the moment. This shows the payments beginning and the subsequent refunds. In the end all funds were refunded. After the first full payment a refund was sent and 3 smaller invoices were issued to, in theory remove the hold on funds Paypal had in place. In the end Paypal never released the funds and I had to file a dispute due to lack of communication from OP.

All pricing and funds for my order were dealt with in CAD, not sure how everyone else got priced or if the numbers matched up.

Post if anyone needs or wants further information; I am going to be on vacay for the next week so it will not bee until then. I did save some emails and pm's. I will note that the paypal name appeared as Cliffstudio and the email was cliffstudiotw@gmail.com

[quick1unc]

First email I got from OP was jigakiya@gmail.com the second payment through the partner was to ajwinn@gmail.com