Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: Paranoid? on June 26, 2012, 12:26 pm

Title: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Paranoid? on June 26, 2012, 12:26 pm
Ok I have created this account to discuss something weird that I feel uneasy about. I have been planning to make an order from a certain vendor ( who I won't name for reasons that will be clear) as such I have been watching his listings while transitting BTC the last few days. Window shopping basically. His vendor page said yesterday just got new stock in and various items available.
I go to order this morning and all listings have vanished. When I message him using PGP key on his page he messages back " try this one mate" with a new key. I try this one but am careful just to ask him what's up nothing else as already I think it's a bit weird. He sends me back a message I can't decrypt. I ask him to go plaintext and he says " all ok just selling last of my stock if you are interested"
This seems unusual. I am concerned he has been busted and now LE are fishing for evidence from customers.
I don't know if I'm totally being para but I'm steering clear.
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: walltile on June 26, 2012, 01:12 pm
Sounds dangerous. STAY AWAY
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Limetless on June 26, 2012, 01:14 pm
Who was this? You need to say and as you aren't using your old account there is no reason for you not to.

Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Paranoid? on June 26, 2012, 01:34 pm
I'm not concerned for myself but if I name the vendor in question is this thread not going to incriminate him further? I have been careful in my correspondence with the "vendor"
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Mercury on June 26, 2012, 01:51 pm
Naming the vendor can only help the community in the case that your worries are legitimate. He sounds confused more than anything else...

Personally, and i think this applies to most people here, if I have even the slightest sense of "sketch" about a vendor I just look elsewhere... It is as simple as pressing the "back" button.

No matter what just follow the common sense personal security measures and you're not gonna get in any trouble.
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Paranoid? on June 26, 2012, 01:55 pm
Yep.  Vagueness is order of day. Something's not right I don't know what but I'm leaving well alone.
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: vlad1m1r on June 26, 2012, 02:01 pm
Ok I have created this account to discuss something weird that I feel uneasy about. I have been planning to make an order from a certain vendor ( who I won't name for reasons that will be clear) as such I have been watching his listings while transitting BTC the last few days. Window shopping basically. His vendor page said yesterday just got new stock in and various items available.
I go to order this morning and all listings have vanished. When I message him using PGP key on his page he messages back " try this one mate" with a new key. I try this one but am careful just to ask him what's up nothing else as already I think it's a bit weird. He sends me back a message I can't decrypt. I ask him to go plaintext and he says " all ok just selling last of my stock if you are interested"
This seems unusual. I am concerned he has been busted and now LE are fishing for evidence from customers.
I don't know if I'm totally being para but I'm steering clear.

If someone has been busted, and their account taken over, you would think that law enforcement would be scrupulously careful to behave in a manner so as to not spook potential customers.  I would consider it suspicious that there is a sudden change of PGP key; I would have queried the vendor about this. If they refuse to explain, or the explanation is vague or inadequate, then I would steer clear.

While what has taken place is suspicious, this is no reason to panic, and jump to conclusions.  That said, if you're nervous, steer clear and don't provide any of your personal information, PGP encrypted or not.

Guru

A good point Guru.  A question for the OP - has the vendor's PGP been updated in the thread we have here in the forums?

V.
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Paranoid? on June 26, 2012, 02:37 pm
No but I'm not sure He would anyway. He didn't used to use PGP and the problems may just be due to unfamiliarity. The message he sent me said CAST encryption and my passphrase wouldn't decrypt it.
I have spoken to him a bit more; he says he is too busy and is taking a break from listing. It just seems odd that his vendor page was updated saying new batch etc yesterday and now first he says he's selling last of stock and then says too busy. I want his product but he is being cagey about what he has. I don't want to come out and say " how much for x" It's a pain cos if it's legit I'm doing without my stuff but it just smells too funny
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Paranoid? on June 26, 2012, 02:39 pm
Ha I guess I'm just grateful this didn't happen AFTER I sent BTC and address!
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: TrustusJones on June 26, 2012, 05:31 pm
You need to msg Lim the vendors name so we can see if he has access to the vendor forum.

thanks,
TJ
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Limetless on June 26, 2012, 05:34 pm
Yeah if you don't want to say it publicly fair do's but I need the name at least in private ASAP.
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: mito on June 26, 2012, 05:48 pm
Is the vendor from Canada?
Title: Re: Odd behaviour of vendor? Busted?
Post by: Limetless on June 26, 2012, 05:49 pm
Is the vendor from Canada?

Why would it matter if they are from Canada dude? I have messaged the OP to get the name btw, waiting for a response but they aren't online.