Camophoto.com

[Rhys]

This site claims to be in Switzerland at
Camophoto
Rehhagstrasse 79
CH - 3018 Bern
Switzerland

They are not in Switzerland. Their server is based in the US. The company is listed as being:
LSI inc
Gary Blackledge (Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by DomainTools.com)
869 Potomac Ave
Santa Rosa
California,95407
US
Tel. +1.7073262283
Fax. +1.7073262283

I love their little thing at the end of the ordering process:
Quote:
At this moment we accept all payments through MoneyGram money transfer. MoneyGram is an instant money transfer service that enables individuals to send and receive cash either domestically or internationally in just 10 minutes. Our sales team will give you the exact information of where MoneyGram agencies can be found in your city.
It's the latest scam site.

[tuthill]

I just registered so that I could report this fishy looking outfit. I actually placed an order with an incorrect phone number just to see what would happen. No email has shown up asking me for a correct phone number....surprise, surprise. They definitely appear to be a scam. The Moneygram payment is the giveaway.

[MrMagoo]

Moneygram= go to shady looking guy on the streetcorner and give him your wallet....sounds okay to me

Funny though the wording on the contact us page does look european. USA does not use the decimal point in times, and "bank holidays", and "opening hours" are not USA terminology.

They did go through a lot of work to feature a decent amount of products in many areas. But paypal can be done without leaving your house, so much more convenient, but also punishable by law....

hmmmmm......

[tuthill]

For interests sake I placed an order on the camophoto site last night. Here's the email I got a few minutes ago from them. They're even thoughtful enough to give you the nearest moneygram locations!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Mike Tuthill,

Thank you for your order.

Total amount w\ shipping charges: USD614.99

You should send the payment using MoneyGram international
transfer (please do not use express payment) to:

Financial manager (recepient's name):
Anohin Yuriy
Company address:
Rehhagstrasse 79
CH - 3018 Bern
Switzerland

After the payment will be sent, please email us the special
8-digit reference number that you will get from MoneyGram.
Your order will be shipped within 24 hours of receipt of payment.

MoneyGram locations nearby you:

CANADA POST OUTLET #257273
501-8600 FRANKLIN AVE
FORT MCMURRAY, AB T9H 4G8
Tel: (780) 743-1251

CANADA POST OUTLET #574104
9521 FRANKLIN AVE BAY 160
FORT MCMURRAY, AB T9H 2T0
Tel: (780) 791-3059

CANADA POST OUTLET #130524
190-121 SIGNAL RD
FORT MCMURRAY, AB T9H 4N6
Tel: (780) 790-9702

CANADA POST OUTLET #101280
108 WOLVERINE DR
FORT MCMURRAY, AB T9H 4Y7
Tel: (780) 790-1441

CHEQUE MATE
9903 FRANKLIN AVE
FORT MCMURRAY, AB T9H 2K4
Tel: (780) 715-0889

Eveline,
Sales manager sales@camophoto.com

[Rhys]

"after the payment will be sent"

LOL. Sounds like a scammer!

[tuthill]

I replied to camophotos billing email and told them I wouldn't deal with them until they accepted a legitimate payment method. Following is the reply I got.

I'd say that it's probably about 110% certain that they are scam artists.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

We want to make our apologies for any inconveniences, but MoneyGram
is strongly required that name should be specified as Anohin Juriy.
Sorry for the wrong payment details which has been provided.
Please note that you should send the transfer on name "Anohin Juriy"
instead of "Anohin Yuriy".
If the payment is already sent please call to MoneyGram from which
you've sent the transfer and ask to change the name from "Anohin Yuriy"
to "Anohin Juriy". We have some differences in our languages therefore
we have this problem.

Thank you.

Eveline,
Sales manager sales@camophoto.com

[ferran]

I just registered here to post my comments.

These company request to me to send the payment to :

Financial manager (recepient's name):
Svetlana Rabotneva
Company address:
Rehhagstrasse 79
CH - 3018 Bern
Switzerland

It seems that the old financial manager (Anohin Yuriy) is out...

Some reasons to NOT be confident on this company:
- The company only accepts transfer of money through MoneyGram
- The price of the 1st branded products, as Canon, are extremely low
- The price for shipping is unusually low
- They don't have telephone contact
- The name of the person contact is always something impronounciable, not english nor swiss

[Rhys]

I figured it was a Russian scam. I bet the company listed as owning the website doesn't have a clue that it even has a website registered to it.

That's not even a genuine address in Switzerland. It belongs to a Bio-tech company: Berna Biotech AG, Rehhagstrasse 79, CH-3018 Bern!

I've been trying to get holdof the Chinese police to report a scam coming from China that might also be a Russian scam - so far with no luck. Even Interpol doesn't seem to list any Chinese contacts!

