One of my mates got ripped off buying car parts - Beware.
Discussion
"If you’re going to do anything important today, make sure it’s sharing this message across any forums you use, any Facebook groups you use & with anybody you care about within the community.
On Wednesday I was browsing Gumtree and came across some Rota Grids which were just what I was looking for, the price was realistic, not overly cheap and as such didn’t raise suspicion on first impression. I enquired about them, and since the seller was a few hours away from me agreed that it would be better for the wheels to be posted than for me to collect.
I’m not a particularly trusting person by nature, and as such asked for a photo of some ID for some security on a transfer to somebody I’ve never met. This was provided over and above with a photo of his passport, his counterpart driving licence and my name and the current date written on paper next to them; http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/liamfretwe... Still not 100% confident, I did A LOT of google searches using all different variations of his name, middle names, birth year & location with nothing untoward showing up.
Fast forward to me having transferred him the money & him saying he would get a courier sorted, I hadn’t heard from him for about 8 hours, despite him saying he would sort it and send me the tracking details “ASAP”. I do a little more research and find a thread on a 350z forum; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/75687-ebay-fraudster/ this thread tells you plenty about the guy and what he’s about, as you can see on Page 2 – he receives plenty of beatings for it and still carries on.
At this point I knew that the chances were my £500 was gone for good. I did some reverse image searches on the photos on his advert and those that he sent me of the wheels in message, and they were taken from this thread in 2009; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/26310-brand-new-boxed... and a Driftworks advert in which the photographs no longer show, so he’s been using these for quite some time. I also did a reverse image search on the photos on his other adverts and, surprise surprise, they were pulled from old adverts too.
The likelihood is I won’t ever see my money again, this is a message to EVERYBODY in the community, a message to John Varney and a message to anybody looking to scam people out of money. This is our community and we will not allow this to continue, please make sure these cretins are known to everybody.
My advice for anyone else looking to distance buy car parts or any other items would be;
- Pay via PayPal, this offers you some security, not full security, but some.
- Always request a photo of ID with your name and date next to it AND a photo of the item with your name and date next to it.
- Do searches on the person with the kind of variations shown below to ensure nothing has been posted previously.
- Do a reverse image search – this is something I knew of but didn’t even think of doing until it was too late, 2 seconds using this would’ve ratted him out immediately. You can do this via google. If you go to Google’s home page, then images, there is a small camera icon next to the search icon, click this and then select upload image, browse for your photo and then upload – anywhere it has been used on the internet previously will be detailed.
If you’ve come across this guy, whether it was ratting him out before he took money or afterwards, please let me know – I want to compile a list of people to further pass to the Police once I’ve been myself and reported it.
Thanks
.
The following are for any searches people may do in the future about him; John Varney, John William Varney, John William McGran Varney, John McGran Varney, John William M Varney, John Varney 1986, John Varney Livingston, John Varney Linlithgow, John Varney Scam, John Varney Car Parts, John Varney Wheels, John Varney EH49, John Varney Glasgow, John Varney Scotland, John Varney 122/8 Waverley Crescent, John Varney Gumtree, John Varney eBay."
On Wednesday I was browsing Gumtree and came across some Rota Grids which were just what I was looking for, the price was realistic, not overly cheap and as such didn’t raise suspicion on first impression. I enquired about them, and since the seller was a few hours away from me agreed that it would be better for the wheels to be posted than for me to collect.
I’m not a particularly trusting person by nature, and as such asked for a photo of some ID for some security on a transfer to somebody I’ve never met. This was provided over and above with a photo of his passport, his counterpart driving licence and my name and the current date written on paper next to them; http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/liamfretwe... Still not 100% confident, I did A LOT of google searches using all different variations of his name, middle names, birth year & location with nothing untoward showing up.
Fast forward to me having transferred him the money & him saying he would get a courier sorted, I hadn’t heard from him for about 8 hours, despite him saying he would sort it and send me the tracking details “ASAP”. I do a little more research and find a thread on a 350z forum; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/75687-ebay-fraudster/ this thread tells you plenty about the guy and what he’s about, as you can see on Page 2 – he receives plenty of beatings for it and still carries on.
At this point I knew that the chances were my £500 was gone for good. I did some reverse image searches on the photos on his advert and those that he sent me of the wheels in message, and they were taken from this thread in 2009; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/26310-brand-new-boxed... and a Driftworks advert in which the photographs no longer show, so he’s been using these for quite some time. I also did a reverse image search on the photos on his other adverts and, surprise surprise, they were pulled from old adverts too.
