226 Helmets Sea-Corps "BUSTED" on Ebay Since 6/2/06
The helmets listed on this page are frequently offered on ebay or antique shops. They are either purposely offered as authentic (when they are not), or the seller is unaware the helmet is a fake or a reproduction and will offer it as the real-deal. Ebay scams are abundant and at times even clever and hard to detect. Know the signs and tactics used by the scammers, before you commit to buy! Sea-Corps patrols the seller market to keep it honest!
Visit our "Hall of Shame" and Reproduction Alerts at the bottom of this page
BAN CHINESE AUCTIONS: Over the past year over 50% of the helmet scams are coming out of China. Yet, I have not seen even 1 legitimate auction come out of that Country. I have contacted Ebay on the issue, and, of course, they show no interest in banning Chinese helmet auctions. Protect yourself and just ignore these auctions.
the scams - heavy rigs
(Look closely at all these photos. If you see any of these helmet photos on ebay, the photo is stolen. ALL these helmets were already sold on ebay long ago.
Auction house misrepresentation (#30313120815). This is one of the Morse
8/29/1941 reproduction helmets. It is being sold on ebay listed as an
authentic antique. It is a tempting buy for unsuspecting buyers.
Fraud. This rig was put on ebay in 2006 (legitamately). It
resurfaced in June 2007 under the seller "suckface1". It had all the
traits of a fraud - Short duration, user ID kept secret, very low opening bid.
This is another helmet that was legit listed in 2006 and just showed up again in
June 2007. Same seller (or scammer) as listed above "suckface1".
FRAUD - auction # 170003549632. This helmet was legit sold in June '06.
Chinese scammers make a half witted attempt to describe helmet - It's actually
pretty funny!
This helmet was legitimately sold on Ebay last month (May 2006). It has
been showing up on ebay again from China. Stay Away! Ebay #102251329227
Although the helmet is real, the auction was not.
Miller-Dunn? Mk5 (according to seller) More like a Morse. Was being sold on ebay
in 2006. I was skeptical of this auction due to the helmet looking very
familiar to me. I asked some questions to the seller and never got a
response. Helmet disappeared from auction the following day. The listing
was from the UK. The helmet photo was actually from another persons
website that I know and was being used as a "scam" for this particular seller.
The helmet was real, but the seller had stolen the photo from a website
and used it for this attempted scam. This apparently is a fairly common
scam - So buyers beware! UPDATE: On 5/4/06 this same helmet showed up again
on ebay, using a different photo. Auction was also from the UK, using a
stolen legit user name from the US.
the scams - modern superlights
Kirby Morgan Frauds currently or recently listed:
Listing numbers: 250008812013, 320007748509, 320007748808, 160008455516, 160008455398, 270008213936, 220007483033, 330007921849, 330007921867, 270007145883, 280007503850, 280007503758, 230003095151, 330002522842, 110002788966, 270002678711, 250002808798, 110003023893, 120002853428, 19000309552, 230002780503, 280002363169, 250002477713, 130002038705, 20002257603, 220000983343, 220001616903, 220001616990, 120000773473, 130000732259, 300000387665, 300000388864, 103001608922, 8831868663, 102250857145, 102250852427, 9333992189, 7424351168, 6067282143, 4470917672, 7630736832, 7630736326
UPDATE: This helmet actually belongs to one of our viewers. He
assured me that he still owns this helmet and it is NOT for sale...ANYWHERE!
This helmet was legitimately sold back in June 2006. It has been showing
up on fraud auction since then. An unfortunate buyer was recently scammed
out of A LOT of money from this scam auction!
KM37 (Ebay - #7248026763) We were contacted by the original owner of this
helmet. The info and photos from this listed auction is stolen from his
auction. The auction has ended before Ebay could intervene.
Hopefully Ebay contacts the buyer before they send their money. If you see
this photo, or other angles of it on ebay - STAY AWAY!
