jazz_and_bimmers Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 (edited) Dear Forum, I am afraid i was scammed out of $400 as a result of a wanted ad I placed on this site for a 3:64 Limited Slip Differential. User name @rayden PM'd me that his "buddy" "Martin" had it available, and to email him, which i did. When I emailed "Martin" he instructed me to venmo the $400 to a @Robert-Cochrun". I don't know why I didn't catch it right there and then, but in my enthusiasm went with it. The first thread below is the correspondence with @rayden. I will then post the email chain with "Martin Calvin", who stopped communication after receiving the venmo. rayden 4 Started conversation: yesterday at 09:15 AM A buddy of mine has this for sale and you can reach Martin at mcalvin318@gmail.com if youre still interested Quote jazz_and_bimmers 0 Replied: yesterday at 11:58 AM Rayden - wow, thank you, emailing Martin now! Quote jazz_and_bimmers 0 Replied: 44 minutes ago Hi Rayden - Sorry, I am a little worried about the legitimacy of this transaction. Yesterday, I emailed "Martin Calvin" who instructed me to Venmo $400 to a "Robert Cochrun", which I did. Since then communication has been suspect, with no confirmation of shipping and no answer to other questions. Is there anything you can offer here? Thanks, Michael Edited December 24, 2020 by jazz_and_bimmers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz_and_bimmers Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 (edited) Here is the chain with "Martin Calvin": Please reply by 8pm EST or I will consider this to be fraud. Thanks, Michael From: Michael Arenella [mailto:michael@dreamlandorchestra.com]Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2020 6:17 PMTo: 'martin calvin' <mcalvin318@gmail.com>Subject: RE: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Hi – Any news on shipping? From: Michael Arenella [mailto:michael@dreamlandorchestra.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 5:11 PMTo: 'martin calvin' <mcalvin318@gmail.com>Subject: RE: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Great thanks. Can you tell me anything about the rebuild, to your knowledge? From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 5:10 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential It’s late already I’ll ship tomorrow afternoon, will send an email when I’m about to ship Tomorrow, Any other parts you’re wanting to buy? On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 11:08 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: Thank you. When are you shipping? From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 5:07 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential I’ll be shipping via FedEx, will send tracking number once shipped On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 11:02 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: And can you please share shipping info? method, tracking, etc. – thank you. From: Michael Arenella [mailto:michael@dreamlandorchestra.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 3:20 PMTo: 'martin calvin' <mcalvin318@gmail.com>Subject: RE: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Thanks, did you have any info on the rebuild? From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 3:18 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Okay got it On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 9:13 PM, martin calvin <mcalvin318@gmail.com> wrote: Not yet but pls send screenshot of payment, it’s protocol On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 9:13 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: I just sent it – do you not see it in Venmo? From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 3:12 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Kindly send proof of payment sent On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 9:11 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: Never mind – figured it out. Just sent $400. Please confirm receipt. From: Michael Arenella [mailto:michael@dreamlandorchestra.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 3:08 PMTo: 'martin calvin' <mcalvin318@gmail.com>Subject: RE: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential I am having trouble finding you. Can you send me a payment request for the $400 please and let’s try it that way. I am @Dreamland-Orchestra From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 2:49 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Venmo user is @Robert-Cochrun. Make the payment to the Venmo and Let me know when payment sent On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 8:46 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: Ok, let me try Venmo – I just downloaded it. What is your Venmo email? From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 2:37 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential I don’t accept check..Do you have PayPal or Venmo On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 8:36 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: Sorry don’t have Zelle either, but happy to call it $450 and will mail check today. From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 2:33 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Yep is is since I’d be shipping to PA..Let me know if Zelle works On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 8:32 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: Oh, I saw you are including shipping. If that still works, I appreciate it! From: Michael Arenella [mailto:michael@dreamlandorchestra.com]Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 2:30 PMTo: 'martin calvin' <mcalvin318@gmail.com>Subject: RE: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential Also, What car did this come out of? Type 114 or E21? Just so I can