BEWARE OF FORUM SCAMMER (mrgamby)

[RElias21]

Update Below

Regretfully, I have to write this post, after being scammed out of $3,650 by mrgamby

This guy posted the following thread for 763 CS wheels.

FS: (SoCal) Bronze 763M Wheels w/ Cup 2 Tires https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1856718

He is located in Cali. I am in NJ.
He had pictures of each of the wheels, and answered all my questions. I'm pretty sure he actually owns these wheels.
We talked back and forth via text message for about a week.
He went to UPS and showed me the slip of how much shipping would cost (~ $400 in total)

I paid him via Venmo (lesson learned) and he "shipped me out the wheels". I wonder if he sold these wheels locally and just scammed me? Did anyone purchase these wheels in person?

Here is when I started to get worried:
(1) He only gave me one UPS tracking number.  He said he taped all the boxes together with bubble wrap in between.
(2) The tracking number said the package weighed ~ 2 pounds.

As this was being sent via UPS ground from Cali to NJ, I had to wait a week for it to arrive.
Today, I suddenly see that the package has been "delivered", although it's not at my house.

It turns out he decided to send it to another number on my street.  He sent it to 26 instead of 126.  You may think think is a mistake except he slightly misspelled my name, slightly changed the address, and also changed his cell phone number by one digit on the label.
His number is 909-438-7936.  The label says 909-438-7926

The shipping label says his name is Kevin Clark, though I don't even know if that's accurate.

Luckily, I was able to track down the package, to find that he sent some exhaust couplers and nuts.
I presume he didn't think I would ever even find the package, but he could just say that the tracking says delivered.

Good news: The wheels showed up today and def appear to be the wheels I bought.
Bad News: The wheels are def NOT anywhere near the mint condition described by mrgamby . They are much more scuffed up than shown in the pictures I was sent. This could be due to the very cheap wrapping. As you will see, he did not put them in boxes or bubble wrap…also, nothing between each two wheels, or on top and bottom. I'm very grateful to have gotten these, but this guy def gets an F. DO NOT BUY FROM HIM! He's really proven to be one of the worse members of this community. Nothing about this transaction was honest, smooth or done with care.

Honestly, I think the moderators should kick him off here.

[zamboni]

Report to local PD contact Kevin at EAS tomorrow and tell them the story present the photo's perhaps he can identified the owner.

[RElias21]

Originally Posted by zamboni

Report to local PD contact Kevin at EAS tomorrow and tell them the story present the photo's perhaps he can identified the owner.

Already contacted Kevin. He could not give me any info other than the name of the customer who came in with those wheels was not Kevin Clark.

[ofer1353]

That sucks dude. Definetly go to your bank tomorrow and report the fraudulent transaction.

https://donotpay.com/learn/venmo-chargeback/

[icegrill]

Holy shit!! That's truly disgusting. Hoping for some serious karma.

[RugbyBro]

Maybe try contacting UPS? Every time I’ve shipped with UPS or FedEx they’ve required ID to verify identity… maybe since this is a fraud case they can help? Long shot but may be worth a shot

[M3god]

Smhh what a bum next time only use paypal forget everything else only paypal so next time you can get your money back

[guess2098]

Call 626-913-1715 that's walnut sheriffs Dept. Maybe you can talk to them and have them go to ups store to pull out video at that time. Hope it help.

[goto35]

never never never do friends payment. sorry op. i hope forum finds this guy and we destroy him

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by RElias21

Already contacted Kevin. He could not give me any info other than the name of the customer who came in with those wheels was not Kevin Clark.

Open a case with PD and have them reach out to EAS.

[kmouze]

I feel for you OP! It's always tempting to waive off fees for these type of transactions with the relatability of both being M owners. Hopefully, this gets sorted out for you and a forever lesson learned in the process.....

[aliiin]

To make your case more concrete, I would post the message exchange from him where he gives you the tracking number. That way, it matches the tracking of the package in question that is exhaust couplers/nuts and not wheels/tires.

Anyways, that really sucks. I hope there will be some justice served if he scammed you. He deserves much worse than a slap on the wrist. Hopefully he has a good explanation, although unlikely.

[RElias21]

Originally Posted by aliiin

To make your case more concrete, I would post the message exchange from him where he gives you the tracking number. That way, it matches the tracking of the package in question that is exhaust couplers/nuts and not wheels/tires.

Anyways, that really sucks. I hope there will be some justice served if he scammed you. He deserves much worse than a slap on the wrist. Hopefully he has a good explanation, although unlikely.

Here you go.
Good explanation? Lol. You think he's still relying to my texts?

[6spd4lyfe]

Can likely get police to pull the video from the store he shipped it from and track him down

[Global-F10]

He obviously read this thread. His last login was yesterday at 10:45 pm

Hope you track him down. I’ve read in rare occasions the money could be returned by Venmo/ your Bank since they can see his bank account.
Video from the UPS store should be attainable. But why Venmo?!

[RElias21]

I filed a dispute with my bank last night.
I filed a police report this morning.
I will call Venmo next.

Believing blindly in the good of the community and the forum members was my biggest mistake.

You should see my texts with this guy though. We spoke over the course of a week. He was not pushy at all. He provided me with all the info I asked for.

All his stories added up.
What a pro!

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by RElias21

What a pro!

Pro piece of shit. Hopefully he becomes a pro taking it up the rear end as that’s where his behavior is leading him.

[TopJimmy]

+1 on what he said…

Venmo, Zelle and PP FnF…NEVER!

Cash… if the guy hurries during the transaction look again at the parts. Rushers usually have a problem hidden somewhere. Still buyer beware…once cash leaves your hand the deal is over so load parts in your car before payment.

PayPal Regular…our gold standard. Make sure your transaction description says what you're buying (ex: "used good/working BMW S55 engine"). The ship-to address must be your PayPal delivery address. Now you're protected and the seller gets paid fast (it's not instant, seller should know). Yes, I bought an engine this way!

[Kuucheki]

He's online right now. What a POS

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

venmo might have your back if u provide all that proof

[Wmf80]

Wow and I actually was looking to buy these. Wouldn’t of done the venmo / friends and family route tho. But the fact he sent you the exhaust pieces shows he was a scammer

[HPD15M3]

Nothing pisses me off more than scammer assholes. His real name is Kevin Gamboa. I’ll give it a few days for him to make it right, if he doesn’t, I’ll give you all of his information. From his addresses, to his cars, to all of his assets and any other piece of information that you might need. Also make a police report in NJ.

PM me and I will help you out.