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

  • cupcake on 01/09/2023 - 10:05

    Time to get him, OP.
    Bring the police with you!

  • poczynek77 on 01/09/2023 - 10:38
    +8

    Please do not interact with this seller at all.

    • geekcohen on 01/09/2023 - 12:06

      If the police are present, then why not?

  • simplerick on 01/09/2023 - 10:57
    +4

    Good luck OP! Keep us posted

    This should be made into a book/movie or news story after all done and dusted.

    "To catch a scammer - The OzBargain Story"

    • geekcohen on 01/09/2023 - 12:06
      +4

      "To catch a scammer - The OzBargain Story"

      Coming to Prime Video soon! Because OzBargain loves Prime. Better value than Netflix.

    • MS Paint on 01/09/2023 - 12:47
      +2

      scotty can play Deon and JV can play the OP.

  • pinkybrain on 01/09/2023 - 12:21
    +4

    can the person with the video please share it so we can see what the scammer looks like?

  • Downvoter on 02/09/2023 - 12:59
    -4

    End result. Deon given an adult caution for bulk frauds /thread

      • poczynek77 on 02/09/2023 - 15:34
        +17

        A whole lot more going to be revealed in the coming weeks.

        • ashdays on 02/09/2023 - 20:41
          +4

          Sounds like an excellent cliffhanger ending for Season 1 😄

        • Moneyinthebank on 02/09/2023 - 21:47

          I can't wait I can't handle the suspense

        • cupcake on 04/09/2023 - 15:46

          Please keep us in the loop.
          As long as the scammer is mince.
          So scummy of him to be doing this.

  • Moneyinthebank on 03/09/2023 - 13:25
    +1

    Deon facebook has updated his job

    • MS Paint on 03/09/2023 - 15:38
      +1

      And his cover photo

    • werdplaya58 on 03/09/2023 - 19:55
      +2

      Based off that, I reckon there's a good chance he's got a gambling problem.

  • neosin on 03/09/2023 - 15:00

    I'm really curious how this full time con artist can call his bank/ cancel so many transactions?

    Surely the bank will be on to him if there are lots of payid cancellation requests?

    • bamzero on 03/09/2023 - 15:01
      +4

      The screenshots are not real, being generated by a fake app most likely

    • MS Paint on 03/09/2023 - 15:36
      +1

      Have you read any of this post?

      • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2023 - 15:54

        But it's getting so long & disjointed….. daily status updates via OP would be very much appreciated

        @poczynek77

  • Iggy75 on 03/09/2023 - 17:17
    +18

    This guy , same name and number is suppose to meet me in the city to buy my omega watch (14k) , ofcourse i wont accept giving it until cash is in my bank regardless of what receipt says but i think hes currently scared to meet up at market city, hes late and was asking before where to meet me, maybe planning to do a runner when he looks at the watch. Currently havent heard from him 35 minute's , i just googled his number and this thread came up, thank you for saving me.

    • bamzero on 03/09/2023 - 17:57
      +3

      I wouldn't trust this guy even if money did hit my bank, but yeh doing a runner is another thing to worry about

  • Iggy75 on 03/09/2023 - 17:26
    +9

    He just called me, i asked him if he has cash, he said no but will do a few withdrawals and catch up 30 min, hes in haymarket right now apparently

    • Moneyinthebank on 03/09/2023 - 18:13

      Be careful

    • MS Paint on 03/09/2023 - 18:41
      +3

      Can you withdraw $14k cash that quickly at ATM's?

      I'm guessing he won't turn up or will try to convince you to accept payid.

    • matt-ozb on 03/09/2023 - 18:50
      +1

      thanks bro .. this is an exciting update .. keep us updated with progress .. this is better than netflix.

      • MS Paint on 03/09/2023 - 18:54
        +3

        Going by previous posts the Netflix production starts next week. The book is nearly complete, just waiting on a climax and publisher to take it on.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2023 - 21:24

          Is there a title yet?

          • MS Paint on 03/09/2023 - 21:56

            @[Deactivated]: Yep

            • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2023 - 22:04
              +2

              @MS Paint: So many scammers about …. quite prolific these days.

              I was going to suggest "Bulldust".

