Mea culpa. It sounded like a good idea, but the “people-powered” comparison shopping site we wrote about, beatmyprice.com, got one of our readers scammed when she used it in a non-savvy fashion. Rebecca ordered a PS3 from the sketchy-as-hell looking “omexelectronics.biz” for $260. After she ordered it with her Discover Card, she got an email telling her to complete the transaction via Western Union instead. She did so. Big mistake.

After they picked up her money, she got another email saying that the PS3 is shipping out of Spain and is stuck in the UK because DHL will only allow a minimum of 5 devices of this type to be shipped from Europe to the USA. They’re ever so sorry but now they want Rebecca to Western Union $1040 for all 5 PS3s.

Rebecca isn’t about to do that and is demanding her money back. In all likelihood, she never will. Once money is sent via Western Union, it can be picked up anywhere in the world as long as they have the control number. Once picked up, there is no possibility of a refund or cancellation.

Unfortunately, some of the “people” who chose to “power” Beatmyprice.com are scammers. I feel really bad about one of our readers getting scammed of one of our posts. Everyone needs to be aware of the following caveats when shopping online:

• Never give money to a stranger via Western Union.
• Only buy things online using a credit card.
• Never just go by the lowest price you find. As we warned in the Beatmyprice post, if you haven’t heard of the retailler, check out their reputation first.

The email exchange between Rebecca and the advance fee fraudsters follows.

— On Mon, 11/17/08, Rebecca Hatfield wrote:

From: Rebecca
Subject: Fw: Western Union: Pickup Notification.
To: omexelectronics@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, November 17, 2008, 7:39 PM

I just received this notice from Western Union saying that my payment was picked up. I would like to request a tracking number please. Thank you.

—

From: Omex Finco
To: Rebecca
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 4:11:35 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Western Union: Pickup Notification.

Ms Rebbeca.

Yes your payment has been picked up and also, this is to inform you that your Order has been shipped out of Spain and it’s presently in United Kingdom, DHL refuse to shipout 1Unit of the Brand New PS3 Sony Playstation 3 , They said the Minimum Unit that can be allowed to enter into your Country is 5Units due to the new president elected and for this reason any consignment that is below 5 to 10 kgb will not be allow in FOR SECURITY REASON BEST KNOW TO YOUR GOVERMENT and your consignment is just 1kgb, So for this reason My Company shipped out 5Units of the Brand New PS3 Sony Playstation 3 to you.

We used another Private Shipping Company to deliver the PS3 Sony Playstation 3 to you, The name of the Company is GLOBAL PRECIOUS SERVICE ( http://www.glopre-int.com ) The Tracking Code is ready, So the shippers will shipout once the balance of the payment is confirmed.

The balance amount to send is $1040, The PS3 Sony Playstation 3 will enter U.S.A by Tuesday Evening once the payment is confirmed tomorrow.

Note the custom officer in respect and in hold of your consignment is Mrs Caroilne Smith and you are free to contact her if you wish to. You can call her on +447031939379.

We are truely sorry for the delay

Thanks for your Understanding.
http://www.omexelectonics.biz

— On Mon, 11/17/08, Rebecca wrote:

From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Fw: Western Union: Pickup Notification.
To: omexelectronics@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, November 17, 2008, 11:05 PM

Absolutely NOT.

YOU will refund my money! YOU will wire me the cost of the merchandise PLUS the Western Union fee! YOU will send me an MTCN number confirming that you are wiring me 294.00 OR ELSE I will post in AS MANY PLACES I CAN FIND ON THE WEB THAT YOUR WEBSITE IS A SCAM WEBSITE and I will detail how this transaction went.

You have 24 hours to get me an MTCN number or else I will start spreading the warning people NOT to make purchases from your website.

—

From: Omex Finco
To: Rebecca
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 5:32:32 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Western Union: Pickup Notification.

Please i will not take such word from you anymore SCAM how and when have you getting to just conclusion,listen we are real and qualify legit company you can go as far as doing what you wish to do,the deal btw our company and you is too open that any one esle can come in to judge for us,it was not our fault and i went as far as expalining to you but it seem you are not giving me any litening ears trying to take judgement into you hand which may turn out to a total lost to you at the end of the transaction and if you wish to have your money back that will not be any problem ok but you will need to give sometime to us to get read of these off.i have explained to you as a brother here and you keep been hard on me,get the 5 consignment you have just pay for on,but i am begging you pay just for two now and all total you payed for will be three and when ever you have money for the remaining two balance you can do so,but seem to be too hard on me.

So what do you want me to do now?mrs rebecca

— On Tue, 11/18/08, Rebecca wrote:

From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Fw: Western Union: Pickup Notification.
To: omexelectronics@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 12:02 AM

As the merchant, it is your responsibility to research the customs policies in the countries through which the merchandise must go to make it to your customer. I don’t appreciate being threatened with a total loss at the end of this transaction. I’ve already lost. I basically gave you $294.00 for nothing.

I will not be sending you any more money and I have contacted my credit cards to let them know not to make any unapproved transactions. As I said before, I’m going to report OmexFinco.biz as a scam to anyone and everyone who will listen. Unless you can get me my money back.

—

From: Omex Finco
To: Rebecca
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 6:35:03 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Western Union: Pickup Notification.

With this word if you wish you are not comfortabale with my ideal here i am sorry about it

(As the merchant, it is your responsibility to research the customs policies in the countries through which the merchandise must go to make it to your customer)

But Madam why not for this time give to me a listening ears.i am not threateneing you but if all this hot you at the same time i am sorry but madam the true still remain on what i am tell you please i am begging you let try to have second thinking and i belt you this will be our long lasting relation in business,your ps3 are in UK under the care of mrs caroline smith,please i will beg you in the name of god to call her tommorow morning.so you will see all iam telling you is real, let see you have your ps3..

point of correction madam rebecca we are not SCAMM company ok.stop such words you are my customer and is my duty to treat you nice.

please bear with us all the cost

— On Tue, 11/18/08, Rebecca wrote:

From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Fw: Western Union: Pickup Notification.
To: omexelectronics@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 12:46 AM

I don’t care who has the PS3s at this moment. I only ordered ONE of them. I’m not calling anyone tomorrow because I’m not going to throw away any more money on this.

It doesn’t matter if what you are saying IS true. I can’t afford to pay any more money. I could barely afford what the single PS3 cost. You won’t see a penny more out of me.

—

OK MADAM,SINCE YOU WISH NOT TO ACT ACCORDILY WITH WHAT I WISH WILL HELP ACHIVE OUR AIM HERE,THEN YOU WILL NEED TO GIVE OF SOMETIMES AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

THANKS.”

(Photo: joka2000)

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