Anyone been a victim of an equipment scam?

[PeterG]

Well sometimes it works out for the buyer and seller. I had my wheel loader for sale on Craigslist. A guy contacted me from Alaska out of state which made me nervous. I went over all the details with him about the machine on the phone, and sent him plenty of images and video. He wanted it and was going to send me a check! He sent the check, and I deposited it. He wanted me to bring it down to the freight company. I got the machine cleaned up and secured the attachments in the bucket so they would not fall out and took it down to the freight company and I sent him the shipping bill of lading. I think he liked all the images, emails, and text up dates I sent him. Since he received it, he has sent images of him plowing and moving construction material with the pallet forks. I got a good price, and he got the machine he was looking for. Image is the machine at the docks.

 

[Truck Shop]

It's all about price and wording in any ad. I sold 5 complete rebuilt Cummins 855's, none were
listed more than four day's before gone-and was only for two of them, the other three sold from
previous ads, asking if I had anymore. If it's a engine or a piece of equipment that has no paper
work to go with it--it's more than likely a come on. Documentation when selling anything makes
a huge difference--of is it for real--or not.

 

[Backhoe12]

I’m looking at a used excavator I’m in Washington state I’m finding prices better out of state found a company in texas called machinery – trade-off in mission TX everything looks legit but still a bit unsure anyone know this company ?

 

[mowingman]

I’m looking at a used excavator I’m in Washington state I’m finding prices better out of state found a company in texas called machinery – trade-off in mission TX everything looks legit but still a bit unsure anyone know this company ?

I have grave doubts that this operation is legit. Google maps shows a machinery company there on that site, but it is named USAMEX Machinery. Salesman named on sign are both Hispanic, plus, phone numbers listed on their website do not match the numbers listed on the actual sign at the lot. Furthermore, the lot is a small weedy, overgrown place right in town. NONE of the photos on their website were taken on that specific lot. So, where is all this machinery at, certainly not located at the lot in Mission, as they are leading you to believe. Better have someone you can trust, lay eyes on that operation before you part with any money. Besides, anything that shows up for sale along the Mexican border, is instantly suspicious in my book.

 

[Birken Vogt]

The web site looks nothing like what a greasy knuckled equipment dealer would put together.

 

[CM1995]

I’m looking at a used excavator I’m in Washington state I’m finding prices better out of state found a company in texas called machinery – trade-off in mission TX everything looks legit but still a bit unsure anyone know this company ?

Welcome to the Forums! Glad you came here first before sending any money.

100% scam site.

This is how they set up fake sites and steal peoples money -

Would you buy a snow plow in Alabama? Million dollar scam bilking those seeking heavy equipment

Carl Bates with the Better Business Bureau said the scam has probably netted between $2 million and $3 million in the last six weeks.

www.al.com

From the site -

NOTICE:Access to view equipment will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY. We are still available online and by phone to help you find the perfect machinery for your needs!

They don't want anyone coming to the site because it's all fake and it would blow the scam. They need to keep you on the phone long enough to get the wire.

Cannot stress this enough - Once a wire is sent it's gone, gone, gone. Most of the time the wire is sent overseas and there is NO recourse to get your money back other than Interpol. And good luck with Interpol.

 

[Birken Vogt]

Are there more of these popping up in the last few weeks/months? Seems like a new question on them on here all the time now. The scammers must be catching some fish with this one.

 

[HarleyHappy]

It’s like a never ending supply.
It must work some of the time, at least enough to make it profitable to make up a new website and steal some pictures.

 

[CM1995]

Everyone wants a good deal and some are gullible enough to think they just found a great deal.

Think about it - A website is pretty cheap to put up if you do it yourself. Field a phone number, off shore bank account then launch the site. Shuck, jive and lie to folks when they call just long enough to get that wire. Once they get the wire it's done.

$20K, 30k, 50k - not bad change for a little bit of thievery.

