Long story short, I am the victim of bank wire fraud involving an online purchase for a substantial $XXXXX loss. Seller posted a for sale ad in an online marketplace (not eBay) and we negotiated terms via email - i have used this site many times without issues but clearly got duped this time. He provided references (which I realized were fabricated) and I fell for the entire scam (fabricated shipping and tracking info, etc) I am working with my bank and law enforcement to try and recover the money.l but am not optimistic. I am trying to find someone who can uncover the digital trail as we’ve been communicating via text (probably a virtual number or burner phone) and gmail. I have identified another victim of the same exact scam so we are coordinating our efforts to try and uncover this thief. Not being technical, i don’t know the exact skills needed but I know there are technical people here who do. If anyone here can help or knows someone who can help us track this individual down, please DM me ASAP for more details.
Never ever pay for online deals with wire transfer or any other method were the transfer can not be reverted. The safest way is credit card (not debit card!) because you’re spending the banks money not yours and transactions are revert-able after months.
Wire transfers are common practice for large figure items like jewelry and watches etc. - I’ve done this many times before. Where i failed was in performing more rigorous due diligence and buying the seller instead of the item.
Seems like you are still defending yourself. Never pay 1000s of $ to a online merchant without a middleman like paypal If someone is offering a deal on a jewellery/watch that is too good, then beware
What did you buy of such value ? Gold?
I don’t want to disclose too much info here - just hoping to find a digital detective that can help identify a trail to follow.
Can you at least tell us the value of your loss? Not sure why it's that important to keep things a secret, unless what you're doing is illegal.
Most likely a watch
I sometimes sell watches online. Once, recently, I had a guy create a fake ID with my name on it, create a fake business card and a fake email address and pretend he was me. He was able to con some people into thinking it was me, and have them wire funds. Nothing could be done after the wire was sent. Sorry you’re going through this.
So there’s a site where all I need is an email account and photoshop and I can get people to start wiring me money?
Yep, it’s called Facebook marketplace.
Anyone who wires funds to non-trusted parties in this digital age just learned an expensive lesson. Be better, folks.
Any update
Sorry to say but you’re fucked. Most likely the account where the money was received was opened by a fake alias or undocumented immigrant who is long gone. Contact FBI, that’s your best bet. As the transaction most likely crossed state lines.
Already did this and realize I’m fucked. This is a last ditch resort in an attempt to uncover the digital trail that might provide some meaningful lead.