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Beware Fraudulent '61 ES2 Ad

Submitted by michael_rettie on Sat, 07/07/2018
Forums
Singles

I ran across a fraudulent ad showing my bike that is featured all over the net. If you search for the image on google, you can find it worldwide. When I advertised my bike for sale on San Francisco Craigslist, I posted photos that the scammer is now using in his ad. I sold the bike to a friend and it is definitely not for sale. The bogus seller may even be able to show a title but it is not valid.

Michael Rettie

Alameda, California

http://www.wdnorton.nl/trade_page.htm

https://www.racebikemart.com/adverts/1961_Norton_ES2_Featherbed_500_Single__1511443680.php

http://www.classic-british-motorcycles.com/motorcycles-for-sale.html

https://www.classicbritishspares.com/pages/motorcycles-for-sale

https://vintagemotorcyclesnz.wordpress.com/for-sale/

http://www.antiqueslink.com/antiques/es2-featherbed-antiques-4bba05.html

Attached is my photo that is being used in these ads.

Attachments IMG_1185%20-Medium.jpg

Submitted by michael_rettie on Sat, 07/07/2018

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As I have contacted the various webmasters to have these ads removed, it has become clear to me how easy it would be to scam someone into sending money to make a deposit on an interesting bike using purloined photos. I'm not sure how the website administrators can deal with this but potential buyers should exercise extreme caution before sending money to anyone. One of the ads was on the USNOA website where I guess they let non-members post ads.

Caveat emptor!

Mike

Submitted by michael_sullivan on Sat, 07/07/2018

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The phone number in the ad is for Miami, FL.

Is there anyone down there that can let some air out of this scammers tires?

Mike

Submitted by michael_rettie on Sat, 07/07/2018

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Previously michael_sullivan wrote:

The phone number in the ad is for Miami, FL.

Is there anyone down there that can let some air out of this scammers tires?

Mike

That would be this ad with a phone #: https://www.racebikemart.com/adverts/1961_Norton_ES2_Featherbed_500_Single__1511443680.php

This being a coil ignition model, maybe someone should ask him about the mag he mentions. Or just mention a referral to the police for fraud.

Submitted by michael_rettie on Tue, 30/10/2018

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I'm reviving this post to mention some classified ads that I've seen posted here recently for very nice but very under-priced bikes. A recent ad disappeared within a week('53 Manx) and another is current. One of the things I see in common in these ads is a lack of any history on the part of the owner on this forum. Maybe I'm just being paranoid but I would sure check out the situation of anyone posting here that isn't familiar before any contact.

Submitted by michael_rettie on Thu, 01/11/2018

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Looks to me like the same bike and same location as well. If it looks like a skunk and smells like a skunk................... If I am mistaken, I will wholeheartedly apologize.

Submitted by ian_soady on Sat, 03/11/2018

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I've had the following from Dave:

"Hi Ian,

The offending ad has been deleted. It's the second one we've had from someone in the US who joined for the first time and then placed a dodgy ad."

I think we should all keep our eyes open. There are frequent fraudulent listings on ebay which I always report and they disappear in short order. It's worth a few minutes of my time if it saves a genuine enthusiast heartache and cash.

Submitted by richard_payne on Sat, 03/11/2018

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Does this mean that criminals are now joing the NOC, paying an annual subscription etc. simply to be able to place false adverts ? Presumably they're hoping for a downpayment...I would hate to think that they were actually Norton Owners who scam on the side.

Submitted by ian_soady on Sun, 04/11/2018

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As long as we keep an eye out, we'll all benefit from their subscriptions. Do you actually have to be a member to post an ad?

Submitted by richard_payne on Sun, 04/11/2018

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I thought that you did, Ian and the reply that you got refers to 'joined for the first time'.

I don't know for sure. I always forget that the classified is there when I need parts and I'm hopeless at getting round to selling anything !

Submitted by ian_soady on Sun, 04/11/2018

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I believe that anyone can create a forum account (not just NOC members) and then post ads. Maybe something that should be addressed?

Submitted by webmaster on Sun, 04/11/2018

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This is not the case. Only paid up members of the NOC can use the forum, or post adverts.

We do accept classifieds from non-members (for a fee..), but these are clearly marked as by non-members. (they have 'non member' as the posters name).

Submitted by john_day on Sun, 04/11/2018

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Another one on e bay at the moment 600 single £2500

Look at his other offers

P.s. I have put in a notification of fraud

Submitted by ian_soady on Sun, 04/11/2018

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TBH I'm not sure about them as they do have reserves which the scams usually don't......

They also suggest contacting via ebay and there isn't an email (often as an image) which there generally is on the scammers' entries.

Submitted by david_cooper on Sun, 04/11/2018

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Interesting that the mag and dynamo have been rebuilt on a coil ignition bike with alternator. Worrying that the alleged seller knows enough about bikes to understand that bikes of that era might have such things. So he's making a living out of his fraud.

Submitted by richard_tool on Sat, 17/11/2018

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500 cc Featherbed Inter up on UK EBay motors - seller will let it go for 5400 GBP - yeah , right .

What are the chances of this being legit ?

 


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