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Diligence
I had a similar experience when looking at an advertised scope on another forum. They advertised as local but then emailed a story that they were infact interstate. It turned out they were from Africa nad had a very sophisticated dummy DHL website to trap you into thinking the item was sent so you pay for it's release from the courier. I did not get ripped as I smelled a rat.
It is sad but unfortunately we have to be dubious these days as scammers are everywhere. Brand new members on here may be genuine but you can never be certain. If using other mediums then apply some common sense and don't be shy carrying out some due diligence.
For big ticket $$ items
1. Anytime you are local to the sale, ask if you can pick it up and pay COD. If they say no, then it possibly could be scam
2. If interstate ask for a contact number and speak directly to the seller. Ask for a landline number not a mobile and get some personal information, name, address and bank details etc. Check for the name under listed numbers in the whitepages and their name against the bank details. If it is not their name on the bank account or in the white pages, it could be a scam, ask why?
Sad I know, but even sadder when you get ripped off by this sort of scum
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