FRAUD! #6887580947 Another Kirby Morgan being used in this scam. Helmet is
listed in "Cloths " section, plus several other indicators.
FRAUD! STAY AWAY! Auction #7770750717. Seller lists helmet in "Baby"
section. Seller uses stolen photo from manufactures website. Uses
HIGH BIDDER: User ID Kept Private feature. The sellers user ID feedback is
in ALL German, yet this auction is in perfect English. The layout of the
auction is very similar to several other fraud auctions going simultaneously.
Ebay Notified.
FRAUD! STAY AWAY! Auction #6886697630. The seller has item listed in "Cloths"
section. Short Auction. Uses HIGH BIDDER: User ID Kept Private
feature. One of several UK auctions currently running scams. User ID
typically does not sell this type of gear. Ebay Notified.
FRAUD! STAY AWAY! Auction #9325884469. The seller has helmet listed in the
"Cloths and Accessories" section. One of the photos is from the KM
website. The User ID seller normally does not sell this type of product.
Short auction. Uses "HIGH BIDDER: User ID Kept Private" feature. Ebay
Notified.
FRAUD! STAY AWAY!. This scammer is busy! Several of these
auctions going at once. Listing helmet in Health & Beauty. Directs
buyers away from ebay. Stolen photo from previous auction. Using
High Bidder "User ID Kept Private". Short Auction. Ebay
Notified.
FRAUD! STAY AWAY! Auction #9525438701. The seller has item listed in "Health &
Beauty". The seller uses form to direct away from ebay. Short
auction. Stolen user ID. Photo is from a previous auction. Ebay Notified.
Fraud! STAY AWAY! Auction #89422213818. The seller has helmet listed
in Jewelry. The seller directs communication away from ebay. Offers a low
"Buy It Now" price. The legit user ID usually sells and buys barbies!
Reported to Ebay.
Fraud! Although this helmet is listed in at least a "scuba" section, it is a
fraud. The layout is similar to the above KM17 frauds above. The
seller ID has all his other auctions in French, yet this one is in perfect
English. Uses the HIGH BIDDER: User ID Kept Private feature. Short
auction. Ebay Notified. UPDATE: The actual owner of this
helmet contacted us and informed us that this helmet was sold to a specific
organization and is still being used by that group. It is NOT for sale on
EBAY!
SWITCH and BAIT! - Here's a new scam on ebay. The "Seller," by that
I mean "Scammer," will list some photos and info of a previous legit
auction (a common fraudulent) practice. But here is where they really try
and hook an unsuspecting buyer: 1. They tell you the auction is a
"pre-approved bidders or buyers only." 2. They will then direct you
to contact them directly through a phone number or email address. 3.
They will try and sell you the item outright (which of course they don't have).
4. The price they offer may be to good to be true. In the case of
this auction they offered the Kirby Morgan Superlite, in excellent condition,
for a mere $2,000.00 plus only $12.00 shipping. 5. You send them
the money - Their gone!Clues to look for in this type of scam are:
1. Auction is listed under a " Pre-approved bidders and buyers only"
2. The "seller" lists a phone number and /or email address to contact them.
3. The price may be "too good to be true" - Including the shipping!
4. It's a short 3-day auction.
5. As with ALL helmets you buy on ebay - Ask them specific questions first! I asked for a simple specific request and never received an email in return.
BIG TIME scam! Here was an interesting scam as of 5/10/06. These two
helmets were being offered by what appeared to be from a legit seller.
They were from Detroit, they had some good feedback and all seemed legit...from
the outside anyway! Here is what I found: 1.
I took a closer
look and noticed the auction was a short one. 2. They had two other
auctions for the same helmets going on simultaneously (item #'s 7766253503,
7766253092, 7766252424, 7766252011). 3. The helmets were listed
under "HOME & GARDEN". 4. When you click on there "Sellers other
items" you are directed to over 100 high priced ticket items, such as;
computers, expensive musical equipment, plasma TV's, and other like items - Yet
the seller only had a feedback score of "9". 5. They try and
re-direct you away from Ebay for contact. 6. I asked seller if I
could personally inspect and pick-up item The answer was "no".
