I got scammed
My website has been online for 12 years, and I get plenty of reader messages, including offers, each month. I had scam attempts in the past, but this is “only” the 2nd time someone could fool me in all the years.
An American guy named Richard Sutton (email: willsmitty219@gmail.com. PayPal: @ISoto536) from CA contacted me, offering a German J-stamped passport, including other documents. We agreed to pay 50% upfront and the rest by delivery. He said he would ship the next day. After three days – nothing. He then said he would do it tomorrow. Again nothing. Then he told me he had family issues and that shipping would be delayed. Now, after ten days, no further reply from him. SCAMMED! Yes, it still can happen, even if you are very careful by trying to verify a person’s identity, location, email, etc. Be careful!
My reputation as an expert and collector is spotless, and I always guarantee a fair, smooth, and reliable transaction. Take a look at my references and testimonials.
I don’t know what the circumstances are, particularly what the value of the passport in question is. I hope you are not out a tremendous amount of money. Perhaps in the future, especially when the passport or other documents are valuable, a suitable middle ground person, an escrow agent so to speak, could be employed to collect the documents and the money and make final disbursements when any questions arise regarding authenticity, payment, etc. I think for a small fee banks would undertake this responsibility. Good luck to you.
Thanks, Tom. 2 scams in 12 years…somehow tolerable but still disappointing. If you follow social media the chance to be scammed at eBay is much bigger 😉
Sorry to hear Tom, when in so many deals and contacts it will happen to all of us once in a while.
The name of Richard Sutton is misused in different scams over the past 10 years … even by known Nigerian money scammers.
Unfortunately, I was not able to find this specific Walter Oppenheimer. Often pictures collected from archives are used in these scams.
Thanks, Theo. Fortunately, the money loss was not that much.