Hi all, I know everyone has a bucket list of some gun, hand gun or other.

My question is: When you realize your bucket list handgun, are you satisfied after waiting all that time to get your gun?

(Mine, on bucket list, Luger P08)

Did someone on 2aHawaii sign up for a BOT service, intending to have it boost gun-related interactions via some canned topics?

This is yet another BOT account:

The again, this might be someone who registers at dozens of gun forums, then uses a software tool (Hootsuite is one) which posts and reads to/from many forums at once.  Regardless, this account and others like it are just creating general firearm & hunting topics, not topics related to 2A in Hawaii -- or any Hawaii topics for that matter.

Based on the lack of responses to replies in ALL the forum topics I looked at for these accounts, I'm still leaning toward BOT.  A human would occasionally answer to his own post when someone else replies to him.

The again, this might be someone who registers at dozens of gun forums, then uses a software tool (Hootsuite is one) which posts and reads to/from many forums at once.  Regardless, this account and others like it are just creating general firearm & hunting topics, not topics related to 2A in Hawaii -- or any Hawaii topics for that matter.

Based on the lack of responses to replies in ALL the forum topics I looked at for these accounts, I'm still leaning toward BOT.  A human would occasionally answer to his own post when someone else replies to him.

He msged me directly to sell a saiga shotgun from his father on the mainland.  Paid down payment wait to see shipping.  Hope it's legit. 

He msged me directly to sell a saiga shotgun from his father on the mainland.  Paid down payment wait to see shipping.  Hope it's legit.

What payment method did you use?

I don't see him posting any classifieds.  Did he reply to your [WTB] ad?

What payment method did you use?

PayPal.

I don't see him posting any classifieds.  Did he reply to your [WTB] ad?

Yes

is he selling through a third party like gunbroker?
if not, it would be very cautious

is he selling through a third party like gunbroker?
if not, it would be very cautious

Nope direct.  I have a bad feeling but worst case I will serve as a good lesson for everyone on this forum. 

Election panic is real folks.

:facepalm:

:facepalm:

If it's a scam it's pretty elaborate.   Got picture proof of gun with hand written note.   Talked to him for days.  Ffl sent info.

If it's a scam it's pretty elaborate.   Got picture proof of gun with hand written note.   Talked to him for days.  Ffl sent info.

Go to Walmart and get a $200 GC.  Text a pic of the code to 99Nevamine and you'll get $5000 worth of shooting gear. . . . 

FYI.  PayPal is anti-gun.  They prohibit use of their system for any firearm related transactions.

Prohibited Activities
You may not use the PayPal service for activities that:

violate any law, statute, ordinance or regulation.
relate to transactions involving (a) narcotics, steroids, certain controlled substances or other
products that present a risk to consumer safety, (b) drug paraphernalia, (c) cigarettes, (d) items
that encourage, promote, facilitate or instruct others to engage in illegal activity, (e) stolen goods
including digital and virtual goods, (f) the promotion of hate, violence, racial or other forms of
intolerance that is discriminatory or the financial exploitation of a crime, (g) items that are
considered obscene, (h) items that infringe or violate any copyright, trademark, right of publicity
or privacy or any other proprietary right under the laws of any jurisdiction, (i) certain sexually
oriented materials or services, (j) ammunition, firearms, or certain firearm parts or accessories,
or (k) certain weapons or knives regulated under applicable law.

If you used a credit card to fund the transaction on PP, they may also have a problem if you used PP for a prohibited transaction.

Long story short:  using PP is not smart.  Not only are you unable to avail yourself of their fraud protection due to violating the Acceptable Use rules, but you probably lied about the nature of the transaction to avoid paying a fee, like "sending cash to a friend -- not a purchase".  Credit cards offer fraud protection, too, but lying to PP and performing a firearm transaction probably voids their protection, too.

Once the money is in a scammer's PP account, they can withdraw the funds and abandon the account -- which was probably opened under a stolen identity, or it was a hacked legit account.  Regardless, they will never be found by PP.  The money is gone.

Next time, maybe ask opinions on here for advice on how to proceed.  I personally would verify the FFL info via the ATF website (they have a list of all current FFLs in the nation you can search).  Make sure the contact and mailing info on the ATF FFL record matches the info you were provided.  it's easy to grab a digital copy of anything and alter the name or address, even an FFL certificate.