Needless to say, Ebay was contacted and reported and the auctions were immediately terminated.
This helmet was legitimately sold on ebay, then about a week later was being
sold by a "copycat" scammer by the name of "rsnbittrb". Ebay was notified, as
was an individual that had already bid on the helmet (he really appreciated our
letting him know). After Ebay pulled the auction, the "scammer" contacted
me still trying to sell me this helmet - very persistent! Previous to
contacting ebay I did make contact with the scam-seller fishing for info. and
photos. He did have other photos (stolen from the original legit auction)
but could not answer my specific questions.
This helmet was legitimately sold on ebay the week prior to a "copycat" listing
the week of 4/26/06. The scam-seller (pedal21floor) just copied all the
legit sellers product info on to a new auction. Ebay was notified and the
listing was removed.
Kirby Morgan 17. ebay 2006. This was another "copycat" listing by a fraud
listing "tricia0303oz". This item was pulled by Ebay prior to our
investigation. We had emailed the seller for some info and apparently
someone else already alerted ebay, or they figured it out by themselves
Anatomy of a scam
The following are excerpts from an email conversation from a legit buyer and a scam artist. Note how the scammer tries to sell the buyer on "the transaction is protected by ebay." The buyers name and some of her conversation has been left out.
From Scammer "Prazz06@aol.com": yes
sir i have helmet for sale.
the final price is $1500 and if you want to buy give me your shipping address
and i will make reservtion for your name on UPS and after you will send me the
money trough Western union money transfer i will start the shipping for you and
in max 3 working days you will have this in your home
thanx and i wait your email
best regards
From Scammer: Hello,
I am willing to sell the item for $ 800 US. The item is new. I will ship by UPS
and the shipping is free .We will deal through eBay, so if you decide to buy
them you can email me right now your following details which I will need for
starting the transaction with eBay:
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
ZIP CODE:
EBAY EMAIL ADDRESS:
And ebay e will email you the invoice of our transaction and further details and
instructions
I will be waiting for your prompt reply.
Thanks
From Legit Buyer: Hi Belov I will have to go to a Western Union tomorrow
its 11:00 pm here now.
I also need to know if this is a legitimate transfer and that once I send you
the $800.00 that I will receive the helmet. Its for my son he just graduated
from diving school a few months ago and he really needs this for his job.
Please let me know about you being trusted on this deal.
Thanks
N. ****** (name protected)
From Scammer: Trust me! It is a real deal under ebay protection. You
will receive the helmet in 3 days after the payment. Don't woory we have a great
deal.
Mail me with the confirmation
My best regards!
From Scammer: Please send me the info I asked. I will forward them to
ebay and ebay will send you an email with the purchase.
Waiting your mail asap
From Scammer: You
have the guarrantee of ebay and my word that you will receive the helmet in 3
days.
To arrange the transfer, you must go in person to a
Western Union office and send the money from your name and address to my name
and address .Here are the details that you need for the money transfer:
First name: Belov
Last name: Elena Amalia
Street: Matei Basarab nr.58
City: Braila
State: Braila
Country: Romania
Please be carrefull with my first and last name.
For sending the money you must find a western union agent location and send the
money from there because western union don't send the money online in Romania
After that, you will recive an confirmation number and
I want you to send me the folowing details :
-the sender name
-the sender address
-the amount
-MTCN (money transfer control number)
REFUND ---After the package arrives you have an 15 days period in which you can
send the package back for an full and NO QUESTION refound,but you will pay for
the shipping and handlling back to me.
Waiting your payment confirmation mail.
Regards
From Scammer: Since
ebay send you the insurrance they record our transaction and they guarrantee the
safety of the deal. If you don't want to buy there is no problem for me because
I have another buy it now demands. I am a woman of honor and I keeped this item
for you. Let me know if we still have a deal. Look if you want send me half now
and the rest after you will receive it. This is my last offer. I think is fair
for both of us.
Waiting your mail.
My best regards!
The buyer, smartly, ended this deal
before she lost her money.
This is the helmet that was being used for scam.
The fakes / reproductions
Schrader Mk 5. This helmet was recently purchased (May 2007) by one of our
viewers. He thought he was getting "the real deal". There are
several inconsistencies' with this fake. To list a couple obvious: Comm
box to far back. Screws used in breastplate tag.
Emory & Douglas: Auction #170003582788. Listed 6/30/06 Seller "designerduds414"
mistakenly advertises the helmet as "an authentic Mk5" We have
notified seller and will wait to see if they make requested change to their
auction before placing in them in "Hall of Shame" and notifying Ebay.
UPDATE 7/2/06 : The seller chooses not to accept our advice on this FAKE
helmet.
Navy Mk 5 1941. This helmet is currently on ebay 6/28/06 (#230001868133).
The seller mis-leads potential bidders into thinking it is authentic. I
informed them the helmet is indeed a repro and recommended they actually state
it is a reproduction - 6/30/06 Seller modified auction to reflect
"Reproduction".
Danish-made H. Christianson helmet??? (ebay #7421149398). 2-bolt 4
light. A nice, rare helmet? Not so fast! Although this is probably a
working helmet, it is not an "authentic" Danish Christianson. A very
reliable expert in Danish helmets had this to say recently: "there
is a 2 bolt helmet on e-bay at this moment. This helmet is sold as real
but is is a reproduction. The windows are Siebe Gorman and the copper is
made in the wrong way. Also the man they say made this helmet did make
them , but never put his name on his helmets. Also the front window is the wrong
type for this helmet and the air tubes on the inside are not correct. I
asked a friend (who is the specialist) from Denmark to see if I was right about
this one, and he also told me this is a reproduction."
We too were fooled by this helmet and unfortunately the auction is nearly complete and probably to late to get the word out. The helmet ended up selling for over $11,000.00!
The "Commercial Dock & Diving Co. of Rotherehithe" helmet. It is
often sold as an authentic helmet. The helmet bares a serial number and is
a decent looking reproduction. There is no real diving helmet manufacturer
by this name. When contacted, the seller of this helmet did admit the helmet was
a reproduction. Another Seller, "goldenoldiesltd123" , was selling the
same helmet. They were informed of the helmet being a reproduction and
responded back that they would adjust the description, which they did -
slightly. After that auction ended they re-listed the helmet and went back
to describing it as "Authentic". Ebay was notified, but I have found Ebay
is not all that great at following up or enforcing many of these bogus auctions.
Below is the actual description used by "goldenoldiesltd123"
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1909 Navy MkV - A nice looking helmet, with very nice "authentic-like"
features. However, the Navy Mk V was not introduced until 1915 by George
Stillson.
Navy Mk 5. This helmet is often presented as authentic, or at least,
presented as an "antique" or they just fail to mention it is a reproduction and
sell you on the history of a "real" Mk 5. Amongst many other flaws, this
helmet has a bad tag, poorly positioned spitcock and bad nuts and brailes.
8-29-41 Morse Mark V This is a widely sold helmet on ebay and "antique"
shops. The helmet is a reproduction from Taiwan and was made during the
very early 1980's. Note the phone booth atop of the helmet is too far
back. This helmet will also bare a serial number. Sellers will often
either unknowingly mislead potential buyers into thinking it is an authentic
hat. Or, they will outright try and sell as authentic. This
particular reproduction was on ebay in May 2006 and the seller eluded to the
possibility of the helmet being authentic, but also stated it could be a repro.
The opening asking price was only $155.00, which leads me to believe the seller
was pretty sure it was not authentic. - Which it is not!
