Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: boseephuss on May 30, 2017, 09:37:36 AM

Title: Buyer Beware - "Gary Benefield"
Post by: boseephuss on May 30, 2017, 09:37:36 AM
I just wanted to warn folks that may be contacted by someone who claims to be "Gary Benefield" of Minden, Nevada on this forum (email garybennyfieldemail addresses not permitted.)  He contacted me about a wanted to buy post I had made regarding some decorative end caps for the door pulls on my 1972 Eldorado.  He stated that he had some available.  We agreed on a purchase price and he requested I send via MoneyGram.  I requested that he use PayPal or Venmo.  He said he had some very bad problems with PayPal and refused to use them.  He agreed to lower the fee to account for the transfer cost and I sent the money along.  Since the time he received the funds, he has gone radio silent.

I should have known better, but I was being trusting as I have yet to have a poor experience on an enthusiast forum.  That this falls in to the minority of experiences, I have no doubt.  But I wanted to be certain I shared so no one else could be duped by this jerk.
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: V63 on May 30, 2017, 10:14:23 AM
Contact both your area and Minden to report to 'Internet crimes' division...advise to also report to Moneygram


I had an issue about a car sale, and when I reported to his area police, I was going to offer his address...the officers reply was  "we know who he is" (and not in a good way).  BTW: He was also a club member
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: boseephuss on May 30, 2017, 10:27:38 AM
Yes, I have filed a fraud claim with MoneyGram, Google (gmail account,) FBI Cybercrimes, and plan on filing with my bank and contacting authorities.  I appreciate the suggestions!  Hopefully I can get this worked out.  It was less than $200, but I just hate having my trust taken advantage of. >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: Caddyholic on May 30, 2017, 11:27:21 AM
What is his name on this site?
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: boseephuss on May 30, 2017, 11:37:37 AM
Quote from: Caddyholic on May 30, 2017, 11:27:21 AM
What is his name on this site?

I don't know.  I had listed my personal email in my listing and he contacted me directly via my email address.  I will be sure not to make that mistake again.
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: chrisntam on May 30, 2017, 02:31:54 PM
That blows.  Sorry to hear.  When ess like that happens, I rather throw money out the car window in a parking lot because I know someone will find it and it would make their day/month/year.
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: boseephuss on May 30, 2017, 03:22:40 PM
Quote from: chrisntam on May 30, 2017, 02:31:54 PM
That blows.  Sorry to hear.  When ess like that happens, I rather throw money out the car window in a parking lot because I know someone will find it and it would make their day/month/year.

^THIS
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: Steve Passmore on June 02, 2017, 03:44:46 AM
What hurts more is these people are infiltrating what I consider to be a great trustworthy bunch of guys on this forum.
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: boseephuss on June 02, 2017, 11:09:39 AM
It almost happened to another forum member:

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=145458.0
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: boseephuss on June 02, 2017, 11:10:27 AM
Quote from: Steve Passmore on June 02, 2017, 03:44:46 AM
What hurts more is these people are infiltrating what I consider to be a great trustworthy bunch of guys on this forum.

My thought exactly.  This is a very specific forum and, though popular, isn't something just anyone would visit.  This seems to be VERY targeted.
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373 on June 02, 2017, 11:13:38 AM
I know what you mean. I have bought and sold a couple of things here... just a few. Both times I just sent from my end because they were on the forum.  Now I admit they were low priced items and I did check to see how many posts they had, but mostly I just did it.
I guess that's just the way of the world now.
Too bad.
Jeff
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: boseephuss on June 02, 2017, 11:23:09 AM
For what it is worth, there is actually a Gary Benefield in Minden, NV.  I contacted him on Facebook and he said he was not the person who had emailed me regarding the Cadillac parts.  So either someone is spoofing him or, well...
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: dochawk on June 10, 2017, 07:41:41 PM
Quote from: V63 on May 30, 2017, 10:14:23 AM
Contact both your area and Minden to report to 'Internet crimes' division...advise to also report to Monogram

Err, do you have any idea *just* how small Minded is?  :)

At 3,000 people, they don't have their own police.  Douglas County has under 50,000, so I doubt that it has such a division . . .  probably doesn't have *any* divisions . . .

It is beautiful . . .

hawk
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - "Gary Benefield"
Post by: jmurrayent on June 16, 2017, 05:32:54 PM
Guys, that's a crazy story.  I grew up in Minden/Gardnerville, Nevada.  The place has grown immensely the past 30 years.  They do obviously have a sheriff's office, but doubtful that they have an internet crimes division.  Always ask for a phone number and talk to the person before sending them money.  Scammers usually won't give you their phone number while real sellers will.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - "Gary Benefield"
Post by: boseephuss on June 22, 2017, 11:05:21 AM
Just received a new one:

Hello Buddy

I'm emailing in respect to your advert. Please let me know if you are still looking for  1972 Eldorado Door Pull Strap Decorative End Caps, Email and I'll get back to you.

Warm Regards
Martin A. Greathouse
1702 Chesterfield St,
Garden City, KS 67846
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - Gary Benefield
Post by: boseephuss on June 22, 2017, 11:06:13 AM
yeah, just the Sheriff's office.  They have been engaged.

Quote from: dochawk on June 10, 2017, 07:41:41 PM
Err, do you have any idea *just* how small Minded is?  :)

At 3,000 people, they don't have their own police.  Douglas County has under 50,000, so I doubt that it has such a division . . .  probably doesn't have *any* divisions . . .

It is beautiful . . .

hawk
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - "Gary Benefield"
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on June 22, 2017, 01:53:38 PM
Quote from: boseephuss on June 22, 2017, 11:05:21 AM
Just received a new one:

Hello Buddy

I'm emailing in respect to your advert. Please let me know if you are still looking for  1972 Eldorado Door Pull Strap Decorative End Caps, Email and I'll get back to you.

Warm Regards
Martin A. Greathouse
1702 Chesterfield St,
Garden City, KS 67846
Looks like the same guy that contacted John Emerson. He has a strange & distinct type of talk. Bad English!! I think an out of country scammer.
Bob
Title: Re: Buyer Beware - "Gary Benefield"
Post by: quadfins on June 22, 2017, 04:30:59 PM
This is almost identical wording to a solicitation to another forum poster, who has done follow-up research.

Buyer be very aware.

Jim