[KeyLee19]

Hey, my son actually purchased on camophoto buying a $360.00 Projector, he went to the Moneygram and did they payment, "Walmart" assured that the payment would be safe... I had a feeling this sounded fishy, is there ANY way you can cancell a MoneyGram payment or get your money back after its sent... cause I believe it is a scam too and I dont want him to lose his money...thanks, everyones help would be greatly appreciated....

[KeyLee19]

Im confused, im sorry is this the owner of CamoPhoto??

LSI inc
Gary Blackledge (Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by DomainTools.com)
869 Potomac Ave
Santa Rosa
California,95407
US
Tel. +1.7073262283
Fax. +1.7073262283


if so would I be able to contact him there?

[VTjay79]

I'd hate to tell you this, but i'm affraid you are SOL. Unfortunately, that appears to be a $360.00 lesson to you. I too was looking at projectors, but when it was even $800.00 under e-bay prices and only accepted money gram i began to get a little suspicious myself.

I hope that i'm wrong, I hope that they are legit, because i'd like a $5,000 dollar projector for 2,600 with only $15.00 shipping......but normally if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is....

Please post back your story as it unfolds, however painfuly it might be, we could all use the knowledge about these people.

[tuthill]

Im confused, im sorry is this the owner of CamoPhoto??

LSI inc
Gary Blackledge (Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by DomainTools.com)
869 Potomac Ave
Santa Rosa
California,95407
US
Tel. +1.7073262283
Fax. +1.7073262283


if so would I be able to contact him there?

I'm guessing that Mr. Blackledge (if he exists) isn't even aware that the site has been registered in his name.

[Rhys]

I'm guessing that Mr. Blackledge (if he exists) isn't even aware that the site has been registered in his name.

Try ringing him to see what he says.

[Rhys]

Hey, my son actually purchased on camophoto buying a $360.00 Projector, he went to the Moneygram and did they payment, "Walmart" assured that the payment would be safe... I had a feeling this sounded fishy, is there ANY way you can cancell a MoneyGram payment or get your money back after its sent... cause I believe it is a scam too and I dont want him to lose his money...thanks, everyones help would be greatly appreciated....

I believe you can cancel moneygrams but you have to be quick about it - before they're cashed.

[KeyLee19]

well, the only reason I thought it may be legit on that projector is because I seen it like one or two nights prior to that for only $400.00 from woot.com and I have ordered from woot many of times.... and this projector was only like $40 less so I thought it was a decent deal...i'll give the guy a ring, but you think that they would not be able to get away with running a HUGE well designed website thats just meant for stealing peoples money....you think FBI or someone would atleast shut down the website or there would be somewhere you can go to get it closed?

[tuthill]

If they really are stealing your money and if their webhost is honest they will ultimately get shut down however they'll just start another site up under another name. It's pretty difficult to track these shysters down unless they're really stupid and don't cover their tracks.

Hopefully you'll get your money back or better yet receive your product however I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.


QUOTE=KeyLee19;184046]well, the only reason I thought it may be legit on that projector is because I seen it like one or two nights prior to that for only $400.00 from woot.com and I have ordered from woot many of times.... and this projector was only like $40 less so I thought it was a decent deal...i'll give the guy a ring, but you think that they would not be able to get away with running a HUGE well designed website thats just meant for stealing peoples money....you think FBI or someone would atleast shut down the website or there would be somewhere you can go to get it closed?[/QUOTE]

[Dianna]

Hello,
So after reading all of these posts about how camophoto is a scam artist, I'm becoming quite concerned. I've recently purchased an automotive GPS system as a Christmas present for my parents from camophoto, and after sending the money transfer (via moneygram) of over $250 recieved some emails from "eveline" their "sales manager". The first email told me that my order had not been sent because they had not recieved my payment, and they needed more information... my exact place of birth and DOB. After sending them this information, and an additional email asking for some responce about my order, they said that they still did not recieve the payment, and I would have to check with moneygram. I forwarded them the confirmation that I received from moneygram saying that it had been accepted and was available for the reciever to obtain, and even checked with my bank, and the money had definately been taken out of my account. After sending three more emails to camophoto, I still haven't heard anything back from them and I am VERY concerned.
If they are scammers, does ANYONE know what I can do about this... or if there is any way to get my money back. I feel like an idiot for trusting them, and I don't want them to get away with this. WHAT CAN I DO? If anyone has any advise whatsoever, PLEASE let me know! :(

[tuthill]

I'm very sorry to hear that you fell for this scam.

I don't know that there is much you can do as I suspect that they probably are operating from outside the U.S. so you're getting into international enforcement of the law and I'm afraid that $250 probably isn't enough to get any action from the authorities. The FBI has a site for internet fraud reports at the following link:

http://www.ic3.gov/

I'd fill out a report and then inform the camophoto creeps that you have filed a report. You might also consider trying to find out how you can file a complaint with the authorities in Switzerland which IRC is where they seem to be operating out of.

Good luck.


Hello,
So after reading all of these posts about how camophoto is a scam artist, I'm becoming quite concerned. I've recently purchased an automotive GPS system as a Christmas present for my parents from camophoto, and after sending the money transfer (via moneygram) of over $250 recieved some emails from "eveline" their "sales manager". The first email told me that my order had not been sent because they had not recieved my payment, and they needed more information... my exact place of birth and DOB. After sending them this information, and an additional email asking for some responce about my order, they said that they still did not recieve the payment, and I would have to check with moneygram. I forwarded them the confirmation that I received from moneygram saying that it had been accepted and was available for the reciever to obtain, and even checked with my bank, and the money had definately been taken out of my account. After sending three more emails to camophoto, I still haven't heard anything back from them and I am VERY concerned.
If they are scammers, does ANYONE know what I can do about this... or if there is any way to get my money back. I feel like an idiot for trusting them, and I don't want them to get away with this. WHAT CAN I DO? If anyone has any advise whatsoever, PLEASE let me know! :(

[Rhys]

This sounds like the same outfit that allegedly operated from Helsinki some while back. What you need to do is to find from Western Union, where your moneygram was collected. Then you will be closer to the culpret.

[shaaron]

I also fell for this. I had bought an item at a low cost from France just weeks before and was foolishly confident. In my greedy need to save a little money I sent the money gram. I'm sure it's money I will never see again. I did report this and hope the person gets caught. I plan to drive to Santa Rosa as I live close enough and see if this man is there, will let you know.

[markopolo]

I also ordered something from here. I also thought it was a scam due to the only payment method being moneygram. I however ordered something anyway. I have not yet paid for it because I wanted to do some checking on the site. Especially since the price of a $2400 tv came out to be $1,304.99 that including shipping. Where as other sites sold it for $1500 or more with at least $250 for freight shipping. I noticed the name has changed yet again. It is now...
Financial manager (recepient's name):
Afendikov Maksim
Company address:
Rehhagstrasse 79
CH - 3018 Bern
Switzerland

I have decided to just not send any kind of payment. I mean what are they gonna do? get upset and try and contact someone about me not sending payment for an item I'll probably never even get? Let me know if you guys think it is wise/alright for me to just not send them payment.

[alpboy]

I, too, almost sent a moneygram to these scammers. Two things stopped me:
1) I had originally emailed them asking if I could just do a wire transfer from my bank account to theirs. In my business, buying from international companies is not the least bit uncommon for me. All of them either accept credit cards or are set up for wire transfers (my bank doesn't even charge me for them). 2) The operator at MoneyGram wanted to make sure I had a person's name, not just a company name, as a person needs to physically go to the receiving office and show a valid ID to get the money. Now why would a company large enough to have warehouses in the US want to go to that kind of trouble to get their money (and what if the one and only recipient who can get the cash happens to be out sick?).

My heart bleeds for the one who actually gave them her DOB, further enabling them to not only get the money she already sent them, but has now opened herself up for identity theft.

I personally am going to report this to my local TV stations (all of them), as they have consumer protection segments. If everyone else in this forum will take a few minutes and email their TV stations, too, maybe the word will get out to many many potential victims. Really the best way to defend against con artists is to be aware of them....no victims, no con artists!

[estudinka]

I was recently scammed by Camophoto. any suggestions for either getting my ordered item or return of money?
Thanks!
Dink

[tuthill]

Their site is down right now however I expect they'll reappear very quickly with another name. The fact that they only lasted a few months is hopefully evidence that either people aren't falling for these scams as readily or law enforcement was coming down on them.

[Debbie G]

AVOutpost
78 rue Rambuteaus
Paris 75001
France

This is their new front. It is a scam. Hope this helps someone.

[tuthill]

AVOutpost
78 rue Rambuteaus
Paris 75001
France

This is their new front. It is a scam. Hope this helps someone.

Doesn't take these crooks long to set up a new shop.

[alb4444]

Yeap! they tried to get me too and they have a new name CONSIDER THSI A WARNING! I was looking for a cheap priced Pentax k100d to upgrade frOm my broken k110d (if anyone has one for sale email me by the way, lol.) and i found it on AVOoutpost for $329.99 WHEN IT RETAILS AT $700!!! So i did a test buy and here is what they sent me:

al,

Thank you for purchasing from AVOutpost

Order Details
-------------------------------------------------
Name Qty Item Price Shipping Price Total

-------------------------------------------------

Pentax K100D 6.1 M... 1 1 x $ 329.99 $ 329.99
Attributes:

Sub Total: $ 344.99
Total Tax: $ 0


Total: $ 344.99

-------------------------------------------------

To view the status of your order, please visit our website,
http://avoutpost.com
and log into your account.

