Official GW Scams Thread (no posting names)

EmperorTippy

EmperorTippy

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

Heres something I realized that could be abused/ cause a scam: The picture for a spider web and ectoplasm is exactly the same (like ink and red dye) so be carful because this could get real expensive if you were scammed.

ty3c

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

Blue Foxer Is A Known Scammer

Justt Letting All Of U Know.

Willowblades

Willowblades

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

Seattle

Min do ripped me off of 26k >< showed me a superior absorbtion I put the money in and he switched it on me I know I should have seen it but I was tired. I am posting this picture so you know who the ass is and to be careful in dealing with this guild. We have screen shots of the whole scam he is pulling and anet will be banning him soon I hope so here is the pic:


http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thief8rw.png


Min Do is the scammer trying to scam my guildmate static here (who took all the screen shots for a-net) I have talked to many people saying they have had the same problem with a few of that guild. I hope this keeps them from screwing more people have a nice day

momo2oo2

momo2oo2

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

Zaragoza, Spain

[ODL]

E/Mo

Last afternoon (just before the economy patch) I was in Ascalon City and one guy announced "WTS SUP EARTH 3.6k". As this was 6.3k at trader I thought it was pretty fair and whispered him.

He put the superior earth rune, and suddenly he did the known modify-offer scam and changed it to a major earth.

As I noticed I told him. After the usual excuses (sorry I didnt noticed etc etc) he modified again... only to put a superior AIR that was 21k at trader.

Of course, I accepted and said thanks

unienaule

unienaule

I dunt even get "Retired"

Join Date: Aug 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

bumping this so peope quit making new scam threads.

Elistan Theocrat

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

No Pity, maybe I AM a jerk.

Someone gets run, and gets scammed? Don't care. Totally avoidable. Play the game, dont get run, cant get scammed by a runner. Nuff said.

unienaule

unienaule

I dunt even get "Retired"

Join Date: Aug 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

It is my sad duty to once AGAIN bump this, since the mods haven't stickied it.... although it's in Aria's list of important threads... *cough cough*. Anyways, I hate seeing people make new scam threads. So, bump.

Ironsword

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

Newport News Va

Unknown Warriors of Ascalon

W/R

I'll run people around and I never force them to pay up front but I got cheated once running someone from ascalon city to yaks bend and when we got there they just split

the sad thing is I don't charge outrageous prices for my services I try to help people and moke some money at the same time but I've started to take the people out to remote places and making them pay up before I finish the run. it's kind of like the put out or get out game teenagers play to get laid but with so many people out to cheat you and make you work for nothing you gotta protect yourself

when I trade i always check to see exactly what i'm buying before i accept because i learned early on that people on the internet by in large are scumbags

ethraax

ethraax

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2005

Born Supremacy

E/Me

I got scammed SO badly today.
This little.. (I dont feel like getting this edited) was buying Bortak's Bone Staff from me...
We agreed on 80k + an ecto; fair enough
I put my godly green bone staff in, and he puts 80k and 9 ecto
Then he edits it and takes all but one ecto out.
Fair enough?
After the trade I realize I still only have 77k...
THE LITTLE ***** TOOK THE 80K OFF.
Oh, by the way, his s/n was "[edited out]".
If you see him, tell him to **** off.
note: is it ok if I swear but ptu it in asterisks so its not technically a swear? I'm mostly just annoyed.... its not like I can get that back.

To be fair, though, I kinda didn't get it 'correctly'.
I bought it off a noob for only 10k, which is like a scam but he agreed on the amount and I paid him the entire 10k.

I really just want a single item, Bortak's Bone Cesta. The rest of my characters have the best things they can get for their build(s)...

