Hello Bitcointalk,
I wanted to warn the community about a large uptick in scams of all kinds targeting cryptocurrency users, collectors and traders.
These scams and techniques range from phishing (general) to spearfishing (targeted). They are run by psychopaths, criminals and professional liars.
1.
Phishing emails (These emails look like emails coming directly from an exchange or wallet, they contain extensions to malware or websites designed to mimic real websites and steal private keys)
They are getting really good at these emails and some even pass firewalls and spam detection. Remain extremely vigilant. This is an older scam, but still worthy of going over.
2.
Fake ebay listings (Listings designed to get you off site and steal your money)
In this case this is a scammer who pirated my images and product listing on eBay who is trying to direct traffic off website. I have seen this scam also done with casascius .10
BTC tokens. Be hyper careful. If a deal is too good to be true it most definitely is. Do not deal with people on telegram, they are almost all fraudsters, and you are their next victim.
3.
Chargeback fraud (This can be done on anything you sell through eBay, but it is even worse for cryptocurrency users)
In this case, a high positive feedback account reached out to me in an attempt to purchase cryptocurrency directly from me for a higher fee over eBay.
After agreeing to do some transactions with this gentleman (out of a good heart, understanding and relating to his situation). We speak on telegram and decide to do some trades. 2 weeks after the last transaction he disputes every transaction with his payment institution on a friday afternoon (No technical support over the weekend). Leaving me dealing with eBay customer support, my eBay account in jeopardy and potentially out a decent amount of money.
I looked up this gentleman's name (He told me it on telegram, registered a business under it and used it on his linked-in page) Dude is a convicted felon for running a criminal enterprise selling stolen apple merchandise. He was convicted in 2015 and once he got out, he did the same thing again in 2019. A double offender!
This guy profiled me because I had a denarium bitcoin listed for sale and it attracted him like a moth drawn to a lightbulb.
Do not deal with these idiots, be weary of anyone who reach out to you. They most likely want something from you.