Converted Into Sound - fraudulent website

[Cascais]

I want to expose a website Converted Into Sound (<convertedintosound.com) as fraudulent. The website claims to be a broker for used and new high-end audio and impressive with high definition photos of top equipment for sale at very aggressive prices. Invoices and documentation are credible. But as they say, if a deal is too good to be true, it usually is.

How does the scam operate?

1. HD photos are downloaded from a legitimate advertisement; Photoshop enables a verification photo; phony former clients email that their experiences were positive. Due diligence done, you send a transfer to the seller's bank. The ideal seller and he pays the shipping.

2. Now it gets creative. A few days after the transfer an email arrives that a mistake has been made in the bank information and that your transfer will be refunded within a few days, automatically. Then you will be supplied with the real data and the deal can go on. This tactic introduces confusion and delay, and of course the refund never arrives. The site maintains close communication delaying the light bulb from going off that you've been scammed. In this way responsibility for the lack of product is shifted from the seller to the bank.

3. By the time this happens the money will be in an account in the Bahamas or some other tax haven, and the scamming goes on wherever the guy's kitchen table is located, probably not in the U.K. as advertised. The victim can contact the local police, have his bank contact the scammer's bank to return the money, but for a master scammer this is probably impossible. The buyer is left with holes in his audio rack and bank account, and a bruised butt from kicking himself.

The moral of the story? Listen to the slightest hint of suspicion, don't be seduced by fancy websites and low prices, and deal only with known websites. Tell your friends about suspicions in forums like this and take action; it's up to us to eliminate scamming (which is common theft) so that our wonderful equipment can find new owners.

[Masterlu]

Much appreciated!

[Cohibaman]

With Ivan, the funds barely post, yet you have the product. Winning!

[cleeds]

"You can't cheat an honest man."
(Charles Bogel))

[For The Love of Music]

Good to make people aware, amazing how people work hard at creating ways to steal when the sane energy could make them successful.

They choose to eat the fish versus catch the fish.

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by For The Love of Music

Good to make people aware, amazing how people work hard at creating ways to steal when the sane energy could make them successful ...

Agreed!
I think you may have made a Freudian slip and meant "same energy" rather than "sane energy." But I'd agree with you either way.

[piolaxo]

The website appears to be gone. That is fast! I hope it is for good.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by piolaxo

The website appears to be gone. That is fast! I hope it is for good.

“Fast” is a relative term considering this thread was started 6 weeks ago. My guess is they ripped off enough people and have moved on to the next scam.