HELP! Lost $800 from Seller Prestige45 SCAM HD Gift Cards -- Calling for HELP!!

[MADster123]

HELP!!! RFDers... HELP!!!

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745754

Gave this guy $800 cash today to buy $1000 HD gift cards. The gift cards obviously had $1000 when we first checked at customer service desk, but had no value when I went back to the store to make a purchase in 2 hours. Can I somehow get my money back?? I need the money... *sob* *sob*...

Tried calling him, but he's not picking up.

The following are images of our PMs:
http://img40.yfrog.com/img40/2356/pm1c.jpg
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/6477/pm2h.jpg
Original Thread:
http://img195.yfrog.com/i/originalthread.jpg/
Mistrust and thought this guy had good feedback before:
http://yfrog.com/5gbsthdfeedbackj

All words of comfort or plots to get my money back appreciated.

[b0xy]

Your post is in the wrong section, look at the BST subcategories again. There's not much we can do other than find out his contact information via JAC. It's up to you to look at legal or personal means to get a refund.

Edit: Also, I'm surprised you considered one positive feedback from another single feedbacked random to be trustworthy enough for your $800 purchase. Gift cards can be very sketchy around here.

Did you not even ask for any other personal contact information before meeting up? Did he drive a car? license plate number? Anything? If not, it's unlikely you'll find him very easily. Learn to be more thorough about trading contact information, especially with large purchases like this. Admins can't do much in the ways of getting your money back, as they only have the power to ban them from this particular forum.

[MADster123]

Your post is in the wrong section, look at the BST subcategories again. There's not much we can do other than find out his contact information via JAC. It's up to you to look at legal or personal means to get a refund.

What is JAC?
What are the possible personal means?
I want my $800 back.

[JuNGleR72]

Did a google on his Cell# and it came up with a fraud result on Kijji, but the thread is closed so I could'nt read it.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=NZl&q=4165878150+jason&btnG=Search&meta=

Apparently his name is Jason Dee.. maybe...
so I searched on FB and came up with this:

http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=jason+dee&init=q&sid=163905c9c3fb4f2f3951ba30220578b0#/profile.php?id=500460108&hiq=jason%2Cdee

not sure if it is that person or not.

[MADster123]

Did a google on his Cell# and it came up with a fraud result on Kijji, but the thread is closed so I could'nt read it.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=NZl&q=4165878150+jason&btnG=Search&meta=

Apparently his name is Jason Dee.. maybe...
so I searched on FB and came up with this:

http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=jason+dee&init=q&sid=163905c9c3fb4f2f3951ba30220578b0#/profile.php?id=500460108&hiq=jason%2Cdee

not sure if it is that person or not.

Argh, looks like it's not the first time he's scamming people then from the number he gave me with... There are a few Jason Dees online though... how can I get in touch with him again?

[Jon Lai]

All I see is a picture of the Anti-sec movement (WTF?)

[JuNGleR72]

There is a user on RFD by the name of JAC.
Apparently he can find out ppl. full personal info.

Give him a PM.

[MADster123]

There is a user on RFD by the name of JAC.
Apparently he can find out ppl. full personal info.

Give him a PM.

Really?? Thanks! Let me find him and see if he can help...

[JAC]

The Kijiji thread describes him as brown, driving a silver BMW.

(416) 587-8150 is a cell phone based in Toronto, On, ON
The registered service provider is Rogers Wireless**.
Detailed listing information is not available.

(416) 564-9597 is a cell phone based in Toronto, On, ON
The registered service provider is Rogers Wireless**.
Detailed listing information is not available.

If you feel like registering at these forums, you might be able to search for clues.

http://www.torontocivics.com/tccv5forums/members/7927-prestige45/
http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/online/12321-prestige45.html

You can also try here:
http://www.reversephonedetective.com/searchresults.php?p=416-564-9597

[T C P]

OMG!!!


I contacted him regarding the same giftcard last week.

I ended up didn't buy it off him because I later realized I couldn't use the gift card to pay off my Home Depot credit card.



Sorry about your lost. Hope you can find this guy.

[MADster123]

The Kijiji thread describes him as brown, driving a silver BMW.

This is the guy from the Facebook page. Is it him?

If it is, go to his work.

You can also try here:
http://www.reversephonedetective.com/searchresults.php?p=416-564-9597

Thanks for replying prompty!... I remember his skin-cut, brown-coloured skin tone, but he didn't wear glasses yesterday and appeared much skinnier. I wonder if it's because that was an old pic of him?

Now I have his work's address and number, should I just show up at his work and find him there? Would you think I should go now?

http://www.reversephonedetective.com/searchresults.php?p=416-564-9597# Would this provide me with information useful to me? It's $14.95... Would he just be using a pay-as-you-go with no real name registered?

More advice please!! Advice! Advice!!

[JAC]

Thanks for replying prompty!... I remember his skin-cut, brown-coloured skin tone, but he didn't wear glasses yesterday and appeared much skinnier. I wonder if it's because that was an old pic of him?


But are you positive it's the same guy? You can stop by his work during business hours and make sure.

[ajanthan2009]

Here's an advice the next time you buy gift cards from someone: Ask for Picture ID and note down the full name and the address of the person. Now that's 100% scam-proof method.

[grape]

Here's an advice the next time you buy gift cards from someone: Ask for Picture ID and note down the full name and the address of the person. Now that's 100% scam-proof method.

smart man. im gonna do that next time. just in case stuff goes down south

[effie]

Man, that's awful!! That's a lot of money to lose to a scammer - I wish the law would protect us against these "bad guys" rather than spending so much time giving out tickets for victimless transgressions like, for example, having a leash that's too long for your dog...or having grass that's too long on your property.

Good luck. I hope you manage to get your money back. What a terrible thing to have happen to you. >:(

[guessguy]

sorry to hear about this, it could have been me but he never replied back. But what happened to the funds after you checked? Did he use them online? If so can't Home depot help you out if you already have the gift card numbers? They could trace who used it.

[MADster123]

sorry to hear about this, it could have been me but he never replied back. But what happened to the funds after you checked? Did he use them online? If so can't Home depot help you out if you already have the gift card numbers? They could trace who used it.

The cashier told me there's $0 balance, and it's $0. Who can I get information from... is there a call centre like the Bay and Sears gift card call centre?
The version of the card I have has no customer help number etc. to call.

[3niDaPooh]

BTW i had to learn what your going through the hard way as well. I suggest you go to HD with the card and ask them to scan it and print out a history of the card use. Then you will be able to take things to another level as stated by others. I had to go through this after buying a best buy card a while back from a member that shall not be named who is still on this site, where he sold me the card and later on the same day he called and reported it stolen and the balance was $0 when I went to use it. I did however get in contact with the seller and got my money back after providing the police with the necessary info about the person and where the transaction took place before the card was reported stolen. Good luck with getting your cash back, I actually got back the value of the card and not what I paid for it.

[MADster123]

BTW i had to learn what your going through the hard way as well. I suggest you go to HD with the card and ask them to scan it and print out a history of the card use. Then you will be able to take things to another level as stated by others. I had to go through this after buying a best buy card a while back from a member that shall not be named who is still on this site, where he sold me the card and later on the same day he called and reported it stolen and the balance was $0 when I went to use it. I did however get in contact with the seller and got my money back after providing the police with the necessary info about the person and where the transaction took place before the card was reported stolen. Good luck with getting your cash back, I actually got back the value of the card and not what I paid for it.

Hey!
After you've got the history printed... how did you get the police involved?
Thanks for your advice!

[3niDaPooh]

pm'd you

[JuNGleR72]

BTW i had to learn what your going through the hard way as well. I suggest you go to HD with the card and ask them to scan it and print out a history of the card use. Then you will be able to take things to another level as stated by others. I had to go through this after buying a best buy card a while back from a member that shall not be named who is still on this site, where he sold me the card and later on the same day he called and reported it stolen and the balance was $0 when I went to use it. I did however get in contact with the seller and got my money back after providing the police with the necessary info about the person and where the transaction took place before the card was reported stolen. Good luck with getting your cash back, I actually got back the value of the card and not what I paid for it.

Why is that seller allowed on the site still if he is a known for scamming and frauding ppl.
He should be banned and his name should be revealed.

[mickola]

HD GC has scam written all over it. In fact I almost purchased the GC from that guy (Prestige45), PMed, called & spoke to him twice and he kept delaying the meeting. So, I thought maybe he's not interested in selling the GC.

I was lucky, eh?

No, not at all.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but to the OP, we have a similar case.

See this thread: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=760970

And now the seller accused me as a LIAR?

[MADster123]

HD GC has scam written all over it. In fact I almost purchased the GC from that guy (Prestige45), PMed, called & spoke to him twice and he kept delaying the meeting. So, I thought maybe he's not interested in selling the GC.

I was lucky, eh?

No, not at all.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but to the OP, we have a similar case.

See this thread: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=760970

And now the seller accused me as a LIAR?

Hi Mickola! I just finished reading up the thread that you two posted. I wonder what was the kind manager who looked at the issue and wanted to speak with you two?
I wonder what's the number of the HD customer service line that you called to get those card history and info?
I have been trying all over but I am having no luck with it!
The cashiers didn't seem to care they said they don't have rights.
I searched online for a number but couldn't find it.
There's no number printed on the gift card that I have...
Much appreciated if you don't mind posting them.

[MADster123]

The Kijiji thread describes him as brown, driving a silver BMW.

