Suspect sellers on ebay
If you arrived here because you have bought a flash memory item on ebay (USB flash drive/pen, memory card/stick MP3/4player etc) that you are having problems with then you need the free program h2testw
Report in to SOSFakeFlash if your testing confirms you have a false capacity device.
If you want to see if we already know about your seller try entering the seller’s ID in the search box on the right. If you find nothing about the seller here try the same thing on our other blogs. Feel free to leave a comment if you find your seller on one of our blogs. Buyers reporting in to sosfakeflash with test results is vital to our efforts – please do this even if we already have proof about your seller.
All those selling flash drives or other flash memory items (such as MP3 players, MP4 players and memory cards) on ebay with listing which keep buyer IDs private in auctions or on buy it now are automatically considered to be suspect sellers by the frankeflash project.
Private listings are intended for high cost items like houses and cars or things the buyer might want kept private – such as gimp masks, whips and rubber trousers. They are not intended for items like USB flash drives which everyone who uses a computer would find useful.
You are strongly advised by fightflashfraud NEVER to bid on or buy when a listing states that buyer IDs are kept private. Your ID being hidden simply means that nobody can warn you if it is a fake capacity or counterfeit item. The seller is not protecting you – they are protecting themselves from you finding out you have been defrauded and will lose files until it is too late for you to do anything about it.
Sellers who appear to be known fraudsters returning under a new ebay ID will also be listed here, as will new sellers who list counterfeits. Please remember that people reported as suspect on fightflashfraud may be innocent of deliberate fraud. They may have listed counterfeit or fake capacity drives without knowing that they were fakes.
If you notice a suspect listing from a seller that is not mentioned on our blogs please send a question to the seller and leave a comment on the report suspect sellers page so that we can investigate.
User: celikengin ( 31 )
Item: http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250408510466
Rik
May 4, 2009 at 11:58 am
All these sellers in China have been seen to be involved in “feedback grooming” exercises, selling items of 1p (10c) etc, to buyers, some in the UK.
The usual items, like stylus, earbuds, sync cables for ipod, covers for phones etc. The chain continues to other sellers with private listings, and some with considerable negative feedbacks like
yadodoo2008 and dietervb1234
————————————-
larastop1982
purchasemp3
garance158
toomanyles572
toomanyles572
gardengifts329
kensington153
crispspring149
alice_daphne_a
————————————-
All these sellers feature in the feedback of a UK member slipkorn1986 that has for other reasons been suspected of bidding for feedback grooming purposes only.
Micro
August 14, 2009 at 2:54 pm
The 2nd entry for toomanyles572 is incorrect, it should be toomanyles_1985 Please read this as a correction.
Micro
August 14, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Another suspect seller, private listings, prices in US$
“hjstore” selling the classic fake capacity black leather stick..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16GB-USB-2-0-Flash-Memory-16G-Pen-Stick-Thumb-Drive-K_W0QQitemZ180400207785QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item2a00b0b7a9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Micro
August 25, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Yet another but NOT private .. “candy_sujuan”
Same old black leather sticks..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16GB-USB-2-0-Flash-Memory-16G-Thumb-Drive-Pen-Stick-K_W0QQitemZ260467251113QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item3ca50ed7a9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Micro
August 25, 2009 at 9:19 pm
“newarcade” is selling the same line as silviajune was, some pretty bad feedback too.
And the same 4 minute posting regime as silviajune
Micro
August 30, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I forgot to mention newarcade is using PRIVATE listings
and 1 day postings, V E R Y S U S P I C I O U S
Micro
August 30, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Another suspect seller of Kingston 32GB memory sticks
liam_ashey2009
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/kingston-32GB-memory-stick_W0QQitemZ270451871095QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_FlashDrives_SM?hash=item3ef8300d77&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
Just started to sell today 4th September 2009 10 items sold so far.
Micro
September 4, 2009 at 8:30 pm
This one really wants watching: Sellers first feedback at 21:31 when item only sold 21:15 and seller specifically says NO collection Buyer joolsj123
Item No 270451463866
Micro
September 4, 2009 at 8:56 pm
More News about suspected counterfeit seller liam_ashey2009: After contacting this seller, all the current items gathered another picture, a more distant shot of what looks like the old favourite 32GB retail package. liam_ashey2009’s first feedback as reported about was from joolsj123 who lives in the same area is that a surprise or not ? Inspecting this buyers feedback reveals that this person has been involved with selling many other known fakes, though has few NEGATIVES, most were countered by refunds or replacements. When are people going to realise that changing feedback is a foolish thing to do? Replace or refund is a time wasting exercise for buyers, there is only one course of action after receiving a false capacity drive, that is NEGATIVE FEEDBACK, no excuses, the seller sells a false product, they MUST be taken to task. Honest sellers that unknowingly sell fakes can always explain their actions in follow-up feedback, but the NEGATIVE MUST be there to be seen, to warn others.
