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

          • fbmarket on 30/08/2023 - 18:11

            @Quarter Pounder: thank you, activated now, it was disabled, but I still can't send a new one, maybe I can receive it first

            • Quarter Pounder on 30/08/2023 - 18:13

              @fbmarket: Looks like you're able to receive messages now. Maybe @poczynek77 can try send a message now.

            • poczynek77 on 30/08/2023 - 18:14

              @fbmarket: Yep i can send messages now - just sent you a PM. Cheers.

    • bamzero on 30/08/2023 - 20:00

      Apple gear too?

  • Drakesy on 30/08/2023 - 17:57
    +1

    Lol
    Cash only

    • branners on 31/08/2023 - 07:57

      I am staggered by the number of people who do not seem to understand what Cash Only means.
      It is standard policy in my house and included clearly in all our FBM and Gumtree ads. But time and again, no, I only do PayID, PayPal, can I please use that? Nope. Cash means Cash

  • poczynek77 on 30/08/2023 - 18:14
    +2

    I am gobsmacked! This guy now has 3 victims! How many more?!

    • werdplaya58 on 30/08/2023 - 18:30
      +2

      Unless it's the master of disguise "Deon" checking to see whether you guys really got his rego !

      • poczynek77 on 30/08/2023 - 18:31

        Haha nah this is another victim. So, so weird.

        • werdplaya58 on 30/08/2023 - 20:01
          +4

          Yeah I'm sure you're right. But it's worth considering that the scammer may be monitoring the thread. I reckon someone so bold as to chat away with you for so long while scamming you probably has a bit of a big ego, and would have googled his alias/details to see what comes up.

    • Wayne7497 on 30/08/2023 - 21:27

      It will only be the tip of the iceberg

    • pinkybrain on 01/09/2023 - 10:59

      what is the scammers ethnicity?

  • burningrage on 30/08/2023 - 18:31
    +1

    The sad thing is if this is a kidnapping or murder, the police would be all over it but since this is just a fraud, they wouldn't care calling it "civil matters".

    I hope this carnage will stop.

    • brawndo on 31/08/2023 - 09:22
      +1

      To be fair, I think they have the right priorities.

      • burningrage on 31/08/2023 - 10:47
        -1

        And that's what the fraudsters are counting on.

        For as long as we continue to condone this by using "too busy" or "not a priority" as an excuse, this will continue to proliferate.

        And of course, investing in BMWs as police cars are higher priorities. I have seen a lot them driving X3s.

  • wayfastwhitie on 30/08/2023 - 18:50
    -5

    Osko payments are immediate. Scam.

    • PissLUR on 30/08/2023 - 19:08
      +1

      No. You're wrong.

    • Ryxxi on 30/08/2023 - 21:14
      +1

      not all are, especially 1st time payments and combine that with large amount.

  • ChillBro on 30/08/2023 - 19:38
    +11

    This is the most exciting ozbargain thread I've read in ages. Keep us updated, OP

    • poczynek77 on 30/08/2023 - 19:39
      +1

      It is fascinating what this guy is doing. Brazen. But the latest victim has video footage.

      • brendanm on 30/08/2023 - 19:43

        Get someone else to advertise apple goods. Wait for old mate to ask to buy and come around to their house. You and the other guy who was scammed can meet him there and have a delightful chat with him.

        • poczynek77 on 30/08/2023 - 19:44
          +2

          Ha - ok anyone on here who wants to set that honeytrap then please go ahead! Basically high end apple goods. You know the Facebook profile. And wait …

    • pecanpie on 30/08/2023 - 20:26
      +8

      OzBargain vs Deon the Scammer

  • the4thzodiac on 30/08/2023 - 21:01
    +2

    Just saw the receipt images. The Osko logo is not transparent. Do the bank apps not use transparent logos? i.e. white background visible whilst in dark mode.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 31/08/2023 - 07:54

      You are right. At least Commbank uses transparent Osko logo.

