Not sure what is going on, but over the last few weeks there has been an absolute explosion of Classified postings for Mavic 3 Pro's at prices that range from attractive to insanely low. Almost all of them appear to be scams from hijacked accounts. I myself got taken for a ride, fortunately paid with PP G&S and funded with a credit card and will get my money back.
Out of morbid curiosity I have engaged with most of these sellers, doing what I should have done with the thief that I sent money to - ask for real name and town of residence, then go to 411.com and verify that such a person exists. Then ask for a cell phone and means to contact at other sites - eBay, LinkedIn, Facebook, you name it. Call the person on the phone and see how they respond to reasonable requests for specific information - very specific pictures of the kit that would be difficult to lift off the Internet if the seller did not have the kit in hand, etc.
Look carefully at the posting history. If the account went dormant for a few years and is now posting again be very afraid (this is how I got taken, by an account that was set up in 2016, with hundreds of postings and feedback but then dormant for a few years - that is on me). If the seller changes their handle and picture at any point run the other way. If the location of the seller is not listed on their account be extra cautious. Pay attention to mannerisms in the language. During discussions with my "seller" they stated that they will "post" the drone as soon as they receive payment. Yet another sign that should have tingled my antennae...
If things check out do NOT allow the seller to send you an invoice. Insisit to send money to the cell phone that you contacted them at, and first send just a few dollars to ensure that it goes to an account that matches the information that the seller provided. And, under no circumstance, send money F&F, and fund G&S with a credit card, not your bank account.
Be safe, don't be a dufas like me. There really should be a rule that all postings in Classifieds have a picture of the item for sale with a hand written note with the date and username. That will not deter prepared thieves but will remove some of the low hanging fruit.
Out of morbid curiosity I have engaged with most of these sellers, doing what I should have done with the thief that I sent money to - ask for real name and town of residence, then go to 411.com and verify that such a person exists. Then ask for a cell phone and means to contact at other sites - eBay, LinkedIn, Facebook, you name it. Call the person on the phone and see how they respond to reasonable requests for specific information - very specific pictures of the kit that would be difficult to lift off the Internet if the seller did not have the kit in hand, etc.
Look carefully at the posting history. If the account went dormant for a few years and is now posting again be very afraid (this is how I got taken, by an account that was set up in 2016, with hundreds of postings and feedback but then dormant for a few years - that is on me). If the seller changes their handle and picture at any point run the other way. If the location of the seller is not listed on their account be extra cautious. Pay attention to mannerisms in the language. During discussions with my "seller" they stated that they will "post" the drone as soon as they receive payment. Yet another sign that should have tingled my antennae...
If things check out do NOT allow the seller to send you an invoice. Insisit to send money to the cell phone that you contacted them at, and first send just a few dollars to ensure that it goes to an account that matches the information that the seller provided. And, under no circumstance, send money F&F, and fund G&S with a credit card, not your bank account.
Be safe, don't be a dufas like me. There really should be a rule that all postings in Classifieds have a picture of the item for sale with a hand written note with the date and username. That will not deter prepared thieves but will remove some of the low hanging fruit.
Last edited:
