The Binocular Thief

Song Nguyen - The eBay Crook

2011-09-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Fake Domains!

2010-12-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

Hey Merchants:

Watch out for e-commerce scammers making on-line orders appear more legitimate by re-directing domains to real business websites that have an email user name that matches the customer name:

Example:

John Frank
56 Mark Freeman Road
Hendersonville NC 28792

Scammer email address on order: jfrank@floridalchemical.com

Then if you go to that domain, it redirects here:

www.floridachemical.com

If you're not paying close enough attention, you might not notice the extra letter in the scammer's email address. It's just a sneaky way to fool a merchant into thinking the order is from a legitimate customer. Even worse, it's a stolen credit card that the scammer has modified the shipping address to be the intercept location. Therefore, when doing a name & address verification at a bank, you'll get a complete match. Use those reverse search engines to match names with addresses, like 411.com and pipl.com!

Be diligent!

Fingolfin

la.financial

2010-07-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

Do not buy high-end binoculars from la.financial on eBay. He doesn't have the serial numbers and never actually handles the actual product. He's likely fulfilling orders via a Credit Card Triangulation Scam.

Warning to eBay Sellers!

2010-07-08T13:32:00.001-07:00

eBay Sellers & Trading Assistants,

If you receive this solicitation, ignore it. It's a Credit Card Triangulation Scam!

"Hello, I am looking for a serious trading assistant who will help me sell products on eBay. I work for the company which supplies optics stores and I can get some products at discount price as employee. The products will be all kind of optics with an average price $700-$1000. I am ready to pay 15% commission from each sale and plan to run 2-3 sales per month. Let me know if you are interested and we can discuss the details. Best wishes Antony Guts Antony Phone: 661-399-7392 Email: aguts@operamail.com"

Is Antony 'Max Merr'? Very likely, I suspect.

Fingolfin

Montreal back in it!

2009-03-25T15:45:00.001-07:00

OPTICS DEALERS:

Do not ship high-end binoculars to Montreal! 100% Guaranteed Fraud!

Fingolfin

Max Merr Scam Continues

2008-04-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Max Merr continues to rope eBay trading assistants into stealing for him. At some point, Max Merr will probably change his alias, but in order to help identify the scam, here's the bank account he's asking eBay sellers to wire money to:

Bank Name: AS SEB Unibanka
Bank Address: Kekavas pagasts, LV-1076, Riga LV
SWIFT code: UNLALV2X
Account Name: Sotnikovs Vjaceslavs
Account Number: LV04UNLA0050010427988
Address: Metru iela 1-3 Ventspils, LV-3601

eBay sellers: if this banking information comes your way under another name, it's a credit card triangulation scam.

Fingolfin

braun865@yahoo.com

2008-03-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

Receive an email from braun865@yahoo.com? Prepare to be scammed.

Also, check out this post from an eBay Trading Assistant thread:

"Well I got the email from max merr.... Well stupid me went along with it after two packages showed up to my house with other peoples Credit card information on it, I got really suspicious. Well I called the company's he sent the packages from and they told me he was using my name and someone else's credit card to order the products.. I did sell one on ebay before I found out what was going on, luckily I have sent him no money. And the second package that arrived today is being sent back...I am so pissed they someone would do this to me... I mean I could get into some serious trouble for this. I should have known it was too good to be true. I have contacted both company's the packages have come from and explained to them what was going on. All I can do is sit here and wait and hope nothing happens.... Its a terrible feeling I can tell you that. "

eBay - A Haven for Crooks

2008-03-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

You have to admire eBay's "Community Values" policies on their message forums. Earlier this morning I posted a response to an eBay seller to beware of the Max Merr scam and eBay moderator promptly deleted my warning:

"In order for the community forums, which are based on the eBay Community Values, to be a place where all members can feel comfortable interacting with each other, there are certain types of posts that we have to remove if reported to us. The guidelines for posting in the forums are defined in the Board Usage Policy."

