Beware of Scammer Posing as "Socalcruzer"

[ToyotaTechnical]

Posted a wanted ad for some parts, scammer reached out pretending to be SOCALCRUZER via cell phone.

Scammer is using phone number 415-578-4306. He is requesting payment to 229-314-6303. Also requested $ sent to 702-802-1479

e-mail associated with scammer zelle is btdcseo7uc010elr@hotmail.-com

Name for scammer zelle is "Paul Leblanc" Paul Leblanc. Also using name "David J Terrence Whittle"

He's pretty skilled. Photo shopped photos to indicate proof of ownership of parts.

He took me for $50. Lessons learned.

I spoke with @socalcruzer and confirmed a scammer is impersonating him. He requested I make this post asap.

 

[OGBeno]

These scams are only going to get more complex, intricate and sophisticated going forward by leaps and bounds. Soon, it will be **very difficult** to know who is real and who is scam/AI/Spam.

Brave new world. Caveat emptor.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Should be a way to keep the classifieds private. A lot of other forums do it.

Also, it wouldn’t happen if people didn’t put their emails and phone numbers in their ads or posts.

 

[ToyotaTechnical]

Agree. I even spoke to the scammer on the phone. Scammer passed my questions on what Land Cruiser he supposedly owned, year, model, etc

 

[Casey E]

None of this would be possible if people used PayPal and quit playing the FF game. Don’t use Zelle, don’t use Venmo, only use the platform that has protection for buyers.

 

[CruiserTrash]

Agree. I even spoke to the scammer on the phone. Scammer passed my questions on what Land Cruiser he supposedly owned, year, model, etc

One of us, or somebody who did a 5 minute Google search?

 

[ToyotaTechnical]

One of us, or somebody who did a 5 minute Google search?

My guess is the scammer studied SOCALCRUZER's posts on here.

 

[OGBeno]

Most likely AI studied a user and easily constructed context, narrative, volition, as well as integrity.

And the AI was probably done by AI. With a person throwing out the parameters for engagement.

Circle the wagons folks. Be better about whom you trust. Because “trust” and “integrity” will soon be destructively abrogated.

MUD is public. All of it. Everything in MUD is free game.

There are no longer rules for the consumption and use of information.