The likelihood is I won’t ever see my money again, this is a message to EVERYBODY in the community, a message to John Varney and a message to anybody looking to scam people out of money. This is our community and we will not allow this to continue, please make sure these cretins are known to everybody.
My advice for anyone else looking to distance buy car parts or any other items would be;
- Pay via PayPal, this offers you some security, not full security, but some.
- Always request a photo of ID with your name and date next to it AND a photo of the item with your name and date next to it.
- Do searches on the person with the kind of variations shown below to ensure nothing has been posted previously.
- Do a reverse image search – this is something I knew of but didn’t even think of doing until it was too late, 2 seconds using this would’ve ratted him out immediately. You can do this via google. If you go to Google’s home page, then images, there is a small camera icon next to the search icon, click this and then select upload image, browse for your photo and then upload – anywhere it has been used on the internet previously will be detailed.
If you’ve come across this guy, whether it was ratting him out before he took money or afterwards, please let me know – I want to compile a list of people to further pass to the Police once I’ve been myself and reported it.
Thanks
.The following are for any searches people may do in the future about him; John Varney, John William Varney, John William McGran Varney, John McGran Varney, John William M Varney, John Varney 1986, John Varney Livingston, John Varney Linlithgow, John Varney Scam, John Varney Car Parts, John Varney Wheels, John Varney EH49, John Varney Glasgow, John Varney Scotland, John Varney 122/8 Waverley Crescent, John Varney Gumtree, John Varney eBay."
So in a nutshell you thought it wise to transfer money to someone you've never met, based on seeing an advert on a website for a product located hours drive away and you thought asking for some ID would ensure he wasn't going to rip you off?
A fool and their money.
Not being harsh but common sense would tell me to find some wheel closer to home or drive to collect so I can inspect. They could turn up buckled, dented, miss matched or just f
ked..
Live and learn.
A fool and their money.
Not being harsh but common sense would tell me to find some wheel closer to home or drive to collect so I can inspect. They could turn up buckled, dented, miss matched or just f
ked..Live and learn.
nightwalker said:
So in a nutshell you thought it wise to transfer money to someone you've never met, based on seeing an advert on a website for a product located hours drive away and you thought asking for some ID would ensure he wasn't going to rip you off?
A fool and their money.
Not being harsh but common sense would tell me to find some wheel closer to home or drive to collect so I can inspect. They could turn up buckled, dented, miss matched or just fked..
Live and learn.
What part of "one of my mates got ripped off" and the use of speech marks in teh oriingal post did you not understand?A fool and their money.
Not being harsh but common sense would tell me to find some wheel closer to home or drive to collect so I can inspect. They could turn up buckled, dented, miss matched or just f
ked..Live and learn.
I haven't been ripped off. A friend asked me to post it for him highlighting the seller. My name is Luke, buyers name is Liam.
lukefreeman said:
What part of "one of my mates got ripped off" and the use of speech marks in teh oriingal post did you not understand?
I haven't been ripped off. A friend asked me to post it for him highlighting the seller. My name is Luke, buyers name is Liam.
What exactly are you going to achieve by highlighting the seller? Scammers will always be around, and people should rely on their common sense to avoid them.I haven't been ripped off. A friend asked me to post it for him highlighting the seller. My name is Luke, buyers name is Liam.
I sell a few bits on Gumtree and in every mail I've been sent it states...."Meet face to face. Don't send items or receive payments remotely, almost all fraud on Gumtree happens when people don't meet in person"
Whilst I have every sympathy for your friend it does seem a bit daft sending funds when Gumtree state don't do it.
Whilst I have every sympathy for your friend it does seem a bit daft sending funds when Gumtree state don't do it.
lukefreeman said:
The likelihood is I won’t ever see my money again, this is a message to EVERYBODY in the community, a message to John Varney and a message to anybody looking to scam people out of money. This is our community and we will not allow this to continue, please make sure these cretins are known to everybody.
You sound slightly unhinged...lukefreeman said:
What part of "one of my mates got ripped off" and the use of speech marks in teh oriingal post did you not understand?
I haven't been ripped off. A friend asked me to post it for him highlighting the seller. My name is Luke, buyers name is Liam.
ahhh the old "my mate" excuse, c'mon admit what we are all thinking............... it was youI haven't been ripped off. A friend asked me to post it for him highlighting the seller. My name is Luke, buyers name is Liam.
MrBarry123 said:
lukefreeman said:
The likelihood is I won’t ever see my money again, this is a message to EVERYBODY in the community, a message to John Varney and a message to anybody looking to scam people out of money. This is our community and we will not allow this to continue, please make sure these cretins are known to everybody.
