It seems that fraudulent sellers have
registered domain names similar to ours and are trying to cheat money from
potential buyers by asking them to make pre-payments.
We have been notified by several Boatshop24 customers receiving "transaction confirmations" from "Boatshop24 Assistant". These emails, the name "Boatshop24 Assistant" and the email address "boatshop24@consultant.com" do not originate from nor have anything to do with Boatshop24 Ltd and are being sent out by fraudulent sellers.
Please see below for an example of these emails. If you receive this email, or something similar, please email us at support@boatshop24.com.
BoatShop24 Transaktion bestätigt!
Vielen Dank dass Sie mit dem BoatShop24 Sicherheitsdienst in Verbindung getreten sind. Wir haben alle Transaktionsdaten überprüft und sind zu dem Ergebnis gekommen, dass Sie unseren Anforderungen entsprechen. Bitte folgen Sie unseren Anweisungen um die Transaktion sicher durchführen zu können.
Länge 3,12 m, Gewicht nur 338 kg, Breite 1,18 m und 62 Liter Tank
Euro 3,780.00
Fertig für den Versand Der Preis beinhaltet die Versandkosten und die Versicherungsgebühren.
Schwebend
Füren Sie die BoatShop24 Transaktion in 4 einfachen Schritten aus:
Verkäufer und Käufer sind mit den Verkaufsbedinungen und dem Preis einverstanden
Der Verkäufer informiert BoatShop24 über die Verkaufsbedinungen. Nachdem die BoatShop24 Gesellschaft die Transaktion akzeptiert hat, bietet sie dem Käufer einen entsprechenden Erwerbsschutz an. Findet nach erfolgter Bezahlung keine Warenauslieferung seitens des Verkäfers statt, garantiert die BoatShop24 Gesellschaft für eine entsprechende Rückvergütung des Kaufpreises.
Der Käufer verpflichtet sich den vereinbarten Kaufpreis zu bezahlen.
Der Käufer erhält die Ware und hat 5 Tage Zeit, um die Ware zu überpüfen.
Zahlen Sie das Geld ( 1,000.00 Eur ) durch Money Gram money transfer service:
Die Zahlung wird durch MoneyGram ausgeführt an:
Kliwer Litra
14076 Athens
Greece
Die Ware wird gesendet an:
Nächster Schritt: Der Käufer muss die Zahlung an denBoatShop24leisten.
Es ist empfehlenswert die Zahlung sobald wie möglich zu tätigen, weil der Käuferschutz 30 Tage ab Erhalt dieser Nachricht garantiert wird.
Wenn Sie das Geld überwiesen haben, senden Sie em BoatShop24
Zur Zeit unterhält der Verkäufer ein Konto,das eine Deckung von 10,000 Euro aufweist. Dieses Konto, das zur Zeit von BoatShop24 verwaltet wird, dient der
sicheren Abwicklung dieser Transaktion. Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass die Transaktion durch die BoatShop24 Gesellschaft ausgeführt wird, sind Sie gegen
jegliches Risiko bezüglich Betrügereien und Täuschung geschützt. Um Ihnen eine entsprechende Sicherheit zu garantieren wird dieses Konto bei dieser
Transaktion für 30 Tage gesperrt, um eine mögliche Rückerstattung zu gewährleisten. In dieser Zeit hat der Verkäufer keinerlei Möglichkeiten auf das Guthaben
dieses Kontos zuzugreifen. Wenn Sie von Ihrem Rückerstattungsrecht Gebrauch machen, wird Ihnen das Geld von diesem Konto, binnen 3 Arbeitstagen zurücküberwiesen. Das Geld wird
Konto, mittels Überweisung gutgeschrieben. Sie haben nach erfolgter Warenüberprüfung 30 Tage Zeit Ihr Rückerstattungsrecht in Anspruch zu nehmen. Anfragen
auf Rückerstattung werden innerhalb 3 Arbeitstagen bearbeitet..
Wichtige Anweisungen:
1. Bitte treten Sie mit uns nur in Verbindung wenn Sie Fragen oder Schwierigkeiten, bezüglich dieser Transaktion haben.
2. Diese Transaktionist durch BoatShop24 geschützt.
3. Sie können mit diesem BoatShop24 Mitglied Transaktionenim Vertrauen tätigen.
4. Diese Nachricht wurde von dem BoatShop24 Sicherheitsdienst, in Unterstützung durch das BoatShop24 Handelszentrum gesendet. Der Verkäufer wurde darüber informiert dass diese Transaktion begonnenhat. Es ist empfehlenswert die Zahlung sobald wie möglich zu tätigen, weil der Käuferschutz 30 Tage ab Erhalt dieser Nachricht garantiert wird. Wenn Sie mit dieser Transaktion Probleme jedwelcher Art haben, bitten wir Sie, uns zu benachrichtigen.
Diese E-Mailwurdeautomatisch generiert. Sie können die Antwort-Funktion Ihres E-Mail-Programmes nutzen, um dem Interessenten direkt zu antworten.(20/05/2008 12:22:26)
Copyright 2007 by BoatShop24GmbH.Alle Rechtevorbehalten
Please note:
BoatShop24.com is not affiliated with the
domains boatshop24-inc.com or boatshop24inc.com Do not pay any money to "sellers" that claim to have
secured the transaction via a boatshop24.com escrow or warranty-service.
There is no such service.
BoatShop24.com does not involve in the
actual transaction process of buying an item We will never ask buyers or sellers for pre-payments. Also we will never
guarantee payment or delivery of any items offered on the site.
Buyers and Sellers Beware
www.boatshop24.com is used only to introduce sellers to buyers. It does not sell, broker, insure or finance any items advertised for sale.
www.boatshop24.com visitors have informed us of a number of scams that they have recently experienced.
If you hear of, or experience, any scams that you think should be included here, please email us at support@boatshop24.com
As time goes on, thieves find increasingly ingenious ways of stealing from the unsuspecting public. There is plenty that you can do to help yourself, much of it is common sense, below are some examples of such frauds.
Fraudulent Sellers
A small number of fraudulent adverts have been placed by people posing as sellers. When potential buyers have tried to contact the seller they have found that the phone number is faulty, invalid or constantly diverted to voicemail.
On questioning this point by email the seller informs the customer that they are unable to use the phone due to deafness, a recent accident, illness or that they are away on business and that they can only converse via email.
The seller asks for a deposit or the full price to be wired to them but after they have received the money they create an excuse as to why they cannot release the craft, need more money to be transferred or become impossible to contact.
Be cautious if the advert or ensuing emails are full of spelling mistakes and bad grammar, as this seems to be a trait of fraudulent adverts.
All buyers should be cautious if a potential seller cannot give you a telephone number or insists on communicating by email only.
Don't hand over any money until you've seen the item or are satisfied that the item and seller are genuine. Even then, don't be pressured into giving a large deposit; most genuine sellers will be happy to accept a small deposit to hold a item.
Is someone trying to sell you a boat by money transfer and/or without you seeing it?
Is someone offering to buy your boat via email without seeing it?
Is someone offering too much money?
Is someone selling at a very low cost?
Has the option of paying the 'Shipping Agent' been raised?
Is it not possible to talk directly to either a buyer or seller directly by telephone?
If any of the above is true, or the deal sounds suspicious in any way, then you may be a target of fraud (see examples below).
Below are two examples of emails that have been received by boat sellers:
If you do receive one of these emails, or something similar that seems suspicious, please contact us by forwarding your details and the email to support@boatshop24.com
Subject: Interested
Hello,
I saw your advert and i am interested in purchasing your xxxxx .I will like you to feed me the following information if it is still for sale.
I will be making payment with a certified check if its still available.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks
Follow-up email:
Subject: Payment/shipping
Hello,
No problem with that but i will like you to be fast in replying
subsequent mails.I am ready to buy the boat for your price of
xxxxpounds.Infact consider the boat bought already.I would have loved to
come and inspect the boat myself but i am currently on a seminar.
I will immediately contact my business associate to make out a cheque
of xxxxpounds (as payment of some fuel purifying machines i sold to
him)to you in trust.
As soon as you receieve the payment you will deduct your price of
xxxxpounds and send the balance of xxxxpounds to my shipper via western
union who will then come for inspection of the boat.
I will be needing, Your name ( as you will like it to appear on the
cheque), Your address,phone number.I will need you to reply this mail
urgently so we can make out payment ASAP.
Thanks, hope to hear from you soonest.
This is an email from a seller who was a victim of fraud:
"I was caught out by these guys to the tune of £xxxx because of a loophole in the banking system. Most people are under the misapprehension that once funds are drawable on the account (after 5 days) the funds are irrevocably cleared but this seems not to be the case although I am contesting this with my bank. On the 5/6th day you send them a Post Office Moneygram for the shipping costs and they cancel the cheque. This is possible in the banking system at the moment."
1.) Scams That You, As The Seller Of Boats, Should Beware Of:
With many people advertising vehicles or boats and other items on the Internet it has come to light that prospective buyers are contacting the seller to purchase the property.
The prospective purchaser is normally from one of the West African countries. They advise the seller that they, the purchaser, are owed money by a locally based company. This company will forward a cheque to the seller for an amount in excess of the selling price. This cheque is a colour copy and has been compromised. They request that the seller lodges the cheque and forwards the excess amount by Western Union to them and they will arrange shipment of the goods.
What happens is that the cheque is lodged and apparently cleared to the sellers account. He withdraws the excess and forwards the cash via Western Union to the purchaser. After about ten days the cheque is returned to the issuing company who query the cheque with their bank.
Consequently it is found that the cheque has had the number changed on the bottom of the cheque and in fact the cheque is much higher in the number sequence and has not yet been issued. The bank then withdraw the funds back from the seller's account and he is the loser.
2.) Scams That You, As The Buyer Of Boats, Should Beware Of:
The second scam is when a person receives a fax or an e-mail advising them that a person has died and relatives are being traced in order to pass on an inheritance. The deceased person is usually of the same family name as the recipient of the fax/e-mail. They normally use less common names and have probably obtained these from the telephone directory or similar sources.
What to do:
Make certain that the seller is real. Get names, addresses, phone numbers and references. Call at an off-hour time and see who answers or how they answer. Are you able to get through at any time? Do they have an answering machine? Call the Directory Enquiries to confirm the name and number. Get a hull and engine number(s) and check with the respective manufacturers. If you feel sceptical, only agree to an escrow account with a law firm OF YOUR CHOICE (again, YOUR CHOICE). This way, when the vessel arrives, and all is well, your money goes to the seller and you get your dream boat!
Most of the alleged purchasers use a free e-mail address mainly at Yahoo or Hotmail. It is possible to re-mail the e-mails to the nuisance desk of the ISP who can then close that e-mail address in an effort to prevent it being used for future fraudulent activities. The nuisance desk (a bit like nuisance calls) is abuse@whicheverISP they are using. eg. abuse@hotmail.com or abuse@yahoo.co.uk
