This was a close one. I saw a new Sig M17 in the PX. Contacted the seller and said if he'd take a USPS MO, we had a deal. As always, I did a little due diligence. He'd been a member for a year, over 150 posts on a variety of topics. I read some posts. He was knowledgeable about scopes, guns, reloading. He even had an expensive item posted once before, asked for a USPS MO and had the post marked "Sold".
Well, after a weekend long wait, the seller contacts me. Reasonable excuse, shooting with his son all weekend. Asked for a wire transfer, saying he'd be traveling. I've spent a lot of money on the Hide PX over the years, always USPS MO. I've missed deals over not using PayPal. I've never done a wire transfer. Looked into it. He needed to supply name, bank, account number, routing number. Seemed like a lot of info to give me, a stranger.
He was quick to reply
Account number : 6758834520
Name: Charles Onyeiwu
Bank Name: BBVA COMPASS BANK
Routing: 113010547
I googled the bank, seemed normal. Googled the name, Nigerian. I apologized to the seller for halting the transaction and told a moderator I was suspicious. Though a little worried I was intruding, I PMed a member who had posted an "I'll take it". Glad I did. Apparently the moderator confirmed the scam, as the other sales posts by the scammer are closed and he's banned.
I went back and googled some of the scammers replies and found them taken word for word from other forums. Some were bird watchers forums discusses scopes and binoculars.
Just thought I'd post this warning. I've been lucky dealing with members. We're a trusting bunch. I've been sent items even before payment was received. This was a close call. I almost got scammed.
Thank you, moderator. You do a fantastic job and I appreciate it.
Well, after a weekend long wait, the seller contacts me. Reasonable excuse, shooting with his son all weekend. Asked for a wire transfer, saying he'd be traveling. I've spent a lot of money on the Hide PX over the years, always USPS MO. I've missed deals over not using PayPal. I've never done a wire transfer. Looked into it. He needed to supply name, bank, account number, routing number. Seemed like a lot of info to give me, a stranger.
He was quick to reply
Account number : 6758834520
Name: Charles Onyeiwu
Bank Name: BBVA COMPASS BANK
Routing: 113010547
I googled the bank, seemed normal. Googled the name, Nigerian. I apologized to the seller for halting the transaction and told a moderator I was suspicious. Though a little worried I was intruding, I PMed a member who had posted an "I'll take it". Glad I did. Apparently the moderator confirmed the scam, as the other sales posts by the scammer are closed and he's banned.
I went back and googled some of the scammers replies and found them taken word for word from other forums. Some were bird watchers forums discusses scopes and binoculars.
Just thought I'd post this warning. I've been lucky dealing with members. We're a trusting bunch. I've been sent items even before payment was received. This was a close call. I almost got scammed.
Thank you, moderator. You do a fantastic job and I appreciate it.
Last edited:
