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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Bummer First Post - Scammed by 'Kate Strugenko'

My heart goes out to you Jesse! Very sorry to hear about this :-(

I have been through a few bad transactions on here. I would only do a wire transfer with a trusted, reputable seller that is a well known member of the community.

What info did you receive in regards to the wire transfer? did you get the persons real name, bank info, etc? I would contact your bank immediately and try and get them to reverse the transaction. Don't settle for a loss! Give them hell how ever you can. how did you communicate with this person? maybe try and have their IP address tracked (if thats possible) and report them to the FBI & police. Just don't let this thief get away with it!

Best,
AJ

Jesse Blanchard said:
That's a great question, Mike. It echoes my frustration with the forum as a whole. It's a really difficult place to manage transactions with confidence. Here's a great test and a learning experience for me. Say I have something to sell you. How would I prove I am who I am to you?
Click to expand...
 
Right from the start I knew there was something fishy about Kate's redmag post. I PMed "it" just incase and got a response. But chose not to go through with it based on it's registration date and post count.
 
Derryl Sims said:
It's over 1000 users everyday including new users with a few post so are you saying Ryan has over 100 accounts. Why would you say something like that. How do I know you are not Ryan Boyer? And I don't think Kate Strugenko and Ryan Boyer are the same person. Why would he want to blow his account up by being Kate? I don't have nothing to do with them.
Click to expand...

Ryan, aren't you using a pseudo name? In your first post you admitted Derryl Sims was made up. Why are you protecting a made up name? Your behavior, lack of knowledge, and your language skills make you easy to point out. That's how we know you are Ryan Boyer. The way you defend yourself is also typical of the guy we know as Ryan Boyer.
 
This is all somewhat ridiculous. We have people accusing other people of scams when they themselves are hiding under pseudonyms and others have almost no history on the forum. I think I'll stay clear of all of these folks -even the ones who are outraged at the terrible behavior of others. :huh:
 
Just to say : EVEN on paypal THERE IS NO REAL PROTECTION FOR THE SELLER

New Scam : some people buy things and simulate a hacking use of their account -----> paypal refund without any survey and of course - you lost the parcel because the address is NOT the real address...

Usually, in every way - Buyers are more protected than sellers in case of problems. If you look at the paypal systems closely, there are lot of weaknesses in their system for exemple : you can transfer the money to your bank account WITHOUT to prove you sent the parcel - WTF ?
You don't have to send with signature proof but only with tracking : well sometimes, the parcel is declare delivered - but in real - it's not - but the buyer can't do anything because the tracking number even without signature makes the rule.

You'll see they never do something again scammers, I mean, legally. They just try to NEVER have to refund with their own money in case of problem like hacked account. All this system seems to be made to glory of scammers. Really. You know why ? Because Paypal is a kind of king of scammers in some case, like my last ones and play the scammer's game with absurd 10 days to answers...Or closing the case without any survey...Or doing nothing again scammers in justice or with the police...

Lost 2300 USD with that scam - And never use paypal to sell something anymore.

(And Still waiting for a part of refund since more than one month for a canceled transaction did here - fingers crossing)

I think the number of scammers gonna raise crazily everywhere on the web very soon due to the current economic climate. So the best is : see what you buy in the real world - and if the price is huge - take a plane.
 
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A forum I've been a part for years and years dedicated to Canadian Bargain Hunters has a rating system for users similar to Ebay.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/

I think they call it iTrader rating.

I mostly use it to buy used computer parts, and although 90% of the time it's a local sale, those feedback ratings help a lot for out of town sellers.

I think Reduser.net may use the same forum technology, so It would be nice if they installed some buyer/seller rating plugin for here.
 
Sorry to hear that you got burnt.
May I suggest a pretty safe method for buying and selling which I have applied over the years: I use the help of a friend who is a respected broker* in the Netherlands and whenever there is a buying/selling transaction I ask my partners to go through him. You may call it personalized escrow service and I have had only good experience this way. Whatever little profit my friend makes from a sale will not hurt me in the least because it gets me complete confidence and peace of mind.

* and he is also a DP who can inspect and test any equipment which goes through his hands.
 
Noel R. said:
Ryan, aren't you using a pseudo name? In your first post you admitted Derryl Sims was made up. Why are you protecting a made up name? Your behavior, lack of knowledge, and your language skills make you easy to point out. That's how we know you are Ryan Boyer. The way you defend yourself is also typical of the guy we know as Ryan Boyer.
Click to expand...

If I was totally, utterly, completely paranoid… I would wonder if the whole thing was being orchestrated by or on behalf of a... rival, or other ill-wisher, to damage the brand and discredit the forums...

Mike
 
It's easy look at my post or Mike "fireman" or any other "serious" user. We advertise who we are. We share our information as we know this is a forum were we can socialise. A forum to make connections and therefor "show" who we are as professionals.

Anyone not doing so I would seriously doubt. Especially if there's no history. Also only email connection with no contact of any other kind is highly suspicious.

