The Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike $79 scam is a deceptive scheme run by online fraudsters who create fake online stores offering an enticing deal on the Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike. They copy original product photos, product descriptions, and employ generic template design to give the appearance of a legitimate online store. Read on to find out more.
Quick links
- Identifying the Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike Scam
- How the Scam Works
- Steps to Take if You’re a Victim
- Summary Table for the Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike Scam
- FAQ About the uscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike Scam
Identifying the Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike Scam
There are various signs that an online shop might be fraudulent:
- Incredibly low prices. The Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike is priced at just $79.99, $80 or €79.99, which is far below its actual market value (over $2000).
- The use of recently registered domains such as Bogoonomoo.com, gotbikexs.com, minibikebsx.com, gominibike.com, and lenkeen.com.
- Minimal contact information, often just an email address.
- Duplicated product images and descriptions from the original product.
- The use of different product names like “BSX 110 Mini Bike”, “Mini Bike – VICE LINE LLC”, “Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike – VICE LINE LLC”, and “Vintage Mini Bike” to make the scam harder to spot.
- Advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook.
- The use of JavaScript to protect the site from researchers. If you try to access these sites directly or from a computer, you will be redirected to an irrelevant or non-existent site.
- Hidden WHOIS contact information for these fraudulent sites.
How the scam works
The Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike scam begins with the creation of an eye-catching advertisement, designed to entice potential victims. The ad features the bike at an extraordinarily low price of $79.99, $80 or €79.99. This is a dramatically marked-down price from the actual retail cost, which is around $2199. The scammers go to great lengths to make the sale appear legitimate by copying original product images and descriptions from the original manufacturer or retailer.
These advertisements are generally promoted on social media platforms, with Facebook being a favored choice. Scammers strategically target users who have shown interest in similar products or those who fall into the demographic likely to be interested in the product.
Upon clicking the ad, the user is redirected to one of the scam websites. These websites, such as Bogoonomoo.com, gotbikexs.com, minibikebsx.com, gominibike.com, and lenkeen.com, are made to look genuine. They often feature professional-grade images and detailed descriptions of the bike, further convincing the potential buyer of their authenticity.
The scam websites usually provide minimal contact information, which often includes only an email address. The website layout is typically a generic template design, which can be a clue to its illegitimacy. Moreover, the scam sites use different product names, such as “BSX 110 Mini Bike”, “Mini Bike – VICE LINE LLC”, “Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike – VICE LINE LLC”, and “Vintage Mini Bike”. This tactic is designed to confuse potential buyers and make the scam less obvious.
In the next step of the scam, the potential victim decides to make a purchase and is directed to the payment section of the website. At this point, they are asked to enter their credit card information. The scammers then charge the buyer’s credit card for the transaction, but the product is never delivered.
Furthermore, these fraudulent sites use JavaScript to protect their sites from investigation. If researchers or savvy internet users attempt to directly access these sites, not from Facebook or another link, but by typing in the URL, they’ll experience a redirect to a non-existent or irrelevant website. This measure is designed to prevent detection and maintain the scam’s operation for as long as possible.
In summary, the Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike scam is a sophisticated scheme designed to trick unsuspecting internet users into paying for a high-demand product that they will never receive. The scammers utilize genuine-looking advertisements, professional product images, and descriptions, as well as seemingly legitimate websites, to execute their fraudulent activities.
Examples of similar scams
Electric bike scam: Scammers pretended to be well-known retailers like Costco and Macy’s and offered to sell electric bikes for just $32.89. The scammers took advantage of people’s trust in well-known brands and used fake listings to trick them into buying the bikes.
Mini-trike scam: Scammers offered to sell a mini-trike called “Pioneer Flame Mini Trike” for just $29.99, even though its real price is over $4,000. They used false advertising to make the trike seem like a high-end product, and they created fake shops or listings to trick people into buying it. Like the mini bike scam, the mini-trike scam relied on people’s desire to get a good deal on a popular product.
These are just a few examples of the many scams that exist online. It’s important to be aware of the signs of a scam and to use caution when making online purchases, especially from unknown or unverified sellers.
Steps to Take if You’re a Victim
If you’ve fallen victim to the Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike scam, here’s what you can do:
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you used a credit card to make the purchase, contact your credit card company immediately and dispute the charge. They may be able to reverse the charges and investigate the transaction.
- Report the scam. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. This will help law enforcement agencies track and shut down the scammers.
- Contact the manufacturer. If you are unsure whether the product is genuine or not, contact the manufacturer of the real product to confirm whether the online store you used is authorized to sell their products.
- Monitor your financial accounts. Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements to make sure there are no unauthorized charges or suspicious activity. If you see any, report it immediately to your bank or credit card company.
- Stay vigilant. Scammers are always coming up with new tactics to deceive consumers, so it’s important to be cautious when making purchases online. Do your research, verify the authenticity of the product and the legitimacy of the online store, and only purchase from reputable sources.
Remember, prevention is key when it comes to protecting yourself from online scams. Stay informed and stay vigilant to keep your personal and financial information safe.
Threat Summary
| Name | Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike Scam |
| Type | Online Purchase Scam |
| Fake claims | Offer to buy a Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike for $79.99, although its real price is $2,199 |
| Scammers’ websites | bogoonomoo.com, gotbikexs.com, minibikebsx.com, gominibike.com, and lenkeen.com |
| Damage | Financial loss, stolen personal and financial information, identity theft |
| Distribution methods | Social media, YouTube, fraudulent online stores |
| Indicators of the Scam | Extremely low price, fake online shop or listing, unresponsive seller, no delivery or fake delivery confirmation |
| Prevention Tips | Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, verify the authenticity of the seller and the product, use secure payment methods |
| Reporting Info | Report the scam to the relevant authorities and platforms, dispute the charge with the credit card company, leave positive reviews for legitimate sellers |
How to spot and avoid such scams
To avoid falling victim to scams like the “Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike” scam, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Before making a purchase, research the product and the seller. Look for reviews and ratings, and check the seller’s website for information about their return policy, shipping information, and contact details.
- If you’re unsure whether a product is genuine or not, contact the manufacturer to confirm whether the seller is authorized to sell their products.
- Scammers often lure consumers with low prices that are too good to be true. If the price seems too low for a product, it’s likely a scam.
- Look for the padlock icon in the URL bar and “https” in the website address. This indicates that the website is secure and your personal and financial information is encrypted.
- When making online purchases, use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards offer more protection against fraudulent transactions, and you can dispute charges with your credit card company.
- Be cautious of websites or sellers that ask for personal information beyond what is necessary to make a purchase.
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails or messages, and be wary of emails that ask for personal or financial information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Buscadero BSX 110 Mini Bike Scam is just one example of the many online purchase scams that exist today. Scammers prey on unsuspecting buyers by offering products at prices that seem too good to be true, using fake websites or social media listings to trick buyers into parting with their money. Victims of this scam may experience financial loss, stolen personal and financial information, and even identity theft.
To avoid falling victim to this scam and others like it, it’s important to verify the authenticity of the seller and the product before making a purchase online. Use secure payment methods, such as credit cards or PayPal, that offer buyer protection and can help you dispute fraudulent charges. Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true and always research the seller and their reviews or ratings.
If you do fall victim to a scam, it’s important to report it to the relevant authorities and platforms as soon as possible. You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company and seek assistance from consumer protection agencies. By taking these steps, you can help protect yourself and others from falling victim to these types of scams.
