Fake listings on Texas Gun Trader

[claymore504]

So, I had heard of scam listings being on that site before, but never experienced it.......until yesterday. Saw a listing for a Sig P229 legion in Austin for $550. Right there, too good to be true. However, I sent a text anyways just to see what the deal was. I asked if it was still available and how many mags it came with. Got a reply stating it was still for sale and came with two 8 round magazines. I replied with that is a weird size and I dont think 8 round mags are even made for the P229. Then I get a reply that was copy and pasted from a web site that read something like.... The P229 comes with three 15 round magazines, a hard case........and so on. So, decided it was a scam and quit replying. Person kept it up though and kept asking where I was located. I went back to Texas Gun trader and could not find the listing anymore.

So, my question is what do these people expect to accomplish with the fake listings? Meet up and rob someone?

 

[TX OMFS]

Sorry, that was my mistake. It comes with three 15 round mags. Where do you live?

 

[claymore504]

Sorry, that was my mistake. It comes with three 15 round mags. Where do you live?

Well played for this early in the morning.

 

[Younggun]

So, I had heard of scam listings being on that site before, but never experienced it.......until yesterday. Saw a listing for a Sig P229 legion in Austin for $550. Right there, too good to be true. However, I sent a text anyways just to see what the deal was. I asked if it was still available and how many mags it came with. Got a reply stating it was still for sale and came with two 8 round magazines. I replied with that is a weird size and I dont think 8 round mags are even made for the P229. Then I get a reply that was copy and pasted from a web site that read something like.... The P229 comes with three 15 round magazines, a hard case........and so on. So, decided it was a scam and quit replying. Person kept it up though and kept asking where I was located. I went back to Texas Gun trader and could not find the listing anymore.

So, my question is what do these people expect to accomplish with the fake listings? Meet up and rob someone?

Probably ask for a money order and offer to ship upon payment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Moonpie]

I will ask for more pictures and info.
If they don't answer back with correct info I drop it.
I will ask for their general location. Not going to drive to Dalhart to save $50.

 

[TxStetson]

Well played for this early in the morning.

You still didn't answer the question.

 

[Mikewood]

They ask you where you live so they can say they don't live there and to send them money. First ask where they live so you or a " buddy" can drive over pickup the gun. Then they will be the ones that go quite.
Or they could just be selling a gun, need the cash and can't find anyone in their area who wants to buy it. So they are trying to figure out how far they are willing to drive. Waco to Austin might be doable for them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[AustinN4]

I have seen a number of posts on the site where a member outs a scam publicly via a listing.

 

[claymore504]

Ah, ok that makes sense. Well, I guess it would not have ended like they wanted since I was going to be in the Austin area this weekend and could meet up to get it.

They ask you where you live so they can say they don't live there and to send them money. First ask where they live so you or a " buddy" can drive over pickup the gun. Then they will be the ones that go quite.
Or they could just be selling a gun, need the cash and can't find anyone in their area who wants to buy it. So they are trying to figure out how far they are willing to drive. Waco to Austin might be doable for them.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[AustinN4]

Ah, ok that makes sense. Well, I guess it would not have ended like they wanted since I was going to be in the Austin area this weekend and could meet up to get it.

Check your PMs.

 

[Dawico]

Yep, they want you to send money, even a small deposit.

TGTrader has gotten better about booting the scammers.

Usually you can tell by the "too good to be true" price and the new join date. Not that new members won't list cheap but most are scams.

 

[rgwalt]

If you click on the little bullseye in the ad, it will show you the IP and location of the computer where the ad was posted. For the scam ads, I see them coming out of various locations in Africa. Don't trust a local or US phone number as they are able to get local phone numbers and send text messages.

They will tell you they don't live in the area but if you send $$$ they will have a friend bring the gun to you. I see this on Craigslist a lot too. If you can't deal face to face, then don't deal.

 

[easy rider]

I think those types of scams started with automobiles. Seems like every other posting there is a scam.

 

[robertc1024]

Maybe I just got lucky, but I've bought a couple of guns off of there with no problems. I suppose I should be more diligent about things in the future.

 

[Southpaw]

If you click on the little bullseye in the ad, it will show you the IP and location of the computer where the ad was posted. For the scam ads, I see them coming out of various locations in Africa. Don't trust a local or US phone number as they are able to get local phone numbers and send text messages.

They will tell you they don't live in the area but if you send $$$ they will have a friend bring the gun to you. I see this on Craigslist a lot too. If you can't deal face to face, then don't deal.

Location by IP address can be spoofed by using a proxy too. I regularly surf the web from IP addresses all over the world.

As mentioned, I think the biggest defense to this is to just asked for a face to face. The response or lack there of generally will tell you if its a scam.

 

[robertc1024]

Spreadsheet updated.

 

[Southpaw]

 

[Dawico]

Maybe I just got lucky, but I've bought a couple of guns off of there with no problems. I suppose I should be more diligent about things in the future.

I have made a bunch of deals there and have had great luck. All FTF deals though.

 

[Gabe1519]

I have not seen a fake sale before. On gunbroker I'm a bit reluctant to do any deals with anyone who has feedback less than 20 or so.