tool up. From: martin calvin [mailto:mcalvin318@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 2:27 PMTo: Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com>Subject: Re: 3:64 Limited Slip Differential I have it for sale with less than 1k miles on it and I’m asking $400 shipped..Send me your shipping information if you’re interested On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 at 6:04 PM, Michael Arenella <michael@dreamlandorchestra.com> wrote: Hi Martin – Your friend, user name “Rayden” on BMW FAQ wrote me that you may have a 3:64 Limited Slip Differential available. I am definitely interested in buying if you do! Many thanks, Michael 646.201.6624 Edited December 24, 2020 by jazz_and_bimmers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highnote1 Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 Yeah. Beware of the “my friend has this item”. This went around last year as well. Bad people. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz_and_bimmers Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 (edited) What is strange is that @rayden seems to be a legit user on this forum. Edited December 24, 2020 by jazz_and_bimmers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conserv Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 Using Venmo with someone you don’t know well is the equivalent of using Western Union. And when I hear “Western Union,” I don’t care whether it might be a legitimate transaction, I am out of there! And, come on: $400 for a freshly-overhauled limited-slip differential? That’s $500 to $1,100 below market. Too cheap is yet another red flag! Sorry for your loss! Regards, Steve 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conkitchen Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 37 minutes ago, Conserv said: Using Venmo with someone you don’t know well is the equivalent of using Western Union. And when I hear “Western Union,” I don’t care whether it might be a legitimate transaction, I am out of there! And, come on: $400 for a freshly-overhauled limited-slip differential? That’s $500 to $1,100 below market. Too cheap is another red flag! Sorry for your loss! Regards, Steve +1 Sucks, but the internet has enabled so many wrong a thing. I always go by the rule if I send money to a stranger, it has to be money I can afford to lose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easton Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 Is it worth putting Rayden on blast if he's working with a scammer? I would love to avoid anything he's selling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2002iii Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 First red flag is "buddy". Second red flag is price is way to good to be true . Third red flag is 3 different names. Fourth red flag is rayden only joined on November 24 and only has 3 posts. Also I always ask for pictures of the item I'm buying I have never used venmo so I don't know how it works but if its anything like PayPal they should have a way to say you have not gotten what you paid for and want a refund. Always remember what the Roman's said "caveat emptor" (Latin for buyer beware). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz_and_bimmers Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 Yeah, they sent pics of a diff. This was done by someone on the inside with knowledge, which makes it all the sadder. I'm a dummy what can i say! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Tochi Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 I've said this before but many other auto related forums require a minimum # of posts (some require 100) before you're allowed to post to classifieds. Yes, that would hurt some legit sellers who just happen to have some good bits laying around, but perhaps prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of the way FAQ is set up. They also have a separate classified section for Ebay/Craiglists items and cars for sale that members (ala Johnpeter) can let us know about that car on the corner in Winslow, AZ. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rms_sandiego Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 So sorry this happened to you Not to rub it in, but I would say the fifth red flag is Venmo... This is how Venmo describes its services for purchases: Venmo is designed for payments between friends and people who know and trust one another. There are also several Venmo services for merchants who want to accept payments. However, Venmo should not be used for purchases, unless explicitly authorized by Venmo. And there is really no recovery process for fraud... 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2002iii Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 7 minutes ago, jazz_and_bimmers said: Yeah, they sent pics of a diff. This was done by someone on the inside with knowledge, which makes it all the sadder. I'm a dummy what can i say! That's not even a 2002 diff. Looks like an e36. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz_and_bimmers Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 (edited) Yeah, it's an e 38 in the picture. should have looked closer at the diff. Edited December 24, 2020 by jazz_and_bimmers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easton Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 Unfortunately those pics are from a 2018 bimmerforums post. Seems as though it's definitely a scam, which is really a shame. Sorry jazz, that's some serious assholery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2002iii Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 Gotta love image search on Google. That's another way to figure out if it's a scam. Works good for online dating too lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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