Purple Hornet Ripoff?

[Nanofins]

Purple Hornet Scam?

First of all, does anyone recognize this picture as being theirs, or having seen this EXACT picture before (and know where it comes from)? It just seems strangely reminiscent somehow...

The reason I ask is that I got a request for a trade through frags.org from a new member on the day they joined (8-14-09), and they are offering me this 8 adult polyp frag, as pictured, in trade for a bunch of my coral. I don't mean to be the paranoid type, but it raises some flags for me. Add to that the fact that I searched their email addy and came up with a craigslist complaint in FL (where this person is supposed to be from) against the person with that addy selling fake guchi bags, and that doesn't help. So, I want to do a little more homework.

I also just requested a second pic from a different angle to confirm the piece, so we'll see.

Thanks for everyone's time,
Zack

 

[droblack]

I think you have answered your own question. Fake Gucci? Probably trying to take you for some sweet corals. There was someone in FL posting WWC pics falsely stating that these were their corals. Don't do it.

 

[xmjxflipx]

if in doubt....dont trade!!

 

[TritonsGarden]

Looks like ReefPets (Gary's) photo. You should PM him for verification.

Jack

 

[oceanparadise1]

Yea for some reason that picture looks VERY familiar! idk xmjxflipx said it perfectly if in doubt DONT TRADE!

 

[Reef Pets]

Yes, I recognize the photo. A member of R2R sent me the photo just a couple of days ago asking if it was my photo, it is not. Anyhow, the person contacting me was very skeptical about the seller as well. The seller ended up admitting that it was not his photo. Anyhow, I hope that someone trys to stop the seller before he has a chance to rip people off or in this case possibly rip more people off......

 

[mfinn]

That was me that sent that picture.
It was sent to me by a guy who ( was previously registered and had approx 20 posts) was over at reeffrontiers.com.
He and I sent several emails back and forth about that very frag.
I thought it looked very similar to reefpets pictures so I asked.
I have no reason to suspect any wrong doing by this guy, but I did ask for extra pictures, different views etc. but the camera was not working.

Actually I think he did say it was his picture, but he posted a bunch of other pictures with offers to sell ( in a picture thread) and then admitted some of those pictures weren't his.

I can reply to his email address he gave me to see if he has any new pictures.

 

[mfinn]

I did also seem to me a little strange. Usually if you are selling stuff that high end, I think even a cheap phone camera could send off requested pictures.

 

[Reef Pets]

I was hoping that you would chime in and see the photo. I did not want to put your screen name on the thread...

 

[ladyreefer1983]

I did also seem to me a little strange. Usually if you are selling stuff that high end, I think even a cheap phone camera could send off requested pictures.

are we thinking the same guy?:wink:

 

[mfinn]

That would have OK. I'm pretty casual.

 

[mfinn]

are we thinking the same guy?:wink:

Yes we are.

 

[Nanofins]

I'm thinking of reporting this to frags.org. If this person is going around trying to rip people off for high-end coral, it would be best to get them banned ASAP.

I asked for more pics, and I just got the response that the kid and friend got a hold of the camera and busted it. Not an unbelievable scenario, but rather convenient, and there is second camera with the hubby on a business trip to Texas. Hmmm.

I don't want to get all down on someone just cause they are new, but..."my spidey sense is tingling."(?)

 

[MarvinsReef]

is it me or it looks like my pic? but flipped in a different way?!?

a h a ! ! ! found it...

original pic

here's one I crop and flip right using IrfanView... looks similar?

now, lemme know who this person is and I'll send 'em a nice note...

 

[revhtree]

Yes that is exactly your pic Marv!

 

[MarvinsReef]

I'm thinking of reporting this to frags.org. If this person is going around trying to rip people off for high-end coral, it would be best to get them banned ASAP.

I asked for more pics, and I just got the response that the kid and friend got a hold of the camera and busted it. Not an unbelievable scenario, but rather convenient, and there is second camera with the hubby on a business trip to Texas. Hmmm.

I don't want to get all down on someone just cause they are new, but..."my spidey sense is tingling."(?)

pls refer them to this post...

 

[revhtree]

Here they are side by side:

Rip Off Pic

Marvs Pic:

 

[revhtree]

Dang plus they adjusted the saturation of the picture to make it look even more colorful. Shady, very shady!

 

[Nanofins]

No, Marv, those are obviously not yours...their PH's are much brighter :wink:

Well, mystery solved. I'm reporting them now. Marv, contact me about this person's info, and also about sending me some PH's to verify they are in fact yours.

Zack

 

[mfinn]

He told me the pit bull ate the charger and extra battery.