Have I Been Scammed? Facebook Marketplace Sold Item, Came to My House & PayID Was Done Whilst I Watched! UPDATED: 28 August

poczynek77 on 24/08/2023 - 08:52
Last edited 13/09/2023 - 07:12

Bit of a weird one and I am thinking i have been scammed but it seems different to all the ones that i have seen.

Details:

  • advertised on Facebook Marketplace on Sunday to sell my Apple Studio Display monitor
  • get a Facebook message from someone saying he would like to buy but asks for best price - i knock off $100 - and he agrees to the price
  • he says he will pick it up and asks best way to pay - i tell him direct bank deposit please - he says ok
  • he turns up on Tuesday this week and is a nice guy - we have a long chat about Teslas and him working for Star City Casino as a Supervisor there
  • tells me he lives in Homebush
  • well dressed etc (not sure that means anything but still)
  • he shows me his CBA app and him paying me by Payid and then he sends me the receipt right away by text where it shows his CBA bsb and account number. It is the EXACT receipt screen shot for a Payid payment - i literally saw him do it on his CBA app
  • the money doesn't go through straight away but the receipt does say it takes 24 hours to go through for accounts that are not known - i am ok with that
  • we chat more - he tells me about his brother and about his computers etc
  • he leaves with my Apple Studio Display
  • he texts me a few hours later asking if i can send him the receipt for when i bought the display - i say no problems and send it
  • i then contact him after 24 hours and tell him i haven't received the payment - he texts back saying it is 'pending' on his side
  • however since yesterday afternoon he is now uncontactable - if i ring his number it is always engaged and no text messages back since yesterday lunchtime and no money in my account
  • his Facebook profile i now cannot see - he may have blocked me maybe?

Is this a scam? It just seems different to the ones where it is me having to pay money etc. And it also seems strange he would come to my house and show me his CBA app and the receipt with his account details. What about if he got to my house and i didn't sell it because the money didn't get through straight away? There just seems so many ways this could have gone wrong for him if it is indeed a scam which seems like it probably is.

So i guess it is a scam?

EDIT:

This is the Payid CBA receipt i got:

https://ibb.co/jVhVD1Z

UPDATE 28 August:

Another poster was scammed the same way using the same type of receipt by the mysterious 'Deon Hong' on Saturday.

This guy … I wonder how many others he has scammed?

This is the Payid receipt that the other poster got:

https://ibb.co/cCcS6L8

These are the receipts side by side:

https://ibb.co/gZXxf7c

Mine is on the right

What we do know now:

-somehow he makes up the Payid on the spot which is pretty good for him to do that! Bravo Deon!!
-the other poster got his rego
-the other poster went to cops - I will go to cops tomorrow
-it could just be high end Mac goods?
-goes by Deon Hong on FB
-uses a photo of squid game actor

Questions now are:

-are even his account details correct as per those Payid screenshots? If he is creating the Payid receipts then why would you put your own account details?
-is his mobile number correct? REMOVED
-his rego number is possibly the only actual identifier of this person

UPDATE 30 AUGUST

We're closing in!

Third victim now who has video footage.

Deon - we are coming for you!

UPDATE 13 SEPT

We got him!

'Deon' was charged and arrested yesterday. Bail refused.

Thanks to all the victims who provided valuable identifying information to the police.

Podcast and Netflix doco to come…

General Discussion

Comments

      • bamzero on 29/08/2023 - 00:44

        When you message someone on Marketplace it automatically creates a group.

    • bamzero on 29/08/2023 - 10:09

      Might want to scrub your details on that one too.

      I noticed he has the PayID name right. Did he have your mobile number before coming to your door in which case he could have looked it up and been prepared. Otherwise he must have a nifty little app (or maybe a webpage running fullscreen as an app) to check it on the fly. However one thing wrong is that it should be all caps, not title case.

      • poczynek77 on 29/08/2023 - 10:14

        No didn't have my mobile number until after he got there. Yes that is quite an app that can do that i reckon!

