Reporting fraudulent accounts/scammers?

[snowgyre]

So I know the BOI isn't a thing anymore, but I've been contacted by the same user who is now on his fourth account trying to scam me (you guys have banned the first two or three accounts already). I thought there used to be a "report this user" button in the user profile or near the user's icon in private messages, but I can't find it anymore.

Do we just email an admin now? Or can we get that report functionality now that the BOI isn't a thing?

Thanks for the help, this has been a real nuisance.

 

[WebSlave]

I think this may be related:

https://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338061&page=2

Start on post #17 in the above thread.

 

[snowgyre]

Ah, okay, so there's a report button for a user's post, but this user isn't posting, they're just private messaging me. In the private message there is no report button, just the dot that shows if a user is online or offline.

I doubt I'm the only person this user has been contacting considering they've had previous accounts banned already. They're using different phone numbers every time too but the content (and grammar) is always the same: they ask for my asking price on an animal, give a cell phone message, and then in the next reply ask if you'll take a certified bank check and ship after the check clears. It's a classic scammer move.

For users who are PMing only, is there a report function we can use (or that can be added) to the user's profile page?

 

[bcr229]

You can just forward the PM to admins/moderators.

 

[Socratic Monologue]

I got four messages from the scammer in question. I second the request for a report button, though am happy to forward scammy PMs to a mod if that's the best way.

 

[WebSlave]

Nine times out of ten a new member engaging in this sort of thing registers using a VPN or anonymous proxy server. When I find them, or find out about them, I normally terminate the account and block that IP address from future new registrations using it. I do scan all new registrations several times a day, but unless something pretty obvious catches my attention, I don't audit all of them for the above.

Honestly the mods put a lot more effort into ferreting out scammers than I do, as I use my time lately with more backend tasks related to running this site. Since they are still in the business of buying and selling, they spend a LOT mor time perusing the classifieds than I do.

 

[WebSlave]

As for a "Report a Post" function in private messages, I guess the software developers felt that wasn't necessary since the post itself could not be verified and audited by the moderators since they could not access the original text in the private message.

So I suppose just forwarding such post(s) to a moderator would be the best bet. They may or may not want to have the IP address banned, since leaving it be often trips up scammers who aren't internet savy enough to try to cover their tracks that way. Most scammers are found by context anyway, but still, IP matching does still sometimes surprisingly work now and again. It does help to catch the stupid ones.

 

[nickolasanastasiou]

One was just forwarded to me by one of my project partners, so I was able to take care of it quickly. Sometimes these accounts even contact me directly and that is rather convenient of them to reveal themselves.

As mentioned, if anybody gets one of these and wants it investigated, please forward the message and the profile to one or more of the moderators and we can check it out. If I have enough for my burden of proof right away, I can act right away. If there is not enough at first, it might take me a day or two (assuming I have the time, as I do this in my spare time).

PM is fine for me. Email also works for me. The latter is easier if there is an image you want to include like a screenshot or what have you.

Thank you all for looking out for yourselves and each other. I place value in that sort of community cohesion.

 

[Lightning15]

OracleOnes (now banned) is a scammer. Sent a check via certified mail for way more than what I was charging. Wanted me to deposit the entire amount and send him the balance. Got suspicious and went to my bank to present the check. Teller said check was counterfeit and confiscated it.

OracleOnes PM to me:

07-25-2022, 03:22 AM
oracleones
Banned

Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Miami FL
Age: 45
Posts: 0
Name : Oracle Ones
oracleones is an unknown quantity at this point
Trader Rating: (0)
2.2 2022 Kankakee Bullsnakes

Still available for sale ? Plz let me know your asking price. text me ‪ (765) 279-0186 ‬ . I don't check messages here very frequently

 

[Lightning15]

He's now going by the user name of Desmondunion.
https://www.faunaclassifieds.com/for...r.php?u=225285

Desmondunion
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Warren RI
Posts: 0
Name : Des Uni
Desmondunion is an unknown quantity at this point
Trader Rating: (0)
2.2 2022 Kankakee Bullsnakes

Still available for sale ? Plz let me know your asking price. text me ‪ (765) 279-0186
‬ . I don't check messages here very freq

 

[Socratic Monologue]

Kevin, it has been asked that info on these things gets PMed to a moderator. Check the post right above yours.

 

[nickolasanastasiou]

Handled it. PMs are preferable for this specific issue, dear readers, but I jump on what I can when I can.

 

[Tek7873]

Scammers selling Unicolor cribo

Patricia.m
Dididarion2
Demian Marion
Troy Pope

All names used are scammers.

Currently selling Unicolor cribos.

Beware.

 

[thetortoisedork2015]

Scammers on tortoise threads

Darion didi (looks like he's now banned).
Dan Richards (new, just messaged me).

 

[Tek7873]

Darion is a known scammer. Beware.

 

[nickolasanastasiou]

Darion didi (looks like he's now banned).
Dan Richards (new, just messaged me).

Handled them.

Thank you.