New Online Scams — December 2024

[_trainski]

Greetings and Happy New Year!

Here are (2) more model train online web-shop scams this holiday season — that are very well crafted and completely fake.

https://www.athearnshop.com/
https://www.trainmodelsales.com/

I was able to get a 100% refund back from Paypal, thanks to their up to date online scam prevention protocols. I am very thankful for PayPal’s exemplary customer support and I encourage you all to be careful as these online scammers are getting extremely sophisticated.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2025!

[nickelplate759]

From the About Us section of the fake Athearn store:

How it all began – our idea of the perfect backpacks store
As a company who has been selling fashion bags for over 10 years, we found that there are few backpacks suitable for modern fast living life in the market in the past years. That is why we started this website, just for offering the best backpacks.

We are growing fast, just for the best products and service to our customers. We have experienced designer, workers and professional customer service team. Our goal is: the best company that offers the best backpacks for customers.

[MK]

And on the Train Models:

DELIVERY

We offer two delivery options within UK, which are standard and next day delivery. Standard delivery costs £4.95 and your items should ordinarily arrive within 2 days from despatch (excluding Sundays) but please allow up to 5 days for delivery. We also offer a next day delivery service for UK addresses only, with orders of in-stock items placed on weekdays before 8 pm and on bank holiday Mondays before 1.00 pm, guaranteed to arrive the next day. This costs £8.95.

Stock permitting, all standard orders are usually despatched within 48 hours of being accepted, to arrive with UK customers within 5 days (excluding Sundays). The delivery period stated within which you will receive your item(s) is approximate. Goods will be sent to the address given by you at the checkout.

But the Contact Us says they are in Memphis, TN:

If you have questions or concerns then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

Address
2529 Lightning Point Drive
Memphis TN, United States (US)
38110

Opening Hours
Mon to Fri: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 8am – 6pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm

[Chris333]

Google need a "Scam Likely" pop up like my phone does 

[delamaize]

Quick Google search reveals there is no "Lightning Point Drive" in Memphis.

And on the Train Models:

DELIVERY

We offer two delivery options within UK, which are standard and next day delivery. Standard delivery costs £4.95 and your items should ordinarily arrive within 2 days from despatch (excluding Sundays) but please allow up to 5 days for delivery. We also offer a next day delivery service for UK addresses only, with orders of in-stock items placed on weekdays before 8 pm and on bank holiday Mondays before 1.00 pm, guaranteed to arrive the next day. This costs £8.95.

Stock permitting, all standard orders are usually despatched within 48 hours of being accepted, to arrive with UK customers within 5 days (excluding Sundays). The delivery period stated within which you will receive your item(s) is approximate. Goods will be sent to the address given by you at the checkout.

But the Contact Us says they are in Memphis, TN:

If you have questions or concerns then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

Address
2529 Lightning Point Drive
Memphis TN, United States (US)
38110

Opening Hours
Mon to Fri: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 8am – 6pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm