how can i find out if online business is scam or not?

by tamazd
12 replies
I'm trying to buy a website on Flippa, but something I don't like about the seller is there any way to findout he and his business scam or true.
on the listing he accepts payment with escrow.com, but when time came to pay, he said no, he wants me to pay with wise.com or Zelle.
Can I have any suggestion, advice?
Thanks .
#business #find #online #scam
  • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
    For me changing the terms on the escrow.com thing is a red flag...The escrow should give both parts the peace of mind needed to make the deal happen. What's the reason for that U-turn regarding the escrow.com condition?
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    • Profile picture of the author tamazd
      No reason. He said: ''I said to you before, that I do not accept Escrow.com'', what he never said to me.
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      Tamaz Dvali

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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    What's the reason for that U-turn regarding the escrow.com condition?

    Doesn't matter what the reason is - it makes the sale high risk for you. I would walk away - quickly.
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    • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
      Yeah, I was curious, but for me not a proper escrow it's a no-go, end of the due diligence.
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Originally Posted by tamazd View Post

    I'm trying to buy a website on Flippa, but something I don't like about the seller is there any way to findout he and his business scam or true.
    Regardless of whether it's a scam (although the u-turn on escrow is a big clue), I wouldn't do business with someone I didn't like.

    There'll always be other deals.
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Escrow.com is an escrow company.


    The other two are transferring-money sites.


    The difference?


    Once you pay with the other two, whether you received what you paid for or not, the money is gone.


    I never worked with escrow.com but have worked with escrow companies.


    With escrow companies, you send the money to the escrow company. They send it to the seller only if the seller fulfills their part of the transaction.


    Asking to bypass an escrow company says to me they want you to give them money but do not want to give you what they promised to give you.


    Originally Posted by tamazd View Post

    I'm trying to buy a website on Flippa, but something I don't like about the seller is there any way to findout he and his business scam or true.
    on the listing he accepts payment with escrow.com, but when time came to pay, he said no, he wants me to pay with wise.com or Zelle.
    Can I have any suggestion, advice?
    Thanks .
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  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Originally Posted by tamazd View Post

    .
    on the listing he accepts payment with escrow.com, but when time came to pay, he said no, he wants me to pay with wise.com or Zelle.
    .
    I would look into Flippa about payments. Since he trying to switch payment methods, that is probably not allowed. Do not accept his payment method and report him to Flippa. See what customer support says.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamell
    Contact a few people in your network . You can hire a private investigator if you want to as well .

    Run his /her name through google .You might also want to ask a few corporate lawyers questions .

    Check alexa to see how well the site ranks and performs .

    Lastly ,do your research on the methods of payments that the person recommended.
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      Why? This seller wants to bypass escrow, the thing that guarantees they deliver before they get the money and that the buyer pays before they get the product.

      There is no good reason to bypass escrow.

      Originally Posted by Jamell View Post

      Contact a few people in your network . You can hire a private investigator if you want to as well .

      Run his /her name through google .You might also want to ask a few corporate lawyers questions .

      Check alexa to see how well the site ranks and performs .

      Lastly ,do your research on the methods of payments that the person recommended.
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  • Profile picture of the author spartan14
    well be very careful who you pay money .I would advise you to not pay a big amount of cash to people who dont ever meet
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Some of the answers above seem to be for 'post count'...why would you go ANY further on a deal that is clearly sideways?

    Hire a private investigator or an accountant? How about use common sense?

    Find another site to buy - it's not like that is the only seller available
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Sometimes I just want someone to hug me and say...
    "It's going to be OK - here's a horse and two million dollars."
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Originally Posted by tamazd View Post

    I'm trying to buy a website on Flippa, but something I don't like about the seller is there any way to findout he and his business scam or true.
    on the listing he accepts payment with escrow.com, but when time came to pay, he said no, he wants me to pay with wise.com or Zelle.
    Can I have any suggestion, advice?
    Thanks .
    Yup... STOP. It's not worth you giving up the protection of your money. The exchange is supposed to be your money for what you're paying for, ie. this website with its results as promised. Pay by another method and you're giving up that safety...they can give you nothing in return. Then you'd have to sue, and if it's international you essentially have zero protection. You'd never see that money again.
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