  • Iggy75 on 03/09/2023 - 19:22
    +6

    He didnt turn up, last he said he was going to go to a few ATMs to withdraw cash and he needed another 30 minutes.
    Waited for him, then texted him twice, no response.

    If he touches base with me again, Ill let you guys know.

    • MS Paint on 03/09/2023 - 20:26
      +2

      You dodged a bullet. Well done.

    • Moneyinthebank on 03/09/2023 - 22:12
      +3

      Should have said you accept PayID to get him to come

        • Wayne7497 on 04/09/2023 - 07:25
          +2

          Desperate people can do Desperate things, dont put yourself in harms way, its not worth physical confrontation, leave that to the Police.

  • Iggy75 on 03/09/2023 - 19:26
    +2

    His facebok page - https://www.facebook.com/bec.clark.921
    Looking at the URL name is anglo compared to the asian profile name and talking to him on the phone, he sounds asian.

  • donkeykong73 on 03/09/2023 - 19:34
    +7

    He scammed me $8,400 yesterday for a rolex datejust watch which is silver with a black face. i only just saw this forum now.

    • werdplaya58 on 03/09/2023 - 19:45
      +3

      Sorry to hear, that's awful.

      If you get in touch with OP @poczynek77 he will fill you in on things - authorities are involved and identifying evidence has been gathered. Not sure what the latest is but OP can probably tell you.

    • poczynek77 on 03/09/2023 - 19:48
      +4

      Oh man I'm sorry to hear it. Send me a PM.

      • donkeykong73 on 03/09/2023 - 20:06

        PM me if you can cause my acc is 1 day old

        • Quarter Pounder on 03/09/2023 - 20:17

          Enable private messaging here. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/478507/edit/privatemsg

        • poczynek77 on 03/09/2023 - 20:19
          +1

          Yes try my account, edit, messaging and checkbox on top

          • CodeXD on 03/09/2023 - 20:23
            +16

            @poczynek77: Be careful of providing all your evidence to someone, especially a brand new account. It could be the person you're after and you could be disclosing too much.

            Since it is a police matter, any victims should be reporting to the police. You can provide report number to collate it.

            • Moneyinthebank on 03/09/2023 - 20:25

              @CodeXD: Agree

            • Wayne7497 on 04/09/2023 - 07:14
              +1

              @CodeXD: Absolutely nothing in this thread that could either be used by the scammer, nor would be admissible in court, with comments like yours you instantly put likely victims on the back foot they shouldn't need to explain why they are not the scammer. Really needs to stop.

              And don't forget full disclosure hes entitled to every piece of evidence the Police have once hes been arrested n I mean everything, just way law works.

              But again nothing said or done here could or will help him…

          • donkeykong73 on 03/09/2023 - 20:26

            @poczynek77: done

    • Motek Benzona on 03/09/2023 - 21:58

      If you gave over the watch without the $$$ in your actual bank, you scammed yourself with a poor poor choice. I hope you get it back

  • soundofz on 03/09/2023 - 21:01
    +8

    I fell for a Deon who ended up stealing my MacBook. I'm usually really cautious, we waited for about 45 minutes to complete a payment through PayID. He even suggested calling CommBank, but when they put us on hold and he kept talking, I didn't catch on that it was a scam until he blocked me, and then I stumbled upon this discussion here. I'm out $1750….I plan to visit the police tomorrow to report the incident.

  • Moneyinthebank on 03/09/2023 - 21:36
    +4

    Why are there so many new accounts commenting they have been scammed
    It looks a bit sus to me

    • poczynek77 on 03/09/2023 - 21:37
      +4

      All have been genuine so far that have contacted by pm.

      If you Google the name or mobile this thread comes up.

    • Craicdealer on 03/09/2023 - 21:46
      +1

      If you google 'Deon scam apple', this comes up top, so not surprising.

    • Wayne7497 on 04/09/2023 - 07:20
      +1

      Another one please tell me what the scammer could possibly use from this thread? Nothing zip nada , nothing suspicious about it except ppl googling scammer n getting pointed here.. collaboration is key to any Police. Investigation.

      One things for sure does it look like hes slowing down ? Nope and he wont even if he reads this thread, hes hooked and only looking for next victim, worrying hes going to be caught hasnt even entered his mind.

