OP

Quoted from ClaytonsCorner:

Does anyone know a Sam Tucker from Chicago (see pic)? I struck a deal with him last Thursday on FB Marketplace for a Black Knight 2000 and voluntarily gave him a $100 deposit. The plan was I would drive up to pick it up this coming weekend, but he said he had to go out of town all of a sudden and would ship it instead on his dime (1st red flag). He then sent me the tracking for a transport company called Delta Movers Worldwide (DMW) after telling me originally he was going to ship via a company called Express Logistics (2nd red flag), but he also sent me a photo of the BK2000 with a post it note with my name and date on it so he obviously has the machine (see pic). DMW has a web site and tracking and on the surface looks normal, except the only google hit for that company is it's web page, and when you google the company address a residence in VA comes up, and when hitting the profile of the employees the description is in Latin of all things (3rd, 4th and 5th red flag). Once it shipped Sam asked me to pay the balance but I refused because of the flags (and there is more red flags than what I mentioned btw) so he said he would be willing to take half now that it shipped and the other half when it arrives, to which I again held my ground and refused. The shipment was supposed to arrive yesterday, it didn't. I then messaged him and he said he had the delivery held off and will call me today...
So, my conclusion is I am pretty sure I am getting scammed and lost my $100, but fortunately not more. And Sam Tucker (if that's his real name) is either a dirtbag or the nicest guy that is getting slammed by me. I already told him if he is legit I would throw in an extra $50 for the trouble I am giving him.
I am new to this whole pinball thing so I am also ignorant as to how these potential scams work. I can't understand why someone would go thru all the trouble to create a fake shipping web site, generate fake shipping docs, etc for a couple grand in what seems like a limited market. It seems like there are a lot easier ways with a lot bigger population focus to scam people out of their cash. Anyway, lesson learned, wont agree to shipping going forward and will only do personal pickup.[quoted image][quoted image]