Micro
September 5, 2009 at 8:06 am
Tobyjug2009 is an eBay user from Leicestershire UK
Recently posted items with the Buy It Now option.
There items are pictured as the well known fakes
there is evidence of trading with these traders.
intertrade-connection & upcomingtrend
See Item: 220477411508
Copy of advisory message sent by a concerned eBay user
passed on to me…
Dear tobyjug2009,
Hi,
Maybe you are not aware of the large amount of false capacity flash memory that is being sold on eBay. It could be that the ones you are auctioning are also false capacity, they do bear a striking likeness to the false capacity drives from two well known scam merchants from which you seem to have purchased. recently.
Might I suggest you test your items with h2testw
program, you can get this FREE just google for the source, or visit sosfakeflash (google again)
Micro
September 10, 2009 at 6:55 am
I have just received two SDHC cards from separate sellers in HonKong. Both cards appear to be fake. I purchased a non-branded 32GB from “mustgone”. I became suspicious when it began to show corrupted files. I’ve run h2testw and this shows only 3.5GB of useful memory. The second card is an un-branded 16GB SDHC from “cypress_network”. This has a similar label and returns a useful capacity of 3.4GB.
I contacted both sellers via Ebay the same day the items arrived. “Mustgone” has replied to every email and is very sorry! He/she blaims the supplier. He has asked me to return the card, but with postage costs to HK probably being more than the item’s worth and the legal issue of posting counterfiet items I have refused.
The second seller, “cypress_network” has ignored my emails to date. I have not yet left either of them negative feedback as the have not left it for me.
I’ve reported both sellers to Ebay & Paypal requesting a partial refund as it is unecconomical to post the cards back to HK.
Both sellers are high volume power sellers with reasonable feedback scores in the high 90’s, but both appear to have several unsatisfied buyers linked to low quality or fake memory items.
Terry Oborne
September 10, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Hi Terry,
We always recommend claiming a full refund – after all why should the fraudsters, ebay and paypal walk away with any of your cash when these fakes could have caused you to lose irreplacable photos? Please report in with details of each purchase to this email address: sosfakeflashdrive@gmail.com if you have not done so already so that the items can be recorded in the fraud database. The details you should email for each fake are:
Item number
Item description
Seller’s ebay ID
Your ebay ID
h2tesw results
Also, if there is a seller address shown on the envelope (or one given as an address to return items to) this helps us tie particular fraudsters to others in the same gang – be sure to say whether it is an address that was on the envelope or one you were asked to return the item to.
You are welcome to include any other information or comments about the transaction in your email.
Do not post this information in a comment – always send it by email – we do not want victims to compromise their privacy by publishing their ebay ID on a public site! Your details will not be shared with anyone but without them we cannot investigate, enter information in the database and issue Internet alerts.
fightflashfraud
September 10, 2009 at 2:54 pm
More on Tobyjug2009: My correspondent informs me that he had a reply to his message, the seller says he tests all his “dongles” and they are all OK.
He was advised to reply emphasising the use of h2testw as being the best way to test them, as using the operating system would only show what the fake capacity drives was set up to show, not the real capacity.
Micro
September 10, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Some more sellers with suspect counterfeit Kingston 64GB flash drives..
make_paper
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260475305424&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Micro
September 11, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Some more sellers with suspect counterfeit Kingston 64GB flash drives..
shoppingvic
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300346304229&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Micro
September 11, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Some more sellers with suspect counterfeit Kingston 64GB flash drives..
goldengoose0798
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120467912533&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Micro
September 11, 2009 at 12:38 pm
goldengoose0798 has already laid TWO, far from pure golden eggs. The unsuspecting buyers have been advised to test with h2testw before saving any vital files in their new flash drives.
Micro
September 11, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Sadly it seems that one of the recipients of the “Not so Gold” eggs has had dealings with “fastflashstore” so should have known better, unless of course he is one of the “flash angels” and is on a mission, in that case I will say no more
)
Micro
September 11, 2009 at 3:56 pm
gdlowe1 is selling Sony 64GB flash drives shown as micro-vault, I was under the impression that Sony did not make this model in that size, but I am not familiar with them, anyone know different?
Reference item numbers 120467572840 & 120467573176
Both these items will be SOLD before anyone reads this I only just discovered the entries.
