General Cycling Discussion - Akron-Bike scam on eBay

Hi Folks,

I mentioned this in another thread, but they're back and I want to make sure no one falls for it. Akron-Bike, with some number afterwards, is selling a bunch of high-end bikes, but they're a scam. Check out their 'shop' at www.akron-bike.com. Pretty funny stuff. The address doesn't exist (called the hotel across the street) and the phone number isn't listed. I contacted eBay who shut them down twice now, but they keep changing the number after their name (from Akron-Bike1239 to Akron-Bike1245 to Akron-Bike1243) They keep stealing member's feedback, so they have impressive histories. Just none actually selling bikes.

Buyer beware.

Here's a current link. They tend to post for a few days, disappear and then return a few days later. I'll try to repost them as they come and go:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=6935646738&rd=1
Edit: this one has been pulled down, either by eBay or the scammers. I'll repost when a new one shows up. Hopefully, eBay will permanently pull them down.\\
Here's a new one - with two bids. Hopefully, they'll do their homework too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=6935731870&rd=1



Nope - here's one from the latest: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=5338805846&rd=1


And, the latest: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=5338911702&rd=1 They are now Akron-Bike1246

hahahahahahahahahahaha thats funny, to the impulse buyer they would have bought something and not thought of that:lol:

Hmm, you would think EBay would take legal action against them just to cover their own six. Considering terminating their acct is a way of saying "we dont want your business" and all.

From their website: "Akron Bike Shop was open in February 2002. Run by motivated and experienced staff always striving for providing the best possible service to our valued customers, we have quickly become one of the largest online bikes store located directly in the heart of California.

All of our products are warrantied by the original manufacturer Warranty claims can be handled directly with the manufacturer.

We ship by UPS. FEDEX or DHL.We provide the shipping details.We take the shipping and insurance costs.

We will sign a contract with every partner and we will respect it.We also send the invoice for your company records.We offer references from our former customers.

Time is our enemy! We need to sell very fast"
___________

Spelling, syntax, and punctuation are also their enemies!
:D

The photo of the shop has a clearly photoshopped sign, as well as the C-Dale sign to the left. Also the bikes in front of the shop are trailmates and some no name cruisers. Couldn't make out anything else on magnify.

___________

Spelling, syntax, and punctuation are also their enemies!
:D

Oh! When I started to get suspicious, I emailed asking what size bike the auction was for. Here's their reply. I particularly love their explanation of why they don't take PayPal or credit cards

Here's the letter from them:

Hello,

We are overstock in 2004 bike models and because the 2005 models
appeard, we took the decision to sell these bikes more cheaper. There is
stock limit.

The bike is in perfect condition, new, no problems or scratches on
it.It will come in original box with all the papers, manuals and
manufacture warranty documents. We have all sizes available.

The buy it now price for the bike is US$2,300.00. In this price the
shipment costs are included too. You don't have to bid on the auction.
We will end the auction early after payment is received and in maximum
24 hours shipment will start and we will give you the tracking number of
shipment.

We will ship the bike using FedEx and in 5 work days the bike will be
at your door.We will support shipment insurance. The bike will be packed
professionally at our store.We will ship the bike with the option AS A
GIFT and you will not pay any extra taxes.

After some complaints regarding Paypal (please visit
www.paypalsucks.com) we will not accept this method anymore.

We had many problems in past with stolen identity using credit card
payment and we took the decision not to use direct credit card payment.

We have 2 ways for payment: one via bank wire and is available for US
and international customers and the other one is via cash transfer. Bank
wire can take few days the money to be confirmed in our bank account and
that's why he have the seccond payment option which is easy and fast. It
will take only few minutes the payment to be confirmed to us after you
will send.

Please email us what is your prefer payment method and we will give you
instructions.

After payment is confirmed in our bank account, it will take maximum 24
hours your order to be processed and shipment to be started. We also
will give you the tracking number for shipment to track your bike.



We will give you 3 days of inspection of the bike. In case that you will
not be satisfied with it, you will return the bike back to us and we
will fully return your money back. We will support all the costs.