Then, i would make arrangements to pay the FFL.  Have them act as a sort of "escrow".  When the gun is in his hands, he delivers payment.  That way, you know there's little chance of never seeing the firearm. 

I normally use a credit card, even if I have to pay 3%-4% non-cash fee.  That gives me a 100% guarantee that I can get the money back if it's a scam.  Credit Card Purchase Protection details vary, so know in advance if you're covered for a specific transaction.

those are just the basics.  Lots of other ways to verify things to CYA. 

But, I'm sure an IT guy knows all about the Internet Scams going around.   

FYI.  PayPal is anti-gun.  They prohibit use of their system for any firearm related transactions.

If you used a credit card to fund the transaction on PP, they may also have a problem if you used PP for a prohibited transaction.

Long story short:  using PP is not smart.  Not only are you unable to avail yourself of their fraud protection due to violating the Acceptable Use rules, but you probably lied about the nature of the transaction to avoid paying a fee, like "sending cash to a friend -- not a purchase".  Credit cards offer fraud protection, too, but lying to PP and performing a firearm transaction probably voids their protection, too.

Once the money is in a scammer's PP account, they can withdraw the funds and abandon the account -- which was probably opened under a stolen identity, or it was a hacked legit account.  Regardless, they will never be found by PP.  The money is gone.

Next time, maybe ask opinions on here for advice on how to proceed.  I personally would verify the FFL info via the ATF website (they have a list of all current FFLs in the nation you can search).  Make sure the contact and mailing info on the ATF FFL record matches the info you were provided.  it's easy to grab a digital copy of anything and alter the name or address, even an FFL certificate.

Then, i would make arrangements to pay the FFL.  Have them act as a sort of "escrow".  When the gun is in his hands, he delivers payment.  That way, you know there's little chance of never seeing the firearm. 

I normally use a credit card, even if I have to pay 3%-4% non-cash fee.  That gives me a 100% guarantee that I can get the money back if it's a scam.  Credit Card Purchase Protection details vary, so know in advance if you're covered for a specific transaction.

those are just the basics.  Lots of other ways to verify things to CYA. 

But, I'm sure an IT guy knows all about the Internet Scams going around.   

Some back and forth it's was a scam.  Oh well.  100$ lost.  Would recommend banning all these bots.  I knew the risk. But was a little desperate. That's life your take risks, I knew going in that I wasn't going to get my money back.  Please ban OP.  If mods need proof I can provide of scam.

I think this guy (bot) came on right before Fell did.
Inspector’s been calling them out when sees same post on his AZ forum.

Some back and forth it's was a scam.  Oh well.  100$ lost.  Would recommend banning all these bots.  I knew the risk. But was a little desperate. That's life your take risks, I knew going in that I wasn't going to get my money back.  Please ban OP.  If mods need proof I can provide of scam.

If people like you didn't exist (and have money), scammers would go out of business.

"There's a sucker born every minute." 

   -- PT Barnum (perhaps)

Did you at least try to verify the FFL info?  That's publicly available.

I think this guy (bot) came on right before Fell did.
Inspector’s been calling them out when sees same post on his AZ forum.

Yup I think they make accounts,  post and pretend to be real.  To create a false reputation so people trust. Then they scam. But I have to say this is the most elaborate scam I have ever seen.  76 emails.  Pictures of the actual gun.   Hand written proof with the gun so it's not just a pic. Custom messaging, phone numbers.  Welp lesson learned.  Once I clean my emails I'll forward to Mac and he can ban all the bots.

Yup I think they make accounts,  post and pretend to be real.  To create a false reputation so people trust. Then they scam. But I have to say this is the most elaborate scam I have ever seen.  76 emails.  Pictures of the actual gun.   Hand written proof with the gun so it's not just a pic. Custom messaging, phone numbers.  Welp lesson learned.  Once I clean my emails I'll forward to Mac and he can ban all the bots.

You know you can do a Google Search for images, right?  Most scammers swipe the pics they use from online sources.  Google will be able to tell you if that pic exists anywhere on the Internet to a reasonable degree of success.
 
But, you knew that ..... IT SME.   

You know you can do a Google Search for images, right?  Most scammers swipe the pics they use from online sources.  Google will be able to tell you if that pic exists anywhere on the Internet to a reasonable degree of success.
 
But, you knew that ..... IT SME.   

Didn't you read what I wrote? I had him do a custom live image like think newspaper on gun. With our names and time.