You sound slightly unhinged...HaylingJag said:
lukefreeman said:
What part of "one of my mates got ripped off" and the use of speech marks in teh oriingal post did you not understand?
I haven't been ripped off. A friend asked me to post it for him highlighting the seller. My name is Luke, buyers name is Liam.
ahhh the old "my mate" excuse, c'mon admit what we are all thinking............... it was youI haven't been ripped off. A friend asked me to post it for him highlighting the seller. My name is Luke, buyers name is Liam.
In fact, you can see from his essay, his photo bucket account name, liam fretwell. I'm Luke Freeman.......
Nice try Sherlock.
god theres some proper vindictive bds on this site sometimes. the OP is simply trying to help others less well informed or experienced to avoid possibly being anally invaded. tgen out cine the haters who have apparently no s in their own inch thick armour.....praise the lord for those that can do no wrong eh.... rolf.
get off the OPs back and go grow a pair ffs.
ds on this site sometimes. the OP is simply trying to help others less well informed or experienced to avoid possibly being anally invaded. tgen out cine the haters who have apparently no s in their own inch thick armour.....praise the lord for those that can do no wrong eh.... rolf.get off the OPs back and go grow a pair ffs.
ToothbrushMan said:
god theres some proper vindictive bds on this site sometimes. the OP is simply trying to help others less well informed or experienced to avoid possibly being anally invaded. tgen out cine the haters who have apparently no s in their own inch thick armour.....praise the lord for those that can do no wrong eh.... rolf.
get off the OPs back and go grow a pair ffs.
and theres some proper dim fds on this site sometimes. the OP is simply trying to help others less well informed or experienced to avoid possibly being anally invaded. tgen out cine the haters who have apparently no s in their own inch thick armour.....praise the lord for those that can do no wrong eh.... rolf.get off the OPs back and go grow a pair ffs.
ks that hand over their hard earned to easily, sorry but no sympathy from me. Lifes learning curve, im sure he wont do it again!D
lukefreeman said:
"If you’re going to do anything important today, make sure it’s sharing this message across any forums you use, any Facebook groups you use & with anybody you care about within the community.
On Wednesday I was browsing Gumtree and came across some Rota Grids which were just what I was looking for, the price was realistic, not overly cheap and as such didn’t raise suspicion on first impression. I enquired about them, and since the seller was a few hours away from me agreed that it would be better for the wheels to be posted than for me to collect.
I’m not a particularly trusting person by nature, and as such asked for a photo of some ID for some security on a transfer to somebody I’ve never met. This was provided over and above with a photo of his passport, his counterpart driving licence and my name and the current date written on paper next to them; http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/liamfretwe... Still not 100% confident, I did A LOT of google searches using all different variations of his name, middle names, birth year & location with nothing untoward showing up.
Fast forward to me having transferred him the money & him saying he would get a courier sorted, I hadn’t heard from him for about 8 hours, despite him saying he would sort it and send me the tracking details “ASAP”. I do a little more research and find a thread on a 350z forum; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/75687-ebay-fraudster/ this thread tells you plenty about the guy and what he’s about, as you can see on Page 2 – he receives plenty of beatings for it and still carries on.
At this point I knew that the chances were my £500 was gone for good. I did some reverse image searches on the photos on his advert and those that he sent me of the wheels in message, and they were taken from this thread in 2009; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/26310-brand-new-boxed... and a Driftworks advert in which the photographs no longer show, so he’s been using these for quite some time. I also did a reverse image search on the photos on his other adverts and, surprise surprise, they were pulled from old adverts too.
The likelihood is I won’t ever see my money again, this is a message to EVERYBODY in the community, a message to John Varney and a message to anybody looking to scam people out of money. This is our community and we will not allow this to continue, please make sure these cretins are known to everybody.
My advice for anyone else looking to distance buy car parts or any other items would be;
- Pay via PayPal, this offers you some security, not full security, but some.
- Always request a photo of ID with your name and date next to it AND a photo of the item with your name and date next to it.
- Do searches on the person with the kind of variations shown below to ensure nothing has been posted previously.
- Do a reverse image search – this is something I knew of but didn’t even think of doing until it was too late, 2 seconds using this would’ve ratted him out immediately. You can do this via google. If you go to Google’s home page, then images, there is a small camera icon next to the search icon, click this and then select upload image, browse for your photo and then upload – anywhere it has been used on the internet previously will be detailed.
If you’ve come across this guy, whether it was ratting him out before he took money or afterwards, please let me know – I want to compile a list of people to further pass to the Police once I’ve been myself and reported it.
Thanks.
The following are for any searches people may do in the future about him; John Varney, John William Varney, John William McGran Varney, John McGran Varney, John William M Varney, John Varney 1986, John Varney Livingston, John Varney Linlithgow, John Varney Scam, John Varney Car Parts, John Varney Wheels, John Varney EH49, John Varney Glasgow, John Varney Scotland, John Varney 122/8 Waverley Crescent, John Varney Gumtree, John Varney eBay."
I know a PC who covers his area. Will send them a link to this thread.On Wednesday I was browsing Gumtree and came across some Rota Grids which were just what I was looking for, the price was realistic, not overly cheap and as such didn’t raise suspicion on first impression. I enquired about them, and since the seller was a few hours away from me agreed that it would be better for the wheels to be posted than for me to collect.
I’m not a particularly trusting person by nature, and as such asked for a photo of some ID for some security on a transfer to somebody I’ve never met. This was provided over and above with a photo of his passport, his counterpart driving licence and my name and the current date written on paper next to them; http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/liamfretwe... Still not 100% confident, I did A LOT of google searches using all different variations of his name, middle names, birth year & location with nothing untoward showing up.
Fast forward to me having transferred him the money & him saying he would get a courier sorted, I hadn’t heard from him for about 8 hours, despite him saying he would sort it and send me the tracking details “ASAP”. I do a little more research and find a thread on a 350z forum; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/75687-ebay-fraudster/ this thread tells you plenty about the guy and what he’s about, as you can see on Page 2 – he receives plenty of beatings for it and still carries on.
At this point I knew that the chances were my £500 was gone for good. I did some reverse image searches on the photos on his advert and those that he sent me of the wheels in message, and they were taken from this thread in 2009; http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/26310-brand-new-boxed... and a Driftworks advert in which the photographs no longer show, so he’s been using these for quite some time. I also did a reverse image search on the photos on his other adverts and, surprise surprise, they were pulled from old adverts too.
The likelihood is I won’t ever see my money again, this is a message to EVERYBODY in the community, a message to John Varney and a message to anybody looking to scam people out of money. This is our community and we will not allow this to continue, please make sure these cretins are known to everybody.
My advice for anyone else looking to distance buy car parts or any other items would be;
- Pay via PayPal, this offers you some security, not full security, but some.
- Always request a photo of ID with your name and date next to it AND a photo of the item with your name and date next to it.
- Do searches on the person with the kind of variations shown below to ensure nothing has been posted previously.
- Do a reverse image search – this is something I knew of but didn’t even think of doing until it was too late, 2 seconds using this would’ve ratted him out immediately. You can do this via google. If you go to Google’s home page, then images, there is a small camera icon next to the search icon, click this and then select upload image, browse for your photo and then upload – anywhere it has been used on the internet previously will be detailed.
If you’ve come across this guy, whether it was ratting him out before he took money or afterwards, please let me know – I want to compile a list of people to further pass to the Police once I’ve been myself and reported it.
Thanks
.The following are for any searches people may do in the future about him; John Varney, John William Varney, John William McGran Varney, John McGran Varney, John William M Varney, John Varney 1986, John Varney Livingston, John Varney Linlithgow, John Varney Scam, John Varney Car Parts, John Varney Wheels, John Varney EH49, John Varney Glasgow, John Varney Scotland, John Varney 122/8 Waverley Crescent, John Varney Gumtree, John Varney eBay."
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Only on PH can someone being ripped off be made to be the bad guy.
ToothbrushMan said:
god theres some proper vindictive bds on this site sometimes. the OP is simply trying to help others less well informed or experienced to avoid possibly being anally invaded. tgen out cine the haters who have apparently no s in their own inch thick armour.....praise the lord for those that can do no wrong eh.... rolf.
get off the OPs back and go grow a pair ffs.
It's not like the guy turned up to buy the wheels, then got robbed at knifepoint. That's completely different and would have had vastly different responses.ds on this site sometimes. the OP is simply trying to help others less well informed or experienced to avoid possibly being anally invaded. tgen out cine the haters who have apparently no s in their own inch thick armour.....praise the lord for those that can do no wrong eh.... rolf.get off the OPs back and go grow a pair ffs.
What has actually happened here, is some guy has gone onto possibly the least reputable site, ignored their own warnings, and transferred cash without laying eyes on the goods, and without meeting the seller.
Why should there be sympathy for the guy? I wouldn't feel sorry for him if he blew his fingers off playing with fireworks, and the situation described by OP was actually more likely to go wrong IMO.
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