No pun intended but don't whine about the forum itself for being fooled - we gladly help you as much as we can to come to the bottom with things, but in the end you got scammed and in this case it looks as if you didn't do your homework? For all of you that believe that Derryl, Ryan etc is the same person. I haven't followed this so I have no clue, but if you have clear suspicions that this is true. You should report it.
 
I almoust bought a redmag to her/him, never suspected of anything. Just not make the deal, cause she was selling out of European Union (Ukraine she said).
I must say that she/he is evolving, lots of posts, tries to buy and after comes the sells.
Sooner or latter is gona spend some big times in the jail, this is inevitable...
 
Valentin Paris said:
Just to say : EVEN on paypal THERE IS NO REAL PROTECTION FOR THE SELLER

New Scam : some people buy things and simulate a hacking use of their account -----> paypal refund without any survey and of course - you lost the parcel because the address is NOT the real address...

Usually, in every way - Buyers are more protected than sellers in case of problems. If you look at the paypal systems closely, there are lot of weaknesses in their system for exemple : you can transfer the money to your bank account WITHOUT to prove you sent the parcel - WTF ?
You don't have to send with signature proof but only with tracking : well sometimes, the parcel is declare delivered - but in real - it's not - but the buyer can't do anything because the tracking number even without signature makes the rule.

You'll see they never do something again scammers, I mean, legally. They just try to NEVER have to refund with their own money in case of problem like hacked account. All this system seems to be made to glory of scammers. Really. You know why ? Because Paypal is a kind of king of scammers in some case, like my last ones and play the scammer's game with absurd 10 days to answers...Or closing the case without any survey...Or doing nothing again scammers in justice or with the police...

Lost 2300 USD with that scam - And never use paypal to sell something anymore.

(And Still waiting for a part of refund since more than one month for a canceled transaction did here - fingers crossing)

I think the number of scammers gonna raise crazily everywhere on the web very soon due to the current economic climate. So the best is : see what you buy in the real world - and if the price is huge - take a plane.
Click to expand...


All that is true, but paypal keep track of bank accounts personal data etc. and they do not let a scammer scam to many time using the same paypal account etc. and taking large payment over paypal is a trust you must earn. So it actually cause great hassle for the scammers. They basically do not like to charge trough paypal....
 
Roger Singh said:
A forum I've been a part for years and years dedicated to Canadian Bargain Hunters has a rating system for users similar to Ebay.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/

I think they call it iTrader rating.

I mostly use it to buy used computer parts, and although 90% of the time it's a local sale, those feedback ratings help a lot for out of town sellers.

I think Reduser.net may use the same forum technology, so It would be nice if they installed some buyer/seller rating plugin for here.
Click to expand...

Something like this would be great. New to Red, I'm essentially an out-of-towner. Right now, it's difficult for someone to get used Red gear without being pretty integrated into this forum. Even then, it sounds like other experienced forum members almost got bit themselves.

Thanks for the condolences - 2k is a chunk of cash to loose.

I am going after 'Kate' but I don't know what success I'll have. I don't know if this means anything but she was adamant that the 'Purpose of Payment' be:
Replenishment of card account № 26202700386930
Cardholder name Katerina Strugenko
Private transfer
(I realize it's probably bad etiquette to post a BA# but I'm hoping it prevents someone else getting ripped off.)

To introduce myself, my name is Jesse Blanchard. I do 3D work including building S3D rigs. I'm just finishing up a new design specifically for Epic/Scarlets. You can learn more about me at www.GoatAndYeti.com or www.jesse-blanchard.com

You'll be hearing more from me but not about being scammed!
 
Jesse Blanchard said:
Something like this would be great. New to Red, I'm essentially an out-of-towner. Right now, it's difficult for someone to get used Red gear without being pretty integrated into this forum. Even then, it sounds like other experienced forum members almost got bit themselves.

Thanks for the condolences - 2k is a chunk of cash to loose.

I am going after 'Kate' but I don't know what success I'll have. I don't know if this means anything but she was adamant that the 'Purpose of Payment' be:
Replenishment of card account № 26202700386930
Cardholder name Katerina Strugenko
Private transfer
(I realize it's probably bad etiquette to post a BA# but I'm hoping it prevents someone else getting ripped off.)

To introduce myself, my name is Jesse Blanchard. I do 3D work including building S3D rigs. I'm just finishing up a new design specifically for Epic/Scarlets. You can learn more about me at www.GoatAndYeti.com or www.jesse-blanchard.com

You'll be hearing more from me but not about being scammed!
Click to expand...


Welcome to RU Jesse even with a displeasure beginning and hope we will learn and get an advice from your expertise on 3D and rigs.
 
Jesse Blanchard said:
(I realize it's probably bad etiquette to post a BA#
Click to expand...


These thiefs need to be tracked. I was about to buy from this person, i think we need to collect and share more informations we can about them.

Keep on Jesse, and nice to know you're into 3D rigs.

Best

Jean


P.S. If it should be of any utility for this matter, i have some private message with this "Kate" where i was about to buy in same thread. If any moderator will need to read them, please send me a PM, i'll forward the conversation.
 
Jean Maurizio said:
P.S. If it should be of any utility for this matter, i have some private message with this "Kate" where i was about to buy in same thread. If any moderator will need to read them, please send me a PM, i'll forward the conversation.
Click to expand...

I'm happy to send along my email string with her as well plus any other info I have. A scammer's museum thread might be useful.
 
Valentin Paris said:
Just to say : EVEN on paypal THERE IS NO REAL PROTECTION FOR THE SELLER

New Scam : some people buy things and simulate a hacking use of their account -----> paypal refund without any survey and of course - you lost the parcel because the address is NOT the real address...

Usually, in every way - Buyers are more protected than sellers in case of problems. If you look at the paypal systems closely, there are lot of weaknesses in their system for exemple : you can transfer the money to your bank account WITHOUT to prove you sent the parcel - WTF ?
You don't have to send with signature proof but only with tracking : well sometimes, the parcel is declare delivered - but in real - it's not - but the buyer can't do anything because the tracking number even without signature makes the rule.

You'll see they never do something again scammers, I mean, legally. They just try to NEVER have to refund with their own money in case of problem like hacked account. All this system seems to be made to glory of scammers. Really. You know why ? Because Paypal is a kind of king of scammers in some case, like my last ones and play the scammer's game with absurd 10 days to answers...Or closing the case without any survey...Or doing nothing again scammers in justice or with the police...

Lost 2300 USD with that scam - And never use paypal to sell something anymore.

(And Still waiting for a part of refund since more than one month for a canceled transaction did here - fingers crossing)

I think the number of scammers gonna raise crazily everywhere on the web very soon due to the current economic climate. So the best is : see what you buy in the real world - and if the price is huge - take a plane.
Click to expand...

Paypal is an absolute nightmare for sellers if a dispute comes up on an international transaction. Every real person in their customer service that I could get ahold of lacked the authority to do anything meaningful themselves, and pointed me toward email addresses that spat back form letters or links that didn't exist on their site. Even after eBay revoked buyer protection from the buyer due to a pattern of abuse, they still wouldn't take action on the case. Their organization is a mess, and I strongly recommend using a competing service if you have a shred of doubt about the person you're doing business with.
 
Why can't this forum instigate a feedback score as per dvxuser, which is to all intents and purposes is based on the same structure. I know it wouldn't weed out all dodgy dealings, but at least it would give a starting point for someone to make a judgement on the validity of their purchase.
 
Hi,

I'm pretty new here. I jumped in and bought a red package and a steadicam within the first few weeks of membership. I tend to stay away from things outside of the major EU (i.e., Germahy, France, UK, Switzerland, Sweden etc...). I'm a noob to red. I am a content producer and just upgraded to save myself on rentals for the small projects I work on. Just one lone camera and some canon lenses.

However I worked in sales for years dealing with post-prod gear. I did a lot of stuff on ebay for about two years as a few dealers I used to work for would unload deadstock at a cost and i would resell it. That being said, I made it a rule very quickly not to deal with anything in Russia or Ukraine. Not that I have anything personally against either place its just that there is a rampant amount of fraud coming from that part of the world.

Tons of it actually. In fact Federal Express will not even insure shipments in and out of Moscow over I believe $200-300 US because there is so much theft. And that is theft just in the airport, from people who work there and have access to the packages.

The rare few transactions I have had that were successful usually involved some sort of trickery or a mule to get the gear there or back. Same goes for parts of South America. In my ebay days I actually met other guys that were in the same trade (buy and sell through the net). A few of them had warned me about dealing with Russia and Ukraine and other eastern european countries.

I met a few guys that actually made a living buying gear for clients in Brazil and Argentina and Chile and then basically flying down there with it and back like a drug mule. Apparently Brazil has some issues as well. However the fishing scams tend to come from Russia and other former Soviet countries. No prejudice here, just statistics... its unfortunate but it is the truth. I just want to emphasize since I have seen many users here from all over the place and don't want anyone offended.

Also southeast Asia is another redflag place. Indonesia especially. I used to run like a hundred or so auctions at a time and several times a week I had to boot buy it now bids from ebayers with low feedback from places like Indonesia and Russia.

Jesse, sucks. I remember seeing Kate's posts and I myself was tempted to purchase some stuff. I may have actually contacted her/him but can't remember, let me look around my emails and see.

In any case, if it turns out to be a full on scam and you are coming up with little recourse, PM me any info, I have some contacts in that region who help me out with this stuff maybe track down the bank it went to etc...

No promises but I have a guy I used to ship iPads out to funny enough and he is a trusted friend I have known for years and tends to know about all the Ukranian scams.

best,
Josh Binder
NYC
 
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