Morse. Many sellers will purposely attempt to mis-lead unsuspecting
buyers on this helmet. Although it has a removable bonnet, a
semi-realistic banna tube and a few other decent features, it is a replica.
The phone booth is too far back, the brailes (or braile) is one piece, the
breastplate tag is a poor replica, the positioning of the top light is too high
and, if I recall, the weight is about 20lbs, or so, off. Never the less,
sellers will lead you to believe it is an authentic helmet - Make sure you read
their fine print! Heaven forbid they just come right out and say "this is
a great reproduction helmet"
The "Morse Mk IV?" helmet is frequently sold on ebay. The seller(s) "Alisbay"
makes no attempt to inform bidders that this indeed is a reproduction, although
informed collectors will notice the name tag descepencies. The seller states the
helmet weighs approx 15 lbs and has serial numbers. I asked the seller several
questions about the helmet and at no time did they inform me that this is a
reproduction helmet. In another email I asked if the helmet is a reproduction.
I never heard back from them. Beware of the misleading statements the
seller makes regarding this helmet. Ebay has been notified of the seller
misleading the public - But yet here they are using the same tactics.
Schrader Mk5. This is a "great" looking helmet...for a reproduction.
The seller was not for sure if it was a repro., and the bidding on the helmet
would make one assume it was authentic. I had to look close and hard look
to make my own determination. After close examination of the manufactures
tag I determined it was a reproduction. Note the space between the
SCHRADER'S SON stamp. There is no apostrophy before the S AND the
close distance to the two SS's. The shape of the tag itself lead me to
believe the helmet was a fake. I don't recall, although I may be wrong,
seeing a Schrader tag in that specific shape before. One final thing.
In the photos the seller provided, it appeared there were no exhaust holes at
the end of the banana tube. I requested a close up of that area to verify if
there were holes or not. The seller was/is not trying to scam any buyers.
He/she started at a very low bid and stated they were not sure if the helmet was
authentic. Unfortunately the bidders may end up with an over priced
reproduction - Athough a good one!
Unknown (possible Russian repro.) 3 bolt 4 light helmet on ebay. Buyer has no info on
helmet and does not claim to be authentic or fake. There are no serial #'s or
markings. The helmet turned out to only weight about 20 lbs and some internal
photos indicated to me the helmet is a reproduction. The breastplate nipples on
this helmet are more like strap latches or buckles - I have not seen this style
before. Seller was contacted and
informed of this info. - which he seemed to appreciate.
Emory & Douglas Helmet - A
very nice and realistic helmet, but it is still a reproduction.
Morse Mk5. This is one of the good looking fakes - But it is indeed a fake!
The poor seller that bought this helmet originally
thought they were paying for an authentic helmet and probably paid top dollar
for it. They were trying to sell it on ebay as an original and asking 6k
for it. They were bombarded with many collectors, as well as Sea-Corps,
trying to tell them it was a fake, but they were not believing anything anybody
had to say - Needless to say it will not sell. Items to note; the comm
port is high and out of position, spitcock valve incorrectly shaped, missing
latch for breastplate/bonnett. Beware of this and other helmets like this
- It is heavy, it may have serial numbers and it may have holes inside the
helmet. But it is a fake! UPDATE: The sellers contacted me and were
going to take our advice (and everybody elses advice) and just keep the helmet.
They also finally realized the helmet was indeed a reproduction.
.
Tools and M.O. of the Ebay Scam Artists:
1. They will steal the photos and info from previous, legit, auctions and use them on their newly listed auction.
2. They will likely have a "0" for their transaction rating due to they open up new accounts each time they attempt a scam.
3. They will use the user ID from legit members that have been inactive for a long time. They will tell you to contact them by a listed email on the fraud auction, rather than going through the ebay means.
