Pages:
Author

Topic: BEWARE: LocalBitcoins Screenshot Scam (Read 3292 times)

legendary
Activity: 2646
Merit: 1137
All paid signature campaigns should be banned.
December 14, 2013, 12:31:22 PM
#25
(unfortunately someone claims the same guy just scammed 0.5 BTC from someone on Bitcoin-OTC doing the fake ident in pm thing, so he's probably still at it - old habits and all).
LINK please.
legendary
Activity: 2646
Merit: 1137
All paid signature campaigns should be banned.
December 14, 2013, 12:25:47 PM
#24
Thanks for this truly amusing post. So much win...

(unfortunately someone claims the same guy just scammed 0.5 BTC from someone on Bitcoin-OTC doing the fake ident in pm thing, so he's probably still at it - old habits and all).

If you think this is a good thread about our buddy Marcus you should read this entire thread with pictures of this moron.

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/--279648

One of the best threads on this entire forum.  JUSTICE Smiley

It is interesting if he is still scamming with this hanging over his head:

He pled Guilty to one charge of Identity Theft and the prosecutor dismissed all the other charges.

This is unbelievable.  Why do they keep giving XXY chromosome morons like this more and more chances?

I wonder what the penalty is for Identity Theft in Kansas.

He will be sentenced on January 9th 2014.  If he gets probation or time served I will have lost all faith in the Justice system.

legendary
Activity: 2310
Merit: 1039
December 14, 2013, 06:05:32 AM
#23
Beware of this guy: Sucram on local bitcoins:
https://localbitcoins.com/accounts/profile/sucraM/

He just scammed a lot of people, asking for a screenshot of the pre-funding page "for verification/security" and then when he gets the screenshot, he releases the funds. The screenshot has the authentication code to release the funds. WATCH OUT!

Someone on there lost over $8,000...

Also this guy's number is:  1-913-200-1331. Need to come up with a way to counter-scam this jackass.

Thats why u should only deals with trusted sellers.

full member
Activity: 166
Merit: 100
Bitcoin Faucet
December 14, 2013, 04:36:36 AM
#22
Thanks for this truly amusing post. So much win...

(unfortunately someone claims the same guy just scammed 0.5 BTC from someone on Bitcoin-OTC doing the fake ident in pm thing, so he's probably still at it - old habits and all).
full member
Activity: 196
Merit: 100
September 23, 2013, 06:51:24 AM
#21
When you are dealing with an irreversible currency such things are bound to occur.

Use at your own risk
legendary
Activity: 1974
Merit: 1003
September 23, 2013, 06:38:24 AM
#20
wow ... thanks for posting this
member
Activity: 84
Merit: 10
September 22, 2013, 07:14:55 PM
#19
did those scammers have 100% positive feedbacks? how many feedbacks?

no limit they can take as much they can no body can stop them from to do this
sr. member
Activity: 613
Merit: 305
September 22, 2013, 01:04:57 PM
#18
did those scammers have 100% positive feedbacks? how many feedbacks?
legendary
Activity: 3416
Merit: 4658
August 23, 2013, 03:44:20 PM
#17
The simply answer is to just remove the release code "feature" - something that can be done quite easily in code. It is, after all, a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

The release code is a solution to transferring bitcoins between users in a face-to-face meeting location that doesn't have WiFi.

It allows fast (nearly instant) transactions that don't require any confirmations as long as you trust localbitcoins.  It prevents the possibilities of the receiver being a victim of a double-spend attack.

With the release code feature, the only thing the buyer needs to have with them at the meeting is the cash they are using to pay with, and the only thing the seller needs to have with them is an old cheap cell phone capable of sending txt messages.

It isn't a necessary feature for some people, but for those that use it, it is a very valuable and desired feature.
legendary
Activity: 1554
Merit: 1222
brb keeping up with the Kardashians
August 23, 2013, 03:27:30 PM
#16
The simply answer is to just remove the release code "feature" - something that can be done quite easily in code. It is, after all, a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
legendary
Activity: 3416
Merit: 4658
August 23, 2013, 02:38:22 PM
#15
There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

Email the release code instead of displaying it on the screen?

And the scammer will ask the victim to forward a copy of the email.  What does that solve?
legendary
Activity: 1554
Merit: 1222
brb keeping up with the Kardashians
August 23, 2013, 02:22:43 PM
#14
There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

Email the release code instead of displaying it on the screen?
donator
Activity: 714
Merit: 510
Preaching the gospel of Satoshi
August 23, 2013, 02:16:27 PM
#13
I think they have done a great job.  You now have to explicitly click a link to have the code be shown.  I toyed with him and sent him the screen shot he asked for (without clicking the "show" link of course).  So he now has to ask you to click the show link and then sent the screen shot.  That should make most people stop and think (we hope).
At first I thought that his game was not to get the release code (because he was saying that it is okay to send him the screenshot since the code is blocked out), so I thought that he needed the screenshot to social engineer the support team to convince them that he was the legitimate user of our accounts.
legendary
Activity: 2646
Merit: 1137
All paid signature campaigns should be banned.
August 23, 2013, 12:25:11 PM
#12
I think they have done a great job.  You now have to explicitly click a link to have the code be shown.  I toyed with him and sent him the screen shot he asked for (without clicking the "show" link of course).  So he now has to ask you to click the show link and then sent the screen shot.  That should make most people stop and think (we hope).
donator
Activity: 714
Merit: 510
Preaching the gospel of Satoshi
August 23, 2013, 10:50:51 AM
#11
Doesnt matter what measures are taken, social engineering will always work with UNTRAINED personnel/customers.
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1004
August 23, 2013, 10:18:30 AM
#10
Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

I think they should give release code via sms upon sellers request instead of showing code on website.
full member
Activity: 188
Merit: 100
August 23, 2013, 10:16:32 AM
#9
Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?

Exactly. if you can read and follow instructions, you should be fine. No need to send anyone the screenshot, as you can tell when the transaction is funded right on the site when you log in. When the funds are released, THEN the person selling the coins gets the code, letting the buyer know that the coins are now in the buyer's wallet.

For that matter, even if he doesn't fund the transaction before the meet, you can still go, since he can fund the transaction while the two of you drink coffee. I think it takes 3 confirmations before the transaction can proceed. Meanwhile, you can talk, it's quite stress free. When he gives you the release code, you KNOW the coins are in your wallet. (This is from the point of view of the buyer, sorry, I've never sold any... yet).

If you really want to be safe, you can give localbitcoins your mobile number, and SMS texts will be sent to you upon funding/release actions having taken place. Very well thought out, but you MUST follow the rules and use "COMMON" sense. The Heinlein definition of Common Sense?
legendary
Activity: 3416
Merit: 4658
August 23, 2013, 09:58:51 AM
#8
Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.

There isn't any amount of programming that localbitcoins can do that can prevent victims from giving away their bitcoins when fooled by a scammer.  localbitcoins can't reprogram the brains of the humans that use their site.  What exactly do you want them to fix?
legendary
Activity: 1554
Merit: 1222
brb keeping up with the Kardashians
August 23, 2013, 05:22:36 AM
#7
Local BTC needs to fix their shit NOW.
legendary
Activity: 1666
Merit: 1000
August 22, 2013, 05:56:05 PM
#6
@Bitsalame,

DOX master  Grin
Pages:
Jump to: