Korean Job Discussion Forums

Buliarios · Joined: 02 Nov 2010

I certainly hope not, but let me explain...

In the Buy/Sell/Trade forum, I responded to this thread:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=220464

Got in touch via email, but as I'm not in Seoul we arranged for the seller to mail the ps3 here to me in Pohang. As she was going to the unexpected trouble of posting it for me, I sent her the money first (on Thurs 8th Jun) then the next day (Fri 9th) I got a text from her saying the ps3 had just been mailed. The only strange thing (which like a dumbass I didn't follow up on) was that she didn't give me a tracking number as she'd previously said she would. It's been 11 days since the ps3 was supposedly sent, during which time all my emails, texts and calls have been ignored (or at least had no response).
I have her full name and bank details at least.

Be brutal if you like, but please let me know your thoughts either way.
Has she took the money and ran?

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

Based on the information provided? Maybe or maybe not. Cool

Buliarios · Joined: 02 Nov 2010

Haha thanks. You're a champ.
Guess I'm looking for some reassurance while I sit here holding my nads. I would never have sent the money first back home, but I naively didn't expect folks to behave like this in Korea.
11 days (including weekends) is a pretty long time to wait for a package to get from Seoul to Pohang, no? Giving it till the end of the week before I get in touch with the police.

soomin · Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Location: Daegu

Buliarios · Joined: 02 Nov 2010

Thanks.
I've contacted her 3/4 times over the last week to no avail. Very disappointing to be ignored after placing my faith in her (and my money in her account, of course). Fingers burnt now, maybe it's the lesson I needed.

Died By Bear · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:06 am Post subject:

I had posted a thread a while back to see if I could find an honest person that I could help get what they want from the states if I could get what I wanted from Korea (Football jerseys I give as presents, I only wanted to buy two, about $50 bucks worth) Never got a bite from anyone because I guess they figured $50 bucks wasn't enough money for them to waste their time on.

That sucks man. This forum is kind of a hit or miss, be careful out there - lots of scams in the past in all shapes and sizes.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

Yes, I would think that you did get scammed. The most I've ever waited for a package was 7 days, and that's because someone had sent my package halfway across the country and the delivery guy had kept it in his truck instead of calling the head office to tell them he couldn't find the address. That was many years ago. Nowadays, they are very efficient.

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

slothrop · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

I'm not sure trolling the "Korean Job Discussion Forums" is indicative of moving on mentally!

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

It's amazing what a simple Google search can turn up if you know the person's name, which you do from the email address. Simply google their name, surrounded by " "s, and go from there. If you're seriously computer illiterate PM me for the results, but given the laws and policies here, I feel better simply telling one how to start tracking the person down. I did the search and with the information out there you should be able to be hot on their trail. And have a Korean person do the search and DO NOT tip them off about why you're calling around. If say, the person appears to be looking for work (hint hint) you might use such a thing in your story about why you're calling around.

I hope you saved the emails and texts. And do file a report with a police and make sure those emails and texts are in the report. If you have to go up to Seoul to collect your money, there's a fair chance the police might get called (especially if you show up at their place of work). Having that report will be necessary because the police (if they do their job) will then look and see if her cell-phone matches and her e-mail matches. You may have to spell this out for them at the time. If you don't have a report already filed then you just look like a nutjob.

One thing you should not do is wuss out and give up. It's not about the money. It's about that feeling you have when you walk out of there with your recovered money/property. It ain't even about the money- I do believe in if someone robs you of your money, give them your cloak as well. But in this case its about not being a sucker. There's a difference between a robbery and fraud. You steal with force/threat, that's one thing. You con? That's another. Don't be scared. Spend the money on a ticket up to Seoul, and get back your money.

And yeah, sending the money first was pretty dumb. You've never met them, don't trust them. Heck, the ad itself was full of red flags. Barely used PS3 with unused games? Either the person is full of it (Who buys a PS3 and doesn't use it?) or they got it as a gift, probably from or for a significant other in which case they're probably selling it out of spite/hurt and things can change in a relationship overnight.

Of course its entirely possible the person is a complete ditz and just wrote the address wrong and is weird about answering the phone. Check with the post offices in town and see if it isn't sitting in limbo.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I generally feel quite safe buying and selling stuff on Dave's by mail/bank transfer. I've done it maybe 30 or 40 times, and never had an issue. But, that said, I would never do a deal over 100 000 by mail. I of course would meet in person.