This is the guy from the Facebook page. Is it him?
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6204/n506107304463766656649.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/i/n5061073044637666649.jpg/)
If it is, go to his work.

Employer:Yorkwest Plumbing Supply
Position:Order Desk

571 CHRISLEA ROAD UNIT #3
WOODBRIDGE, ONTARIO L4L 8A2
TORONTO LINE : (416) 743 - 0722
WOODBRIDGE LINE : (905) 856 - 9466
TOLL FREE : 1 800 - 274 - 1194



(416) 587-8150 is a cell phone based in Toronto, On, ON
The registered service provider is Rogers Wireless**.
Detailed listing information is not available.

(416) 564-9597 is a cell phone based in Toronto, On, ON
The registered service provider is Rogers Wireless**.
Detailed listing information is not available.

If you feel like registering at these forums, you might be able to search for clues.

http://www.torontocivics.com/tccv5forums/members/7927-prestige45/
http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/online/12321-prestige45.html

You can also try here:
http://www.reversephonedetective.com/searchresults.php?p=416-564-9597

Oh no, checked from afar and I'm positive it's NOT him.

Any other possible suspects info?

Please please please... and thanks!!
SIGH!

[mickola]

check out your PM!

[MADster123]

check out your PM!

Got your PM, but you didn't reply with the actual numbers that I would be interested in. Will wait for it... thanks!

[malacus]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I recommend always transfering money from one giftcard (the one that is handed to you) to another giftcard via customer services. They can validate the amount, and you can 'buy' a new card for that exact amount THEN exchange money for the new gift card.

This will have a different # written on the back (online purchasing) that will prevent any online purchases using the old code. This isn't fool proof either. If someone stole a credit card, purchased a bunch of GCs, sold the GCs for cash, the GCs will be reset back to 0$ once the police / credit card company gets involved as far as I know.

Good luck on your hunting, it is refreshing to see a community of people working together!

[blainehamilton]

Never buy gift cards with the intention of using them later.

Always use them right at the point of purchase. That's the only way to prevent being scammed.


The cards were likely reported stolen, or more likely purchased with a stolen credit card.

I'd say you can kiss your money good bye. The scammer likely uses a pay as you go rogers account paid with stolen credit cards. Tracking them down will probably be next to impossible.

He likely uses names of innocent victims, to throw you off his trail.

In any case, good luck. This will be a hard lesson learned.

At least it wasn't $8000...

[MADster123]

*sigh!*

Guys, I have PMed a lot of you to explain already, anyway, this was the result of a combo of the strategy that Prestige45 used with fate so I couldn't do all the protections that I have always been using when I buy from online sellers who sell big ticket items.

I am not a newbie buyer, and it's not the first time I buy from RFDer. In fact, I've always thought RFD sellers are easier to deal with.

So, when I was going to meet with Prestige45 on that day, I had all the plans to check his photo ID, driver's license, make a purchase right away, etc.

However, here is the point/strategy I forgot to share with you guys and I think perhaps all of you should watch out for --
We have agreed to meet at a certain time and place, and I have stated that meeting after a certain time is not possible in our conversations because I have things to do. However, he kept delaying the meeting until it became really late for me! So, by the time he showed up, I almost had to run and needed to rush the transaction. Honestly, I wouldn't have left if he were going to show up one minute later, but TOO BAD he did show up though.

What happened was, I got an urgent call after the transaction and had to run... 2 hours later when I went back to the store with faith in this RFD fella, hoping to quickly make that purchase I needed to make anyway but sadly to find out it was already too late... *sob sob*

[rdtx2002]

OMG!!!


I contacted him regarding the same giftcard last week.

I ended up didn't buy it off him because I later realized I couldn't use the gift card to pay off my Home Depot credit card.



Sorry about your lost. Hope you can find this guy.

Same here.. i just had a bad feeling and never went thru with it

[ThinkFast23]

Im really sorry to hear about your loss. But congratulations on getting married!

[MADster123]

Im really sorry to hear about your loss. But congratulations on getting married!

Thanks! =)

[Frankie3s]

I wonder how did the buyer of his other HD gift cards that left him positive feedback made out? Might be worth sending him a PM to see if he can give you anymore details. Maybe he has better contact info?

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/itrader.php?u=232956

[t3359]

I wonder how did the buyer of his other HD gift cards that left him positive feedback made out? Might be worth sending him a PM to see if he can give you anymore details. Maybe he has better contact info?

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/itrader.php?u=232956

She did actually. I was following this thread but didn't want to get publicly involved to avoid affecting the case.

bjl

[Keigotw]

never buy gift cards with the intention of using them later.

Always use them right at the point of purchase. That's the only way to prevent being scammed.


The cards were likely reported stolen, or more likely purchased with a stolen credit card.

I'd say you can kiss your money good bye. The scammer likely uses a pay as you go rogers account paid with stolen credit cards. Tracking them down will probably be next to impossible.

He likely uses names of innocent victims, to throw you off his trail.

In any case, good luck. This will be a hard lesson learned.

At least it wasn't $8000...

+1

[djoutcry]

Did a google on his Cell# and it came up with a fraud result on Kijji, but the thread is closed so I could'nt read it.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=NZl&q=4165878150+jason&btnG=Search&meta=

Apparently his name is Jason Dee.. maybe...
so I searched on FB and came up with this:

http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=jason+dee&init=q&sid=163905c9c3fb4f2f3951ba30220578b0#/profile.php?id=500460108&hiq=jason%2Cdee

not sure if it is that person or not.

Cached:

-START QUOTE-

16GB memory stick for PSP (MUST SEE)
Price: Free

Ad ID: 117389958
Visits: 185
Address: Toronto, ON View map
Location: Toronto
Date Listed: 30-Mar-09

Hi kijiji
I am not sure if you know this guy whose name is Jason Dee or J showing in his email. He sells fake Sony Memory stick. He sold me a fake16GB Sony memory stick. Now he is acting like a coward and fear to pick up my phone. BTW this guy is brown, driving a silver BMW. His phone number is 4165878150. If you see this guy or got cheated by this person, please call the police that what I did.

-END QUOTE-

[MADster123]

Cached:

-START QUOTE-

16GB memory stick for PSP (MUST SEE)
Price: Free

Ad ID: 117389958
Visits: 185
Address: Toronto, ON View map
Location: Toronto
Date Listed: 30-Mar-09

Hi kijiji
I am not sure if you know this guy whose name is Jason Dee or J showing in his email. He sells fake Sony Memory stick. He sold me a fake16GB Sony memory stick. Now he is acting like a coward and fear to pick up my phone. BTW this guy is brown, driving a silver BMW. His phone number is 4165878150. If you see this guy or got cheated by this person, please call the police that what I did.

-END QUOTE-

I already have contacted the poster of this ad too, but no info, other than what's been posted already, from his end either.

[aricebox]

been two weeks since the last post. wondering how things are going?

hope this gets resolved and also congratulations on getting married! =)

[Letsgetit]

I'd like some update as well. There is a member called, "mickola" who may have dealt with Prestige45 also and is using me to try and score a refund because I was selling a gift card for the same store. A source at another website has confirmed with me that the same gentleman has attempted to purchase and return to score a profit. MADster123 is a victim here, whereas, mickola may indeed be a culprit. And if I need to I will disclose further information regarding this as well as the contact for the officer who put me on alert (and advised me not to offer a refund).

[turtlenuts]

MADster123, I really hope you get your situation resolved..


I'd like some update as well. There is a member called, "mickola" who may have dealt with Prestige45 also and is using me to try and score a refund because I was selling a gift card for the same store. A source at another website has confirmed with me that the same gentleman has attempted to purchase and return to score a profit. MADster123 is a victim here, whereas, mickola may indeed be a culprit. And if I need to I will disclose further information regarding this as well as the contact for the officer who put me on alert (and advised me not to offer a refund).

:arrowu: Laugh out loud. (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=760970)

[sprung]

I think the OP's greed got the better of her. I mean $800 for $1000 in gift cards just seems way too good to be true and should've raised some concerns. I always thought gift cards would sell for maybe 5-10% discount of their face value, at least that's what I've sold mine for.

[auto-m8]

Some safe measures:

Ask for a photocopy of the D/L from the seller:this discourages fraudulent CC
purchases and sales

Always check the card value instore with the seller present .Most stores will have Closed circuit monitoring which may come in handy for a deal gone bad.

Always transfer the balance of the purchased card onto one of your own or a new one to prevent the unauthorized use of the gc numbers on a online purchase.

Whenever possible, check the BST feedback and use discretion for sellers with o feedback and almost few posts

[cgtlky]

:arrowu: Laugh out loud. (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=760970)

+1, I do not know what Letsgetit is trying to prove in this thread. He is saying Mickola is a culpit and he is a victim.

[CrimsonGuardian]

We're now into September.

OP, what's the verdict?

[sixer]

Wow, that's insane.

I guess you can never really buy a giftcard. Too bad scammers mess things up for legit sellers.

[by-cy]

any luck in getting these individuals?

[fightbriz]

if you checked that it had $1000 on it, how did he end up taking it off??

[blainehamilton]

It was likely bought with a stolen credit card, and the charges were reversed and the cards invalidated...

[sketty55]

So what happenned?? Inquiring minds want to know.

[fightbriz]

It was likely bought with a stolen credit card, and the charges were reversed and the cards invalidated...

Yeah but I doubt within 2 hours of the sale that they reversed it? Could be... but...

[theCSbully]

Yep, just replied to another GC fraud, I hate doing GC trades because of this very situation. Any update to catching the person?