Hey All - it happened to me, maybe I can at least help someone else. After posting that I was looking for a Lean 3, I got an email from "Justin Collins" that "Broussard" had a Lean 3 he was looking to part with. I reached out to the address provided, and an email with lots of pictures (stolen from Canoearoo on here, apparently) and a lengthy description of how well it worked, it had only been on three trips and held up in the weather, etc. I went back and forth with them a few times and it seemed legit. Said they were in Minnesota. Turns out a troll is lurking on here really doing their research.
I have bought a number of things on here without any issues - lots of trust - this is such a great group. Obviously there are bad people out there, and someone has found their way onto this site. Unfortunately I was too trusting. A quick google search of the email address found someone else on another site with the same issue. I'm trying to resolve the issue with Venmo, but I think I'm out of luck. While we won't go without eating, that money was a stretch for us on a big piece of gear, I'm really disappointed and we have a lot of ways we could have spent that money that would have benefitted our family.
Sigh. Be careful out there folks.
-Scott

Dang they went to some trouble for that one. Hopefully you can get some or all of it back. Same thing happens to an ag site I'm on frequently. I don't buy anything but I know they've had issues.

I came THIS close to a scam on Facebook marketplace. $800 Humminbird unit so that wouldn't have been fun

Yep. Very convincing. I’m out $350. I hope they read this, and I hope there will be some sort of justice. Super shitty. I’ve filed a report to Venmo and am reaching out to police.

This happened to me too! Luckily though, I didn't go through with the transaction. Same deal though, got an email from "Justin Collins" that "Broussard" had a Granite Gear Solo pack he was looking to part with. From the pics they sent it wasn’t what I was looking for so I didn't buy. That's wild to hear it was a scam. Thanks for flagging so others know. I wouldn't have thought anything of it had I not read your post.

Beware of emails from xxultimatum@aol.com or colliseumj@gmail.com.

I have never used Venmo, but PayPal refunded me within a day when I was scammed. Hoping you get your money back.

Thanks for posting. I am a trusting person. Will try to remember this.

Sorry this happened, but thank you for the warning!!

wow, what a lame way to make your money. find a better livelihood, whoever you are! It is possible to make enough to buy food for your family without stealing.

Sorry to hear that Scott. I'm like you, I trust people on this site as well.

Really sorry to hear this; I always rave to buddies about the integrity of all on this board.

Frenchy19: "Really sorry to hear this; I always rave to buddies about the integrity of all on this board. "

To be clear - this was someone pretending to be someone on this site, preying on that integrity.

Be diligent everyone in your transactions with this recent scam.

I would avoid using payment methods like Zelle and Venmo unless you can verify their identity and are satisfied with who they are. I would use Paypal and make sure you indicate you are paying for goods. If the seller asks you to send payment as a gift to avoid fees, be aware that you will not be protected if it is a scam.

I got scammed for $325 on a similar site devoted to rowing. Stupid, stupid. One wants to trust the community but it's necessary to remain vigilant even here.

Avoid any of the following users:
leftwichxx@gmail. com
FelistaMatheka593@gmail.com

Be wary and don't let a user pass you on to another user unless you can verify some long-term use on this site.

Situation: I had a WTB post for a frybake pan posted this summer. Someone posing as user "timm scott" (who is a real board member and not his fault in any way) sent me this message to my email:
"leftech would be a good option,contact him via leftwichxx@gmail. com .He has a Banks Frybake he wants to part with."


I sent an email to this email address and they sent back a picture of a used/good frybake pan and a spatula and gripper and the following message :
"Hi xxxxx,

What i have is a like new never used Alpine fry-bake pan from Banks 12 oz. Been hanging around a couple of years with no use. Included is a Banks Pot-Grip Pliers (4oz) and a Banks Rada Server Spoon (1 1/2 oz). total new from Fry Bake is $88. Will Sell for $60, shipping in a priority padded flat envelope included. Or if you want a deal $52 for the set and $8 shippingWhere are you located ?

Respectfully,
Leftwich"

They also requested I send money via paypal (Friends and Family) or Google Pay. I thought it was a friend of the BWCA so didn't mind doing the Friends and Family, but now I've found out that you can't get a refund if you use this option.
They requested payment to their son at "felistamatheka593@gmail.com".

I sent the money via PP F&F a couple of weeks back and they never responded to my request for shipping info and ETA. Hindsight is 20/20. My mistake for not doing research on the user account, the email and for allowing them to sucker me into using F&F. Never a good feeling to get taken advantage of so take time and precautions friends.

OgimaaBines: "
Avoid any of the following users:
timm scott
leftwichxx@gmail. com
FelistaMatheka593@gmail.com


Be wary and don't let a user pass you on to another user unless you can verify some long-term use on this site.


