Scam!!!!!

[Captain Courters.]

Hey. So basically my boyfriend got scammed tonight after his first attempt at trading. He used a middle man during the transaction too who had a decent rep and therefore thought could be trusted. Apparently this is not the case. I was wondering if there was anything we could do other than report both the scammer and middle man to steam and the police in order to retrieve his items back? We have screenshots of the messages between my boyfriend and both scammer/middleman too.

Any help appreciated.

[Kryzoid]

In order to avoid future problems, be sure you both read this guide:

Avoiding Common Scams 

A Guide for Dota 2

By: Jimo

I will provide you information on commonly used scam techniques and how to better prepare yourself to avoid them.

Steam Support is not obligated to return his items, but there is a small possibility that they can as they have in the past. At the very least, reporting him and contacting them will help. Best of luck to you both.

[Captain Courters.]

My boyfriend is filling a ticket on steam now, we're hoping they're nice as the item was worth a lot of money and we're moving in together soon. :/ But we have reported them, I just thought middle men were meant to be trusted. :/

[Hopper]

Reporting him to the police will do nothing since this isn't really a law issue. But do report him to steam. Also, do not use the rep system since it is easily spoofable, also don't use a middle man in trading, there is no reason not to trade directly with the person you want.

[Kryzoid]

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

My boyfriend is filling a ticket on steam now, we're hoping they're nice as the item was worth a lot of money and we're moving in together soon. :/ But we have reported them, I just thought middle men were meant to be trusted. :/

If the middleman was high profile, it's very likely that your boyfriend didn't trade with a middleman but with someone impersonating a middleman. Ask him to check his Inventory history and investigate the profile that received his items.

Edit: See Spawn of Totoro's post below.

[Captain Courters.]

A middle man is meant to be the meditor between trades so that nothing gets stolen (lol).
It has been to the police and they said they could help.
Yeah well we definitely won't be trading with anyone again. Karma will hit both these people. he rep system can be faked as he deleted my comment!

[Captain Courters.]

Originally posted by Kryzoid:

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

My boyfriend is filling a ticket on steam now, we're hoping they're nice as the item was worth a lot of money and we're moving in together soon. :/ But we have reported them, I just thought middle men were meant to be trusted. :/

If the middleman was high profile, it's very likely that your boyfriend didn't trade with a middleman but with someone impersonating a middleman. Ask him to check his Inventory history and investigate the profile that received his items.

The middle man did not have many items..

[Captain Courters.]

Originally posted by Ser:

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

It has been to the police and they said they could help.
Yeah well we definitely won't be trading with anyone again. Karma will hit both these people. he rep system can be faked as he deleted my comment!

This seriously isn't something that the police can't do anything about since they are just items in a game. This is Steam support's job.

Lesson learned, don't use middle men in trades through Steam.

Well aren't they (MiddleMen) meant to protect people? If not then whats the point in them?! As it was his first trade he looked up a safe way to do it and on everything it said use a middle man as he did not have the rep for anyone to trust him (obviously). At the end of the day it is theft.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

A middle man is meant to be the meditor between trades so that nothing gets stolen (lol).
It has been to the police and they said they could help.
Yeah well we definitely won't be trading with anyone again. Karma will hit both these people. he rep system can be faked as he deleted my comment!

"Middlemen" are a risk and use of one is unsupported by Steam/Valve. If it doesn't fit in the trade window, then don't make the trade. That is the only secure way to do it.

Chances are, he will not be getting the item back. Best that can be hoped for in this is the person gets trade banned.

As for the police, they probably won't be able to do anything over a virtual item, regardless what the perceived value of it is.

I suggest reading Steam's Trading Policy before trading in the future.

Why will Steam not return items that were scammed?

During the trade process, Steam asks you to confirm your trade multiple times. It is your responsibility to review the items that you are trading. You first confirm the trade by checking the box that states, "Check this box when ready to trade". Once checked, you cannot add any items to the trade. If you remove an item you will have to re-check the box to confirm that you are ready. Once both users in the trade have checked this box, the final confirmation button will turn green. Both users must click this button to complete the trade. A log of the trade is also kept in a separate chat box within the trade window.

What should I not trade for?

