scammed by a board member please read

[pushak513]

Im not sure if this is the right place to post this but it can be moved by a mod if it is not.First off I take responsibility for the dumb moves I made.. there were alot of red flags but I wanted a rare banana so I overlooked them. on the other hand this is a good group of people and I trusted that a board member would do me right even though I was new I thought it was safe sooI was scammed recently by a board member. I replied to a wanted thread about AeAe and a member named wdennis said he had 3 pups. I asked for pictures which he supplied ( probably one of a board members pics ) He said I could have 2 of them as the other was taken for a very cheap price (red flag #1). I agreed and asked for a paypal address. He said he did not have one but could accept money gram (red flag #2) I agreed having some faith in the board. he sent me an address in camaroon, next to Nigeria (red flag #3) I sent the money and he emailed me the next day saying they had been shipped and would arrive on saturday. Friday morning he sends me an email saying they are at the pittsburgh airport in customs but to get them released it will be another 45 dollars. this is when I knew I had been took ( the same thing they do with those Nigerian check scams ) and told him there would be no more money and I was going to let everyone know what he did. Now he won't return emails and the money is just gone.. I worked overtime to get that money and it feels bad to just lose it but thats a lesson learned.. Back on the hunt for the AeAe. I know there are a few good members who have this and I will deal with them next time. the old saying is true you get what you pay for and things that are to good to be true usually are.. sooo DO NOT deal with WDENNIS and if he happens to get a differant name anyone with a cameroon address. just letting everyone know thanks.

[stevelau1911]

You're not alone on this. People who plant trade on the garden web forums often scam just to get a whole bunch of plants with nothing to show for, but its worse especially if you basically sent a bunch of money, and the scammer is still out there to prey on more victims. Thanks for letting everyone know.

One red flag I can tell about them is that they haven't been on the forum for very long, and don't have many posts. One way to find out if somebody is legitimate or not is to read up on their posts. Many plant collectors or gardeners will have a track record somewhere, a website where they sell plants, a blog, and many other things to prove their legitimacy.

Another thing is that there are plant restrictions going into the U.S. from other countries, and it also requires some sort of permit to import plants.

[island cassie]

Oh Pushak513 - you do have to be so careful regarding African scams - so sorry you got caught!!!

[Arachnotron]

Yeah, his postings were suspicious.

Here's a pm he sent me when I was looking for Hua Moa.

In Reply to your Post Re: Hua Moa:
Dear Sir, We have hua moa.Contact me directly by mail at (wdennis163@gmail.com) and get samples . waiting to read from you soon.
Regards
Dennis
Logistic Chief
DOLE DESTUNG FRUITS

I ignored him and when with someone who was a regular poster. Sorry you got taken.

[amantedelenguaje]

Sorry that the rip-off artist took your money. Thanks for taking the time to make others aware so that we may all be on our guards.

[cincinnana]

Sorry !!!
Thanks for the post!!!
If you do not know the vendor ask the forum !!!!!!!!
The forum does not lie, ask anybody ...everyone is willing to help!!!
Nobody wants to see nobody ripped off!!!
Again sorry.... I know your hopes were high for this one!!

[briancoconut]

When someone is a complete fraud and cheats someone out of there money. Why are they not banished from this site. Seems like the logical thing to do ????

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by briancoconut

When someone is a complete fraud and cheats someone out of there money. Why are they not banished from this site. Seems like the logical thing to do ????

I am sure they will be banished.

[briancoconut]

times a ticking.

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by briancoconut

times a ticking.

Inform a moderator

[Yug]

The thread topic "Scammed by a Board Member" makes me think it was not merely a forum member. I think that forum members are just 'ordinary Joes' while a board member would be someone in management hierarchy of the forum. Which is it?

[kaczercat]

I almost fell for it too! he offered me, saba ice cream or 1000 finger alll prices were different. he wanted me to send money to some orphanage in africa!

Heres the last pm he sent me:

Hi, i just call delivery service to book the package to your address and they say it will cost you $29.6. I will like you to send the money through Money Gram via any Money Gram store around your area to one orphange in Africa to the name and address below;
Receiver Name: Che Emmanuel Suh
Address:Bertoua
Post code:0237
Country :Cameroon
Test question: What Reason
Answer:Help
We should love and support poor kids thesame way we do with banana. When you do the payment, get back to me with mtcn # and senders name or scan copy of receipt and i will make payment for delivery from my account and activate the shipment. I want you to understand what is going on if you are left out ;every one should join to make the world a better place. Your name will be in their books for helping a child go to school and mine for bringing a supportive friend. If you feel as adding a dollar its up to you. Let us together preserve our nature.
Here is my address in case i missed last time (wdennis163@gmail.com). Looking forward to have your hand.
Dennis

[kaczercat]

Originally Posted by Yug

The thread topic "Scammed by a Board Member" makes me think it was not merely a forum member. I think that forum members are just 'ordinary Joes' while a board member would be someone in management hierarchy of the forum. Which is it?

it's just some random guy who joined i almost fell for it too

[pushak513]

that would be the guy che emmaual sue. well I am glad he did not get you all. I might have been the victim but I am a winner cus I am helping many other not get scammed.. you know somtimes when there is somthing you really want you have blinders on to some of the red flags. I knew he had a low post count but I do as well and I have been tradeing plants for years.. not on this forum but on the internet..I am glad I could bring this to everyone so no one else gets scammed..

on a side note I went to my buddys and picked up a thai black, superbum, and bordeline to make myself feel better LOL

[brothertom2020]

Howdy Pushak513: Sorry you got ripped off, new friend! Contact forum member Sandy 0225, regarding location of a AeAe, what ever that is?! :-o. I have purchased from her and give her the highest recommendation. If she dosen't have one, perhaps she can tell you of other folks who may have a pup or two, or may have next spring.

Stay Safe, Tom

[TRAY]

I'm feeling your pain Mike, sorry for your loss. I'm sure your alert will help serve as a lesson and such for others and help get him out of here. I also want to say my hat's off to you for not blaming the forum as a whole for the actions of 1 a-hole crook! There are many GOOD people on here and if your not sure ( like in this case) just pm someone and they will help you or point you in the right direction! I wish you lots of luck in the future!!

[sunfish]

Same person ?

Ae,Ice Cream Pups Avaible

[cincinnana]

Originally Posted by sunfish

Same person ?

Ae,Ice Cream Pups Avaible

Smells like it to me.
Changed his screen name though.
Sentence structure and spelling suggests inbreeding.
Screen name is a synonym for laughing.

[MediaHound]

Send me a PM with more info of who it was please..

[bluesky]

Thank you for letting us know about this person! I for one will be extremely careful in the future. So sorry you were taken like that. I have had a time with a woman(?) for years on many plant trading sites and was in fact my first trading partner and she really saw me coming and took avantage (many times under many different names)