  • Ryxxi on 30/08/2023 - 21:13
    +3

    Hope you guys nail him, saves others from getting scammed.

  • yamahamoto on 30/08/2023 - 23:09

    So his receipts are fake?

    • Noric Dilanchian on 31/08/2023 - 15:46

      See my report below. Yes appears to be the clear answer.

      • yamahamoto on 31/08/2023 - 16:55

        Thanks I was saying payid is not easy to cancel so my point still stand with this fake receipt

  • mba on 31/08/2023 - 05:25
    +4

    Can the guy who has the video upload the mug of the guys face, maybe someone knows him here

  • kent08 on 31/08/2023 - 06:57
    +1

    I am invested in this thread now..

  • Daddy Chill on 31/08/2023 - 08:04

    F

  • simplerick on 31/08/2023 - 08:38

    We can all learn a thing or two from this narrative.

    Excited to see how it all pans out!

    I'm still gobsmacked that 3, if not more people have not seen squid game or sussed out his dodgey as faebook profile before agreeing to sell goods to this person.

    • werdplaya58 on 31/08/2023 - 08:47

      I wondered the same thing. Somewhere earlier in the thread OP mentioned not being able to see the FB profile until it was linked here. Not sure how that works but maybe it's possible to restrict from view in FB marketplace?

  • poczynek77 on 31/08/2023 - 11:20
    +3

    Another issue which this exposes is the whole Payid thing where anyone at all with someone's mobile number can get that person's name details as long as they have Payid set up (which is plenty of people). This is a serious flaw of the bank's that we think has allowed this to happen.

  • Buckshot on 31/08/2023 - 13:02
    +3

    It is so satisfying to see Ozbargain closing in on this loser. Brave folks! :)

    • simplerick on 31/08/2023 - 15:42
      +3

      OzBargain is totally Liam Neeson in this game of cat and mouse.

      OzBargain: "I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom I can tell you I don't have money, but what I do have are a very particular set of bargaining skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long hobby. Skills that make me a royal PITA for people like you. If you give yourself up now, that will be the end of it, there will be no trouble."

      Deon: "Goodluck" (click)

      • Buckshot on 01/09/2023 - 11:26
        +1

        hahahaha, that's great!

  • Bap1337 on 31/08/2023 - 13:24
    +2

    I’m interested to see where this goes with a few reports to the police now.
    Fingers crossed they’re able to find this lowlife.

  • BossmanX on 31/08/2023 - 14:31
    +1

    Hey poczynek77 I have further information about Deon Hong. Private message me BossmanX

    • simplerick on 31/08/2023 - 14:50
      +6

      Is BossmanX 'Deon Hong' ??

      Account created 4 hours ago.

      Dont let him send you down a false trail! Lol

      • werdplaya58 on 31/08/2023 - 15:22
        +1

        OP hopefully knows by now to "trust no one"

    • Cave Fire on 31/08/2023 - 15:48

      yeah…. Been getting my main email "hacked" / attempted login almost every week. Usually it's after I have some minor disagreement with someone here.

  • Wayne7497 on 31/08/2023 - 15:14
    +2

    The quickest solution here would be for the OP to go to Star Casino, explain to head of security whats happening, multiple victims, claims to work as a Supervisor there. Im sure they will either a summons him straight to security office and clearly OP can ID him, Police will be called. OR its a complete identity theft and the guy at Casino is gonna be happy or very unhappy to be informed his names being used n may even inadvertently been contacted by other victims n add more evidence. Or Casino could do nothing at all but in my experience ANY time anything criminal involving Casino employees they want to get straight on it and avoid any adverse media or Police scrutiny.

    Sure Police could do this but policies are in place n need to be done correctly, members of the public don't have to follow same rules, in reality if it's him, the Police will have no other option to attend asap, your sorta forcing their hands but I'll bet they won't mind.