      • randomusername2017 on 04/09/2023 - 13:42
        +1

        If the scammer was monitoring keywords via Google it would lead them here
        Good time to move on to the next fake profile

    • simplerick on 04/09/2023 - 08:11

      Why are there so many new accounts commenting they have been scammed
      It looks a bit sus to me

      It does, doesn't it?

      Surely by now, one or more victims would have reported this facebook profile as fraudulent?!

      Meanwhile, what is the game plan here?

      Allow him more time to scam more people?

      Damnit, i want some god damn answers!

    • werdplaya58 on 04/09/2023 - 09:34
      +7

      I was skeptical at first as well but the reality this scammer is on a spree and racking up victims all over the place.

      I actually just found another victim of his independently of this thread.

      "Deon" recently updated his FB post to add he is the Founder of "Didibet", what appears to be dodgy online betting company.

      https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/187710/106241/screensh…
      https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/187710/106240/screensh…

      Searching "Didibet" on FB I found another victim posting back on 18 August that they had been scammed by a "Dean Li" who also listed himself as the Founder and COO of Didibet. As you can see below the victim describe the same scam involving fake receipt, "seemed genuine in person", similar characteristics etc.

      https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/187710/106250/screensh…

      The "Dean Li" account is similarly using a fake profile (https://www.facebook.com/OliviaaBrown2). The scammer seems to have access to a network of fake or hacked profiles as Didibet has something like 8k followers on FB, but if you look at who likes or shares its posts, they all look like these zombie bot accounts.

      • cupcake on 04/09/2023 - 15:50

        Good investigative work!

  • simplerick on 04/09/2023 - 06:06

    May I ask a question to the victims of this scammer?

    Can you see his full profile, ie profile pic (squid game actor) and his details, ie no friends, photos in gallery that dont belong to him, sus as facebook account with incorrect details etc…

    People saying they are usually cautious etc, but so many red flags pop up that all seems abit unreal…

    Maybe instead of clicking downvote, perhaps we can discuss why this scammer has been allowed to continue to operate and harm more victims?

    • bamzero on 04/09/2023 - 09:49
      +4

      Profile is one thing, sure might seem sus (and these days some profiles are locked and you can't see anything) but this guy is a con man. He's not scamming money out of people online, he's meeting in person, chatting, making them feel comfortable to the point they trust that transfer will arrive in 24 hours. If you get his profile shut down, he'll just find another one and start again. He needs to be caught, and the OP is speaking with police and collecting evidence from all the victims. We can only hope that police will actually use this info to catch him.

      • pecanpie on 04/09/2023 - 10:07
        +2

        It’s a tricky one and we are all experiencing this for the first time - it’s not a common scam and in person experience are harder to break down in the moment, especially with a personality like the infamous scammer we now know.

        I believe what you say is true and a tough pill to swallow, so OP and the other victims (including me) are currently in the works of making a solid case against him.

        OP will have the full picture to share soon once this is over.

  • cupcake on 04/09/2023 - 10:29

    Oh, no! More victims of this scammer.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2023 - 12:34
    +9

    I was selling a Rolex watch on Facebook marketplace, which I came into contact with Deon. He agreed to come and see the watch on a Saturday night which I thought was really odd. He seemed genuine enough and so I agreed to give him my address and meet him to discuss the purchase and show him the watch.

    He said he was coming from Ryde to Sydney CBD and that it would take him a while to get there. He got there quicker than I anticipated which again I would think he wasn’t telling me the truth.

    I asked him to meet me in the lobby where there are multiple security cameras for my protection. I also asked a friend to meet me as well for security. He turned up in a $400,000 Mercedes Benz GT 63s in blue. I also potentially have the rego of the vehicle from the security cameras that I can provide to anyone.

    We chatted for a bit and was well dressed. He liked what he saw and agreed to purchase it. I agreed to reduce the price by $1,000. I then said in order for me to process and go ahead with the sale I asked him to pay 50% deposit and until the funds were cleared he will then get the watch.

    He agreed to this, then he decided to pay the whole amount and proceed to send me the receipt to show that he had transferred the money and is the same type of receipt as shown by other victims in this forum.