Waiting your email,

Akron Bike Shop

address: 515 E St., San Diego, CA 92101

phone: 866-376-2573

website: www.akron-bike.com

email: sales@akron-bike.com

Hummmm... doing a "whois" on the domain akron-bike.com yielded this:


WHOIS information for akron-bike.com:

[whois.easyspace.com]
Registrant:
Mr Derek S Riewe
2608 Llano Encantado NW
Albuquerque
NM
87120
US

Domain Name: AKRON-BIKE.COM

Administrative Contact, Billing Contact:
"Mr Derek S Riewe"
Phone: 2547635589
Fax:
Technical Contact, Registrar:
"Mr Easyspace Hostmaster"
Phone: +44 1932 350 097
Fax: +44 1932 350 222

Record last updated on 2004-11-01.
Record expires on 2006-11-01.
Record created on 2004-11-01.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS1.EASYPOST.COM 216.167.71.20
NS3.EASYPOST.COM 216.167.71.24

I hate the scams. Report 'em to eBay, and if you have the means of acquiring an extra eBay account (where your buyer's feedback won't matter), then bid $1000000 to protect someone else from falling for it before eBay can shut 'em down.

It'd be kinda funny if we all went and bid on one of these, and all the bids amounts were in the $millions. Even if they tried to cancel the bids, there'd just be more and more of them.

That is hilarious. On their site only Trek models are displayed with tech info, cut and paste from some real source, no doubt. All other links (Cannondale, Giant etc.) show "site is updating" -page. "Search" is conveniently linked directly to Google, "Cart" displays their ISPs generic "page not found"... good job!

--J

whois -h whois.geektools.com akron-bike.com ...
GeekTools Whois Proxy v5.0.4 Ready.

Checking access for 70.17.68.195... ok.



Checking server [whois.crsnic.net]



Checking server [whois.easyspace.com]

Results:
Registrant:

Mr Derek S Riewe

2608 Llano Encantado NW

Albuquerque

NM

87120

US



Domain Name: AKRON-BIKE.COM



Administrative Contact, Billing Contact:

"Mr Derek S Riewe"

Phone: 2547635589

Fax: (none)

This coupled with the contact info on the webpage:

AKRON BIKE SHOP

515 E St., San Diego, CA 92101

phone: 866-376-2573

sure smells fishy.

Interesting. I thought that the California Attorney General might think so too. I dropped them an email with links to their site and this thread. (I don't know if I should have asked permission about that, but it's too late now) Maybe that'll scare him (and others) into knocking off the scams.

Hummmm... doing a "whois" on the domain akron-bike.com yielded this:


WHOIS information for akron-bike.com:

[whois.easyspace.com]
Registrant:
Mr Derek S Riewe
2608 Llano Encantado NW
Albuquerque
NM
87120
US

Domain Name: AKRON-BIKE.COM

Administrative Contact, Billing Contact:
"Mr Derek S Riewe"
Phone: 2547635589
Fax:
Technical Contact, Registrar:
"Mr Easyspace Hostmaster"
Phone: +44 1932 350 097
Fax: +44 1932 350 222

Record last updated on 2004-11-01.
Record expires on 2006-11-01.
Record created on 2004-11-01.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS1.EASYPOST.COM 216.167.71.20
NS3.EASYPOST.COM 216.167.71.24



You have shown us that this guy is not who is claims to be. It speaks for the ethics of the execs at E-Bay that they PRETEND that stopping scams is beyond their technical abilities.

Interesting. I thought that the California Attorney General might think so too. I dropped them an email with links to their site and this thread. (I don't know if I should have asked permission about that, but it's too late now) Maybe that'll scare him (and others) into knocking off the scams.

COOL!!!! You rock!!!!!! Thank you! I was afraid that eBay was letting them slip, but this should help! Cool - strike one up for the good guys!

I like the blatantly obvious Photoshop job on the sign for the store.

Looks like Ebay caught on...both links are linking to Invalid items.

and just doing a google on the phone number gets this:

Your search - 8663762573 - did not match any documents.
No pages were found containing "8663762573".

Suggestions:

- Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
- Try different keywords.
- Try more general keywords.

The address is downtown San Diego... If I get a chance I might just cruise down there and see what gives.

The address is downtown San Diego... If I get a chance I might just cruise down there and see what gives.

