Amazon scam - buyer beware

[Vultch]

I just had an interesting experience with Amazon.com

I was searching for a stills camera on Amazon and whilst looking at the price I clicked on a field "used" cameras from Amazon sellers.
So on this page on the Amazon site there were a number of second hand cameras being sold by Amazon registered sellers, one camera had a great price and the seller requested I email them to learn why.
My suspicious were immediately aroused and he gave an external email address but again this was all on a Amazon page so I emailed him, back came a description and reason for the sale.
The I received an email supposedly via Amazon, it looked pretty good even the senders address had "Amazon-payment.com" in the address.

He provided a different name and bank details for payment - now a quick google revealed the bank was located in a different country , I contacted Amazon and its a scam.

But this guy had an official advert on Amazon.com, thats the worry.

EDIT, Amazon are being quite proactive on this asking me for as much information including the sellers registration and ID, I had to dig through my browsing history.

 

[David W. Richardson]

So to be honest this isn't a scam BY Amazon, but by a person who is supposedly trying to sell a used item ON Amazon. Sounds like Amazon is doing the right thing, so that's good.

Good catch!

 

[Vultch]

Yes strictly speaking not Amazon but he is advertising as an approved seller on an Amazon page.

To become an Amazon seller you need to register etc and provide bank details to prove your legitimate, the worry is this guy bypassed the checks I guess and appeared as an offical seller on their site, the tell tale is an invite to email the seller outside of Amazon.

 

[Drew Ott]

Thanks for the heads up. Amazon is so well trusted by many customers (myself included) that most wouldn't be cautious of scams coming through their site.

 

[Tim Sewell]

To become an Amazon seller you need to register etc and provide bank details to prove your legitimate...

Not just bank details - in the UK, at least, one has to provide photo ID - driving licence or passport. When I tried to set up I was, unfortunately, between passports and I don't drive.