Multiple "sales" of EAR 324?

"But then again, if they were bright they probably would set their sights higher than $1,000 pieces of hi-fi gear."

I wonder about this. Hard to see how there could be much money in it. At the same time, they know or research enough to pick high interest pieces as bait.

Is it just that the risk of prosecution is so low it is worth a shot, for the criminally inclined?

"High interest pieces" is the thing. The guy picks the EAR 324 Phono Amp, a pretty esoteric item, as his bait. How would a guy like this even know about an item like the EAR?!

How would a guy like this even know about an item like the EAR?!

Because he heard that there a lots of people on this board who will pay $5K for a power cord????

Bpd24, welcome to Audiogon! It didn't used to be like this, but has gotten progressively worse. The last 6-12 months have really seen a huge increase in scammers. I'm glad you used PayPal.

They seem to like the $1000 price range, as it makes them some money, but it's not too much money. Folks are more likely to want to make phone calls and personal contact on $5K, $10K deals, IMHO. $1000 is about the most that folks will just zip off a payment without too much scrutiny.

They throw out the bait, take a half dozen bites, and move on to a new moniker. Figure they get $5000-$8000 for nothing more than the cost of a $4 ad.
Fairly good ROI, enough to keep them posting more ads.

PayPal protects the seller, not the buyer. How? permitting these scams.