  • Craicdealer on 28/08/2023 - 14:03
    +9

    Photo is of Lee Jung-jae from Squid game. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0497631/

  • poczynek77 on 28/08/2023 - 15:54

    Another weird thing - here is part of a text message i had with him:

    https://ibb.co/Kw6FV3M

    So i message him wondering why it hasn't gone through.

    Why would he even bother messaging me back like he has here? He has the monitor, he has scammed me - yet messages back saying he is at work and it's pending!

    • PissLUR on 28/08/2023 - 17:00

      he hasnt got the receipt yet?

      • poczynek77 on 28/08/2023 - 17:06

        No I sent it straight to him after this. It's more about why he would continue to communicate unnecessarily.

        • xsacha on 28/08/2023 - 20:41

          You sent him the receipt after those messages? Well there you have it

    • unfunkable on 28/08/2023 - 17:05
      +3

      to keep you waiting, the longer the penny drops, the more time he has.

      • poczynek77 on 28/08/2023 - 17:07

        Time for what though? There's nothing to gain by messaging this I don't think.

        • unfunkable on 28/08/2023 - 17:08
          +3

          Just to string you along type of thing is my guess.

        • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 28/08/2023 - 17:13
          +4

          Time to scam others using the same hacked/stolen Facebook account before it gets deactivated.

          • poczynek77 on 28/08/2023 - 17:15

            @AnophthalmiaCervidae: Maybe? He doesn't need to deactivate the Facebook account though. He would just block everyone he dealt with and keep using it because it works.

  • liongalahad on 28/08/2023 - 16:39
    +3

    Lesson is : PayID is OK as long as you see with your own eyes the money hit your bank. Only after that you can let the guy go with the goods. No money no honey.

  • mding on 28/08/2023 - 17:16
    +14
    1. List some similar items for sale on new account.
    2. Wait for another "Deon" to contact you.
    3. Arrange meeting for pickup.
    4. Bring bikies.
    • poczynek77 on 28/08/2023 - 17:17
      +2

      Haha the ol honeypot/entrapment scenario! I like steps 1 to 3. Step 4 is tricky as I do not know bikies. I wonder if I could just ask for a bikie on Gumtree to borrow for a bit? Seems like a plan that would work …

    • theophilusthistler on 28/08/2023 - 20:45
      +4

      4. Bikies
      4. Air tag?

    • mmd on 29/08/2023 - 01:32

      Arrange meeting for pickup.

      Arrange outside a police station - all the victims stay inside and confront him when he's "paid"

      • ChatCPT on 29/08/2023 - 10:17
        +2

        tinder swindler style

  • poczynek77 on 28/08/2023 - 17:22

    I also cannot work out his end goal here. So he gets all these goods - which if he goes to this much trouble then surely he's not just getting them for his own usage. So he needs to offload them. Apart from Facebook marketplace and Gumtree - where else would you sell? Because if he goes to FB or Gumtree i would imagine that various scammed people might watch for them.

    • RSmith on 28/08/2023 - 17:28
      +4

      where else would you sell?

      Cash converters.

      • poczynek77 on 28/08/2023 - 17:29
        +1

        Yeah but you are getting a very, very small amount back at CC. I guess it's something but a lot of trouble to get what they give you.

        • RSmith on 28/08/2023 - 17:49
          +17

          Never know what the person might be thinking.

          Had a similar thing happened to me. Sold an item but the person didn't pay full amount. Looked trustworthy and he promised he would do a bank transfer for the rest of the amount. Soon after, he stopped answering my calls/emails.

          Luckily, I had seen his full name on his DL and a Google search brought up his LinkedIn profile. Found out where he worked and called his office on his landline. Told him to pay the remaining money, otherwise I would be coming over to his office.

          He paid me the money within half an hour after that call.

          • burningrage on 28/08/2023 - 20:03

            @RSmith: Curious. Why wouldn't you report this to police? You know he's going to keep committing these frauds right?

            • RSmith on 28/08/2023 - 20:04
              +4

              @burningrage:

              Why wouldn't you report this to police?

              My experience dealing with the police hasn't been positive.

