10 replies to this topic

[gaspen]

Hello

 

Let me share you a story of mine which happened this week. Maybe I am wrong but it's "stink"

 

I am looking for front seats to my Mini and placed the question on some FB groups. Someone recommended this "seller" in Germany

 

https://www.facebook...=61559897144365

 

I gave it a chance and sent him a message. After I described what I am looking for he responded "Wait a minute, I have something for you"

 

And showed me this picture :

 

 seat1.jpg   46K   0 downloads

 

I was happy first, but then I started to suspect because of the med-resolution photo (compared to his other photos) and I "googled" the picture.

 

Immediatley I found this, you can see the very same interior 

 

https://classicregis...-cooper-s-mk3-0

 

On his FB he has many new Mini and some classic Mini parts for sale so I am not really understand why he sent me a "fake" photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Spider]

There's lots of scammers everywhere and faceache seems to have more than legitimate sellers.

 

I doubt this chap own any minis at all, he has likely helped himself to lots of photos off the internet and the other scam pages of ebay.

[ScrambledEggs]

Don't ever trust groups/pages that are recommended on Facebook (usually recommend by fake American accounts) unless you can independently verify them or multiple genuine people are recommending them. Facebook is completely flooded with scammers now and this seems to be the most common scam at the moment. I see it on every single car group I'm in!

This is another reason car forums are so much better than Facebook. Unfortunately Facebook has killed most forums. This is one of the few that is still going. Unfortunately the for sale section isn't used anymore.

Edited by ScrambledEggs, 27 February 2025 - 07:22 PM.

[nicklouse]

Just trying to scam you. Look at the email addy. There are thousands of them. Report them to the group admins and they will get rid of them. But be aware there are groups that have been made by the scammers as well.

[ScrambledEggs]

I'd be willing to sell my interior if you're interested?

It's fairly similar to the one the scammer sent you.

Attached Files

•  received_502803725837701.jpeg   43.48K   10 downloads

Edited by ScrambledEggs, 27 February 2025 - 07:30 PM.

[gaspen]

Fortunately I am always suspicious, especially if I see a "very  good" offer : he asked 300 € (!) for the COMPLETE interior of a MK3 Cooper including the shipping !

[gaspen]

I'd be willing to sell my interior if you're interested?

It's fairly similar to the one the scammer sent you.

 

Why do you sell it ? it is very nice for your car :) 

 

Actually I am looking for this type of seat to my 850. As far as I know these seat were installed only to the 850's by the factory.

 

 20250209_130756.jpg   25.76K   0 downloads

[ScrambledEggs]

I do like it but I've got plans for something I'd like even more!

[timmy850]

My favourite is when then copy it word for word from the seller's add including the spelling mistakes 

 

Scam

https://www.facebook...e/p/1MpdW5xCMH/

 

Original

https://www.facebook...e/p/1BdrKeVnRr/

[68+86auto]

That's a scam run by Cameroonian scammers. They have fake accounts to recommend their fake pages. You can ask for non existent parts and they'll have them. They will also want your location first before they tell you where they are. That is so they can conveniently be too far away for you to pick up the items. Instead you'll need them posted by their fake shipping companies. If you pay for the items, the fake shipping companies will then request 100s more for "shipping insurance" etc. The parts don't exist. 

These scammers are all over Facebook and I probably spend hours each day along with many others trying to stop them. I need to stop doing that as it takes up so much time but once I see a scam I can't leave it. One victim only contacted me after sending 7000 USD to Cameroonian scammers.

What's worse is that they often also copy the names addresses and phone numbers of real parts businesses. The real businesses then get phone calls asking where the parts the victim paid for are. The real businesses then has to work out and explain to them that they've been scammed. Many of these businesses have tried to involve lawyers and get the pages to be shut down but with no success.

The same scammers also now create groups for these scams. They'll often post "only buy parts from admins, no scammers allowed". Many of these groups have 10s of thousands of unsuspecting members and nothing can be done since the scammers are the admins. I slow them down by reporting the admins as fake accounts.

What many of us do is put angry emojis on posts by scammers. It doesn't stop them but they stay there even when the scammers block us. Some potential victims see the emojis and message to ask why. Most victims probably miss the emojis but even if one person is saved, it's worth it.

[gaspen]

I'd be willing to sell my interior if you're interested?

It's fairly similar to the one the scammer sent you.

 

Sent you a PM