    I received the CBA receipt and said I will give him the watch once the funds were in my account. For security purposes I asked him for a photo of his driver’s license and he said that he didn’t have it with him as he doesn’t use the digital service NSW app. So he avoided giving me his legitimate details. He asked me for my license and took a picture of it.

    We walked over to his $400,000 Mercedes Benz AMG. He told me he worked at the Star Casino and also had an online gambling business. He then left. He then has blocked me on Facebook when I started to notice suspicious activity and has become uncontactable since then. He also used a different number to other victims affected by this crook. I will be filing a report with the police today and also providing them CCTV footage of the night.

    • pecanpie on 04/09/2023 - 12:39
      +4

      That’s awesome! You did your due diligence and helping out victims build a solid case against him.

    • bamzero on 04/09/2023 - 12:40
      +4

      Interestingly he has recently added Didibet to his profile as well as a picture of a blue Merc..

      Since this is a new account and you wont be able to message just make sure your messaging is turned on so @poczynek77 can message you and share the details with them.

    • Moneyinthebank on 04/09/2023 - 13:45
      +6

      That's a strange excuse for not having a license
      You should have said don't you carry a license if you don't have a digital one

      Shouldn't have let him take a pic of your license
      Not good in the hands of a scammer

    • cupcake on 04/09/2023 - 14:52
      +3

      Wow! I'm glad you didn't hand over the watch. Wow!

      • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2023 - 15:34
        +4

        Fark no! What I’m annoyed about is that he now can sell my ID out there. Rookie mistake!

        • simplerick on 04/09/2023 - 15:43
          +2

          Inform the police about this so you can request new 'free' license

        • Moneyinthebank on 04/09/2023 - 16:23

          How did he leave - did he just drive off with no explanation
          I would have said wait delete my license and made him delete it in the bin as well

    • blurn on 04/09/2023 - 16:13

      i hope you didn't let him take a photo of your license without obscuring the license number. That can be used by scammers to subscribe to services online like buying phones on a plan.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2023 - 14:56
    +12

    Just checked the cameras now and Mr Deon faced is clear as water. On route to talk to the police and hand them over the tapes. I’m also talking to CBA as the branch lady at the CBD branch was useless.

    • poczynek77 on 04/09/2023 - 15:00
      +4

      Hey can you message me?

      • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2023 - 15:33
        +3

        Yes mate.

    • cupcake on 04/09/2023 - 15:01
      +1

      I hope the police catch him soon!
      Thanks for doing this. This scammer needs to be stopped asap.

    • Rj1986 on 04/09/2023 - 18:56
      +1

      Hi is there anyway you can get in contact with me on lebaussie@hotmail.com as I have also been scammed. It’d be good to know about your police report.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2023 - 15:31
    +10

    CBA Scam-Fraud team are a joke. 1HR 40 still waiting. The number plate on the GT63 is EZE13D. The plates belong to another car a C43 4x4. So the car is stolen. Stay the Fark away from this little man.

    • brawndo on 04/09/2023 - 15:42
      +4

      Time to share the photo of the little man

    • bamzero on 04/09/2023 - 15:51

      I think wasn't in a Merc for the earlier victims, but I'm guessing probably stolen plates/car then too. Same plates you saw @pecanpie?

      • pecanpie on 04/09/2023 - 16:33
        +3

        Different plate and different car - he was driving a Hyundai Kona when I met him

    • megaclix on 04/09/2023 - 16:47
      +4

      In the photo of the G63 on facebook profile - there is a reflection (no face, unfortunately) - but would the build be similar?

      I also opened the image in a photo package, and I can see the ?ZE13D come through when viewed on a bright screen. The first letter looks like a C, but was probably the E with the middle part removed.

  • Rj1986 on 04/09/2023 - 17:48
    +11

    Hi all,

    I feel sick. He scammed me too. He turned up in a blue Mercedes.. was really nice. I let him look at the computer I was selling. He said he liked it and then bought it. Asked if PayID was OK. I know I know I should have said no. I've never had a problem once with it. I SAW HIM DO IT.