Bwsk8

Bwsk8

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

R/E

I was also scammed by [edited out, same as above] He agreed to trade 105k and 1 ecto for my shadow bow. He showed 100k and 1 ecto on the screen I pressed accept and waited for a while and he did nothing. Then he distracted me by adding some other items to the trade that weren't worth much at all and I assumed it was for collateral and he changed 100k to 100g without me noticing. He immediately presed accept and I pressed it also. Then he placed me on his ignore list and continued to scam other people. This all took place on Nov 20, at 4:30 in lions arch dist 1 .

sybban

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2005

Beaufort Fun Park

I don't remember the guild name

Mo/W

I have no sympathy for people who have been scammed. Especially if they complain about it. Learn your lesson and go on. Was losing 100 gold really worth telling everyone how gullible you are?

Roza

Roza

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Amsterdam

The War Masters

R/W

Quote:
I have no sympathy for people who have been scammed.
Scammers are people who exploit others, period. It is not against the rules, as far as I know, and I am not saying all these people should be banned. But it is exploiting others and that is what most people in the world from pretty much all religions and creeds consider to be "immoral behaviour".

Many people in the USA and elsewhere do believe that the economy is and should be a 'moral free zone', however, in which there is no wrong and right, only smart and stupid, winning and losing. The same goes for many games (GW is pretty much a moral free zone outside of guilds, and sometimes within guilds as well). Having amoral traders and scammers around to some extent makes the game more interesting (though it does hinder a lot of players as well). Maybe people who are trusting get all they deserve in GW and the rational egoists will inherit the earth... I mean, guild wars. Maybe we should cast aside all these silly moral claims about good and bad behaviour, and accept that this world is all about eating others or being eaten. More power to the scammers: if you are scammed, you are a loser, stop whining. If your employer made you redudant, you are a loser, stop whining.

But a scamming scumbag is still a scumbag.

Maika Boila Radovu

Maika Boila Radovu

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

White Rock, BC

Starfleet Intelligence Guild

R/Mo

Ok I've read through all 12 pages jeez. There is no mention of this.

I cant figure out how they did it and maybe someone here can tell me.

I was buying a Vamp bow string 5:1

I put my money in hit submit offer

They put the string in and it showed up

I moused over it and it showed 5:1 so I hit accept.

They didnt accept it right away, took about 10-15 secs for them to accept it

They never hit they modify or cancelled the trade.

I didnt check my inventory right away because I have read the scams and the advice on trading before and always check with a mouse over before I accept and if they modify I always recheck.

Anyways when I looked in my inventory it was a 1:1 vamp string.

So how did they get it switched out or trick me into seeing a 5:1 without modifying the trade?

Roza

Roza

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Amsterdam

The War Masters

R/W

Maybe this guy practised on real fast modifying and did change the trade so quickly you did not notice it. If it can be done by magicians and con-artists, why not by GW traders?

Shaquira

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

Lowlands Strike Force (LSF)

E/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Willow
Actually he's right. Assuming you have more (quite a bit more) money than the casino, even if the odds are against you, you'll crack them open.

Essentially you take advantage of the fact that most casinos offer their bets as open- you control when you start or stop gambling. Quit while you're ahead. With superior resources, probability states that at somepoint, you'll be winning-(but most of the way there, you'll be losing. Alot.)

The less likely the odds of winning, the higher of a multiplier of their wealth you need.

(Other than max bets, the biggest reason this doesn't work against real life casinos is that they do have more money than you.)
This is called "progressive gambling" and is very much prohibited in just about every casino in the world.

Xenrath

Xenrath

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

W/Me

Scamming/fraud IS against the rules, read the EULA/ROC it's number 1 - http://www.guildwars.com/legal/rules-of-conduct.html

Quote:
1. While playing Guild Wars, you must respect the rights of others and their rights to play and enjoy the game. To this end, you may not defraud, harass, threaten, or cause distress and/or unwanted attention to other players.
Take a sequence of screenshots before, during and after any big/expensive trade. Hover over the item(s) during screenshots to make sure you get them id'd captured. If you get scammed you have a record of the transaction and can post it all off to support.guildwars.com

The "cancel trade" one a few seem to try, one person tried it on me selling a lower price superior absorption rune, then kept cancelling it with "?" etc. finally changing it to a different rune which looked the same but was worth a tiny fraction. When I called him out on this he jumped district. Reported him to Anet, not seen him around since. If possible get others to report scammers as well if they're witnesses/had the attempt made on them.

