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Recently, an Idaho firm with what appears to be a high end web site may have been exposed as a complete fraud. Selling construction and agricultural machinery.
Some highlights of the situation:
High end web site with many machines pictured. In every respect, appears to be a thriving full service business including parts and technical staff.
Could easily be a broker as many listings are in other than Idaho locations (palm trees etc.).
Nice "staff" photos including mechanics working on big machines.
Really cheap prices for good machines, including tax, and until recently, delivery.
Some Red Flags:
Phone is not always answered. When answered, little information is forthcoming. Call backs often slow, they encourage text or email only communications.
Evasive when trying to set up equipment inspection in person or by an agent.
Details of shipment, pick up location, or about the machine only upon wire transfer payment.
Payment is exclusively via wire transfers, no checks, no ACH, only wire transfers.
Staff on web site cannot be located in area where business is located. These are fakes.
Pay the low price before it's gone.
Some get fake documents to authorize pick up of machine.
Google Maps inquiry on business address does not match the business. Often rural areas or a farm.
At least one member of a tractor forum was taken for $19,200, reported to local police who have no idea who business is.
A variation of this is a foreign bank claiming to be selling repossessed machine for their balance due (justifies super low price).
All they need is for you to wire directly to the bank providing bank account numbers to do so.
Sale documents are even sent after the payment
The equipment actually belongs to someone else trying to sell it.
Once a wire transfer has been accepted, there is no cancellation or returns.
Has this type of scam been seen in the metal working machinery business yet?
Some highlights of the situation:
High end web site with many machines pictured. In every respect, appears to be a thriving full service business including parts and technical staff.
Could easily be a broker as many listings are in other than Idaho locations (palm trees etc.).
Nice "staff" photos including mechanics working on big machines.
Really cheap prices for good machines, including tax, and until recently, delivery.
Some Red Flags:
Phone is not always answered. When answered, little information is forthcoming. Call backs often slow, they encourage text or email only communications.
Evasive when trying to set up equipment inspection in person or by an agent.
Details of shipment, pick up location, or about the machine only upon wire transfer payment.
Payment is exclusively via wire transfers, no checks, no ACH, only wire transfers.
Staff on web site cannot be located in area where business is located. These are fakes.
Pay the low price before it's gone.
Some get fake documents to authorize pick up of machine.
Google Maps inquiry on business address does not match the business. Often rural areas or a farm.
At least one member of a tractor forum was taken for $19,200, reported to local police who have no idea who business is.
A variation of this is a foreign bank claiming to be selling repossessed machine for their balance due (justifies super low price).
All they need is for you to wire directly to the bank providing bank account numbers to do so.
Sale documents are even sent after the payment
The equipment actually belongs to someone else trying to sell it.
Once a wire transfer has been accepted, there is no cancellation or returns.
Has this type of scam been seen in the metal working machinery business yet?
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