    He provided me a receipt within seconds. Had my payID details visible and everything. I spoke to him the next day and told him it wasn't in. He said he called CommBank and they said a max of 72 hours. I google his name now and I come across this. I feel sick to the stomach. This is literally going to lose me my job. I was selling on behalf of my boss. I'm at a loss at what to do. I observed the same number plate with the E on it. Can someone private message me please or send me an email to lebaussie@hotmail.com if you've been scammed so we can contact the police together.

    • MS Paint on 04/09/2023 - 17:49
      +1

      Bloody hell. Stay strong dude.

    • Moneyinthebank on 04/09/2023 - 17:50
      +4

      Nice email address

    • matt-ozb on 04/09/2023 - 23:49

      give the cash to your boss .. accept it is your loss unless the police recover .. keep job

      'saw him do it' .. seems like a fake app so that's all you saw

  • cheapcheapazn on 04/09/2023 - 17:50
    +1

    This is getting a little out of control! Surely this is enough info for the police to go off. Surely there is not too many Merc GT 63s registered. Maybe see if there is car groups of that model. Maybe someone has spotted it.

    • MS Paint on 04/09/2023 - 18:46
      +1

      I'm guessing maybe 30 GT 63 in Sydney area, tops.

  • jlogic on 04/09/2023 - 20:43
    +2

    What a wild ride this thread is…

    1). He has a debt to be paid to the bikies…
    2). He keeps doing double or nothing at Star City…
    3). He keeps scamming to keep doing 2). in order to pay 1).
    4). He can't help himself and keeps doing 2). but ends up with whole lot more of 1). and 3).

    Vote for best Forum Post 2023!!!

    • randomusername2017 on 04/09/2023 - 22:49
      +4

      Vote for best Forum Post 2023!!!

      Only early..sure Pam's been saving the best til last….

  • cocomelon on 05/09/2023 - 00:00
    +4

    I cant wait for new update, this is killing me.. good luck op!! I am rooting for you and all other victims!!

    • Moneyinthebank on 05/09/2023 - 00:03
      +1

      I want to see a Netflix series
      Or the pictures and videos
      Or a current affair

      • cupcake on 05/09/2023 - 09:03
        +1

        Oh, yes.
        Please contact A Current Affair.
        Let them catch this guy!

  • bamzero on 05/09/2023 - 02:27
    +6

    New profile pic (and a professed love of watches and cars)
    So if the car is real, I wonder if there is any actual connection to Didibet. There is a number listed on the Didibet page 0435319277 which has a PayID name of Chin Fong.

    • werdplaya58 on 05/09/2023 - 10:10
      +3

      I think the connection to Didibet is real, but Didibet is not a legitimate business, it's just another scam. There are literally hundreds of similar ones on FB and they all harnass engagements by bots/fake accounts to boost their numbers and make it look like they have a large user base.

      His other alias "Dean Li" is also listed as Co-Founder and COO of Didibet. But it sounds like probably the same guy. Interesting about the PayID, I don't know the scammer's actual name so I can't confirm whether it is him or not.

  • ValueInvesting on 05/09/2023 - 07:41
    +8

    Any updates @poczynek77?

  • [Deactivated] on 05/09/2023 - 15:19
    +8

    This was last night! Ok, so I literally just popped into Kings Cross police station (that is 15 minutes of my life I am never getting back) I was told they are too busy to look into this even though I said I have crucial evidence of this c… on CCTV. The "cop" I spoke to says, because you have the item and you gave him your license is not really a scam. I was perplexed. Please log into the NSW police site and log a case and hen sent me on my way. He said even with all this information, it might take up to 2 to 3 years to catch him. The latest is that the number plate he is using EZE13D is not the GT C63S that he drove in. In addition the gambling business (DIDIBET) he has is totally illegitimate. Also the children on his profile do not appear to be his. If anyone wants to get in touch about this please email me on christianbostero40@gmail.com. Stay away from this man!

    • Moneyinthebank on 05/09/2023 - 15:23
      +3

      police are useless,
      maybe you should all go together to police

    • simplerick on 05/09/2023 - 16:12
      +3

      Wait, what?! OP said more updates to come over coming weeks…

      From your experience with the police, this is not looking very positive!

      Perhaps the OP has made more progress with the police and will provide more updates when the time is right…

      Share your video footage with the OP so it can be used under his case.

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