        • smartazz104 on 29/08/2023 - 08:51
          +3

          Yeah but you are getting a very, very small amount back at CC

          Which is more than the zero he is paying for them…

    • Herbse on 28/08/2023 - 18:34
      +2

      He probably needs it and has found a way to scam people out of small amounts here and there. In his eyes, if someone is dumb enough to fall for it, then they deserve it.

      That's not a dig at you or anyone, that's how crooks and scammers think when they do what they do.

      I fell for this same thing once and knew the risk, the buyer bought something for $20 and did the transfer in front of me through his CBA app and I gave him the benefit of the doubt, knowing the risk. The money never showed and he disappeared.

    • zonra on 28/08/2023 - 21:24
      +1

      Does it matter?
      I feel like you’re focusing too much on all the other stuff like motives, MO, how you both had a nice chat, how he asked for the original reciept etc. whereas during the entire transaction you should have just focused on whether you’ve actually recieved the money.
      When selling, always assume people are out to scam you, regardless of the amount. If the money’s not in your account or in your hand, you haven’t got paid, everything else is just fluff.

    • matt-ozb on 28/08/2023 - 22:38
      +1

      maybe he wants the awesome Apple studio display. I would love one.

    • ronafios on 29/08/2023 - 05:46
      +1

      Are you checking eBay?

      • poczynek77 on 29/08/2023 - 07:33

        Oh good point. Will check there too.

  • capslock janitor on 28/08/2023 - 19:18
    +24

    It's ironic how CBA's 24hr security hold, is being used as scamming tool..

    • Munki on 29/08/2023 - 09:55
      +3

      I mean they were "complicit" with money laundering, were they not? How else would you become the biggest bank in Australia, if you didn't do/allow shady shit?

    • dealsucker on 29/08/2023 - 10:41

      I dont think you can retract the transaction even if it is on hold with CBA. The transaction will go ahead even if you call them and ask them to cancel.

      • Plantain on 29/08/2023 - 11:03
        +1

        You certainly can cancel it - I have done it.

    • haemolysis on 29/08/2023 - 18:01

      It’s also such a nonsense feature as well. If the security is not sufficient to allow a transaction, then beef it up. Add another security check and let it clear. Don’t just hold it for a day and then…. Still put it through. What the hell security is that.

  • playbargain on 28/08/2023 - 19:47
    +1

    Late to the party but this is obviously scam. The two receipts side by side shows different account type with the same BSB & ACC#. One says from Smart Access, the other says Spend Account.

    PayID payment needs to be cleared in your own account before handing over goods. With everything going digital these days it's not hard to fake websites, apps etc.

    • xsacha on 28/08/2023 - 20:47
      +3

      Account names can actually be changed.
      You can see both screenshots have identical receipt numbers.

      https://ibb.co/cCcS6L8
      https://ibb.co/BBBvfjf

      Given the timestamp is real and it was done in front of the person, this tells me it is a fake app generating a screenshot and changing the time.

      This is probably more futureproof than calling up CBA to cancel every transaction, which means he intends to continue.

      • Alpine58 on 28/08/2023 - 22:04
        +1

        Pretty clever. Wonder if it considers battery life too! Both screenshots show almost empty.

      • Bap1337 on 29/08/2023 - 08:32

        Obviously everything is fake? Name, account numbers etc. then?

        I wonder if the police are actually even interested as it's low value goods over fb marketplace.

        • Name on 29/08/2023 - 16:09

          I wonder the same. It's kind of annoying that they don't take it seriously, like even though it's all low value goods. If he is doing it a lot, it can quickly add up to significant sums of money and he won't be caught because no one can be bothered to do anything.

          • Bap1337 on 29/08/2023 - 17:27

            @Name: Exactly my thoughts.
            I don’t think they would even bother if it was from a retailer unless it was a break in as by the time it goes to court it’s a slap on the wrist and free to go.

            Bigger fish to fry.

      • dr on 29/08/2023 - 23:39

        Hallelujah! Of course it is a fake app! Any kid who did any programming tutorial can create a convincing clone of CBA app payment/transfer features. Do not trust anything that you see on other person's phone!!!

