Scam Type
Online Purchase Scam
Business Name Used
Ammunition Store Online
Date Reported
Sep 04, 2022
Victim Postal Code
80951
Total Dollars Lost
270
Scam Description
Recently received a M1 Garand from the CMP and was looking for M1 specific ammo so as not to risk damaging the operating rod. Found what looked like a great deal (to good to be true?) on this website so I placed an order. Like many of the other people that got scammed (according to the posts I found here) this company did not offer any payment methods other than apps or PayPal which I thought was weird. Anyway I placed my order and was contacted a few hours later to complete payment (again, kind of weird since most companies contact you immediately or within minutes).
They gave me the Venmo name of Tijan Singhateh (Venmo of Tijan Singhateh-1) to send payment to and requested that I put “gift” as the purpose of the transfer. This all sent up flags but against my better judgement I sent the transfer which they then (like the other posts) requested a screenshot of; which I sent as well. I asked when my order would ship and didn’t receive a reply for a few hours that says they’re doing department would be getting in contact with me. I then asked what the usual shipping timeframe is and what method they use (the website just says “standard shipping”) to which I have yet to receive a reply.
Already feeling like I got scammed I used a reverse lookup app to check the number on the text messages which came back as “spam/unsafe” and only added to my frustrations. I have submitted a dispute to Venmo and requested the order be cancelled and for a refund (like that will happen). Luckily I only wasted $270. I’ve wasted more on dumber things over the years but at least those things were my choice and not someone essentially stealing from me right?
Lesson learned. If a company I haven’t dealt with before only accepts payment through app or PayPal WALK AWAY. And if a deal looks to good to be true; it probably is.