Lovely. I guess those values extend to their habit of protecting of crooks and thieves. Criminals feel comfortable and right at home on eBay.

Meanwhile, a new triangulation scam has hit another optics dealer. This one is even more elaborate than superstore8407 and it may involve Max Merr. I hope to have more on this in the near future. Also, I would be very leery of buying binoculars from eBay seller "im_eilis." You know what? You just can't legitimately obtain these binoculars for what these eBay stores are selling them at.

As of late February, Max Merr is still soliciting eBay traders to participate in his criminal activity:

wecansellwhatever (103 ) View Listings Report Feb-20-08

Anyone ever hear of a Max Merr out of CA? I received the following email today...

"I am looking for a trading assistant to sell about dozen items per month. I work at the warehouse in CA and can buy some of high demand electronics at very reasonable price. Just want to ask if you could take care of the sales. If you are interested email me back how much do you charge for your service and any other necessary information."

Is this a scam??

Yeah. You can bet your ass it's a scam.

Fingolfin

Song Nguyen

2008-02-21T05:46:00.000-08:00

Despite being warned multiple times, Song Nguyen of Brandon Florida, eBay seller superstore8407, continues to auction high-end binoculars, telescopes and spotting scopes for Max Merr. Song has been made aware of the scam and how the products he auctions are being purchased using stolen credit cards.

Song Nguyen is a crook.

Song Nguyen
4503 River Close Blvd
Valrico (Brandon) FL 33594

If you buy optics from Song Nguyen, you'll receive stolen merchandise.

Max Merr is merr@easy.com

2008-02-08T19:58:00.001-08:00

Diagram of a Scam

Max Merr tells eBay seller which products to advertise (below MAP dealer pricing).
eBay buyer sees advertised product and purchases "great deal" via credit card or PayPal.
eBay seller informs Max of order.
Max steals third-party credit card.
Max changes billing address at third-party's bank to eBay buyer's so it AVS matches.
Max places order at authorized optics dealer to ship to eBay customer. Max uses free email services like juno.com, yahoo.com, etc.
Authorized optics dealer emails order confirmation email with UPS Tracking number (to Max).
Max emails orders confirmation information and UPS Tracking number to eBay seller.
eBay seller emails confirmation information and UPS Tracking number to eBay buyer.
Authorized optics dealer charges third-party's credit card.
Authorized optics dealer ships product to eBay buyer.
Third-party sees charge on credit card statement and contacts bank.
Third-party's bank issues chargeback against authorized optics dealer.

Max Merr

2008-02-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

Higher up the echelon of this ring of binocular thieves is a crook operating under the pseudonym "Max Merr." Max contacts various eBay sellers (trading assistants) or others who own (or are willing to setup) e-commerce websites and offers them a 15% commission to act as an intermediary.

Apparently, Max is the individual who setup smalldealerusa.com (now defunct) and used Nobert Szabo as a middleman for stealing binoculars. It's Max who actually places on-line orders at various authorized dealer websites, obtains the tracking information and then forwards it to the eBay seller or website owner so that it can be provided to the customer.

If you are an eBay seller, beware. If you're contacted by Max Merr or anyone offering a similar business proposition as detailed below, it's a scam. It's a ring of credit card thieves, most likely operating from overseas and they want to use you as a middleman.

Here is one such solicitation to an eBay trading assistant (from ScamFraudAlert.com):

* * *

Following is a very fishy e-mail exchange I had a while back with someone who had found me through the eBay Trading Assistant portal. He disappeared when I insisted that I'd only be able to work with him if he signed my standard contract agreement and provided verifiable ID. I'm not quite sure what exactly he was up to ... but something! Any eBay TA's here who've encountered anything like this? What exactly is the scam?