  • nobro25 on 28/08/2023 - 21:05
    +1

    Nothing wrong with Pay ID. Everytime I have used it it's pretty much in a few seconds. If it doesn't go through don't give them the product. A screen shot could just be him inputting the details or an edited version of a pay receipt just with your details. Could be done in a few minutes on a phone.

    • adam on 28/08/2023 - 22:36

      Commonwealth Bank holds transfers to new accounts for 24 hours even with PayID.

      • Gaz1 on 29/08/2023 - 15:29
        +1

        The screenshots even say it may be held for 24 hours for new payees.
        Not a chance I would hand over expensive goods until I see the cleared payment (of course best to just insist on cash).

  • flipfire on 28/08/2023 - 22:18
    +4

    Whats his car rego number?

    • Name on 29/08/2023 - 16:10

      probably stolen plates too.

  • centrelink on 29/08/2023 - 00:38
    +4

    Ok guys let’s set a trap and bait him to purchase a fake MacBook while someone else secret plants AirTags on his car. Then we track where he lives. AND WAMO WE All turn up at his property and ask for the stuff back. After that we report it to poloce

  • Muzeeb on 29/08/2023 - 05:14

    Does the rego match the shitty base model Mercedes in his FB profile picture?

    • poczynek77 on 29/08/2023 - 07:41

      Oh what does his Facebook profile look like? I don't have access to it. His car is a 2022 Hyundai Kona.

      • Muzeeb on 29/08/2023 - 08:00
        +1

        Screen capture

        Definitely a stolen profile as another member pointed out earlier.

        • iguana on 29/08/2023 - 18:09

          Looks like the guy from Squid Games.

        • werdplaya58 on 30/08/2023 - 14:14
          +3

          Interestingly the person whose FB was stolen is on LinkedIn, and it does say that they worked at Star City at one time. Kind of unnerving how the guy incorporated this into his convo with OP, gives off real sociopath vibes for some reason.

      • ashdays on 29/08/2023 - 13:41

        2022 Hyundai Kona. That is a new car.

        Could it be that he is using his company's car to do his dodgy activities?

  • brawndo on 29/08/2023 - 05:58

    With his rego details it's only a matter of time before he's caught.

  • guppyshmuck on 29/08/2023 - 06:48

    You can see a text box in the top right on the second screenshot, he's clearly doctoring it via an image editing app

    • guppyshmuck on 29/08/2023 - 06:53

      Maybe that was your editing program actually, however I think my point still stands

      • Muzeeb on 29/08/2023 - 07:37

        OP mentioned earlier on that that was their editing tool. I think. Cbf trying to find it.

      • poczynek77 on 29/08/2023 - 07:40

        Yes that was my editing doing that.

  • Bap1337 on 29/08/2023 - 08:34

    Deon's fundraiser didn't go well :(

  • mreddie on 29/08/2023 - 08:38
    +1

    Always do cash, nothing else.

  • Munki on 29/08/2023 - 09:59

    -goes by Deon Hong on FB

    Is he actually Asian?

    I've seen that account around…

  • iSamurai on 29/08/2023 - 10:00
    +9

    I'm just reading this thread and I feel very sorry for the OP.

    If I may tell a (long) side story here as I feel somewhat relatable. I live in the Netherlands (yet I still read OzBargain). I saw a nice road bike on 2ehands (Belgian Gumtree) just over a week ago - the guy had quit cycling for good and had a fire sale. The bike practically new and was for sale for €3000 with all the accessories thrown in.

    I asked him beforehand if he wanted to be paid in cash or a bank transfer, to which he said the latter. I arrived in this small Belgian town on Sunday arvo (about a 2 hour drive), checked out the bike, and was about to transfer the money. The Belgian version of Osko doesn't work with other EU countries' banks. So plan B was to do normal bank transfer. Normally this would be instant, but because it's a first time payee and a large amount, the app said that the transfer will take a day. So, he said it'd be better if I go withdraw cash. I said no problem, went to the city centre to withdraw cash. Half an hour later, he texted me if everything was okay - but I couldn't even get €1 out of the atm. Tried two bank cards, none worked. I found out a few days later out one of my bank temporarily blocked the card, and also because the withdrawal limit in Belgium is €500 per transaction.