Don't bother! I already called the hotel (Gaslight Plaza Suite, or was it Gaslamp?) that's located at 520 E. St., supposedly across the street. The guy said that there was no bike shop across the straight - no way. Did I tell you that he told me that someone else was in there that morning - also looking for the bike shop. I really hope that person hadn't fallen for the scam.

Looks like Ebay caught on...both links are linking to Invalid items.

Nope - they just keep relisting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=5338805846&rd=1

Maybe the New Mexico Attorney General should be contacted?

Nope - they just keep relisting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=5338805846&rd=1

Ahahahhaha look at the seller's feedback then go to the 2nd one:
Seller jcvideoz (private) Nov-08-04 06:50 5529408668
Click on the auctioned item.

A half eaten mini pumpkin:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/ad/df/6a_1.JPG

Ahahahhaha look at the seller's feedback then go to the 2nd one:
Seller jcvideoz (private) Nov-08-04 06:50 5529408668
Click on the auctioned item.

A half eaten mini pumpkin:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/ad/df/6a_1.JPG

Never mind the pumpkin. Whoever is using that account has some pretty terrible taste in clothing.

Nope - they just keep relisting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=5338805846&rd=1

Im going to contact them and tell them that we are on to them. Just for fun, tell me what to say :D

Im going to contact them and tell them that we are on to them. Just for fun, tell me what to say :D

I contacted eBay one more time, this time with a different approach (they sure make it difficult to report problems!) If someone knows how to get in touch with attorney-generals, I like that idea best. If they know that people are really on to them, they'll just change the names and products. I find them because they show up whenever I search eBay for Bianchi. If they change their name and their products, they'll just find new people to scam, and we won't be able to follow with the fun. Let them hang out there long enough for either eBay or the other officials to get to them. If anything, play along. Bombard them with bids. Leave messages on their answering machine. Send tons of emails, asking lots of details. Tease them so they hang out long enough for the attorney general to get them, permanently. Could someone make sure the NM Attorney General gets wind of this? I'm good at the detective work, lousy with the official details.

umm i think you should do that, a little too much for me

cant process it :)

I called their 866 number, and all you get is a recorded message telling you that the phone line is busy and that you should email them.

And that number for Derek S Riewe has been disconnected.

it gets better... 254 is the area code for Waco/Killeen/Temple, TX and 763 is not even a registered or valid exchange in that area code. 762 belongs to "Metrocall" in Temple and 764 belongs to "Alenco Communications" in Alexander, TX. 736 belongs to Dobson Cellular Systems (aka Cellular One). NM is 505 area code and even western TX (El Paso, for example) is 915. This guy is a fraud from beginning to end. There is no Derek S Riewe listed on whitepages.com and a reverse address search turns up no known number for the address in question. There IS, however, an M R Riewe listed at that address on anywho.com with a number of 505-831-5693. Too bad we don't have any forum members in Albuquerque. The street appears to be pretty easy to find in the city as a whole... It seems as though you'd take I-40 to Coors Rd, head north on Coors, then west (left) on Ouray Rd NW and then north (right) on Llano Encantado. Anyway, that's all I've been able to dig up as of yet. I'll dig some more and see if I can come up with anything else.

As a side note, here's my take on the situation. The domain name was purchased fraudulently by a third party using Mr Riewe's credit card. The billing address had to be entered correctly for the card to process, but a fake phone number was used so that nobody could contact mr riewe about the domain name that he owns (unbeknownst to him). Notice that the registrar is in another country entirely, most likely where credit card security isn't as strict. Seems the most interesting course of action would be to contact Mr Riewe himself, ask him about the akron-bike.com domain name that he owns. He'd most likely be quite surprised at this purchase, issue a chargeback and the domain name would die. In theory things COULD progress from there to find out the IP of the person who purchased said domain name, but most likely won't due to the resources involved in doing so over such a small amount. Not something your normal credit card company will even make an issue of.

another edit: akron-bike.com resolves to 198.65.131.205, which is in turn owned by verio.net. I wonder if mr riewe has been conveniently paying for a shared hosting plan through verio or a reseller of verio's service? Perhaps someone can/should email abuse@verio.net and pass a bit of this along to them? If in fact it's a reseller of verio, verio will know which reseller is leasing that IP and could possibly pass it along to them. As far as the toll-free number? It appears to have been bought from a communications company called 'focal". calling 800-337-4194 and putting in their 866 number comes up with an unrecognized carrier for that number but gives a code of FGC01 and a trouble reporting number of 888-362-2522, which is the number one would use to report problems with the number in question. Calling that 888 number connects you with focal communications (http://www.focal.com). Interesting stuff.

