Hi,

Ive been waiting to make this post for 10hours but I do think its time now.

2 days ago I posted in the HS transfer thread asking for a 1k neteller/skrill transfer for my Pokerstars USD.

Since I just signed up, my post was only seen for a few hours before Rainbow Warrior deleted it saying it was meant for longer members (no problem at all).

Anywayz I got 2 emails and one was by a reputable member (or he atleast was)
Munch_kin asking if i was still looking for the stars trade. I still was.

jrinerx89@aol.com
Hi mate, this is munch_kin from 2+2. Are you still looking to trade your star funds. I can most likely help you if you are still in need of the trade. Let me know. Thank you.

To make a long story shorter.

We started talking on skype and I sent him my money in two times for a total amount of 999usd(1x 100usd & 1x899usd. Two times because the 1st time my transfer did not come trough.

I have a whole skype dialogue with Munch_kin where he is saying he always holds his end of the deal, wouldnt want to ruin his reputation etcetc.

His screenname on Pokerstars is: Thegrandape and his country is Bolivia althoug I do believe he is American. He plays MTT's only.

The skypechat we had:

[10-4-2013 13:04:22] ssweater88: Okay
[10-4-2013 13:06:20] ssweater88: What did it say before. You cannot make transfers when you pulled up the page?
[10-4-2013 13:21:02] ssweater88: Still waiting?
[10-4-2013 13:26:13] ssweater88: Well lmk
[10-4-2013 13:41:20] ssweater88: If I don't respond right away it's because I'm working but shouldn't be long
[10-4-2013 13:54:49] ssweater88: Hey you there??
[10-4-2013 14:35:11] Markiee: i will try
[10-4-2013 14:35:14] Markiee: 100usd right niow
[10-4-2013 14:35:20] Markiee: thegrandape?
[10-4-2013 14:35:36] ssweater88: Ok. Not
[10-4-2013 14:35:39] ssweater88: Ok
[10-4-2013 14:36:13] Markiee: done
[10-4-2013 14:37:10] ssweater88: Ok lmk. If it works send 899 I guess or try for like 300 and just do multiple
[10-4-2013 14:37:43] Markiee: how do i know if the 100 works u sent back
[10-4-2013 14:38:32] ssweater88: Huh?
[10-4-2013 14:38:51] ssweater88: Did it go thru?
[10-4-2013 14:40:03] Markiee: yep
[10-4-2013 14:40:46] ssweater88: Ok. Try one for 400
[10-4-2013 14:40:52] ssweater88: Or 899
[10-4-2013 14:40:57] ssweater88: Should work
[10-4-2013 14:41:02] Markiee: can u sent the 100 usd
[10-4-2013 14:41:10] Markiee: im dont want to sounds douchy
[10-4-2013 14:41:20] Markiee: sent it to my neteller
[10-4-2013 14:41:24] Markiee: will do the rest asap
[10-4-2013 14:41:41] ssweater88: No. Sending all at once. Only like to get it done in one. You'll get your funds
[10-4-2013 14:41:55] ssweater88: Don't like doing multiple for alot of reasons
[10-4-2013 14:42:10] ssweater88: Got In trouble before and almost got account closed
[10-4-2013 14:42:19] Markiee: then how do i know if i ever see my funds back
[10-4-2013 14:42:39] ssweater88: You will. Not gonna ruin my rep over this
[10-4-2013 14:42:44] ssweater88: I have alot of history
[10-4-2013 14:43:29] Markiee: and you will sent it back right now if u sent the rest
[10-4-2013 14:44:20] ssweater88: I don't understand. You send $999 to my stars, then I send to you on neteller.once I get funds I will send
[10-4-2013 14:44:38] Markiee: i sent 100 usd right
[10-4-2013 14:44:39] ssweater88: My min is 1k
[10-4-2013 14:44:50] Markiee: then when i sent 899
[10-4-2013 14:44:53] Markiee: do you sent right back
[10-4-2013 14:44:59] Markiee: since i sent first
[10-4-2013 14:45:08] ssweater88: Send what back?
[10-4-2013 14:45:17] Markiee: yeah neteller
[10-4-2013 14:45:22] ssweater88: Yes
[10-4-2013 14:45:37] ssweater88: Once I get the 999 I will check on stars then send you neteller
[10-4-2013 14:45:40] ssweater88: That's the deal
[10-4-2013 14:45:51] Markiee: how long does neteller take
[10-4-2013 14:45:56] Markiee: cple minutes right
[10-4-2013 14:46:13] ssweater88: Not too long. Yeah if your account is in good standing
[10-4-2013 14:46:22] ssweater88: You all good with them right?
[10-4-2013 14:46:26] Markiee: yeah ofc
[10-4-2013 14:46:35] ssweater88: Ok good
[10-4-2013 14:46:57] Markiee: sent
[10-4-2013 14:47:28] ssweater88: Okay. Lmk when approved
[10-4-2013 14:49:03] ssweater88: Stars ever email you again?
[10-4-2013 14:49:31] Markiee: sent
[10-4-2013 14:49:32] Markiee: done
[10-4-2013 14:49:37] Markiee: check ur mail
[10-4-2013 14:50:30] Markiee: Hello movemymind,

