Scam Alert

[phonogfp]

Yesterday morning I was advised by member “Steven055” vis Private Message that someone he knew might have the 16” Zonophone horn I’m looking for (advertised here a few weeks ago). This member provided an email address for someone presumably named “Jacob Wright.” I thanked Steven055 and wrote a quick email to “Jacob Wright,” who responded that yes had a 16” all brass Zonophone horn, and what was my budget for it. (Red flag #1). I replied that I wasn’t bargain hunting, and was prepared to pay a fair price - especially if he had the earlier style that requires a leather elbow (which I already have). “Jacob Wright” replied with only a price (red flag #2). I replied that I’d need to see a picture. “Jacob Wright” responded with a picture of a nice Type A Zonophone equipped with an early type horn and leather elbow. Nothing more. (Red flag #3.). Something about that picture looked awfully familiar…

I asked if that was the actual horn he was selling and if the elbow was included. His response was simply “Yes and yes.” (Red flag #3. Why doesn’t this guy try to use complete sentences?) I replied that the price was certainly fair and that I was interested, but was on my way out the door. He had indicated that he lives in Pennsylvania, so I suggested that I could do a local pickup. No, he would be going to Colorado, so why not mail it to me? (Red flag #4.). I gave him an address and said that I would be away for the rest of the day and incommunicado. Now he starts talking about Zelle. Finally I asked him if he could explain why the picture he sent was taken from my friend Rene Rondeau’s website. Crickets…

I suggest that steven055’s account here be cancelled (since he is clearly either working with “Mr. Jacob” or is the same person). I also suggest always being prudent in dealing with responses to items you’re seeking here. That vast majority of TMF members are straight-shooters, but clearly not all of them.

[fran604g]

Thanks for the "head's up" George! It seems that it's gotten very (too) easy for scammers to prey on potential victims.

Fran

[fmblizz]

Thanks for the heads up.

blizz

[Inigo]

Thanks!

[Lee]

Thank you for posting this! You probably saved me from great heartache and embarrassment. I should know better at this age. Yesterday, I received a private message from the same "Steven" guy in response to my ad for reproduction tinfoil (which I have had on The Talking Machine Forum for several weeks now) to use for display next to a machine or two. He directed me to Jacob Wright. I emailed Mr. Wright and he answered my questions about rolls of boxed tinfoil with an offer to sell me a Kruesi. (He didn't use the name Kruesi). Well...me always being a sucker in general for a Tinfoil Machine of any kind, I asked how much and a number of other questions. He only answered me in one-word responses and quoted me an extremely low price on the machine and never responded to the question about tinfoil itself. I asked if he was going to the Midwest Show in Schaumburg in a few weeks. I thought that maybe I could avoid the shipping cost. He didn't seem to know about the show. Here are the photos that were sent to me of the Kruesi. Maybe someone knows where the photos originated? Thanks!! Lee

[audiophile102]

Years ago when I was a Police officer, I had to take a report from a scam victim at the local Montgomery Wards store. The con man convinced the victim that he was a Wards employee and could get him a premium VCR at half the cost. He even convinced the victim that he could get his family members to buy in bulk. The victim had to know that the "Wards employee" was taking about theft, but greed got the better of him. The con man opened the trunk of his car and displayed unopened boxes of VCR machines. The victim handed over the cash and took the boxes. He opened them after the con man was gone. Each box was filled with old bricks. W.C. Fields famous quote, "Never give a sucker an even break of smarten up a chump" what the first thing that popped into my head. The victim didn't get his money back. I don't know what he did with the bricks.

[Morell1]

A Google Lens search reveals that those exact pictures of a replica Kruesi machine appeared on eBay a few years ago (via Worthpoint: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... -286874928)

[fmblizz]

No. 1 rule if initial thought is it's too good to be true it is..

blizz

[hexaphone]

Here is the pm I received:

The last time I purchased parts from Mr Jacob
He mentioned he had a Vic II for sale. Hit him up [email protected] he might still have what you looking for.
Cheers Mate and stay safe

Who the heck is Mr Jacob was my first thought. "Cheers Mates"........

Ron Brink

[TinfoilPhono]

The Kruesi photos in this thread were taken by me several years ago. The pictures were from an eBay auction in which I sold a replica about 10 years ago. The text quoted in Worthpoint gives it away at the end: "The machine comes with a brand-new copy of my 168-page book Tinfoil Phonographs , which gives a comprehensive history of these rare and historic machines..."

This particular scam is common all over the internet, on just about every forum I know of. It invariably starts with someone who has a 'friend' who has whatever is wanted, but invariably that supposed friend knows almost nothing about the item wanted, other than that of course they have it at a bargain price.