UKasash scam - updates

This Hub is being posted as an update to THIS HUB which the creator has not visited for a couple of years. Please read the whole of the linked hub as I have no wish to re-type someone else's hard work and I also have no wish to take credit for ITS4YOU LM's postings.

Since ITS4YOU LM's original hub, it seams our scammer has upped their game with yet more name-changes and the adoption of a larger range of sites to post on.

There are a few common denominators that stand-out in identifying the group behind the scam.

1. Name format of email always contains the number '75'. I.e sarah75harlow@gmail.com or sarahharlow75@gmail.com. The '75' may also be woven-in as part of a date (i.e. '1975').
2. Items listed appear to come from ebay and are auctions that have ended.
3. The same email (as defined in the original hub) is sent.
4. Seller always asks you to pay using UKash as it is virtually un-traceable.

Seller always appears to have a Google+ account linked to the email address to try to fool people in to believing they are real.

The scammer appears to live in the Mountain View area of Los Angeles and is believed to be a gang rather than an individual.

The scam works by advertising high-end goods at low prices. The ads are lifted from ebay (and possibly other sites) so appear to be genuine. However, the price of the goods is much lower than you would genuinely expect to pay.

This is the 'lure' that gets you to respond. At this point, the scam has cost you NOTHING. However, they now have your email addres and so they will send you a message similar to the one in ITS4YOU LM's hub.

It is only when you respond to the email by sending the UKash voucher code that you lose your money.

If a seller asks you to send them the UKash code and then inspect the goods once they have been delivered, then best advice is DO NOT SEND THE CODE. Ukash go to great lengths on their site to mention that you should treat the voucher as you would cash, but fails to mention in any great detail that it is the 19-digit code that is the important part of the transaction. If someone gets hold of this, they can cash it in at any UKash outlet.

Check the email purporting to be from Parcelforce. Does it end '@parcelforce.com' or '@royalmail.com' ?. No, then it's not genuine. Also worth noting that companies like Parcelforce do not take cash on delivery, nor do they have time to wait whilst you chech the parcel. Neither are they able to void a delivery and they certainly won't deliver something weighing more than 25Kg.

If you are reading this and have only just been scammed i this way, there is hope. You can nip back to the shop you purchased your UKash voucher from and cash it in (if you are quick-enough and beat the scammers to the cash-out give yourself a pat on the back).