Micro
September 11, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Two more sellers of DT150 lookalikes: (Kingston)
chensiping112 item 260471166788
kikilibi* item(s) 320421729480 (listed as 10 units)
Micro
September 11, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Re goldengoose0798 : I have had information about one buyer, that reports he loaded 63GB of files and they seemed OK, however when trying to test with h2testw it reported the drive was not formatted, after formatting h2testw ran very slow at 2megs / minute, I have not had a final report yet. The buyer suggested contacting Kingston about this, I think I know what they will say!!
This buyer has been advised to contact eBay CS as soon as possible and raise a claim.
Micro
September 12, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Hi Micro,
Funnily enough I was just invesigating this very seller a bit earlier this evening – seems that sold DT150’s have been removed by ebay – probably at Kingston’s request (well done to our Kingston specialist!) – so ebay will be aware it is counterfeit.
The buyer you are in touch with will probably find it has vanished from the won list. However, details of the transaction can be found in the buyer’s paypal account if this is the case.
This seller does not seem to have taken the hint about the drives being fake as (when I looked earlier) there was still a listing for a 64GB DT 150 from goldengoose0798.
There will be a post about this seller later tonight – so perhaps you could report there on what develops.
fightflashfraud
September 12, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Seller “make_paper” has had the first positive feedback the buyer has been sent a message advising to contact Kingston UK to check serial number, also suggested testing with h2testw.
Micro
September 13, 2009 at 9:22 am
“Thank you for letting me know.” This was the reply to a message from another eBay member that advised “shoppingvic” they MAY be selling counterfeits, so far this sellers feedback count has not increased from the 308 that it was when I last checked.
Micro
September 13, 2009 at 9:30 am
An interesting one here, could this be genuine? the price is close (or maybe just greedy)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/32GB-KINGSTON-G2-USB-FLASH-MEMORY-PEN-DRIVE-UK-BNIP_W0QQitemZ320420433840QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_FlashDrives_SM?hash=item4a9a8bcfb0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
Micro
September 13, 2009 at 10:05 am
Despite being *WARNED* about possible fake capacity drives “Tobyjug2009″ still went ahead and sold them, the first positive feedback arrived today, the buyer has been advised to test with h2testw before using this flash drive for any files. Drive was one of the old classic black silver ones with the black leather cap.
Item 220476518786.
Micro
September 13, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Another Kingston DT150 seller with rather low starting prices.. and PRIVATE LISTINGS
bilalalimohamed
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/64GB-Kingston-Data-Traveler-150-USB-2-0-Flash-Drive_W0QQitemZ330359855780QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_FlashDrives_SM?hash=item4ceafb5aa4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
This seller has the usual format, seen before, of a few low priced, and one with a reasonable BIN price
Again Leicestershire, which seems to be coming quite a hot spot for counterfeit sellers, though not yet rivalling “West Yorks” for quantity and sheer cheek.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 7:16 am
“Tobyjug2009″ last 4 items failed to realise their starting price, so no sale, we can reckon they will be re-listed at some time, so keep your ITEM WATCH active
for eBay re-list advice.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 8:20 am
Re goldengoose0798 again: The first buyer has reported back to the member that advised him:
Gist of the message is:- Kingston Technology advised my drive is a fake,I am requesting a FULL refund from paypal.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 10:58 am
RE: seller “make_paper” the first buyer to give feedback was informed by the member that advised him he might have brought a fake, his response indicated that he was surprised and will investigate and report back either here, or to the advising member.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 11:00 am
” No justice for honest innocent seller ”
shoppingvic seller of counterfeit Kingston DT150
This seller was advised his items might be false capacity counterfeit, as previously reported, he took action, refunded and refused to send the won item
which is the action of a concerned, honest seller that has possibly been duped by his supplier.
What happens NEXT ? He gets an undeserved NEGATIVE
from a buyer, that was obviously uninformed about the potential risks of trusting these fakes.
Not the best outcome, but a record to act as a good reminder to all sellers BE SURE WHAT YOU ARE SELLING is GENUINE, and that YOU HAVEN’T BEEN FOOLED by YOUR SUPPLIER
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 3:46 pm
“Tobyjug2009″ has re-listed the non-selling items
Reference item number:- 220480754439 this time on 5 day listings.
