Seems they have shifted their methods a bit, so I'll explain it. First they look for public FB groups vs private ones, as it's easier to get in, and they tend to be larger. Once in, they target wanted ads and do one of two things. Some just reply "inbox me" as they want to keep the conversation private. Others will spam a link to a FB page that sells parts, which I'll show in a later picture. With a little knowledge, you can see right through them. Take Ryan Foster below. First red flag is the massive amount of groups he is in. I can see this as I'm a moderator of said group. Then click to his account and look at the URL to it... Bendo Slight. That's the name used to register the account. Massive red flag. Account looks bare, but 2 likes on his profile picture and oddly, both from people in Cameroon.
Anyone buying from him would 100% be scammed.
Next up, Gray Todd. Again, new account and in a LOT of groups. Oh look, he actually works at one of those parts pages I was just talking about. Funny, look where that page is controlled? Cameroon. Of all countries in Africa, after Nigeria, it seems the scammers are from Cameroon.
These guys will just reply with a link to that page, yes even in a mustang group. They could get smarter and any day now start a "modern mustang parts" page though.
Another perfect example below. New account created today, and already in 19 groups at least. I took the first screenshot and figured I would let him do some more work before I ruin things. A bit later I see him posting in another group, so I decided to end things. Being a brand new account, a quick "report fake account" and FB tends to auto-suspend them. Unless he can upload legal proof of his name and DOB, like a driver's license, he will never have access to that account again, and all posts he made disappear instantly. 3rd pic is what the link to his profile currently shows.
2nd pic, 2nd reply is also a fake account too. It's older so FB won't suspend it, I tried. I report his comment and admin banned him.
I randomly decided to pursue a purchase with one of these idiots. I'll save you that long screenshot of text, but someone was looking for a 92 GT seats. A scammer replied, shown above. I replied saying I was looking for 92 GT seats. He sends me 1 picture. I ask for more. The scammer couldn't even pull up the ebay auction where the seats are currently selling at $1,500, and send me those other pics. He replied with a pic of 89 GT seats, which some here will know look completely different. Whatever, I said I'll take them. He oddly said he would accept paypal, but it has some African name. The $500 shipped price, he wanted a $100 deposit sent so he could sent that to his shipper. and then tomorrow I could pay the other $400. Yeah, comically BS.
Another one I tested was for an intake, and he sent me 2 pics, completely different backgrounds, likely stolen from google images. The price was about half of retail, and he gave me a $50 shipping quote within 5 seconds of getting my zip. For payment, he linked me to the shadiest looking site I've seen in a LONG time, basically just a page where one could input a name, credit card info, and a price. I loved the fact the text above these blanks said, "Contact bank if payment isn't successful."
Thank you for attending my PSA, I hope you now can spot fake accounts a little better. Remember, you might think all this is laughably fake but these scammers go for the 1 in 100 that will fall for it, thus they are in so many groups and copy/paste the same reply of "inbox me" or a link to some shady page.
Anyone buying from him would 100% be scammed.
Next up, Gray Todd. Again, new account and in a LOT of groups. Oh look, he actually works at one of those parts pages I was just talking about. Funny, look where that page is controlled? Cameroon. Of all countries in Africa, after Nigeria, it seems the scammers are from Cameroon.
These guys will just reply with a link to that page, yes even in a mustang group. They could get smarter and any day now start a "modern mustang parts" page though.
Another perfect example below. New account created today, and already in 19 groups at least. I took the first screenshot and figured I would let him do some more work before I ruin things. A bit later I see him posting in another group, so I decided to end things. Being a brand new account, a quick "report fake account" and FB tends to auto-suspend them. Unless he can upload legal proof of his name and DOB, like a driver's license, he will never have access to that account again, and all posts he made disappear instantly. 3rd pic is what the link to his profile currently shows.
2nd pic, 2nd reply is also a fake account too. It's older so FB won't suspend it, I tried. I report his comment and admin banned him.
I randomly decided to pursue a purchase with one of these idiots. I'll save you that long screenshot of text, but someone was looking for a 92 GT seats. A scammer replied, shown above. I replied saying I was looking for 92 GT seats. He sends me 1 picture. I ask for more. The scammer couldn't even pull up the ebay auction where the seats are currently selling at $1,500, and send me those other pics. He replied with a pic of 89 GT seats, which some here will know look completely different. Whatever, I said I'll take them. He oddly said he would accept paypal, but it has some African name. The $500 shipped price, he wanted a $100 deposit sent so he could sent that to his shipper. and then tomorrow I could pay the other $400. Yeah, comically BS.
Another one I tested was for an intake, and he sent me 2 pics, completely different backgrounds, likely stolen from google images. The price was about half of retail, and he gave me a $50 shipping quote within 5 seconds of getting my zip. For payment, he linked me to the shadiest looking site I've seen in a LONG time, basically just a page where one could input a name, credit card info, and a price. I loved the fact the text above these blanks said, "Contact bank if payment isn't successful."
Thank you for attending my PSA, I hope you now can spot fake accounts a little better. Remember, you might think all this is laughably fake but these scammers go for the 1 in 100 that will fall for it, thus they are in so many groups and copy/paste the same reply of "inbox me" or a link to some shady page.
