Possible Scam?

[Hirevtuner]

Just letting everyone know I had a guy from Germany wanting to buy my Slantnose. Even had a transport company already picked. Asked questions then needed all my banking info and copy of ID to wire funds to my bank. After I supplied all the info never heard from him again. Won't respond to emails now, before was everyday. Maybe something personal happened to him but now I'm thinking scam. Maybe identity? Not really sure what all go's on in another country. I think he either got my ad from here or Exellence magazine. Just FYI.
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[MrBonus]

I don't see why he would need a copy of an ID to wire funds to your bank. Have you contacted the authorities?

[Hirevtuner]

I thought it was to make sure who I was since he was depositing a large sum of money to my account?

[stomachmonkey]

Scam, get in touch with the 3 credit bureaus and put a lock on your credit.

I'd also get in touch with your bank, move any money in the account number you gave.

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you haven't already, contact your bank and close that account. I would also keep a close eye on credit reports for a while.

[sc_rufctr]

I would worry. Talk to your bank and lock everything down.

[john70t]

Photocopy of I.D. with bank account electronic routing information?
I'd be very worried if it is not already too late.

But if you are very very rich, please send that info to me.
-A teacher once said "don't steal anything under a million dollars".
-Today, that doesn't even apply in the world.

Change that account NOW in-person, with a witness etc...
Make an expendable account for future business transactions.
Separate business from personal.

[Hirevtuner]

Thanks for the advice guys. To trusting I guess.

[Hirevtuner]

I have a lot of pm's for the persons name.
It's Frank Dietzel. Said he had a big Porsche collection and was buying cars in Canada and the USA with a shipping company going right to your door. Money will be wired this week. After giving bank info and copy of ID ..... nothing.

[SoCal911T]

FS - Porsche Factory 2.2 Nitrated Steel Racing Rods Matched Set

Frank Dietzel
Geschäftsführer / CEO Virus Sportartikel GmbH

VIRUS Ski + Snowboards GmbH
Industriering 8
D-63868 Großwallstadt
virus
+49 6022 655553
+49 6022 655528

[LeeH]

Sold my car to someone in Europe. Pretty much the same situation you described, except the money showed up.

In that case I opened a bank account JUST for this transaction. Once the money was wired in/verified I immediatlely withdrew it and deposited it in another institution. THEN we scheduled the pick up of the car.

How long has it been since you had any contact from the buyer?

[Hirevtuner]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Sold my car to someone in Europe. Pretty much the same situation you described, except the money showed up.

In that case I opened a bank account JUST for this transaction. Once the money was wired in/verified I immediatlely withdrew it and deposited it in another institution. THEN we scheduled the pick up of the car.

How long has it been since you had any contact from the buyer?

Over 12 days, wish I did your way with opening another account. Called my bank to let them know what happened.

[LeeH]

Hmmm... 12 days is a long time. Virus Snowboards does have a web site. Same phone number listed there as on his contact info:
http://www.virus-snowboards.de/

[Hirevtuner]

I know website seems real. Thats what was on the emails.
I never knew at the time he was a Pelican member. I feel a bit better. Still wish he would have just said he changed his mind on buying it so I didn't get all worried.

Originally Posted by LeeH

Hmmm... 12 days is a long time. Virus Snowboards does have a web site. Same phone number listed there as on his contact info:
virus

[LeeH]

Did you contact ajserrano to see if the sale when through on the connecting rods?

FYI:

[OT] - "Muscle?" car

908 Calipers - Photo 6 photo - slidevalve911rsr photos at pbase.com

[enzoducoing]

I guess it does help to be careful in ANY case when it comes to provide personal information for an online transaction, and setting up an account solely for these exchanges seems like the best bet, but I wish we could get the "mysterious european bad guy" idea out of our heads. Scams come from all places, but identity theft in the USA comes mostly from within.
The only things you give out in the case of a bank to bank transfer are your name, account number, bank's abba and swift routing numbers, which in NO way compromise your account, the funds you have there or your identity.
In europe, transfers are the most used way of commercially, and privately send money.
To be fair, It is NOT necessary to have a persons ID to complete a transfer of funds but I would not jump into conclusions, you have to put yourself in the buyer's shoes who is about to send money across to someone he does not know, he probably asked for ID just to know that it was not a made-up name and to know to which address travel and make a claim, in case he got burned. To them we are the "mysterious american bad guys".
What an ID thieve needs to burn you is (besides bank or credit card information) is the address that "links" and validates them (usually found in an ID). What I did is separate the commercial account's address from my ID's address using my home's and work's address so when someone asks for personal identification from me, I can provide this without compromising the information that would link them to my banking or credit register.
If he does not answer, is probably because he bought another car or he's the one who did not feel safe enough.
Whatever the case, it is better to plan ahead to cover your bases.

[Christien]

I went through the same BS with Frank Dietzel. Promises of wire transfers, nothing ever materialized. I gave him m bank account info to transfer funds to. I wasn't overly concerned because there's no way to take money FROM my account. We give out our company account info all the time to customers so they can make payments by deposit to it. Nevertheless, I did call the bank first to discuss it with them. They said there's no way for him to take money out of my account with my account info, other than (illegally) setting up a pre-auth type of payment. But if such a transaction hit my account I can easily reverse it and he would lose the pre-auth service on his end (not an easy thing to setup, and vital to many businesses - I know, I've done it).

Frank's emails from the snowboard company were legit, and there's references to him in online reviews. IIRC, the IP address also came from Germany. So it's a weird scam, one that really could never be successful.

[Hirevtuner]

Thanks Christien. I'm thinking he's just a guy that wants to pretend he's a big Porsche collector but really has no money. Kind of sad.
Maybe now pelican members can save themselves a big waste of time dealing with him.

[Christien]

Absolutely. If anyone comes across this thread and is dealing with this guy, save yourself the hassle and demand a non-refundable $100 paypal deposit within 24 hours otherwise no dice. When it doesn't arrive, move on. If it does, and he jerks you around and wastes a couple hours of your time and nothing ever materializes, consider it payment at $50/hour

[Hirevtuner]

Email I recieved.

Hi Riun, I´m in winter sports buisiness and believe it or not I´m very busy! I´m still waiting to get the money for the 86 Carrera I sold! If I have the money and you still have the car we can deal!
I´m surely no scammer!
As you see I´m responding with my company´s adress!
I had been in Italy last week with the russian snowboard team ! They use our boards for next Olypics in Sotchi!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards

Frank Dietzel
Geschäftsführer / CEO Virus Sportartikel GmbH

VIRUS Ski + Snowboards GmbH
Industriering 8
D-63868 Großwallstadt
virus
+49 6022 655553
+49 6022 655528