The original sold item has received feedback and the buyer was informed, the informant still awaits info from the buyer.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 4:04 pm
The member that contacted one of the buyers of goldengoose0798’s counterfeit items has informed me that goldengoose0798 has asked for the item to be returned as part of the refund deal, he advises that the buyer is not happy to do this as he is aware of the legal issues with sending known counterfeit items through the public postal services, he suggested that the only way he would do this would be to clearly mark the package as “COUNTERFEIT ITEMS BEING RETURNED TO THE SELLER” I await further information from the member.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 5:49 pm
************* GOOD NEWS **************
The above case goldengoose0798 Vs buyer_No1 has been resolved with a FULL refund being give the the buyer.
The item concerned has been removed from eBay listings.
(120467349716)
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Interesting connections:-
Seller “make_paper” involved with the reported counterfeit Kingston flash drive sale already mentioned above, seems to have been buying his stock from:–
bilalalimohamed also already mentioned above.
A connection to watch I feel.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I am currently restricted from contacting other members with which I have had no transactions, so could someone please send a message to deanatengserv advising this buyer about his recent purchase from goldengoose0798
possibly being a counterfeit, the listing 120467349716
has been removed from eBay, hence this buyer will need
to get the sale information from Paypal. I’d guess a refund would be quite quick if the other example is anything to be judged by.
Micro
September 14, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Seller make_paper has sold what appears to be counterfeit Kingston DT150 32GB drives, an ebay member reports the buyer of one confirmed it was not correct.
He was advised to firstly contact the seller by asking a question, then to check with Kingston, before starting a claim with eBay. He was also asked to report the results to sosfakeflash report a fake.
Item number while it is still on eBay is 260475305424
Micro
September 15, 2009 at 10:14 am
One to Watch, possibly a new “Gremlin” with the usual array of feedback building 1p items, Location says UK but items are very familiar to a lot of HK sellers.
“gigiandi” selling flash cards & Cruzers (Sandisk)
Reference item 260477718840
Micro
September 16, 2009 at 8:26 am
Hi Micro,
Although the seller may have built some feedback with loss-making items the only other thing that seems suspect at the moment is that listing says items are in the UK while the seller seems to be in the USA. This could just mean this is another seller using a Channel-Islands supplier. This seller does not meet the criteria for “gremlin” status.
fightflashfraud
September 16, 2009 at 11:00 am
Remember herbyher, items came from the CI, addresses in Lancashire, some items listed as from the USA, this seemed to result in that person being suspended for 30 days, or that is what eBay CS intimated, he certainly was de-registered for a period as I was unable to leave feedback for my transaction.
This seller items and auctions bear a striking resemblance to herbyher, and the USA part in particular is indeed suspect.
Micro
September 16, 2009 at 6:13 pm
However, whatever else is going on the item you tested seemed to be genuine, and that may prove to be the case with this seller as well.
fightflashfraud
September 16, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Another possible UK fraudster with DT150’s
“Midland_giftware” 4 Open listings and 0.99p start.
Reference item num: 270456089303
Micro
September 16, 2009 at 9:07 pm
That was quick … other Listings removed..
Micro
September 16, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Further information for “midland_sales” Seller cancelled all bids and ended listings ” 22:02 16 Sept
I captured the data for a spreadsheet at 22:00
Micro
September 16, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Hi Micro,
A post on midland_giftware was already scheduled for tomorrow. Please use the report suspect sellers page (see link at bottom of page) rather than this one when reporting suspects – makes life easier!
fightflashfraud
September 16, 2009 at 9:30 pm
An old “Friend” of mine herbyher that we suspected at first of dealing in fake Sandisk cruzer drives when they were de-registered. Re-appeared again allowing me to leave positive feedback for the sample I purchased as it performed just as it should. However, now I see he is de-registered again, I am thinking about the old adage that goes “No smoke without fire”. “eBay knows best”
)
Micro
September 18, 2009 at 5:56 pm
ebad knows best??? enough to make a horse laugh!!!
fightflashfraud
September 18, 2009 at 6:07 pm
220507399972
260502390342
220508143457
260500887638
270472093775
260510268693
320453367886
170411280969
Complaint to ebay: fake 32gb sdhc
DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE FAKES. I’M CURRENT WATCHING AT LEAST 100 HONG KONG SELLERS SELLING THESE FAKE CARDS AND YOU AID AND ABET THESE CRIMINALS. WILL REPORT TO YOUR ATTONEY GENERAL IF YOU DON’T STOP THE PEOPLE SELLING THESE CARDS WITH BAD REVIEWS. ITS VERY OBVIOUS WHEN SOME ARE SELLING DOZENS AT AT TIME TO BUY TIME AND RAKE IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DURING THE SHIPPING TIME. I’M KEEPING SCREEN-PRINTS OF ALL RECORDS OF ACCOUNTS YOU HELP AID IN FRAUD.
scwam
November 26, 2009 at 9:29 am