2. misc-audio
  3. 177297-5628

Fraud Ads Have Been Posted Lately

I have noticed over the past few weeks ads selling gear at ultra-low prices which is too good to be true. $15,000 amps for $2,500 and so on. They all have one thing in common the date they became a member of Audiogon in May. They have addresses across the USA, and great photos of the gear, but that is to make you think it is a steal of a deal. I reported these to Audiogon and I hope they can stop them. Pair B&W 802D for $2,800 if I recall. I know we are wise but as you know we are always looking for a good price and these folks are praying on that. Too good to be true, no time on Gon and NO customer feedback stay away from them. Just an FYI.

128x128phillyb
rsf507
2,327 posts
 

@phillyb +1

teo_audio
2,197 posts
 

continual fraud from experienced fraudsters, whom the police cannot stop, is also common. Repetition leads to an increase in sophistication of the methods.

Look up ’john Bowering’ at canuck audio. (web search). He’s a serial fraudster who’s been near impossible to stop, in some 20 years of defrauding people in high end/vintage audio.. There are many people who would like to rain physical harm down on this guy. A long long list of people. It’s a frightening look into the problems with prosecution even if you know who the fraudster is. the guy is so close to taking a beating from those trying to ensnare him so they can deliver said beating..that he plays games like a hostage taker looking for a bag of cash from the police (Drop zones, watching people from afar at the given meeting points, etc) . he’s so well known that this is part of his ’fraudster’ package of contacting buyers and sellers. it’s some seriously freaky stuff going on there. Not all Canadians are good guys. Remember Trevor! (GTA V).

Point is, if you can’t name names directly, not much can be done to retrieve funds or property.

And if you know who it is exactly, probably near impossible, even then. the modern environment, economically and socially, and legally...is turning it all into a no show regarding any efforts of police or police interest, even if it is a serial defrauder who’s lifetime known totals come well into the hundreds of thousands of $.

music_is_life's avatar
music_is_life
188 posts
 

Frauds are everywhere. Many are members here. 

rsf507
2,327 posts
 

If you've been fooled by another Agon member report them to Admin but also post here and let others know who they are so as not to fall for their schemes

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

I have seen them on other sites too.  One good thing to check is do a google image search of the images they provide and often you can find the ad where they stole it from. often years ago.  The great thing about stealing an ad from 2 years ago is the copy is already written so they don't have to show off their poor english.  If you can't positively identify fraud and are nervous but interested, offer to add 3% and pay with paypal.  If they refuse that, it could be a red flag. OTOH, if they refuse because they don't want a 1099 from paypal, that sounds like they are a real person.  --Jerry

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