Oh, and NEVER try to justify scamming by saying "oh well you're the noob for falling for it" that line of thinking is the same as "oh well she deserved to get raped" You can not justify thieving turds like this...

The undead Mesmer

The undead Mesmer

Delphian Scribe

Join Date: May 2005

Holland

No guild ;_;

N/Me

Never been scammed before but that might be because i never buy stuff xD

I feel sorry for the people that got scammed though the lil poor beasts
yust dont buy annything and if you do be verry sure that you buy it from a friend/guildie or somebody else you know verry good.
(atleast thats what i do)

Havock

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

South Jersey

I think the major issue here is a betrayal of trust, in any culture those that don't follow the rules of established behavior are put somewhere where their behavior can not effect other members of the community. I started this thread to let people know (and to document) behaviors of some of the members of the GW community that are 1. Not following the established norms of behavior. and 2. Making GW a not fun place to be because of there anti-social behaviors.
As for getting ripped off, it has happened a number of times to me, not because I am a noob, or ignorant, but more because I believe in giving people a chance. The thing that really gets to me is for everyone of these ignorant B****** there are 50 (or more) really good community members. The issue is how we as a community can respond to or anti-social members?

Bwsk8

Bwsk8

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

R/E

I hope I got him banned!

First Letter
Quote:
Hello Brian,

Thanks for getting in touch with the Guild Wars Support Team regarding a potential rules violation.

We will use the information you have provided to investigate whether a violation of the rules has occurred. Please note, however, that we are unable to reimburse you for any items or gold lost as the result of a transaction with another player. Also, all information related to the discovery and disciplining of an account will only be discussed between the violator and customer support. If we do find that a rule or rules were broken, you will not hear of any rulings related to the incident and the account(s) involved.

We appreciate your support of Guild Wars and your interest in keeping the game world pleasant for all players.

Regards,

The Guild Wars Support Team
Second Letter
Quote:
Hello,

Thank you again for reporting this incident to the Guild Wars Support Team.

We have reviewed the game logs of this incident and taken the appropriate action based on the information from the logs. As previously indicated, due to our Privacy Policy (http://www.guildwars.com/privacy.html), we will not be able to provide any additional information regarding this report. That is to say, we cannot reveal what action, if any, was taken, nor if the actual violation was confirmed. However, please be assured that the Guild Wars team takes User Agreement and Rules of Conduct violations very seriously. We are dedicated to maintaining an enjoyable playing environment. Because the incident that you report has been handled by the Guild Wars team, we are now setting this incident to a "Closed" status.

Thanks again for submitting your report.

ethraax

ethraax

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2005

Born Supremacy

E/Me

THOSE ARE THE EXACT SAME MESSAGES!!!
omg, they probably just SAT BACK and did NOTHING!
>

omfg, i just checked, hes still on GW
*****!

Mimi Miyagi

Mimi Miyagi

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

Port Orchard, WA

The Second Foundation: [TSF]

I'd guess that at least half of the people spamming for sales are trying to rip you off. I don't know how many times (too many to count) I've started a trade just to see the jerk on the other end try and modify their offers to 1/10th (or junk). I've never been tricked, and take great pains to notify everyone in the district (not that it does much good) when someone attempts to scam, but noobs will get ripped off eventually.

Best recourse, is to never bother trading, or only trade among people you trust. Barring that, expect to have someone attempt to rip you off at every deal.

ethraax

ethraax

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2005

Born Supremacy

E/Me

that would work... that is if any of my guildies are willing to spend 100k+ on an item they don't really need.
And I'd also like people to be aware that another scam is to trade spider web (from presearing) off as ecto (it has the same pic... not a smart idea ). Someone I know got ripped off with that one, and now I'm always careful when buying ecto (which is never, unless I need to buy one or two so I can buy Bortak's Bone Cesta )

Maika Boila Radovu

Maika Boila Radovu

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

White Rock, BC

Starfleet Intelligence Guild

R/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roza
Maybe this guy practised on real fast modifying and did change the trade so quickly you did not notice it. If it can be done by magicians and con-artists, why not by GW traders?
Yeah, he didnt modify because as soon as you modify his trade area goes back to grey. I dont really care about the money I just hope the guy hasnt found a bug he can exploit.

Fungus Amongus

Fungus Amongus

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare] | [Rare] Alliance

Quote:
Originally Posted by ethraax
I got scammed SO badly today.
This little.. (I dont feel like getting this edited) was buying Bortak's Bone Staff from me...
We agreed on 80k + an ecto; fair enough
I put my godly green bone staff in, and he puts 80k and 9 ecto
Then he edits it and takes all but one ecto out.
Fair enough?
After the trade I realize I still only have 77k...
THE LITTLE ***** TOOK THE 80K OFF.
Oh, by the way, his s/n was "[edited out]".
If you see him, tell him to **** off.
note: is it ok if I swear but ptu it in asterisks so its not technically a swear? I'm mostly just annoyed.... its not like I can get that back.

To be fair, though, I kinda didn't get it 'correctly'.
I bought it off a noob for only 10k, which is like a scam but he agreed on the amount and I paid him the entire 10k.

I really just want a single item, Bortak's Bone Cesta. The rest of my characters have the best things they can get for their build(s)...


You can only hold 100K on your person....

nakama

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2005

Netherlands

Poison Blade

Mo/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fungus Amongus
You can only hold 100K on your person....
Very true, but wouldn't the trade just be cancelled if you can't hold the recieved items/money in your inventory?

Or am I missing your point?

EDIT: I think i did miss your point: You were telling him that the deal would had gone wrong anyway. :-/

ethraax

ethraax

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2005

Born Supremacy

E/Me

For items over the value of 100k, people use ectoplasm as the standard currency. It seems that that is what it is being used for, regardless of its value in fissure armor. Think, one inventory slot can hold 250 ecto, which is over 3 mil. I think this is enough...
I might be wrong, but:
one ecto = 13k
I think the price is subject to change like everything else, but still....

Bwsk8

Bwsk8

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

R/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by ethraax
THOSE ARE THE EXACT SAME MESSAGES!!!
omg, they probably just SAT BACK and did NOTHING!
>

omfg, i just checked, hes still on GW
*****!
I also seen him still on in Guild Wars. It is teribble that someone can do whatever thay want agianst policy and not be banned even after being reported multiple times. I'm not mad about being scammed, but the fact that they are willing to allow scammers to do whatever they want. I'm thinking of becoming a scammer if there is no risk of being banned.

ethraax

ethraax

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2005

Born Supremacy

E/Me

You sound like my brother
Hes just a bit jealous that he is 3 years older than me (I'm 14...), and I'm still much richer than he is. When he sees that I get about 5 greens a day, he gets so pissed off...

coldplay

coldplay

Banned

Join Date: Aug 2005

NYC

Daoine Sidhe

There is a new scam which take advantge of nerfed rockmolder.

these ppl offer you a really nice price on a 20% rockmolder which is showing to you along with other items. When you tell them you want rockmolder only, they take off other items and put a 10% rockmolder instead of the 20% one you saw before to trade.

Be aware of these kind of things , stay alert.

God, why the heck so many scammers in GW.



krnkrackmonkey

krnkrackmonkey

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Untouchable Heroes

not only gw buddy, all mmorpgs. take diablo 2 for instance. ppl hack/scam all day in there.

thanks for the warning though

smokesilver

smokesilver

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

Next to the Lich :)

Mo/W

yes, its a crazy thing.

Best to check everything before you push the accept button

Shaquira

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

Lowlands Strike Force (LSF)

E/Mo

This type of scam is not new.

It has happened before with

- Items that look the same as the advertised product. (Before a minor vigor rune and a Celestial sigil looked alike. As did dye remover and red dye)

- Items that are named alike to the advertised item (Selling a family sigil as a celestial sigil)


- Items that have the same name (Like furious wingblade sword of shelter) but lower stats then advertised. (First they show the real one and then switch to the lesser one)

- Switching from 50 plat to 50 gold.

Etc

Etc


If REALLY in doubt, wait untill the other party accepts, and then doublecheck everything before you accept yourself.

Greetz and may caution be with you

Shaquira

Makkert

Makkert

Black Beast of Aarrrrgghh

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

The Biggyverse [PLEB] // Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

Always hover over the item before you click Accept. everytime yes. if he plays games with continued 'modifiying of offer', find another seller.

Ashley Twig

Ashley Twig

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

germany

Guild Of Openhearted Deeds

R/Mo

Can't we just slay the scammers?

Omega_2005

Omega_2005

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

UK, or is it? *confused*

A/Rt

Also warn them that cheating will get them closer to the banstick (or temp suspension). Also take shots of the trades, you'll get somewhere with evidence.

Rufio Lostboy

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Sep 2005

N/Mo

when asking for a zealous axe haft, i had 3 (!) people in about 2 hours trying to sell me a zealous hammer haft. when explaining i want an AXE haft they're like 'oop sorry misread'
right ..

BBoy_Manchild

BBoy_Manchild

Banned

Join Date: Aug 2005

dayton ohio

N/Mo

i sometimes fall for scams on purpose, i have the gold, and people being desperate pulls on my heart strings

Xenrath

Xenrath

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

W/Me

Bear in mind if there's no evidence (e.g. screenshots, reports from other witnesses etc) then it's just your word vs theirs, so always take screenshots. That's how I showed the "constantly cancelling trade" scam guy to Anet, plus I got other people in the district he tried it with to report him as well and he's definately been banned (never seen online anymore) so they do take action, just be sure to have something to prove it happened

Tactical-Dillusions

Tactical-Dillusions

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Grimsby, UK

R/

I am bewildered how ArenaNet can allow...or maybe forget to change the stats on the first edition rockmolders but yet make an effort to change WORths items to WROths.

Isn't a 20% bonus as opposed to 10% on the same icon more of an imbalance than a spelling mistake?
Somebody made a faux pas.

Evil Hypnotist

Evil Hypnotist

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

I Dragon I [PAIN]

A scam I thankfully didn't fall for when first getting into the game was a guy selling black dye when actually it was a vial of ink. Someone else brought him up on it and started warning ppl in the server and the scammer response was that it was "special spanish black dye" omg give me a break! lol

Although some ppl may disagree with terming this next one as a 'scam', I have almost been caught with a player trying to gazump me. For the uninitiated this involves agreeing a price and then trying to get a third party to put in a higher offer behind the first person's back. Thankfully the player who tried this with me was stupid enough to try and find someone else in the same server to gazump my bid. I spotted him, pulled him up on it and then reduced my bid 20%, which he was forced to accept when he couldn't find anyone else for his quick sale (I'm not being sexist here but by all probability with this game its going to be a 'him' :P). In hindsight I should have walked away completely.

Unfortunately I HAVE been caught with the classic 'sell for 1.8k, accepted 1000 and 8g instead', which was my fault for not looking properly and has taught me my lesson in that regard.

Unfortunately the unwanted actions of scammers force me into a DTA (Don't Trust Anybody) approach when it comes to trading, which is a shame when they are the minority of GW players. However, I prefer to be paranoid than annoyed with myself because I got screwed by some loser. Play safe ppl