Was PM’d by a new member (0 posts, joined today) in response to my WTB post saying he has a friend who has what I’m looking for and providing an email address. I googled the email and found that the same one has been used for WTB-related scams at other (non-watch) sites too. Reported to the mods here.

Be smart. Do your due diligence before replying.

 

Same here

 

Same here but it was so obviously a scam that I reported to a mod straight away

 

It happens constantly in the WTB section. Wrote about one a while ago.

 

These guys really need to come up with some new material. Scammers: Too lazy AND too stupid to have a real job.

 

Though I will say, trying to entice someone to send you a hundred bucks for a 16mm vintage pin buckle is more plausible than trying to convince them to help bail out your wealthy third cousin in Eritrea who will reward everyone handsomely once he’s free.

They’re getting smarter if they’re scaling down and going niche.

 

I have reported a number of "members" here and on WUS. As soon as I notice:
- it's a new member with 0-10 posts
- no specifics on what they offer, other than a generic regurgitation of my WTB description
-they request I contact them at a random email

I report it immediately. Sometimes when I had some free time and was bored, I would engage them a little to see what BS they came up with, just to add ammo for getting them banned. However, a moderator on WUS warned us that scammers have a new technique where simply by replying to the conversation, they are able to steal your password and impersonate you with your own account. Since then, I don't engage and simply report them.

 

Oldest trick in the book.

 

They tried it with me today as well. Suspecting it was a scam, I gave them @LesXL ’s contact info instead of my own - you really can’t be too careful these days.

 

You have me to thank for that, you're my preferred OF member in such instances.

 

Same here. Happened twice. The second time I went to report the account and it was already deactivated, so well done to the moderators for reacting quickly

 

It's actually a really intelligent sorting tactic if you think about it. Anybody smart enough to determine that the scam is a scam, is not their target audience.

 

The same has happened to me more than once thanks to a WTB posting. I didn't fall prey to the scam, at least, but it makes the WTB listings something I feel I should avoid, regrettably.

 

The scammers seem to only prey one day one or day two of the posting. If you can prepare for some early disappointment then your WTB post should be unmolested after that

 

I admittedly laughed out loud

 

Who would give them a real job? They be useless at it and would be too busy stealing off their employer to do it!

 

I think that I need to post a WTB just to have some fun with these guys and see how desperate they really are. I’m pretty sure that my Speedmaster needs a new Johnson bushing assembly.

 

"I think that I need to post a WTB just to have some fun with these guys and see how desperate they really are. I’m pretty sure that my Speedmaster needs a new Johnson bushing assembly. "

Will you include a photograph of the dysfunctional part?

 

I'd rather he didn't

 

If this is against the rules, please remove. Always loved this one.