First e-mail:

Dear ,

Hello, I am looking for a trading assistant and I've found your ad. I work at the warehouse and can buy some of electronics at manufacturer's price. Just want to ask if you can sell on ebay instead of me. Please email me how much do you charge for your service and any other necessary information. Thanks Max Merr

Thank you,
Max Merr

Second e-mail (after I responded):

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. I work at the warehouse in CA and can buy some of the electronics at manufacturer's price. However I am very short of time to sell something on ebay by myself. I need a person who can list the items, answer buye questions and receive payments. We have our own shipment department so I can ship the items directly to the buyer to save our time and money.

This is how I see our business relationship:

1. I will email you the list of the products I have for sale. You list the auctions and receive payments for the items. All products are brand new and you can use stock photos. After that you email me buyer's shipping information including phone number (for shipping company).

2. I will ship via UPS Ground within 4-5 business days and will email you all the tracking info.

3. Once the product received and inspected by the buyer you will forward payment to me. Of course less your commission and ebay fees.

I accept e-gold (www.e-gold.com) as a payment method. This is absolutely the same as paypal but cheaper and more convenient for me.

I am ready to pay 15% commission since I will ship myself and all items are brand new so you won't need to write description and can use stock photos.

I welcome any offers and comments regarding above terms!

Thanks
Max

* * *

It's all coming together...

Fingolfin

eBay Notified

2008-01-09T09:18:00.001-08:00

(minimal edits necessary to protect the innocent)

* copied to various law enforcement agencies *

Ask yourself: How did Song get the tracking number for the eBay user?

January 7th, 2008

Dear eBay Trust & Safety,

Concerning eBay auction # 330184159388:

The following data was generated by our UPS shipping computer on 11/08/2007:

Smith, Janet
1000 North Sunset Cr
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Email:lgenesisne@netzero.net
Phone: 928XXXXXXX
Ship Date: 20071108
Tracking: XXXXXXXXXXXX330041
Method: 2nd Day Air

Note the tracking number in the correspondence below from Song Nguyen to the eBay buyer "5abull."

This tracking number was generated for the following order:

Order 564213
Order Date 11/8/2007 9:22:51 AM
Janet Smith
1000 North Sunset Cr
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
928-XXX-XXXX (daytime)
928-XXX-XXXX (home)
lgenesisne@netzero.net
Shipped via 2nd Day Air
Amount $2,021.00
Paid via Master Card
Card **** **** **** 8371
Expires 11/08
Swarovski SLCnew 15x56 WB Binocular with Snap Shot Adapter

We received a chargeback for the above MasterCard on December 19th, 2007 for $2,021.00 re: Original Reference: 564213, the above invoice. The credit card does not belong to Janet Smith. Additionally, the email address "lgenesisne@netzero.net" used on this order does not belong to her. This is direct evidence that either superstore8407 or someone he/she works with is involved with credit card fraud. I can provide photocopies of original documents via fax upon request. This person has sold tens of thousands of dollars in optical equipment on superstore8407, which was all probably stolen by the same method.

I appreciate your immediate attention in stopping this serious criminal activity before more customers and dealers are frauded. As of today, more optical equipment is on active auction on superstore8407.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

(snip)

----- Original Message -----
From: eBay Member: superstore8407
To: mommasmith@msn.com
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 4:31 PM
Subject: You've received a question about your eBay item, Swarovski SLC 15x56 WB Binoculars with Tripod Adapter

eBay sent this message to Janet Smith (5abull). Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more.

This member has a question for you.

Do not respond to the sender if this message requests that you complete the transaction outside of eBay. This type of offer is against eBay policy, may be fraudulent, and is not covered by buyer protection programs. Learn More.

Dear 5abull,

Thank you for buying from me .Your package shipping tracking number:

UPS XXXXXXXXXXXX330041

Soon you received the item please confirm it to me.

Thank you again.

Song Nguyen

- superstore8407 Answer the question

Item and user details
Item Title: Swarovski SLC 15x56 WB Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
Item Number: 330184159388
Item URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330184159388
End Date: Nov-05-07 14:15:51 PST
From User: superstore8407 (354)
98.9% Positive Feedback
Member since Nov-02-01 in United States
Location : FL, United States
Activity with superstore8407 (last 90 days):I have bid on 0 items from superstore8407

This message was sent while the listing was closed.superstore8407 is a seller.

