Dear forum members., I was one of the two members who this lowlife POS (I'm trying to be nice) scammed. I am not here for you to fill pity for me, I'm here to share my experience, and lessons learned so you do not become a victim like me.
This individual reached out to me, to let me know that he had a used Mod 70, since I had showed interested on the one on this post. I didn't think as this being odd in any way (mistake). I looked at the rifle, and liked it and decided to make a deal. I normally look at when the member joined the forum, and the number of post. Obviously this doesn't mean jack, since this POS had been a member since 2019, and had been participating on a regular basis. I normally ask for an address to send funds, and I didn't this time since he said that we could use Zelle and Cashapp (mistake 2). Here are few lessons learned from this experience.
Lesson learned no 1. Never, ever use Zelle to transfer money, or to purchase and make a payment like I did.
Lesson learned no. 2. Zelle will not refund your money, even after filing a fraud/scam report. You are SOL (Sh*t out of luck). You have nothing that protects you.
Lesson learned 3. Use check, money order, Escrow.com, something that can help you get your money back, like in a case like mine.
Lesson learned 4. Ask for a current picture, with a date or something showing that it is a current picture and it is the rifle you are buying. Ask for something to put them on the spot.
Lesson learned 5. Being such a small amount, even if we file charges, the cops will probably do nothing. This is what the other person's attorney friend had to say: "My attorney friend says if we can’t verify that he shipped the rifles then Monday we should contact law enforcement. That said, he says they really can’t (or won’t) do anything."
No wonder these POSs do this, they know they will never serve time. It's a win, win for them.
This forum has one of the best, if not the best group of people I've had the pleasure to deal with. It truly sucks that a scumbag POS scammers like this guy ruin such a great experience. I sincerely hope that this experience will help you see those red flags, and stop you from loosing money like we did. There is a special place in hell for individuals like this guy.
Thank you!