Situation: I had a WTB post for a frybake pan posted this summer. Someone posing as user "timm scott " sent me this message to my email:
"leftech would be a good option,contact him via leftwichxx@gmail. com .He has a Banks Frybake he wants to part with."


I sent an email to this email address and they sent back a picture of a used/good frybake pan and a spatula and gripper and the following message :
"Hi xxxxx,


What i have is a like new never used Alpine fry-bake pan from Banks 12 oz. Been hanging around a couple of years with no use. Included is a Banks Pot-Grip Pliers (4oz) and a Banks Rada Server Spoon (1 1/2 oz). total new from Fry Bake is $88. Will Sell for $60, shipping in a priority padded flat envelope included. Or if you want a deal $52 for the set and $8 shippingWhere are you located ?


Respectfully,
Leftwich"


They also requested I send money via paypal (Friends and Family) or Google Pay. I thought it was a friend of the BWCA so didn't mind doing the Friends and Family, but now I've found out that you can't get a refund if you use this option.
They requested payment to their son at "felistamatheka593@gmail.com".


I sent the money via PP F&F a couple of weeks back and they never responded to my request for shipping info and ETA. Hindsight is 20/20. My mistake for not doing research on the user account, the email and for allowing them to sucker me into using F&F. Never a good feeling to get taken advantage of so take time and precautions friends.
"

WHOAH. He used MY name (backwards, as I'm Scott Timm) to scam you?! Then later he scammed ME?! That's bonkers. I'm sorry he got you too. Don't be wary of Scott. That Timm guy is another story ;)

Well, if you're unable to find another.. I would let you borrow my Lean 2 plus. As long as I am not tripping at the same time. If I can offset some of the badguys...

Specifically, use PayPal "Goods and Services". There is a fee. Ask the seller to cover it.

Never use "Friends and Family".

Another way to check to see if the pictures posted are of an item from the seller, ask that they take a picture of what they are selling with a note that includes their name and the current date by the product. That filters out those pictures that someone took off a different website that may look real.

I subscribe to a fishing electronics site with expensive items for sale and this has become what buyers ask for. No personal note posted and the adms usually delete the account.

Hi all, just for the folks that feel like it's their fault for not checking up or seeing a scam for what it is. This is *not* your fault and you did nothing wrong.

Scammers have gotten VERY good at tricking people as examples in this thread describe. Sadly there are scumbags in this world and they are sucky people that deserve some justice, but this is for the people doing the scamming not the people that were successfully lied to by scammers. I'd be angry about losing my money too, but you shouldn't feel like it's your fault or you did something wrong.

Unfortunately, it isn't limited to here or to canoeing in general. I almost got scammed on the Adventure Cycling Association forum by a party or parties using the same scam; candaceridlbauer12 posted, "Hey buddy, I recently got some items from Donald and he is willing to sell some '06-7 Novara Safari. You can email at donaldrudicel775@gmail.com if he still has it." Well, both parties are known scammers. Donald sent me Safari (touring bike) pictures that weren't what I was looking for. When I told him so, he posted photos of the bike I was looking for that were from a site that I had already discovered was a massive scamming site. (Since shut down.) When I ran a Google search on the email, I found that he/they also has posts on table tennis, equestrian, and fishing forums, and he is clever (or underhanded) enough to circumvent PayPal's policy by immediately sending out a fraudulent shipping receipt showing the item was delivered.

So, donaldrudicel775@gmail.com is another email to watch out for.

Stay safe,
Hans (Trailpatrol)

I know this is "late to the party", but important information...

The intended use of Venmo is "people you know", or "person you're looking at right now". All sales are final with Venmo, there are no protections. If you're dealing with someone you don't know, and aren't looking at the goods you're intending to buy right now, use something else, such as PayPal, which does have some sort of buyer protection. Even better if you use a credit card to pay the person through PayPal.

JLockard: "I know this is "late to the party", but important information...


The intended use of Venmo is "people you know", or "person you're looking at right now". All sales are final with Venmo, there are no protections. If you're dealing with someone you don't know, and aren't looking at the goods you're intending to buy right now, use something else, such as PayPal, which does have some sort of buyer protection. Even better if you use a credit card to pay the person through PayPal."

While true - I did in fact use PayPal. I was not able to resolve the issue with PayPal - so buyer always beware.

Once went back and forth with a scammer who was trolling when I was selling a motor. We got fairly far in negotiations when he requested my phone number. At that point I knew something was strange, so I gave him a phone number for an agent at the FBI. End of scam. Now whenever I run into a scammer I give them that phone number. Really cuts down the trolling emails and phone calls. I never buy gear online unless I can actually see it.