Our sales team will contact you shortly with details of how you can make your payment.




Thank you,
AVOutpost sales@avoutpost.com

_____________________________________________

The they sent me this!!!!:

Hello Al Blount,

Thank you for your order.

Total amount w\ shipping charges: USD 344.99

You should send the payment using MoneyGram international transfer (please do not use express payment) to:

Financial manager (recepient's name):
Svetlana Rabotneva
Company address:
78 rue Rambuteaus
Paris 75001
France

After the payment will be sent, please email us the special 8-digit reference number that you will get from MoneyGram.
Your order will be shipped within 24 hours of receipt of payment.

MoneyGram locations nearby you:

LIQUOR DOCTOR
8360 AIRPORT RD
BERKELEY, MO 63134
Phone: 3145220136

WAL-MART #5150
1900 MAPLEWOOD COMMONS DR
MAPLEWOOD, MO 63143
Phone: 3147812165

SHOP N SAVE #1823
7355 MANCHESTER RD
MAPLEWOOD, MO 63143
Phone: 3146442908

D MART DW
2664 S BIG BEND BLVD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63143
Phone: 3146440497

U. S. BANK #8385
LAMBERT INTL AIRPORT
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63145
Phone: 3144291248

U. S. BANK #8384
201 N FLORISSANT RD
FERGUSON, MO 63135
Phone: 3145240503

SHOP N SAVE #1819
49 NORTH FLORESCENT ROAD
FERGUSON, MO 63135
Phone: 3145211854

WAL-MART #1188
10835 SAINT CHARLES ROCK RD
SAINT ANN, MO 63074
Phone: 3142912300

SHOP N SAVE #1827
10634 SAINT CHARLES ROCK RD
SAINT ANN, MO 63074
Phone: 3144296300

EL ROBLE MEXICAN GROCERY DW
10443 BRECKENRIDGE RD
SAINT ANN, MO 63074
Phone: 3144270152

Barbara,
Sales manager sales@avoutpost.com


DONT BE SCAMMED MY DIGITAL CAMERA RESORCE BROTHERS!!! LOOK OUT FOR THE AVOutpost.com SCAM!

AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
AVOutpost.com IS A SCAM!
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Rhys]

This is the email I just sent to the domain registrar: wild west domains inc.

Would you check avoutpost.com as it appears to be fraudulant. It is registered to a Matt Hooker purportedly resident at
Matt Hooker
1269 Lakeside Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94085
United States

1269 Lakeside Drive appears to be a vacation rental complex.

The address given on the website is:
AVOutpost
78 rue Rambuteaus
Paris 75001
France

It is not in France. This address does not exist.

Check your IP log. I need to know where these fraudsters are logging on from. Also contact the FBI as they are running a criminal enterprise. Given the Russian names given when one tries to purchase, it could well be Russian mafia.


I bet they won't reply if they're actively sponsoring the scumbags responsible.

[Rhys]

I have not received any communication from Wild West Domains inc during the past 24 hours despite the fact they state on their website:
* Email Support

Expected Response Time: 3 hours

This leads me to believe that somehow they might be linked. I note also that the quantity of spam received in the account I emailed them from has increased tremendously since I sent my email.

If there're any FBI agents reading this then please shut that site down.

[Tom_N]

This reply is probably too late for the original poster. But I'm leaving it here as a warning to others. DON'T give out information that would be mainly of use to identity fraud criminals, and DO take action to protect yourself if you think that you have made that mistake.



The first email told me that my order had not been sent because they had not recieved my payment, and they needed more information... my exact place of birth and DOB.


That information sounds like exactly what an identity fraud criminal would ask for. A legitimate place of business doesn't need your date of birth (except in special cases, like when you're under "carding" age and ordering alcohol), and would have no need for your place of birth.

But someone trying to pass themselves off as you would find it very handy to know both of those things.



After sending them this information


Please, please, tell me you're joking, that you DIDN'T send this information. If you did, now is the time to start calling all of your credit card companies, banks, etc. to ask them to put fraud watches on your accounts. (The U.S. Government has a couple of brochures on identity fraud that you may want to obtain and study carefully.)

It sounds like the money you sent these clowns is GONE. But that may just be a drop in the bucket compared to what some !@#*(@**@# could steal, at your expense, by pretending to be you.

[Tom_N]

Three good U.S. Government Web sites for anyone who has been victimized by identity fraud criminals, or who wants to avoid being victimized by them.

Federal Trade Commission - Identity Theft Site (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/) (lots of good information here)

Federal Trade Commission - ID Theft (http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/con_steps.htm) (this looks like the "lite" version)

Social Security Administration - Electronic Fact Sheet on Identity Theft (http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm)