It was just another evening when I was browsing through Olx, looking for vintage cameras. That’s when a specific camera from Fujifilm caught my eye. A camera is also known as a poor man’s Leica.
And here is how the conversation started on a popular online marketplace, which quickly shifted to WhatsApp. Below are the screenshots. The WhatsApp business had a catalog of cameras, drones and graphic cards – all used.
As seen in the screenshots, an automated business message got triggered after my message, which included a website, a Facebook profile of BR Parmar, two addresses, a GST number, and CIN. (More on this later in the article. This led me to believe this was a trusted and registered seller.
After a call with Parmar, he requested 50% of the amount as advance and the rest post delivery. I transfer 50% of the amount. Within 15 minutes, he sent me an invoice with a third address no contact number and a random email ID. Note: The conversation happened in a mix of broken Hindi and English.
By evening, around 7 PM, I got a poorly lit video and a picture with my address on a box, which I later learned was just a wrapped box or written with an erasable marker.
On Aug 31, around 10 AM he sent me a message mentioning the remaining amount and a courier consignee slip that had marked the shipping amount and the total weight of the package as 5 KG. The courier slip was marked as paid with a seal. And, most importantly, it did not have a tracking code. This raised my suspicion as the boxed weight of the camera itself is no more than a Kilogram.
I got a call from Parmar, asking me to pay the remaining amount so he can send the courier. He convinced me that he was just a broker and the amount needed to ship the package. I called him and asked for the tracking code. There was no response. This was the moment (insert meme) I knew I effed up. He was so polite and convincing I still ended up paying the remaining amount. Then, the real drama started. Parmar just went missing for almost two days despite repeated calls from WhatsApp and regular calls.
On Aug 1, Parmar returned with a request saying there was a mistake in the invoice and sent a revised invoice with an added 18% international GST. The interesting part is that he mentioned there is no EMI or GST as this is a second-hand product. He becomes active again. He asks to send the remaining amount repeatedly on call and text. Sometimes rude. Sometimes polite and also apologises for the delay in sending in tracking code.
At this stage, the argument gets heated, and Parmar regularly cuts the call. I get frustrated. I constantly request a refund, and he assures me I will get the package in 4-5 days. Yet, he sent a message asking if I had paid the GST.
After a couple of Google searches, I found Computer World and Fancy Photographic Service, and contacting based on the mentioned addresses, they clearly said that they do not deal with brokers, nor does Computer World deal with cameras.
Despite being aware and conscious of online scams, I was too late to realise I had been scammed. I kept thinking whether the scammer was too organised and smart or whether I was impulsive and careless in my decision.
The article is aimed at spreading awareness and also a call for help from anyone who can track or help me get back the money.