4. They use short 3-day 04 less auctions. They want to do a very quick "sale"
5. They will require immediate payment using Western Union or another wire type service.
6. They will not send you specific photos of the helmet - Because they won't have them!
7. They usually will not know the correct weight of the helmet - but they are getting smarter!
8. They usually cannot answer other specific questions about the helmet.
9. They will try to direct you away from Ebay to complete or start the transaction or to ask questions.
10. More and more we are seeing the scammers using the "User ID Kept Private" function.
11. Check the top of the auction page. Many times the listing will be in some rediculous section, like; HOME & GARDEN.
12. They are using fake user ID's to make it look as if many people have already bid on the helmet.
13. Many of the European scammers will steal the user ID of a legit user from, say France. If you check that users previous transactions you will see they are all in French. Yet, this auction is in perfect English!
14. Take a look at the other things the seller has bought or sold. Usually they will have other diving related items. When you come across a user that has only ever bought and sold "girlie" items like Barbies and crafts, theres a good chance this auction is not legit!
15. An e-mail arrives asking if you still want to buy an item.?? When you reply / respond it asks you for your password…once you do this and press respond, The scammer has your ID. Beware of 2nd Chance Offers!
16. REMEMBER: The helmet may be authentic - But the auction may be a fraud! WATCH FOR THE SIGNS! If your unsure - Feel free to ask us!
Attention Antique Sellers and Powersellers:
Just be honest - Don't hide the facts of the helmet being a reproduction in the small print of your listing. Or try to be deceiving with how your wording your description. If it's a reproduction, then just state clearly "it's a reproduction." If your not sure of it's authenticity, research your helmet BEFORE you put it on ebay. REMEMBER - Sea-Corps is watching! and we do report ALL misrepresentations, frauds and mis-leading helmet auctions to Ebay. We will also place you on our "HALL OF SHAME" for all to see!
Recommendations when buying your helmet
1. Do not accept or respond to 2nd chance offers - 9 times out of 10 it is a scam
2. Stay within Ebay. Do not respond to "Contact me at this email..."
3. Use Paypal and/or Ebays official Escrow service. You are putting up thousands of dollars to a stranger for a sight unseen helmet. Escrow is the safest way to go. You send the money to the escrow service, the seller sends you the hat, escrow sends the seller the money upon you receiving the hat. Fees can be split between the buyer and seller or negotiated how ever you both want. Find the "escrow" service directly on Ebay - Stay away from other services and those recommended by the seller.
4. Ask questions of the seller.
5. Do not use wire transfers - If that is all they are offering, buy from somebody else.
6. If it's too good of a deal - It's too good of a deal - Run away! We all know what these helmets cost!
7. Do not buy helmet from China - I have yet to see a legit heavy rig, or Kirby Morgan helmet auction come out of there.
8. Refer back to #3 - It's your best defense!
Here lies the names of those scoudrels that dare to mis-lead, cheat, or attempt to sell their cheap reproduction helmets as the real-deal! (If you feel you are unjustly placed here, then contact us and we will be happy to explain why!)
alisbay (mis-leading repro helmets) florinbard@gmail.com (scammer)
goldenoldiesltd123 (mis-leading repro helmets) eliasm1961@gmail.com (scammer)
pisamash@gmail.com (big time scammer - stay away! j450mm@gmail.com (scammer)
rsnblttrb@aol.com (big time scammer - stay away!) BelamKermaster@aol.com (scammer)
wuberto (stolen user ID scams) uj5tyi (scammer from China)
cdurk4ee@aol.com (scammer) azswders (scammer from China)
mantante@aol.com (scammer) half.price.international@gmail.com (scammer)
B48yvip@aol.com (scammer) designerduds414 (selling repro as authentic)
barbulescuc@aol.com (scammer) Fohn83@gmail.com (scammer)
whcraikval@yahoo.com (scammer) mm3847jj@yahoo.com (scammer)
street68@gmail.com (common scammer) popttite@yahoo.com (address involved in scam)
gromnie@gmail.com (scammer) shauragaura32@aol.com (scammer)
reebk77@aol.com (scammer) Prazz06@aol.com (address used in scam)