    • werdplaya58 on 31/08/2023 - 15:22

      It's very unlikely the scammer works at Star City.

      The woman whose FB profile was hacked and taken over by the scammer had previously worked there years ago. While the scammer changed the name and picture on the FB profile, he left everything else intact and seemed to have co-opted the Star City detail into their 'cover story'. I did find the LinkedIn profile of the person whose FB profile was hacked, and it confirms they used to work at Star City.

      • Wayne7497 on 31/08/2023 - 15:23

        Then one lead totally closed.. Next would be car registration if known, then onto phone numbers only Police could follow those up.

      • bamzero on 31/08/2023 - 16:35

        I'd say purely coincidental. The Star City detail is tagged as added 24/8 @ 13:37.
        If that LinkedIn profile is actually the right person, they worked as a cocktail server for 6 months some 3 years after the listed date on the FB profile.

  • Noric Dilanchian on 31/08/2023 - 15:44
    +8

    I was scammed by him on Sunday 27 August 2023. (1) I was selling a computer for $3,140 on Facebook Marketpace. (2) Before "Mr Hong" arrived he offered via Facebook messages to buy with cash or PayID. I said PayID would be fine. (3) After his arrival and inspection of the computer, we waiting half an hour for the transfer of money he then made to come through. Meanwhile, I had such a long and good conversation with Mr Hong about many subjects relating to audio equipment and cameras. I felt comfortable then to give him my computer expecting the money to come through. The delay was explainable to me as I was using PayID to sell for the first time. I'd used it once before to buy and was aware that there may be a delay due to my being a first time, in this case, seller. (4) After the money did not come through I tried to Facebook message three times "Mr Hong" and the automated message said he'd "left the group". (5) I then called the phone number (0466 276 642) of the infamous "Mr Hong" twice and the message said that the person is not available. (6) I looked up the phone number used online, and it was not evident anywhere or as being part of any scam. (6) When I rang my bank, the Commonwealth, even though "Mr Hong's" BSB on his supplied PayID receipt were there, the Commonwealth Bank employee I spoke to said he found no current or past account number that matched, which he said made him suspicious. (7) I then searched the name "Deon Hong" on Facebook and saw no such person now. (8) I then search the name "Deon Hong" online and landed on the Oz Bargain page which lists "Mr Hong's" trail of theft.

    • cupcake on 31/08/2023 - 15:47
      +1

      Wow. A third victim.
      The plot thickens.
      Sorry it happened to you.
      Please swap info with the OP.
      Perhaps you can all catch him together.
      He is getting away with thousands in stock.

      • Quarter Pounder on 31/08/2023 - 15:49
        +3

        Looks like the fifth victim. Wow.

      • poczynek77 on 31/08/2023 - 15:49
        +2

        there are 5 victims now …

        • cupcake on 31/08/2023 - 15:51

          I didn't know.
          Wow.

      • Cave Fire on 31/08/2023 - 15:52

        Yeah from what I read, they may be working in teams. So you have to have someone with you when trying to confront etc. Also might be best to leave it police as it as way above the threshold for investigation now. Past cases of fights etc ending badly over this stuff and not worth it in the end.

    • poczynek77 on 31/08/2023 - 15:49

      Hey can you DM me?

      • Noric Dilanchian on 31/08/2023 - 15:51
        +1

        I'm a new user from today, so can't DM for another day. But poczynek77, keeping information public can be useful.

        • poczynek77 on 31/08/2023 - 15:52

          Yes you can activate messaging i think like the person from yesterday? I just need to confirm a few things.

          • Noric Dilanchian on 31/08/2023 - 15:53

            @poczynek77: I can't see any instruction that permits it. The message the automated Oz Bargin system states is: "Unable to send message: Private message throttled for new user accounts less than 1 day old".

        • cupcake on 31/08/2023 - 15:54

          To think you had the option of cash upon pick up!
          Sellling high value items should be on Ebay and paid for before collection or sending.
          Best to remain anon.