We have transferred 899.00 USD from your account to 'Thegrandape' as per your request.


Good luck to you both.

Regards,

PokerStars Cashier
[10-4-2013 14:50:34] ssweater88: So $899 went thru. Post here what it says in your history or email. I can't check email at the moment
[10-4-2013 14:50:52] Markiee: Hello movemymind,

We have transferred USD 100.00 from your account to 'Thegrandape' as per your request.


Good luck to you both.

Regards,

PokerStars Cashier
[10-4-2013 14:50:56] Markiee: 999 usd
[10-4-2013 14:50:58] ssweater88: Ok. Did you put the capital T?
[10-4-2013 14:51:16] Markiee: no
[10-4-2013 14:51:31] ssweater88: Ok. Just checking
[10-4-2013 14:51:49] ssweater88: That's perfect. Thanks for posting it here so I could see
[10-4-2013 14:52:05] Markiee: oke
[10-4-2013 14:52:20] Markiee: could u sent neteller right away
[10-4-2013 14:52:58] ssweater88: I can in a few. Will you be on in a little while. I need to get on a computer
[10-4-2013 14:52:59] ssweater88: I
[10-4-2013 14:53:12] ssweater88: On phone currently
[10-4-2013 14:53:23] Markiee: not long
[10-4-2013 14:53:33] Markiee: get on the comp
[10-4-2013 14:53:36] Markiee: part of the deal
[10-4-2013 14:53:43] ssweater88: Why what are you doing?
[10-4-2013 14:53:48] Markiee: need to go in 30m
[10-4-2013 14:54:59] ssweater88: Ok ill try. If not it will be done within 2hrs. I was on earlier the. You left for over an hour. I couldn't wait by my computer all day. I will be able to get on one at lunch break. You'll get your money, I always have held to my end of the deal
[10-4-2013 14:55:54] Markiee: i do believe but its alot of money
[10-4-2013 14:56:01] Markiee: therefore would like to end it asap
[10-4-2013 14:57:27] ssweater88: Yes. I understand. I mean I could of done it asap last night and I didn't know what would happen second time you sent, therefore I was gonna sit by computer all day. I have to work too you know. But don't worry, you will get your money we agreed on.
[10-4-2013 14:57:52] ssweater88: Please post your info again so I can make sure you have it to me right the first time
[10-4-2013 14:58:04] ssweater88: gave*
[10-4-2013 14:58:17] ssweater88: Wasnt*
[10-4-2013 14:59:50] Markiee: neteller secure ID: , email : , amount by xe.com euro 763
[10-4-2013 15:00:18] ssweater88: Okay. Thanks
[10-4-2013 15:00:56] ssweater88: So will you be on a little bit later or no? If not check your neteller account a little later and should see the funds in there
[10-4-2013 15:01:10] Markiee: depends on what later
[10-4-2013 15:01:15] Markiee: is
[10-4-2013 15:01:38] ssweater88: 2hrs or so. When I take lunch break. What time is it there?
[10-4-2013 15:01:49] Markiee: 1501 pm
[10-4-2013 15:01:57] Markiee: where you and what time
[10-4-2013 15:02:08] ssweater88: 16:00?
[10-4-2013 15:02:30] ssweater88: Est time
[10-4-2013 15:02:39] ssweater88: 9:00 here
[10-4-2013 15:02:41] Markiee: central european
[10-4-2013 15:02:58] ssweater88: Okay. Between 11:00 and 12:00
[10-4-2013 15:03:17] Markiee: 2/3 hours
[10-4-2013 15:05:32] ssweater88: Yes
[10-4-2013 15:06:14] ssweater88: Should I email you when done or will you be on here ?
[10-4-2013 15:06:25] Markiee: email
[10-4-2013 15:08:11] ssweater88: Ok will do then
[10-4-2013 15:10:10] Markiee: ok sent short message they you sent , i will check, sent message back
[10-4-2013 15:14:22] ssweater88: Ok sounds good
[10-4-2013 15:26:30] Markiee: have to go now
[10-4-2013 15:26:43] Markiee: hope u keep ur worth and its a smooth transaction
[10-4-2013 15:26:57] Markiee: cu
[10-4-2013 15:27:43] ssweater88: No worries. Ttyl man
[10-4-2013 20:19:35] Markiee: havent heard from you
[10-4-2013 20:19:42] Markiee: is this stealing?
[10-4-2013 20:19:48] Markiee: if so i will go public
[10-4-2013 20:28:15] Markiee: why is it taking so long. you agreed 2 hours from when we spoke. see the history. wtf is going on.

Since I sent him my money first, he would sent right back when he got behind the computer (he was chatting on Iphone skype) and would sent me an mail when completed. Its over 19hours ago since sending and I am still waitng and he disappaered from skype and would not react to any emails etc.

Can any1 who has tradinghistory or whatever help me.

If this post doesnt belong here. I am sorry but I am on lifetilt right now.

Gr

i agree its shady and he should've handled it right away. but before you freak out and jump off your roof give him 24hrs to complete the trade.

tho alarm bells would've been going off big time when he refused to send the $100 right away.
sounds like a whole lot of bull **** that he has to send it all in one transaction.

in the future if someone starts saying stupid **** like that i'd demand they send the $$$ right away and if they refuse saying they can only do one transaction then tell them thats fine and the one transaction you would like is for them to send the $ back that you sent to them and you will find someone else to do the trade.

I wont start jumping yet.

The shady is part is that munch_kin was always online on skype and responded to emails quicker than i ve ever seen. Now he is nowwhere to be found.

I do agree with you but since he was chatting on his mobilephone and he was talking how he did not want to ruin his rep etcetc I sent him the rest aswell.

i have traded around $10k in the last week with munch_kin with him sending second, had no problem whatsoever.

also that is not the name i have for him on skype.

Does the email rinkel a bell then? Or his screenname on PS: Thegrandape

Since I ve sent various mails through 2+2 i still havent gotten any response even If its not him....

I dont know his email or PS screename as we traded bank to moneybookers. All i know is his skype name is 100% not ssweater88.

Oke sounds great. Well he hasnt denied yet from my emails through 2+2.

Wth is going on. I emailed Stars again with the link of this saying its clearly a set up and I have been a victim of someone pretending he is someone else.

Prolly a middle man scam.

Scammer was talking to both of u, pretending to be each of u to each other.

U send ur funds to other guy, he sends it to scammer

Other guy was told by the scammer that he would be receiving on poker site from ur name. Once other guy get the funds from ur name, he sends to the name/place he was told to by the scammer.

Ie other guy may well not be involved, and most likely isn't if it was a middle man scam

Hey,

Sorry but I'm at the gym at the moment.

I suggest you contact stars ASAP as that isn't my stars name nor my Skype.

Will reply more when I get home in 2-3 hours. But seems like someone has scammed you pretending to be me. :/

To give u an update. Stars keep telling me that I should contact: Thegrandape.
As you might know/think he turned off his skype, his emails and is gone.

Unfortunately, as we have repeatedly told you we are in a position where we cannot get involved in deals between players.

We would advise you to get in touch with player "Thegrandape" and resolve this matter among you.

