There is a scam operating world wide where the perpetrator claims to be selling high end to very high end road bicycles (mostly) at very low prices.
The contact emails for the "seller" are either [email protected] or [email protected]. They claim to be situated in various countries, depending on where the ad is placed. They use free for sale sites and legitimate ones too. I have seen ads for bikes where they claim to be located in South Australia, England and America. To an experienced cyclist there are also give-aways in the text of the ad and email replies like "gear levers 20/24 and 28 speed" and claims of 2 days to ship a bike from England to Australia!
The main give-away though is you can only pay via Western Union money transfer, the exact same method used to defraud buyers in the cheap airline ticket scam
So beware if you see an add like this one below - it's a scam!
Australian Ad Example
here's a email reply to an enquiry - this bike would normally be worth US$8000 + shipping.
From: Lius Gary <[email protected]>
To:
Sent: Tue Nov 30 21:09:03 2010
Subject: RE:2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 (Internally Routed)
Hello
Thanks for your mail and interest in buying from us, we have the 2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 in stock for sale in our company brand new factory sealed in its original boxes with complete
accessories and 2 years limited warranty from the manufacturer and 90days return policy from our company. Here is the specifications:
Spec Detailed Description
gear levers 20/24 and 28 speed,
Frame Carbon Monocoque 50HM1K
Fork Onda Carbon 50HM1K
Rims/Wheels Most Charisma Clincher Carbon Wheels
Tires Prince branded Continental Tires
Crankset Complete Di2 Group
Cassette Complete Di2 Group
Headset Pinarello
Chain Complete Di2 Group
Derailleurs Complete Di2 Group
Shifters Complete Di2 Group
Handlebars Most Talon 1-piece
Stem Most Talon 1-piece
Brakes Complete Di2 Group
Saddle Most XLR Carbon Saddle
Seat Post Most Tail, C-Alu White
Weight 17.0 lbs (approx.)
Note that we have the 2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 (Internally Routed) in different type of color such as red,black,white,blue, yellow and more he depend on your choice of color you will prefer or
like.
We are located in England and we ship worldwide via UPS or FedEx courier service and shipping will only take 2 days to get to you.
Below is the price for the2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2.
2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 (Internally Routed) will cost you
4,500 including shipping fee to you.
Shipping Courier: FEDEX & DHL,UPS
Delivery Time :48hrs to get to you.
We will like to inform you that payment will be made via westernunion money transfer and as soon as we confirm your payment we ship out to you and send you the necessary documents for you to track and located your package online and in 2 days you get your package delivered to you.
We will like you to get back to us with your full shipping details and phone number listed bellow.
Name:
Shipping Address:
City:
state:
Country:
Postcode:
Telephone:
How many units you will buy:
Color will be ordered:
we await your response soon so that we can proceed with
your order.
Thanks,
MGT.
The contact emails for the "seller" are either [email protected] or [email protected]. They claim to be situated in various countries, depending on where the ad is placed. They use free for sale sites and legitimate ones too. I have seen ads for bikes where they claim to be located in South Australia, England and America. To an experienced cyclist there are also give-aways in the text of the ad and email replies like "gear levers 20/24 and 28 speed" and claims of 2 days to ship a bike from England to Australia!
The main give-away though is you can only pay via Western Union money transfer, the exact same method used to defraud buyers in the cheap airline ticket scam
So beware if you see an add like this one below - it's a scam!
Australian Ad Example
here's a email reply to an enquiry - this bike would normally be worth US$8000 + shipping.
From: Lius Gary <[email protected]>
To:
Sent: Tue Nov 30 21:09:03 2010
Subject: RE:2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 (Internally Routed)
Hello
Thanks for your mail and interest in buying from us, we have the 2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 in stock for sale in our company brand new factory sealed in its original boxes with complete
accessories and 2 years limited warranty from the manufacturer and 90days return policy from our company. Here is the specifications:
Spec Detailed Description
gear levers 20/24 and 28 speed,
Frame Carbon Monocoque 50HM1K
Fork Onda Carbon 50HM1K
Rims/Wheels Most Charisma Clincher Carbon Wheels
Tires Prince branded Continental Tires
Crankset Complete Di2 Group
Cassette Complete Di2 Group
Headset Pinarello
Chain Complete Di2 Group
Derailleurs Complete Di2 Group
Shifters Complete Di2 Group
Handlebars Most Talon 1-piece
Stem Most Talon 1-piece
Brakes Complete Di2 Group
Saddle Most XLR Carbon Saddle
Seat Post Most Tail, C-Alu White
Weight 17.0 lbs (approx.)
Note that we have the 2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 (Internally Routed) in different type of color such as red,black,white,blue, yellow and more he depend on your choice of color you will prefer or
like.
We are located in England and we ship worldwide via UPS or FedEx courier service and shipping will only take 2 days to get to you.
Below is the price for the2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2.
2010 Pinarello Prince Carbon Di2 (Internally Routed) will cost you
4,500 including shipping fee to you.
Shipping Courier: FEDEX & DHL,UPS
Delivery Time :48hrs to get to you.
We will like to inform you that payment will be made via westernunion money transfer and as soon as we confirm your payment we ship out to you and send you the necessary documents for you to track and located your package online and in 2 days you get your package delivered to you.
We will like you to get back to us with your full shipping details and phone number listed bellow.
Name:
Shipping Address:
City:
state:
Country:
Postcode:
Telephone:
How many units you will buy:
Color will be ordered:
we await your response soon so that we can proceed with
your order.
Thanks,
MGT.