          • pinkybrain on 01/09/2023 - 11:09

            @cupcake: that is the genius of the scam..

            give option of cash or payid
            and knowing that people may choose payid for convenience.. (so victim thinks it is there choice)

            if victim says cash
            then the scammer probably will have backup plan to deal with that situation
            maybe "just say they don't have enough cash" and pay partial amount or leave the sale altogether.

      • Wayne7497 on 31/08/2023 - 15:55
        +1

        All this victim information needs to be collated, to alleviate double ups.
        Victims Details
        Dates n Places of transactions
        Value and type of item in transactions
        Phone numbers registration numbers Facebook messages from all Victims.
        Id suggest all Victims attend Police Station together, it will make larger impact and speed up investigations.

        5 Victims imo will just be tip of the iceberg. These fraudsters dont tend to care about mistakes or being caught, its all about next person they can extract money from. Especially if they are feeding a drug habit.

      • werdplaya58 on 31/08/2023 - 16:07
        +1

        It could be true. The way he number listed every development seemed very lawyerly !

          • werdplaya58 on 31/08/2023 - 16:10

            @simplerick: Well sure, but presumably its also easily verifiable if anyone wants to call his office?

            Edit: Seems OP beat everyone to it.

          • poczynek77 on 31/08/2023 - 16:10
            +2

            @simplerick: It's absolutely real. Just spoke to him.

            • simplerick on 31/08/2023 - 16:11
              +1

              @poczynek77: My bad, I'm just very skeptical for good measure

            • bamzero on 31/08/2023 - 16:31

              @poczynek77: Said computer is still listed on marketplace also (somewhat ironically specifying No PayPal) and yes it's a Macbook. Deon knows the right gear with good resale value (and puts in the time for the con).

        • cupcake on 31/08/2023 - 16:12

          He was smart enough to find us here as well.

      • Wayne7497 on 31/08/2023 - 16:12
        +1

        Dont start pointing fingers it gets you nowhere, quite simply its relatively easy these days for Police to figure out whos who.. Pointing a link such as yours does nothing but put ppl off from getting involved, the chances of the criminal finding this thread or doing saying anything in this thread that could up end an investigation is extremely unlikely,.. may i suggest that those personal links be deleted.

        • simplerick on 31/08/2023 - 16:13

          Sure, done.

        • cupcake on 31/08/2023 - 16:13

          Agree. Don't post links to a victim.
          Let the victims share info with each other first.

        • werdplaya58 on 31/08/2023 - 16:22

          Agree with you about not posting personal information or links (though in this case the victim themselves created an account with their full name).

          Disagree about the chances of the criminal finding the thread though, it's really as simple as them typing the same google search all the other victims have done to get here. The scammer is obviously an identity thief on top of everything else and quite brazen, so a bit of cautious skepticism with regard to people's online identities seems advisable.

          I hope for the OP to just get to the cops ASAP but sounds like he is coordinating with the other victims first. Which as you noted, has its benefits of improving the chances of a better outcome.

          • Wayne7497 on 31/08/2023 - 16:25

            @werdplaya58: Nothing the scumbag could learn from this thread he doesn't already know, hell be awesome if he did interact be another nail in his coffin.

            • werdplaya58 on 31/08/2023 - 16:29
              -1

              @Wayne7497: Never said it would end well for him!

              I guess there are 2 possibilities: a) to revel in how clever he has been; which may quickly turn into b) to learn how screwed he is…

              • Wayne7497 on 31/08/2023 - 16:32

                @werdplaya58: Honestly in all my years of service never saw any of them think that far ahead, only thinking next victim, me with the amount of victims piling up, its guaranteed being caught.

  • westzod on 31/08/2023 - 15:52
    +2

    The hunt is on. I'm rooting for you OP (and the other victims). I also learnt cause of this that OSKO/PayID isn't always immediate as it have been in my experience.

    • simplerick on 31/08/2023 - 15:56

      The plot gets thicker and thicker

      • Bap1337 on 31/08/2023 - 16:52
        +1

        so does my waistline

  • Wayne7497 on 31/08/2023 - 16:15
    +5

    Damn more time on my hands these days, alas im in WA but , one meetup with everyone over there (if i lived there) id have this wrapped up in 24hrs… feel bit useless really.

    Had something similar in my area few years ago with gumtree, started with 6 victims, ended up with 14, caught him in the act 8hrs later trying it on his 15th victim.

    • mmd on 05/09/2023 - 09:47
      +1

      Please tell the story

  • cupcake on 31/08/2023 - 16:34
    +1

    Can the OP get a mate to lure him in with selling a pricey item and catch him?
    Just an idea.

    • bamzero on 31/08/2023 - 16:39
      +2

      Depends. If he's seen this thread I'd say he'd go cold but otherwise he's definitely got a particular type of product he goes for so wouldn't be that hard to honeypot him I'm sure.

  • simplerick on 31/08/2023 - 18:48

    Interestingly someone mentioned the existence of a fake CBA app used for generating fake payments back on this thread. (4th comment from bottom)

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/720080

    There was a fake commbank app a while back, could be that. It would say payment sent on their app, but it's not connected to anything. Best thing is to ignore people's stories when selling online eg first in with cash buys the item.

    • Cave Fire on 31/08/2023 - 19:16
      +1

      Yep that's me. App was in the papers about dodgy tradies using it and claiming missing deposits or that they have million dollar balances. Have seen people over here in GC do things like remote start bmws at a distance. So wouldn't be surprised if they had other exploits.

  • Ntsh on 01/09/2023 - 09:55
    +1

    Apologies if this has been posted… I've been skimming this thread.

    Happened to chance upon our friend selling a Leica camera on fb marketplace ($8100)

    https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6795314557198161/

    Maybe he takes PAYID?

    • PissLUR on 01/09/2023 - 10:03

      Sold · Sealed galaxy Fold 5
      A$1,900
      Listed 17 hours ago in Sydney, NSW

      • pecanpie on 01/09/2023 - 10:36

        Oh no, are you saying this guy sold the Fold 5 already?

    • cupcake on 01/09/2023 - 10:03

      Someone needs to go and get this guy asap.

    • Quarter Pounder on 01/09/2023 - 10:04
      +1

      wow, instant response. https://imgur.com/a/ISoykVB

      • PissLUR on 01/09/2023 - 10:41

        did he delete his sold listing already? can you open his sellers profile from the chat?

    • Ntsh on 01/09/2023 - 10:17
      +1

      And he's removed the item from marketplace…

    • werdplaya58 on 01/09/2023 - 10:20
      +4

      Try not to tip him off to this thread if it can be avoided.

      • pinkybrain on 01/09/2023 - 12:23

        this is on the front page and ozbargain is quite popular with bargain hunters
        so the scammer probably knows this site and probably seen the thread already.

        • werdplaya58 on 01/09/2023 - 12:36
          +1

          LOL I reject the insinuation of any overlap between OzB users and scammers. Maybe just the sockpuppet accounts :)

          It's possible he knows/ has seen it, but the fact he's still operating in plain sight suggests maybe he's unaware.

          The OP has asked that we refrain from interacting with him at this point. Having discussed it a little bit with OP previously, I think he is in a good position to know what is or is not helpful that this stage.

          • pinkybrain on 02/09/2023 - 06:42
            +1

            @werdplaya58: not insinuating anything..

            just noting that ozbargain is quite popular site nowadays
            and even been mention on TV a few times..

            no doubt that scammer likely is aware of this site already…

            just coz he continues operating doesn't mean he is aware or unaware..
            just means that scammer has his scam system working very well for him so far..
            so he might be confident he won't get caught yet.

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