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Topic starter
Firstly, yes it's all my own fault.....
So I put a Wanted add up on here for a set of 27.5" Downhill wheels.
I had a message off a forum member stating that they knew of another member selling, but they didn't frequent much so gave me his email address.
Sent email, had photos of wheels etc and asked several questions to which answers were provided.
Agreed a price with delivery etc.
I sent the money via bank transfer - yes, massively stupid of me......
Had a couple of lame excuses as to why they hadn't been posted....
Then no contact.
Messaged the other forum member to see if they have alternative contact details, but that account looks deactivated now. Guessing it's the same person.
So anyway 3 weeks on I have no wheels and am out of pocket.
I do have his name and bank account details, so thought about email the bank to tell them one of their customers is a fraudster - not that it'll do much good.
Not after sympathy, just providing a heads up and reminder NOT to use bank transfer.
Posted : 17/03/2025 4:00 pm
That's rubbish luck, sorry to hear that. Worth naming them no?
I only ever buy from long-established and active members, with back up FB accounts, etc. Not entirely fool-proof but is yet to fail me.
Posted : 17/03/2025 4:17 pm
I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.
I think you should name and shame - just to help anyone else who might be contacted by the same 'member' :o)
Posted : 17/03/2025 4:24 pm
Name them and post the email address
Posted : 17/03/2025 4:25 pm
Topic starter
Thanks all.
User name that messaged me was flexyj.
The other user he named was Ren.
Email I was given was normren41@ aol.com .
Posted : 17/03/2025 4:44 pm
Whilst its no guarantee that you will get anything back its worth contacting your bank and flagging the payment as a scam, providing the details of what happened.
They will then contact the other bank via interbank comms and the receiving bank will then be prompted to review the activity of the scammers account and can close the accounts. Chances are the funds have been immediately moved on, but banks can trace scam funds and their movements between banks, so always always always report the transaction to your bank.
I work within compliance for a bank dealing with money laundering and fraud, we do refund customers depending on circumstances.
If noone reports these transactions the scammers get free reign of the account to abuse it for other people too. The receiving bank have a duty under the PoCA Act to review and potentially off board the scammer while also adding their name to a "naughty person" list to avoid them opening accounts with other banks.
Posted : 17/03/2025 4:46 pm
It's a known scam. Had a mod warning on retrobike and UKworkshop forums.
Always someone replying that they have a friend selling such and such.Then supply the dodgy email
Sorry for your troubles 🙁 Hope theres some sort of result.
Posted : 17/03/2025 5:31 pm
User name that messaged me was flexyj.
The other user he named was Ren.
Email I was given was normren41@ aol.com .
I've had the same previously contacts previously. Ignored due to scam feelers.
Also similar from vcat.
Posted : 17/03/2025 5:46 pm
dirkpitt74 reacted
I had an account contact me yesterday saying something about buying my bike I have listed.
"Which one mate I have 2 listed"
"Either, what's the prices"
Me, "nah, it's ok"
Posted : 17/03/2025 5:57 pm
dirkpitt74 reacted
I had a similar issue on marketplace , payed by bank transfer for a garmin computer then buyer disappeared. My bank (Barclays) reimbursed me .
Posted : 17/03/2025 6:11 pm
An AOL email address and a name like Norman would put me off right away , just makes me think of Norman Bates or even Norman Mailer from somewhere in Hollywood 10cc, Norman Greenbaum with only one hit
Posted : 17/03/2025 6:19 pm
I ve had similar on marketplace, I just block the scammers. They even got my number and tried phoning, again, just blocked.
I v nearly fell for it at first but it's the same letter they all send.
Posted : 17/03/2025 6:29 pm
Yep, i had the same from flexyj. Didn't seem right so just ignored it.
Posted : 17/03/2025 6:48 pm
Topic starter
Thanks all.
Looks like they have tried a few times - I was just the one that bit......
Will contact my bank see what they can do.
Still looking for a 27.5" DH wheel set too lol
Posted : 17/03/2025 11:42 pm
I got one from an Eddie_021 about saddles i put up a good while ago. Same thing contact XYZ they have these for sale. Post was so long ago id forgotten about it so just ignored the message.
Posted : 18/03/2025 12:04 am
Now you mention it I had similar for a wanted ad for a Chris King hub. Never occurred to me it could be a scam, but luckily I'd already bought a legit one from a regular by the time I got that message
Posted : 18/03/2025 12:57 am
Just checked back in my messages & flexyj contacted me after I'd put up a wanted ad, saying contact xyz but also made the suggestion "to use PayPal"
I assume flexyj has been banned now?
Posted : 18/03/2025 10:28 am
User name that messaged me was flexyj.
The other user he named was Ren.
Email I was given was normren41@ aol.com .
I've had the same previously contacts previously. Ignored due to scam feelers.
Also similar from vcat.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I'd have run a mile from messages like those.
Posted : 18/03/2025 11:45 am
Just checked and it was flexyj I got the message from. The email he gave was casabuns@ yahoo.com
I then had a similar message about the same wanted ad from charlesjohn giving me Mattdelzell5@gmail.com Would that be the same person? Odd if I'd already said no thanks to the first one.
Bought the item from midlifecrashes before I got either of those ones, good item and totally legit seller in case any mods are checking my messages or anything.
Posted : 18/03/2025 1:39 pm
Still looking for a 27.5" DH wheel set too lol
I've got a mate selling some... let me find his email address... 😉
This is annoying for you - hope the bank can help out. Additionally, surely this is a crime that the police should be interested in? Theft by intent to deceive?
DrP
Posted : 18/03/2025 2:08 pm
verses reacted
I had the same message from Flexyi, but binned it off.
Also michael.sullivan21 is interested in the item I’m selling but doesn’t know which item it is. But he’s still interested.
i
Posted : 18/03/2025 2:31 pm
I had the same re saddles from Eddie - I assumed it was a scam
Posted : 18/03/2025 3:29 pm
Is fraud not the most occuring crime in UK now ?
Posted : 18/03/2025 3:39 pm
I had the same message from Flexyi, but binned it off.
Also michael.sullivan21 is interested in the item I’m selling but doesn’t know which item it is. But he’s still interested.
I had him messaging the other day actually.
Posted : 18/03/2025 3:54 pm
Topic starter
Reported to Bank, will see what happens....
Posted : 21/03/2025 11:15 am
DickBarton reacted
Think I messaged you at the time, but if not, I've got some form of Superstar 20mm front hub on a 27.5 rim you're welcome to. Especially given the scam situation. I'm near Stratford upon Avon
Posted : 21/03/2025 3:03 pm
Any of them offering to send a DHL courier to pick up the item? Best I had was when selling a trailer (not on here, facebay). DHL courier with cash in an envelope etc... was still interested when I put the price up to £1miliion....
Hopefully by you raising the topic it will at least make it harder for them to keep pulling the same con
Posted : 21/03/2025 3:51 pm
I had this a while back from a gershmaansteven
Hello. I just saw your ad for sale and I seem to be most interested in buying it. However. what is your last offer? Await to read from you, await your quick response. Thank you. Regards.
I didn't bother replying...
Posted : 21/03/2025 4:01 pm
normren41 attempted
to join CyclingUk forums and has successfully joined a snooker forum. Busy guy.
Posted : 02/04/2025 3:10 pm
Weird that this person uses the same username!
Posted : 02/04/2025 3:57 pm
A real shame.he has given up on Steve Davis as apparently he is a rather decent DJ nowadays.
Posted : 02/04/2025 8:24 pm