Do not trade for anything that cannot be added into the trade window within Steam. The most common examples of these scenarios are the following:

• Trading items/gifts for money outside of the Steam Community market. You cannot add Wallet credit, PayPal, gift cards or any form of money into the trade window.
  
• Trading items/gifts for CD Keys. You cannot add a CD Key into the trade window. CD Keys that are offered can be for a different game, fake, used or region restricted.
  
• Trading items/gifts for nothing in return in the first trade and expecting to get an item or gift in a later trade. There is no reason to not trade everything in one trade. You may add unlimited items/gifts to a single trade. A common example of this is using a middleman to facilitate a one sided trade.

[Captain Courters.]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

A middle man is meant to be the meditor between trades so that nothing gets stolen (lol).
It has been to the police and they said they could help.
Yeah well we definitely won't be trading with anyone again. Karma will hit both these people. he rep system can be faked as he deleted my comment!

"Middlemen" are a risk and use of one is unsupported by Steam/Valve. If it doesn't fit in the trade window, then don't make the trade. That is the only secure way to do it.

Chances are, he will not be getting the item back. Best that can be hoped for in this is the person gets trade banned.

As for the police, they won't do anything over a virtual item, regardless what the perceived value of it is.

I suggest reading Steam's Trading Policy before trading in the future.

Why will Steam not return items that were scammed?

During the trade process, Steam asks you to confirm your trade multiple times. It is your responsibility to review the items that you are trading. You first confirm the trade by checking the box that states, "Check this box when ready to trade". Once checked, you cannot add any items to the trade. If you remove an item you will have to re-check the box to confirm that you are ready. Once both users in the trade have checked this box, the final confirmation button will turn green. Both users must click this button to complete the trade. A log of the trade is also kept in a separate chat box within the trade window.

What should I not trade for?

Do not trade for anything that cannot be added into the trade window within Steam. The most common examples of these scenarios are the following:

• Trading items/gifts for money outside of the Steam Community market. You cannot add Wallet credit, PayPal, gift cards or any form of money into the trade window.
  
• Trading items/gifts for CD Keys. You cannot add a CD Key into the trade window. CD Keys that are offered can be for a different game, fake, used or region restricted.
  
• Trading items/gifts for nothing in return in the first trade and expecting to get an item or gift in a later trade. There is no reason to not trade everything in one trade. You may add unlimited items/gifts to a single trade. A common example of this is using a middleman to facilitate a one sided trade.

I then do not understand why everywhere has said to use a middle man?!

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

I then do not understand why everywhere has said to use a middle man?!

People suggest what makes them feel safe. Even if it is a false sense of security.

That is why there is an established trade system. Middlemen tend to be used when trading outside that system. Trading outside the established trade system is at your own risk.

[Captain Courters.]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

I then do not understand why everywhere has said to use a middle man?!

People suggest what makes them feel safe. Even if it is a false sense of security.

That is why there is an established trade system. Middlemen tend to be used when trading outside that system. Trading outside the established trade system is at your own risk.

So bascially there is nothing we can do?

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

So bascially there is nothing we can do?

Unfortunately, there isn't. He was asked to confirm it was a gift when giving it, with nothing in return. He agreed to it. Support will also see it as such.

[gleofrocga]

Originally posted by Ser:

What exactly is a middle man? Also, this doesn't go to the police, it goes to Steam support.
https://support.steampowered.com/newticket.php

A middleman from what I know, is usually someone who is, well in the name, in the middle of the transfer.

Trader <------------> Middle-Man <-----------> Trader

I could be wrong, but usually the middle man has some sort of reputation and is supposed to help people from being scammed by handling the goods in the trade. Obviously, the OP was involved with a false Rep middle man.

an example, Paypal is a middleman service.

[Captain Courters.]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by courtneybonner18:

So bascially there is nothing we can do?

Unfortunately, there isn't. He was asked to confirm it was a gift when giving it, with nothing in return. He agreed to it. Support will also see it as such.

Oh, right. :/ Well these guys will definitely get their come-uppance. They're the sad acts who have to scam people for silly game weapons.. Clearly have no life or girlfriends, or dreams. Thanks for the help though.

[Silicon Vampire]

There bis NEVER a reason to use a "middle man", unless you are on the receiving end (getting the proceeds) of a scam.

If it isn't in the trade window and you ignore the warnings, you are likely to be scammed.