These guys are getting good. I've been sent 2 emails in the last few weeks with the same oddly specific light and I almost bit! The light is an all silver Vari-Beam, new in box. It is very rare and has no leads in Google Image Reverse Search I figured no way it could be a scam until the "seller" demanded a money order and more prompt replies on my part. He had no phone number, couldn't email/text additional pics but claimed to have a large number of them and would sell me one and then maybe more.
I told him sorry I'd have to pass and chalked it up as bad deal until I was e-mailed the same exact picture and similar story less than a week later. Both e-mail addresses were from a tutanota.com domain which advertises itself as being secure but is a known haven for scammers. This time I got an address, phone number and reported it to the USPS Postal Inspectors Mail Fraud division. The link is at: https://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx and those facing similar scams should report it even if no losses occur. I doubt they'll do anything but mainly wanted to give a heads up to the rest of the community that these scammers are getting very sophisticated with these scams. Pay attention to your gut! If there's too many red flags it's probably a scam.
I would not be surprised if they start to do this with other flashlight brands as well seeing as how the prices are going up considerably on some of the older lights. I have heard of a very similar scam for other collectibles as well. A picture of the light offered for sale is shown below for reference as I'm sure the scammer will try this again to someone else.
UPDATE: USPS reached out to me and said they investigate all leads and that if the address has been submitted to them before they will investigate even more thoroughly. In the mean time I took a little action of my own. Most of these addresses are forwarding addresses to other countries so when letters come in they pay a good bit of money to have them forwarded on. By sending a letter to that address, even if empty, you're helping to support the post office and taking some dollars out of the scammers pockets. I've also sent leaves as payment in indigenous currency. You can make up your own fun letters or letter fillers. Expired coupons or old concert tickets work well. Anything in the junk drawer really.
I told him sorry I'd have to pass and chalked it up as bad deal until I was e-mailed the same exact picture and similar story less than a week later. Both e-mail addresses were from a tutanota.com domain which advertises itself as being secure but is a known haven for scammers. This time I got an address, phone number and reported it to the USPS Postal Inspectors Mail Fraud division. The link is at: https://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx and those facing similar scams should report it even if no losses occur. I doubt they'll do anything but mainly wanted to give a heads up to the rest of the community that these scammers are getting very sophisticated with these scams. Pay attention to your gut! If there's too many red flags it's probably a scam.
I would not be surprised if they start to do this with other flashlight brands as well seeing as how the prices are going up considerably on some of the older lights. I have heard of a very similar scam for other collectibles as well. A picture of the light offered for sale is shown below for reference as I'm sure the scammer will try this again to someone else.
UPDATE: USPS reached out to me and said they investigate all leads and that if the address has been submitted to them before they will investigate even more thoroughly. In the mean time I took a little action of my own. Most of these addresses are forwarding addresses to other countries so when letters come in they pay a good bit of money to have them forwarded on. By sending a letter to that address, even if empty, you're helping to support the post office and taking some dollars out of the scammers pockets. I've also sent leaves as payment in indigenous currency. You can make up your own fun letters or letter fillers. Expired coupons or old concert tickets work well. Anything in the junk drawer really.
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