Also very telling-

Go to their website again...

1. The storefront has pillars in front, the inside view with the counter and windows-looking outside... oops, no pillars...

2. Look at the counter pic... concrete floor.... pic with shot of the bikes upclose... wooden floor.

I know you all are trying to find this guy in the states, but isn't it obvious that he is not a local cowboy. Reading his stuff reminds me of the emails I get from the South African princes who want me to hold on to their money for them.

Other clues:
He lists a currency exchange link on every page.
Instead of color, he uses "colour"
He lists prices as US$1200, instead of just $1200.

It would make me sad if anyone was actually dumb enough to send this guy money.

Oh those crafty nigerians..

Oh those crafty nigerians..

That Nigerian deal is bogus? I just sent them two million bucks. Darn!!

Even more more telling telling :) : take a look at the source code for their site... it looks like that bikes is the latest scam, the code shows that they used this site for selling Electronics under the name "Future Electronics"... This is too funny..:)


<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<html>


<head>
<title></title>
<meta name="description" content="Next generation technologies for your home or business.">
<meta name="keywords" content="plasma, plasmas, monitors, monitor, display, nec, panasonic, philips, hitachi, siemens, pioneer, samsung, sharp, lg, kodak, lcd, digital, phones, cordless, phone, flat screen, projection, hdtv, high definition, tv, ">
<meta name="copyright" content="Copyright &copy; 2002 Future-Electronics">
<meta name="author" content="Future-Electronics">
<meta name="generator" content="Microsoft FrontPage 5.0">
<script type="JavaScript">
<!--
today = new Date();
expires = new Date(today.getTime() + 86400000);
document.cookie = "homenext-cart=foyrLQYlKrIbUuEcGrChJbyjX; expires=" + expires.toGMTString() + "; domain=.zoovy.com; path=/";
//-->
</script>

wow... looks like we have a regular bunch of detectives in here.. Not only that, the person is a terrible scammer. I feel sorry for anyone who falls for it.

I'm normally a lurker but I thought that this thread was too funny to not join into...

Check out this site:
http://www.coardeles.com/

Do you think he is running the same scam with another website or maybe this website is legit?

I'm normally a lurker but I thought that this thread was too funny to not join into...

Check out this site:
http://www.coardeles.com/

Do you think he is running the same scam with another website or maybe this website is legit?


Maybe there is some scammers forum (www.scamforums.net ???) where you can download the basic web template?

I'm normally a lurker but I thought that this thread was too funny to not join into...

Check out this site:
http://www.coardeles.com/

Do you think he is running the same scam with another website or maybe this website is legit?

Amazing!

I thought I was good - you guys are amazing! Go to the 'About Us' page on both websites! The customer comments are IDENTICAL! Same names, same words - they just change the name to Akron Bike or the electronics! Brilliant scammers!

As far as I can tell, eBay has them shut down. At least, they keep telling me that.

I'm normally a lurker but I thought that this thread was too funny to not join into...

Check out this site:
http://www.coardeles.com/

Do you think he is running the same scam with another website or maybe this website is legit?

Yeah, same telltale language skills. Here's a letter from a purported US customer. Maybe semi-literate websites attract semi-literate customers?


Thanks you very much for the fast respond. I'm looking forward to purchase more product soon from HELITIS . I'll be sure to give a word of mouth to my friends. Thanks again
Kalvin, United States

On ebay, now called "laidbacknluvinit"

On ebay, now called "laidbacknluvinit"

When I last reported Akron Bike to eBay, their security department sent me an email that said they restored the account to the original owner. This might be them. Buying and selling weird clothing. Not bikes, not electronics.

