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Post by damoose on Jan 12, 2015 19:16:04 GMT -8
Just a heads up that the Cameroon Scammers are targeting buyers of live tarantulas and have advertised awhile back on insectnet offering bugs like Papilio homerus. They are somehow connected to Germany and ask that Western Union payments go to Germany to a "Frank Brummack". I have listed the names and email addresses used:
Frank Brummack - frank.brummack.ephebopus@ok.de Ngufor Karl Harvey Fuhnwi - karlharbey@myway.com Frank Hamacher - hamacher.frank@firemail.de
They are doing searches for wanted ads looking for insects or tarantulas. I got hit with a ton of emails by these guys and then did the follow-up research that confirmed that they are tied to Cameroon. We seem to be popular targets.
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Post by damoose on Dec 9, 2014 8:58:27 GMT -8
I have to agree with Stringer on this one. Greg Watson (Roger Wilcox) posts insects for sale in the classifieds quite often. He has some good offers from time to time. If there is any kind of dispute going on with a supplier this information is important to help in making a decision whether or not to make a purchase from them. I really don't have time for a dispute with any supplier. Hopefully all of this will get resolved. The insect industry needs good, honest suppliers (and buyers) out there to make it all work.
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Post by damoose on Nov 23, 2014 18:47:44 GMT -8
Lots of great comments here. I sent "JJ" my want list which got me a response telling me that he had every single thing that I was looking for! There is no way an African supplier can come up with the stuff. YES, he is a scammer for sure.
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Post by damoose on Nov 22, 2014 17:09:56 GMT -8
I have spent some time corresponding back and forth to "JJ". He communicates all of the typical traits of a scammer. He quotes unrealistic high prices then when questioned about the prices drops them 150%. He is from Africa but does not say exactly where he is from. Lastly, he will not ship without advance payment. Sending advance payment to African suppliers is a disaster just waiting to happen. I also think it is very strange that his lists were posted here in the forum and not in the classifieds where they should be. I think we can move on and look for other reliable suppliers - I am confident they are out there.
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Post by damoose on Oct 30, 2014 15:30:31 GMT -8
Carlos seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. I talked to another buyer a couple of weeks ago who informed me that Carlos is on the Western Union "suspected scammer" list, so he has been flagged there which is not a good sign. It seems like there is a legitimate business opportunity out there for an honest, reliable, supplier in Peru. The good suppliers always do better and last longer. I really hope Carlos makes good with all of the bugs he owes people at this point.
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Post by damoose on Oct 24, 2014 15:11:17 GMT -8
Hopefully a legitimate explanation will be forthcoming after all of the facts come to light. In the meantime, Thai media gives insect collecting and collectors a black eye because of this. I remember years ago when several shady collectors were arrested after they were caught bringing larvae of Papilio indra kaiababensis out of Grand Canyon National Park. The sentences they received were quite severe and the image of "insect collectors" was tarnished for quite sometime. I really appreciate the many collectors on this forum who pay attention to all of the regulations that pertain to collecting. It would be good for this story to have a positive ending.
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Post by damoose on Oct 21, 2014 7:20:16 GMT -8
Alex Bic, Dave DeRosa (Insect World), and BioQuip had most of the bugs. I spent a lot of time with Dave and Alex. I made at least 5 trips out to my car packing boxes of bugs. Clark, I hope that the drought conditions that you talked to me about improve - a worry for not only the bugs but for all of the folks living in California. Networking with other collectors and suppliers was very valuable. I will definitely consider making the trip for the show in LA in May.
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Post by damoose on Oct 18, 2014 20:01:38 GMT -8
Well, I must say it was a fun show and was also great meeting everyone. Clark, I love your photo cards - very well done! Some nifty bugs were on display and for sale, well worth the trip! Thanks to all!
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Post by damoose on Oct 6, 2014 7:22:42 GMT -8
I am planning on paying at the door. I will try to get there right as they open and see what happens. I believe Clark has nothing but good intentions. A serious buyer at a show like this is only going to be a good thing for the vendors. Thanks to all who have shared their comments, that's why the forums are here.
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Post by damoose on Oct 5, 2014 16:10:31 GMT -8
Thanks Clark, I made my travel arrangements today. I look forward to meeting everyone.
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Post by damoose on Oct 5, 2014 12:28:15 GMT -8
Thanks Clark, I like your suggestion....it is certainly worth a shot!
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Post by damoose on Oct 5, 2014 7:21:36 GMT -8
The feedback and photos are greatly appreciated Clark. If all of the best specimens are sold within the first hour, I may have to rethink my travel plans. I have no problem getting to a show early, but the thought of rushing around trying to be the first in line for the good stuff has little appeal. What do all of these vendors do for the remainder of two days if all of their best specimens are gone?
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Post by damoose on Oct 2, 2014 18:14:10 GMT -8
I just looked at the ad for the Montreal Insect Fair held the same weekend as Cal-Poly - it is interesting that their ad actually lists all of the vendors who will be in attendance. I really do think it would be helpful to know ahead of time who will be there when considering whether or not to make a long trip to attend.
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Post by damoose on Oct 1, 2014 12:55:58 GMT -8
Lamprima2, I just talked to the manager of the insect fair and he does not have a formal list of vendors at this point. Apparently, a lot of the vendors wait until the last minute to register. He is still waiting for a number of vendors to get back to him. He did say that Bio-Quip and Insect World will be there but he had never heard of Alex Bic. Hopefully, there will be a good selection of bugs for sale this year.
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Post by damoose on Sept 30, 2014 15:49:23 GMT -8
Thanks Clark, I did get a contact number of the manager of the show so I will see what info is available. Alex and Dave are two people who I would be interested in seeing.
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