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Second Chance Offer emails with the subject of "message from eBay Member" are fake. Real Second Chance Offers come directly from eBay and also appear in My Messages with a subject stating "You have a second chance offer...". Never pay for your eBay item using instant case wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you don't know. Learn more about sending payments. Is this email inappropriate? Does it violate eBay policy? Help protect the Community by reporting it.

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Copyright © 2007 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. eBay and the eBay logo are trademarks of eBay Inc. eBay Inc. is located at 2145 Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125.

Janet's PayPal transaction:

Dear Janet Smith,

This email confirms that you, 5abull, have paid snguyen245@yahoo.com $1,485.00 USD using PayPal.

This credit card transaction will appear on your bill as "PAYPAL *SNGUYEN245".

Payment Details

Purchased From:superstore8407
Transaction ID:50C472107L5725044

Item # Item Title Quantity Price Subtotal

330184159388 Swarovski SLC 15x56 WB Binoculars with Tripod Adapter 1 $1,475.00 USD $1,475.00 USD
Shipping & Handling via UPS Ground to 863XX
(includes any seller handling fees) $10.00 USD
Shipping Insurance (not offered): --

Total: $1,485.00 USD

It may take a few moments for this transaction to appear in the Recent Activity list on your Account Overview.

Shipping Information

Shipping Info: Janet Smith
1000 North Sunset Circle
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
United States

Address Status: Confirmed

If you have questions about the shipping and tracking of your purchased item or service, please contact the seller snguyen245@yahoo.com.

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PayPal Email ID PP843

Still trading and stealing!

2008-01-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

A user on BirdForum wrote:

"Perhaps the most amazing thing is that SUPERSTORE8407 is still trading on ebay with a Feedback score of 404 of which 98.6% have been postive."

Yeah. That is amazing, isn't it? The reason is that people who receive a binocular from this eBay store do not realize it was paid for with a stolen credit card. Who cares about the dealer invoice or a price that doesn't correspond to what was paid? In cases I know that involve superstore8407, purchasers who were subsequently contacted by authorized dealers were unaware of the scam. Why would such buyers provide anything other than positive feedback?

eBay won't take action until they hear from law enforcement.

That's coming, soon...

Binoculars and Flowers - superstore8407 on eBay

2008-01-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

Here is what happens when you purchase a high-end binocular from superstore8407 on eBay:

This eBay store is not an authorized sport optics dealer nor does he actually have the product on-hand in inventory. So, when you place an order, he fulfills it by placing another order with an authorized sport optics dealer using a stolen credit card other than yours (or you may be purchasing via PayPal). It's a type of drop-ship operation.

By calling a merchant assistance 800 number, he obtains the card issuing bank's phone number, calls it, and is able to change the address on the stolen card to match the shipping address you provide him with. This way when the authorized dealer processes the order, the credit card transaction generates an exact AVS (Address Verification System) match on the address.

The unsuspecting authorized dealer then ships the binocular to you. So, the eBay customer (you) receives the binocular and superstore8407 collects the money. The legitimate dealer ultimately gets screwed when the third-party credit card holder realizes his or her card has an unauthorized charge on it and subsequently issues a bank chargeback.

Superstore8407 on ebay has gotten away with stealing tens of thousands of dollars in binoculars and other optical products. It would appear that the crook obtains the stolen credit cards and card holder data by selling trinkets. Think about it. Why would an eBay store be selling high-end binoculars costing over a thousand dollars and flower seeds for a few bucks? If you buy from superstore8407, you're either accepting stolen merchandise or exposing your own credit card to fraud.

For those of you who have already purchased a binocular from superstore8407, take a look at the invoice you received with it. Is that the price you paid for it? Do you see any place on the invoice displaying the last four digits of a credit card? Is that your credit card?

It's a total scam.