    I went back to the seller, and I couldn't really explain why the atm didn't work. I said I'm sorry and I can understand that you wanted it in cash. He said he trusted me and let me do a normal bank transfer. So I did that over two accounts. One had a quicker transfer time (but didn't have enough balance) and the other takes up to two days. I gave the seller my address, my ID, the company I work for etc., just to assure him a little that I'm "legit"… but this appeared to be like the dodgiest deal in the history of trade deals, ever.

    I told him if the money does not show up by Tuesday let me know and I'll come again. In the end, I took the bike home that evening, without the money actually landing in his account. The following day, he texted me he received the first part of the money, and the remainder from the second account wasn't there yet. I called the bank to check what is happening. They said my account was blocked due to suspicious activity, and after a few mins on the phone the account was unblocked. The next day the money went through, and that was it… I can imagine for the 24 hours after selling that bike he must've been convinced this random Australian "living in the Netherlands" showed up at his place to buy a bike was a scammer.

    A day later, I checked his 2ehands profile and saw a couple more cycling things. It turns out there were more stuff from the remainder of the "fire sale". I said I was interested in one of the pairs of shoes but in the end he sold me everything for next to nothing and will have them posted to me. I transferred him the dosh, sent him the payment receipt and I said no rush, you can post it later. Regardless, the stuff showed up two days later. What a mad lad. I really hope he continues to sell stuff and get honest buyers in the future.

    • Muzeeb on 29/08/2023 - 10:55
      +3

      It's official. I'm moving to the Netherlands and only buying secondhand stuff from Belgium.

      • iSamurai on 30/08/2023 - 05:29

        Well i guess you can say that our (Australian) reputation overseas is still intact after this episode :D you should also refuel your car while in Belgium - €1.82/L vs €2.08/L average.

        Quite a few of my cycling friends say buying a used bike in Belgium is way cheaper - for some reason they just depreciate slightly faster across the border. I guess in NL the demand is higher (the cycling stereotype) and also people are better off, so naturally prices, including secondhand goods, are somewhat higher than neighbouring countries. Have a peek if you're bored: marktplaats.nl and 2ehands.be.

        Also a bonus is that most bikes for sale in the Netherlands are for giants, if you want "normal" sizes they're harder to come by haha :)

  • Plantain on 29/08/2023 - 11:02

    That's obviously a hacked facebook account, look at the username "bec.clark.921".

    • ashdays on 29/08/2023 - 11:17

      Imagine his surprise if he got a ton of friend requests just like that !

  • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2023 - 11:13

    I'm surprised people even still use this platform for anything other than common items & local pickup. Most buyers are low balling tyre pushers/scammers and most sellers are on edge about shipping products or anytime the word paypal is mentioned and ghost you. Good way to raise your blood pressure and get a few new grey hairs though.

    Consistent terrible user experience for both buyers and sellers and there is a real market gap for a competitor with better moderation.

  • ebayer007 on 29/08/2023 - 11:23

    I believe with CBA, there is a 24-hour hold on the first transaction over $100. In this case, scammers use this hold to cancel the transaction later.

  • zond on 29/08/2023 - 11:33
    -1

    I sold a camera last week. 850. Payid. Instant transfer (both cba for us) and handed over.
    Sold a caravan few years back. 5k instant transfer. No issues.

    I guess as long as the money comes in straight, no issues.

    Its not the payid is the problem, its how people abuse. Same can be said with counterfeit cash.

    I have paid someone with payid with $50 which didnt clear immediately. I got the money but the seller was stressed for 3 days.

    I would say, only sell items with payid with smaller amount if the transaction doesnt come straight and you can afford if scammed. For bigger items, wait for it to clear.

    Payid cannot be reversed. If so, sue your bank after being scammed.

  • Kentrolla on 29/08/2023 - 11:36

    Personally I've only done cash on pickup. Too unsafe these days with fake PayID's and stuff.

    For larger sale. Bank cheque for vehicles.

