Avoid auto-buy links, mainly locked or self moderated. Register before dealing

[EcuaMobi]

This shouldn't be necessary as escrow should always be used:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=133931.0

However, I've seen lately a lot of threads where newbies (or any user without strong trust *) post auto-buy links on self-moderated or locked threads:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2900503.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3034331.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2864178.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3023479.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2176395.0
Several users have been scammed that way.

Never buy using those links. Always ask for a trusted member to act as escrow.
If the sellers refuse or ignore your request, please post here or PM me to add red trust to them.


* Register to see the seller's trust before making any deal. Bitcointalk has a complex trust system. While it's not perfect, it's far better than nothing.
If you are not registered you won't be able to see this trust and won't see what users are tagged as scammers, as shown in the image below:



Do register or login before browsing this Marketplace and be careful when dealing with anyone, even if not tagged as scammer.


I will be leaving trust flags (info) to users who don't have reputation here and post locked or self-moderated threads on the marketplace, especially if posting auto-buy links. It's almost certain those threads are created with the sole purpose of scamming. I recommend others to use this thread as reference when flagging users for the same reason.

[1714002700]

1714002700

[plavirudar]

Why is the forum even allowing this feature, though? It seems to be constantly abused to scam newbies to the forum, and I personally can't see any benefit to allowing the self-moderation option in a sales subforum, where the replies are a good way to get reviews of scammers.

[EcuaMobi]

Why is the forum even allowing this feature, though? It seems to be constantly abused to scam newbies to the forum, and I personally can't see any benefit to allowing the self-moderation option in a sales subforum, where the replies are a good way to get reviews of scammers.

I agree it shouldn't be allowed, and even more so self-moderated + locked. This point should be discussed here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2929216.0

Anyway, escrow should always be used.

[BTCforJoe]

I hate that I have to merit this post, as it should be quite obvious, but I guess when it comes to deals that are "too good to be true", they usually are. I'll do my part in helping keep this thread bumped if it gets buried; I use the merit system to help personally "flag" posts, like bookmarks, for me to reference and re-visit in the future.

And yes, I agree that the "Self-Moderation" feature shouldn't be allowed in the Marketplace. I'll discuss it in @MiLkz's thread. Thanks!

[MiLkz]

For anyone that has not seen my post in Meta regarding the removal of self-moderation, please check it out.  ---> https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2929216

Post even if you are against it, I am trying to incorporate everyone's ideas and concerns.  If we get enough support the mods may take a look at it.

[miaomiao11]

Tips, ladies and gentlemen. Recently due to Microsoft MSDN account and AWS Amazon vouchers. Particularly hot. Cause some trumpet, only accept the virtual currency to trade. They are all liar

[bolinao]

Never buy using those links. Always ask for a trusted member to act as escrow.
If the sellers refuse or ignore your request, please post here or PM me to add red trust to them.

This guy, PLEASE red trust him, I can't believe a dt member hasn't done it yet.
This is the same guy sandy-is-fine posted about in post #2.
When I first encountered him as a newbie myself I asked him to use an escrow, but he came up with excuses not to, I bought from him and got stung, since then I have been on his back whenever I see his posts, but lately he has been using self moderated thread to scam people, which makes it harder to warn people, a red trust from a dt member would go a long way.

He continuously locks his self moderated threads and  deletes scam accusations in his threads whenever he leaves them unlocked.
He has been scamming here for years under different accounts and gets away with it every time because newbies don't understand about the trust system here and buy from him.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1232944

[EcuaMobi]

This guy, PLEASE red trust him, I can't believe a dt member hasn't done it yet.
...
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1232944

I've tagged him and some of his alts. I'm watching others until I get more proof.
Thanks sandy-is-fine and bolinao

[bolinao]

Well done, you have done great work, would like to see other dt members do this also.

[gr8fuldea]

May as well add Duck.D to the list

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1895797

New alt of the notorious list of:

bestseller.starbucks
good.egift92
seller.egift
egiftstarbucks2015
egiftcard.cheap
starbucks.good_cheap
starbucks.bulk
egiftcard.bestprice

Among many others. This moron is dumb enough to continually use the same ICQ number for all his alts. Please flag this cockroach like the others.

[EcuaMobi]

May as well add Duck.D to the list

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1895797
...

I see it's obvious he has a lot of alts. However I can't find any real proof of scam attempt on any of his alts.
Some accounts have negative trust but without references so they're not useful. Also, he's not selling on locked, self-moderated threads.

What exactly are you asking me to tag him for? Please direct me to some accusation with proof.

Update: I've tagged several of his alts by linking them to egiftstarbucks2015, already tagged by Tomatocage (thanks sandy-is-fine )

[gr8fuldea]

Let's keep this bumped for all the newbies as a warning.

[plavirudar]

Anyway, escrow should always be used.

I am not sure whether this point is necessarily valid, since for small trades, the time and effort required to find an escrow and cover the escrowing fees often exceed the value of the item itself. When the marginal benefit of escrowing is negative, rationally people will not escrow.

These smaller trades are therefore much more vulnerable to scams by those fly-by-night scammers.

Also, bump.

[lamarlogan]

I'd love to have big fat red warnings on locked posts or posts that are "managed".

Even better they shouldn't be allowed in Goods at all.

[ErnieRox]

amen! so many newbs scamming lately

[Here4Trades]

Hello guys, Ill join the crew great work you have been doing lately for the community betterment Ecuamobi.

Thempanince

Thempanince - Selling Fully Verified Trading Accounts <- Locked & self moderated thread.  

Thempanince - Selling Digital Bank Account/Iban/Debit cards <- Locked & self moderated thread.

-


premiumCodes


premiumCodes - Virtual Visa Gift Cards + more 80-90% off <- Locked & self moderated thread.  

[gr8fuldea]

Bumpity bump for our newest scam account baluba. Three cheers for a blatant scam thread which looks oh so familiar

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3058140.0

[EcuaMobi]

Thempanince, premiumCodes, baluba and uniqueAmazon have been flagged. Thanks.
It's a shame non-registered users can't see the warnings. It seems they are the main target of these sellers. I hope that changes soon.

[plavirudar]

Since you're neg-reping scammers, might as well as do this one too:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3001489.0

Shilling a known scammer's posts on another forum, and apparently is still trying to bump the scam threads despite evidence being posted in his thread.

[EcuaMobi]

Since you're neg-reping scammers, might as well as do this one too:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3001489.0
Shilling a known scammer's posts on another forum, and apparently is still trying to bump the scam threads despite evidence being posted in his thread.

I don't see enough evidence to tag it. I'll keep watching it. I recommend you to open a thread here with the proper format