The same customer responses are on both sites, with the same poor English skills. It makes you wonder how safe anything is online. But, hopefully, if someone spots a fraud, they'll report it and get the word out.

Thank you to everyone who investigated this scam. I must admit, and of course confess, that my interest was peeked by the offerings and the prices, but in the end I concluded with the ole saying, "if sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."

Thanks for confirming my huntch.

You guys deserve big props for spending your time investigating and posting to expose these guys.

Good going.

Here's the latest, and hopefully last email from eBay on this! Thanks to everyone who took my initial suspicions and ran with it. Some of your results are amazing. Would never want to upset any of you! Not sure if it's related, but I just got email from eBay saying that someone was trying to compromise my password. I wonder if this person is trying to fight back!

Hello,

Thanks for writing to us. I appreciate the chance to help you with your
questions.

I wanted to let you know that the account you reported was compromised
and used to list unauthorized items.

We have since secured the account and contacted the true owner.
Additionally, the account has since been restored and control given back
to the true owner.

Please be aware that eBay urges caution when purchasing high-priced
items, especially if the price seems too good to be true.

We do not recommend the use of instant cash wire transfer services such
as Western Union and MoneyGram, and we ask that users decline sending
payment in cases where these are the only methods of payment offered by
the seller. Generally, if payment is sent using an instant cash wire
transfer service and the item is not delivered as promised, no recourse
is available for recovering funds. In most cases, a verified escrow
service should be used when purchasing high dollar value items. More
information on the benefits and risks of individual payment methods can
be found at:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/payment.html

We appreciate your email, and wish you the best in your eBay activity.

Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Regards,

Magnus
eBay SafeHarbor
Investigations Team
______________________________
eBay
Your Personal Trading Community (tm)

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=4338442449&rd=1
He's back again with my dream bike.

He stole feedback score from caro426. 'Til today he was just a buyer.

User ID Effective Date End Date

akron-bike1251 Nov-19-04 Present

caro426 Dec-28-02 Nov-19-04

I'm so glad I found this. I almost have to admire him for still trying .... almost! Thanks guys!

From our emails:

Subj: Re: Question for item #6723969369 - NEW 2004 Specialized Epic Comp Disc Mount...
Date: 11/21/2004 6:50:39 PM Central Standard Time
From: serdealkon@yahoo.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



That person tried to buy a bike from us with US$1. He bid on the auction and as we said, we sell the bikes
only at the buy it now price. SO he made us a lot of troubles. We had contacted ebay and everything was
solved.

So if you will arrange payment today, we will ship the bike tomorrow morning and we will give you the
tracking number of shipment.

Thank you


@aol.com wrote:

> OK, here's my question. What is your response to this?
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I mentioned this in another thread, but they're back and I want to make sure
> no one falls for it. Akron-Bike, with some number afterwards, is selling a
> bunch of high-end bikes, but they're a scam. Check out their 'shop' at
> www.akron-bike.com. Pretty funny stuff. The address doesn't exist (called the hotel
> across the street) and the phone number isn't listed. I contacted eBay who shut
> them down twice now, but they keep changing the number after their name (from
> Akron-Bike1239 to Akron-Bike1245 to Akron-Bike1243) They keep stealing member's
> feedback, so they have impressive histories. Just none actually selling bikes.
>
>
> Buyer beware.
>
> Here's a current link. They tend to post for a few days, disappear and then
> return a few days later. I'll try to repost them as they come and go:
>
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=6935646738&
> rd=1
> Edit: this one has been pulled down, either by eBay
> or the scammers. I'll
> repost when a new one shows up. Hopefully, eBay will
> permanently pull them
> down.\\
> Here's a new one - with two bids. Hopefully, they'll
> do their homework too:
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=6935731870&
> rd=1
>
>
>
> Nope - here's one from the latest:
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=5338805846&rd=1
>
>
> And, the latest:
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&
> item=5338911702&rd=1 They are now Akron-Bike1246
>
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 11/21/2004 6:41:28 PM Central
> Standard Time,
> serdealkon@yahoo.com writes:
>
> > We have some technical problems with our phone line due to large usage. Please email us your questions and we will reply promptly
> >
> >
aol.com wrote:
> >
> > >Can you please call me real quickly to discuss something? Or is there a number I can call you at?
> > >
> > >In a message dated 11/21/2004 6:23:39 PM Central
> > >Standard Time,
> > >serdealkon@yahoo.com writes:
> > >
> > >>Hello
> > >>
> > >>You can send payment online using your credit card on www.westernunion.com . The maximum amount that you can send online is US$1000. You will send this amount now
> > >>and after delivery and the 3 days of inspection you will send the last US$200.
> > >>
> > >>Here are our agent details where you have to send payment:
> > >>
> > >>name: John Williams
> > >>
> > >>address: 2445 South El Camino Real, San
> Clemente,
> > >CA
> > >>92672
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>After you will arrange payment please email us the details as:
> > >>
> > >>- sender full name
> > >>
> > >>- sender full address
> > >>
> > >>- payment tracking number (Money Transfer Control Number - MTCN is a 10 digits code that you will receive after you will arrange payment)
> > >>
> > >>- total amount sent
> > >>
> > >>For avoiding international taxes we will ship the bike with the option AS A GIFT and in this way you
> will not pay any extra taxes. We would like to ask you not to say at Western Union that you send the money for a sale on ebay because maybe they will put us to pay extra taxes. Just tell them that you send
> payment to your bussiness partner or friend if they will ask you.
> > >>Thank you very much for your colaboration.
> > >>
> > >>Waiting your email
> > >>
> > >>
aol.com wrote:
> > >>
> > >>>I have the money, but is in the bank. Is there any chance of doing it first thing in the morning? ATM will only let me take a few hundred dollars out in one day. I can do debit card with you or, or
> > >next day a confirmed cashiers check tomorrow (or wire transfer) ... I just can't do it today do the bank being closed. I definately want this bike. Please reply.
> > >>>

> > >>>
> > >>>In a message dated 11/21/2004 5:58:13 PM
> Central
> > >>>Standard Time,
> > >>>serdealkon@yahoo.com writes:
> > >>>
> > >>>>Hello,
> > >>>>
> > >>>>You have to arrange payment of US$1200 today. You can arrange payment in cash transfer
> because if you will use the bank transfer option it will take more than 7 days the money to be confirmed in our account. This delay is because we have to sort payments in our bank account and after that
> the orders will be processed. Cash transfer will take maximum 2 hours the order to be processed. You can use Western Union service because it is a fast and easy service for cash transfer. We receive payment in few minutes this way. You will have to go with payment cash at a Western Union office and send it to our agent.

They're back. Secom-Cycle1221. On ebay, item number: 3942902537, plus a whole bunch more. The usual array of high-end bikes. And, our favorite website: www.secom-cycle.com

Gotta love them for trying...

They're back. Secom-Cycle1221. On ebay, item number: 3942902537, plus a whole bunch more. The usual array of high-end bikes. And, our favorite website: www.secom-cycle.com

Gotta love them for trying...

That's funny, their email office@secom-cycle.com now links to mailto:sales.dept.1@juno.com

That's funny, their email office@secom-cycle.com now links to mailto:sales.dept.1@juno.com

Amazing... and from the links it looks just like the San Diego Store... even down to both the concrete AND wood floors. Gosh if I didn't know better, I might think it was the same web site with just a few words changed... do ya think... :p

Amazing... and from the links it looks just like the San Diego Store... even down to both the concrete AND wood floors. Gosh if I didn't know better, I might think it was the same web site with just a few words changed... do ya think... :p


No way! You think? If this was my scam, I would change the picture in the Secom-Cycle to say 'Bike Shoppe'! That way we would know for sure that they were in England!

You gotta admire the guy's persistence.

Persistence be damned, I say! At least he could learn to con people in Eeeenglish - the e-mails remind me of old-school assembly manuals for taiwanese bikes. Got wind of Akron Bike about 2 weeks back on eBay - I have an old contact at Specialized who says they are not a client and now Specialized is looking into the Akronites to see if they're gray-marketing (not likely). Another friend (researcher at UCSD) has done a drive-by of the address and apparently it is a nice enough neighborhood but no bike shops anywhere. Finally I note with considerable satisfaction that the web site is no longer up.

Cheers,

btc