 

[Jadin Campbell]

I had a customer of mine who recently lost $35k on a Cat 299 skid steer. It had been listed online by a construction company and he even had his bank check out the company before he wired the money, but he wired the money and it never showed up. It seems that some crook hijacked the legitimate company information and used it to sell under the construction company. I know my customer got in touch with the actual owner of the company and he said there's been more than one person scammed using his company info. I know the customer was going to try to recover some of the money, but I'm doubtful he'll be able to. I guess it remains to be seen...

 

[ThatGuysFarm]

Has anyone heard of All Road Machines from 1276-1298 Shepherd Rd N, Havre, MT 59501, USA? Sounds too good to be true. Satellite pic is from 2006. Just a junk field with trucks and vehicles. Website was registered in September or October of 24. I might call a real-estate agent about the address or maybe the authorities to see. It's a small town. Spoke to a person "from the company". They've called back. Sent e-signature contract. But they asked for wired money. So, no can do until I find out.

Turns out I have lived near Havre for 40 years. I had to look up that address because I'm terrible with address but know landmarks. I know that shop, use to waste a lot of time in there back in high school, I grew up with the old mans kids. I never heard of All Road Machines though. Did you talk to Otto he and his old man do work out of that shop, they do good work. His old man is basically retired and cruises around to farm shops and home&garden shows these days. Are they selling something you want?

 

[Shimmy1]

I’m looking at a used excavator I’m in Washington state I’m finding prices better out of state found a company in texas called machinery – trade-off in mission TX everything looks legit but still a bit unsure anyone know this company ?

Definitely scam.

Here's a 6N they have listed.

 

[JLRII]

I see your post is from 2010 and was wondering if you ever got any help from the FBI? I think I just joined you in the same boat. My tractor was to be delivered yesterday No Show.

I wish I would have read this sooner. Last week I wired $9800 to Used Equipment Transport LLC Street Address 127 E County Rd 80 City, State, Zip Code Ogallala, NE 69153 Telephone Number +1 (855) 601-3973 now when I call this number No answer I have been blocked and the website is no longer active.

They already have what appears to be the same tractor listed in various locations with a new address on SD-34 Wentworth, and are using the same add Used Equipment Transport LLC the sales man said his name was Jay Carson 855 601 3973 he answered yesterday when I called with a different phone number and said it would be delivered in about 1.5 hours and the drivers name was Jorge Martinez I asked for the drivers number he put me on hold and hung up.
ANYONE THAT HAS TIME GIVE JAY A CALL AND LET HIM KNOW HE IS A DIRT BAG!

When you search either address on google maps there is a legitimate equipment business on the road.

I am near 70 years and this money was for my retirement I was hoping to use the tractor to pick up a few side jobs in retirement. I also have learned a valuable lesson.

Any advice on how and where to report these scammers would be appreciated and I hope this helps at least 1 reader from getting scammed.

PS the CEO for Used Equipment Transport LLC that signed the Purchase Agreement is Robert Butler most likely not a real name.

 

[nicky 68a]

 

[Joe H]

Nobody home at Nicky's

Joe H

 

[nicky 68a]

Nobody home at Nicky's

Joe H

Not sure why pic hasn’t loaded up?
It was a chap that came on here yesterday that was trying to scam a 155 Komatsu.
We played along with him until he withdrew his entire posts

 

[nicky 68a]

another

 

[Nige]

We played along with him until he withdrew his entire posts

I think what happened was that the mods/admin terminated his account with extreme prejudice...........

 

[Joe H]

I missed that one Nicky.

They don't give up, free money is hard to pass up.

Right click & image search usually turns up the original ads.

Joe H

 

[HarleyHappy]

There are always scumbags looking to separate a fool, looking for a great unbelievable deal, from his money.
I myself tried buying a metal 40’x100’ building off of **** for 80 bucks. Lol
Was easy to get my money back but I figured the juice was worth the scratch. lol