    • matt-ozb on 29/08/2023 - 23:20
      -2

      you can make instant Osko transfers with bsb and acct number

      • Kentrolla on 31/08/2023 - 09:21

        There is a plethora if payID pickup scams on marketplace in case you are unaware. Doesn't matter if it's "in your account". Doesn't mean it's sent through a legitimate account or that it won't be reversed.

    • werdplaya58 on 29/08/2023 - 12:09
      +3

      Kudos OP for turning your unfortunate experience into something others may learn from.

      And inadvertently creating an OzBargain themed true crime thread in the process.

      If I had to guess the perp's industry I would have thought IT / graphic design (not that interesting but seemed to fit the bill)

    • noone on 29/08/2023 - 12:53

      Any of the details he shared to be true? i.e. Deon working at Star city?

      • poczynek77 on 29/08/2023 - 13:24

        No not at all from what we think is him.

    • ashdays on 29/08/2023 - 13:04
      +2

      This is a big turning point in this thread. From what seemed like a regular run of the mill scam story to a top notch whodunit story!

      Well done Ozbargainers. You always deliver above and beyond!

      One thread like this every week and who needs Netflix!

    • asdfasdfasdfasdf on 29/08/2023 - 13:21
      +2

      I am really looking forward to knowing what will happen next!

      • blurn on 29/08/2023 - 13:33

        This reminds me of the scammer on ozbargain from a few years back who sold a used xbox as new to another ozbargain member.

      • JIMB0 on 29/08/2023 - 17:28

        Bikies is the next step.

  • kalithreaver on 29/08/2023 - 12:01

    the facebook stuff and the name looks fake. hopefully you can track him down via the license plate.

    • ashdays on 29/08/2023 - 13:27

      Sometimes photos might not do justice to a person's features. But if the other guy's description of height, weight and features match with yours and other data points like PayID and mobile number match then it is definitely a lead worth pursuing

      • poczynek77 on 29/08/2023 - 13:28
        +1

        Yeah it's possible. It is only a head shot though.

        • Breno785au on 29/08/2023 - 14:13
          +5

          A head shot is all that will take to stop this scum

        • gromit on 29/08/2023 - 15:19
          +1

          just be a little careful, The only way to approach the person is via the police, you don't know how much of the information you are seeing is fake/stolen. Identity theft is a very real thing where they will even go to the extent of putting up their photo under the stolen identity as it helps them pass themselves off as legit. Sending bikies (not suggesting you would) or the equivalent while well deserved may end up with an innocent victim.

          • werdplaya58 on 29/08/2023 - 15:25

            @gromit: Yeah, from what I can tell, the person they are looking at on LinkedIn might be the wrong person. They appear to share part of the same name as the PayID name. Apparently the profile pic looks similar to the person OP met but the other person scammed disagrees.

            Meanwhile, there is someone else based in QLD who shares the same full name (first initial and fairly unique hyphenated last name) as the PayID name. However, that person looks to be female and a retiree so (possibly?) another scam victim whose details are being used. All of this is a bit ambigious / speculative so I hope they are just a bit careful.

            • poczynek77 on 29/08/2023 - 15:26

              @werdplaya58: Yes that is a good summary and agree. Best thing is for the cops to sort esp as they have the only unique identifier which is the number plate.

              • werdplaya58 on 29/08/2023 - 15:27

                @poczynek77: Def agree mate. Police and number plate is the way to go. Unless that is stolen too haha.

    • noone on 29/08/2023 - 13:29

      PayID works by linking a mobile number to an account (account name). So from putting his phone number into PayID, you would get his name

      • capslock janitor on 29/08/2023 - 15:40

        depending on bank, sometimes the name can be dummied if they thought it thru

    • werdplaya58 on 29/08/2023 - 13:56
      +1

      OP - did a quick check and as you suggested the mobile number in PayId gives a name connected to that PayID.

      When I googled that name it comes up with a few business listings for that person, however their listed mobile number almost the same except for one digit that is different. Seems odd but thought I'd mention.

      • ashdays on 29/08/2023 - 14:01

        Are you looking at a Qld business? The scammer is in Sydney

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