Scammers are an unfortunate part of the internet and so it is important to ensure you are educated about them and that you know the tell-tale signs of scamming. Given so many scammers are based overseas it is very difficult to locate them and prosecute, which makes it particularly important to be aware of how they operate.
We want to help you identify potential scammers and so we've pulled together this list of classic scenarios. By all means if you are approached by a scammer and their modus operandi is not captured here, please contact us to let us know so we can share it with all interested visitors to our site.
Scammers Using Text Messaging
If you are contacted via text message and asked to email the person then in all likelihood this is a scam. It is designed to get around security procedures so do not respond.
If you receive a text message where the sender is labelled as "BikeExchange", this is also likely to be a scam. The scammer is attempting to contact you via an anonymous web-SMS service, where you can manipulate the sender's details.
Scammer Delivery
Be aware of last minute changes from potential buyers that require you to pay for delivery. If you are asked to pay for a courier and the buyer says they will add it to the cost of your product then don’t, it’s a scam.
Payment Scams
If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. If a seller will only contact you by email, their phone doesn’t work, they only accept payment via western union or Paypal or they are overseas then unfortunately that bargain you’ve found doesn’t really exist. Report this listing to be removed from the site.
Golden Rules That Indicate Scammer Activity
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Do not pay any money if you are the seller
If the seller indicates they are overseas, then do not continue with the transaction
Unless you have the cash in your hand or money in your bank account, you have not been paid
Do not respond to text messages asking you to contact them via email
Control the transaction. You decide payment and transport details
Talk to the buyer/seller. A scammer will avoid talking to you
There is no such thing as a BikeExchange.co.uk 'Verified Trader'
Do not trust documents sent to you via email. Fraudulent copies of Paypal or western union documents are easy to create.
If you are in any doubt, contact us
Scammer Email Addresses Known to Us
crep34@gmail.commark00098777@gmail.commandelas01@yahoo.comboutros386@gmail.comilovewalmartstore@gmail.combobashley07@gmail.combobjams07@gmail.comseawater262@gmail.comclassicproduct114@gmail.comsabra.boutros@gmail.comknoxr262@gmail.comnabzones@gmail.comritebull999@gmail.commicand262@gmail.comhenkit262@gmail.comgregfox11@outlook.com.aukittpet262@gmail.comloveshop262@gmail.competlover262@gmail.comfulman262@gmail.comsanex22@outlook.compopout262@gmail.comcaredon@outlook.comjsmithdot3@gmail.comservice@intl.paypal.comverify_customers@qualityservice.comjwp1@windowslive.comprocky262@gmail.comp_manz@outlook.comtrexac@outlook.comlindacox599@gmail.comfrexa@outlook.comdenax44@outlook.comwelsh0022@gmail.comhari.f@outlook.comdonax44@outlook.comfrank.hari@outlook.comrobertrebk@hotmail.comcorob46@outlook.comfrank.h2@outlook.comlindacox999@outlook.comrobcox44@outlook.comholston2@outlook.comlieutfredden@hotmail.comswad02@outlook.comjason464@outlook.comchm.3@outlook.comjstops13@gmail.comfreddencool@hotmail.comcarex44@outlook.comkime2@outlook.comandax44@outlook.comcresec46@outlook.comholsten3@outlook.comkhonorjay@gmail.comdennisfredden@hotmail.comdrdiasy@gmail.comnickholston2@outlook.combanedex42@outlook.comgrdiasy@gmail.comoolivertwist1@outlook.competerireland@msn.comxpressmom6@outlook.comholsten2@outlook.comdennisfre@hotmail.comxpressmom4@outlook.comxpressmom5@outlook.comnataliemooreh@gmail.comxpressmom3@outlook.comkime_2@outlook.comrafalelder@gmail.comandywom@outlook.comgayfredd@hotmail.comgaylordfred@hotmail.commichaelwhite@outlook.com.aucarlymatheson@outlook.compaypal@autocustomersupports.comadamthomason@hotmail.com.ausamuelcheny@live.com.auanthonyabbott@hotmail.com.aulifung3@gmail.commathewpreston@live.com.aublakeabbott@live.com.auanthonywhite@hotmail.com.auvexmorison@outlook.comdallagarrigo.fllisnc@outlook.comveblake55@gmail.comjosephdled@outlook.comcharissteve@hotmail.comfredkealladen@hotmail.comfar_de_halat@hotmail.comfdfxxcc@hotmail.comdanielrobert004@yahoo.comfreddendoo@yahoo.com.ausolomondomenech@yahoo.comhenrycoker15@yahoo.comindomitable08@hotmail.comkeenhd5@gmail.comjeffcole33@yahoo.comhernandez.phil010@gmail.comjohnnymartins101@yahoo.com.aujosh.fergie007@gmail.comclarkbol01@gmail.comsolomonhoward46@yahoo.combrucemacarthur38@gmail.comgmlocke@y7mail.comdavidosburne@att.netfddnhide@yahoo.com.aukyliehuitchinson@outlook.comkellersanchez1@gmail.comlordkimford20@gmail.comsgt.j.ferguson007@gmail.comgloworldfed@gmail.comsteve.forster33@yahoo.comlordkimford12@gmail.comjfeisel77@gmx.dejhwilson101@gmail.comrplaster07@yahoo.com.auWilliamgill04@gmail.comfredsde@hotmail.com.soplt1969@live.comwilsonhale001@hotmail.com.ausmithdeynq@gmail.comlilopupe@hotmail.comnuttasit37@gmail.comian.lim26@gmail.comBrinecollins@gmail.combebrish0@gmail.comddmxa@hotmail.comlordkimford14@gmail.comloreleism1@aim.comryanwoody@hotmail.comddxma@hotmail.comlordkimford20@gmail.commacrpett@gmail.comjameswyatts@hotmail.commattcarpet@hotmail.commikeseay5@gmail.comI.trihey@hotmail.comstefaloveyou77@yahoo.com.aurivardthompson12@gmail.comlindathomas350@gmail.comlo.amb10@live.comladgordd@outlook.comjosephled@outlook.comcaredon@outlook.compgale262@gmail.comfredsilino@hotmail.comfulman262@gmail.comdenfex@outlook.comlifepet262@gmail.comcanbaxe@outlook.comgregfox11@oulook.com.au
Scammer Email Examples
Thanks for the response to my mail, i am ok with the price and i would like to purchase it from you, so would want the advert removed online. I am a British citizen and i reside in Cardiff, i am also a staff of Chevron and I work offshore (NAME: Alba Phase II, LOCATION: North Sea Northern, UK. BLOCK: 16 / 26 WATER DEPTH: 138m RESERVES: 400 million barrels recoverable reserves DISCOVERED: 1984 FIRST PRODUCTION: January 1994). I would like to use this medium also to inform you that i will not be able come inspect the bike or pay cash as i am presently at work and had my online banking facilities attached to my bank account disabled (i lost alot of money using it in the past). I want to propose payments via pay pal cos it is the only option i am limited to now as i am off shore and it is secure, easy and convenient to make and receive payments as i do have a Premier pay pal account which has been active over the years and is different from the regular pay pal account that encoun ter problems nowadays. If you don't already have an account, you can log on to paypal.com and set up an account then let me have your pay pal email ID so i could make an instant payment. I will also arrange for pick up and shipment after i complete purchase. My pick up agent will handle paper works with you when they come for pick up of the bike. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for the swift response...i am willing to know the lowest price of the bike.due to the nature of my job and location...i will not be able to come for inspection,am a very busy type as i work long hours everyday,i have gone through your advertisement and i am satisfied with it. As per the pick up don't worry about that because i have my own private courier company and the courier services company will will be coming to pick it up. With the issue of my details,transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the courier services company agent so you don't have to worry about that. I'll like you to send me your address so that the courier services company can figure it out and come for the pick up and other necessary things....more so,send me your PayPal details(PayPal email) so i can pay in.
Sorry for the delay, but I've been busy. I've just moved in Newport. No need to worry about the bike because is with me. The bike is located in Newport at a local shipping company. In the price is included the shipping taxes (anywhere in the UK). No accidents and it runs perfectly. If you are still interested, please reply and I will give you all the details about how to get it! Cheers!
Thanks for the mail.. i would have loved to talk to you on phone but i work mainly offshore, our phone is down on the right now due to bad weather, we can only communicate with our base for now.await your reply asap.
Thanks for your enquiry. Please check the attachments for a couple of pictures with the bike so you can get a better view.
The final price is £2500. I am selling the bike so cheap because i just finished the divorce with my husband and i have moved to my parents home in Bristol.
I am a Verified Trader therefore the transaction will be done solely through Bikeexchange Trader Program. The payment will be made through BikeExchange and only after you will receive the bike, i will receive the payment.
BikeExchange will send you an Invoice with all the info you need to complete the transaction. Also a 5 days refund policy will be included so if you won't like the bike you will get your money back.
Also, I need to know if you have cash in hand because I have a lot buyers interested in the purchase and I don't have time to waste. No offense but if you really want to buy the bike I will stop communicating with the other interested buyers.
Let me know if you are interested so I can explain how BikeExchange works.
Hi ,
" THIS BIKE IS BRAND NEW AND NEVER BEEN RIDDEN" The bike is currently in Leeds. Here are the steps of our sale:
- I will start the transaction which will falls under BikeExchange program, managed by BikeExchange Department, and they will send you a confirmation email with the payment instructions and delivery information.
- You will send the payment according to BikeExchange rules. I'm a Verified Seller with BikeExchange, so your payment is fully refundable.
- The item will be delivered to your location (shipping is already included in the price, you won't have to pay extra). You will also be provided with a tracking number of the shipment which you can check anytime you want.
- You will receive it in 3 days, and you will have a 5 days inspection period to test it. During this inspection period you can drive it, take it to a mechanic, you can do anything you want with it, just don't wreck it.
- If the item is what you expected, you will just have to sign the documents. If not, they will fully refund you your money at your request and they will send the bike back on my expense. I know the condition of my unit, and you will be very satisfied, I am pretty sure of this.
If you want to proceed with this transaction I would need the following:
- the name and address you wish to appear on the bill of sale contract and on the registration certificate
- delivery address (if you wish to have the unit delivered)
- a phone # (home, mobile) where BikeExchange may reach you once that they deliver the unit.
I will be waiting for news from you. Kindest regards,
We hope this information has helped you should ever you be approached by a scammer.