We are truly sorry for the inconveniences you are experiencing regarding your money transfer. We understand this could be a very frustrating situation.

As mentioned in previous emails, please note that PokerStars does not get involved on any deal a player may make on third party websites.

Ultimately, off-site deals are solely the responsibility of the parties involved and are not in any way condoned by PokerStars. Since you are making a monetary agreement with a complete stranger and should be aware of the risks involved. PokerStars will not accept the responsibility of this loss.

Unfortunately, we cannot recover any of the funds in question. We sympathize with any loss incurred and hope that this acts as a lesson to prevent any further losses in the future.

Regards,

Lidia F
PokerStars Security Team

so cliffs:

- you posted your email address in xfer thread
- someone emailed you, claimed to be a 2+2 handle with good rep, no verification of this whatsoever
- you sent $1000 to a PS account this person provided you, no verification that the ps account corresponded to the 2+2 user name

seems pretty certain that a) 2+2 user munchkin was not involved and b) you will never see that $1000 again.

Unfortunately this looks like Markie123 has been scammed.

smellmuth you are pretty much spot on with what has happened. It would take 1 search of my name on 2p2 to find out what my Stars nickname is, and he has gone and sent $$ to someone else.

****ty situation and just shows how people need to be a lot more careful

Christ this again, sorry Markie but you could well be SOL here.

This is thegrandape... i opened a 2+2 account to respond to you. I am not sure what happened here but a friend asked me to receive on stars and send to a bank account which i did and can show you screen shots etc. I added you on skype last night when i got the email from stars that you thought you had been scammed but you still have not accepted my request Please do so we can try figure out what is going on.. also if you want give me your phone number and i will contact you.

I can assure you i am not a scammer, really have no clue what happened here.. not sure if we both got scammed by someone else.

Hope to hear from you soon.

thegrandape did not steal your money. I paid a person, not sweater88 (no clue as to this id), a gdmp to send thegrandape 999 usd.

He came to me on the guise of a referral from what I believed to be a close relationship. I would like to say that this person did not claim to have a 2+2 account, nor did I ask. I did use the sites to check his play, lots of tourneys and such, sounded fair at the time. Like I said, I thought it was a trusted referral.

Let's find him. OP pm me please.

*

Edit/MH: Should be ssweater88.

Mods, can we get this post deleted or the name changed please? my good friends name is being smeared and stars believes it's the original OP's fault entirely. The OP took a trade by email outside of the forum to start.

Havent received any invites on skype.
Message me

U paid a person??..

What is going on here, seriously

*

Edit/MH: Should be ssweater88.

this is exactly what happened. it's apparent.

update:

the OP made an error on a trade outside of 2+2. He now understands the procedures.
this was as pmarrsouth said earlier, a middle man scam. I am sad this happened to him and TheGrandeape nor I will profit for this.

All extra funds have been sent back to movemymind.

I urge the mods to please remove it as thegrandeape name does not need to be seen this way.

This matter is closed. Thegrandeape will confirm in, then Markie.

I can confirm this is true, and have returned the vig on the trade to Markie.

I can confirm 2 post above.

Sent out an apology to munch_kin, thegrandape. They werent involved in this proffesional scam.

Expensive lesson..

I myself got scammed for 500 euros a few weeks ago by a scummy c**t that hacked a very well respected user on here's password.

I thought I was dealing with the reputable 2+2 user so didn't take as many precautions as I would usually take.

Always take your time and take every precaution possible if sending first. Genuine people who trade will never be in a hurry to trade with you.

They will happily accept a small $10 transfer originally to ensure the first trade goes smoothly.

They will be happy using teamviewer so you can view their account while you talk to them on skype and you can both do the trade in real time watching each others screens.

If it's a poker site make them sit at the table with the balance or again when teamviewing them.

Ideally find a couple of people who you can trade with regularly so you don't have to keep doing it with randoms from the marketplace who you don't have any history with.

Gl and wp the guys for returning any profit made.

+1, not sure you could have said this any better.

There needs to be a sticky about this kind of scam somewhere as threads are popping up about this more and more often and there are probably more we don't hear about.