More fake Opus X cigars?

[moki]

Check out this eBay auction from "alldominicanstuff4you":

http://cgi.ebay.com/9-BANDS-COLLECTABLE-SE...bayphotohosting

(if for some reason that URL does not work for you, here is a PDF version of it):

http://people.AmbrosiaSW.com/~andrew/cigars/dr_fake_opus.pdf

A few important things to note:

1) None of the cigars shown have gold "Fuente Fuente Opus X" writing on the cello, despite the fact that some of the vitolas pictured were not even created until long after Fuente switched to writing "Fuente Fuente Opus X" in gold on the cellophane. See here for more packaging info: http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-730

2) The seller claims that he will ship the cigars directly from the Dominican Republic to the purchaser.

3) Note that in addition to the regular release vitolas, Opus X Chili Peppers are listed (which we already know are fake: http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-1082 ).

4) This seller also recently sold a number of boxes of "Anejos" also claiming they were shipped directly from the Dominican Republic, which we know is an impossibility given the fact that Fuente cigars are made in a special "export-only" zone in the DR.

Red flags all over the place.

The bands look authentic, as does the ribbon on the foot of the xXx. I'm concerned that this is something larger going on with fake Opus, possibly originating in the DR, possibly involving Fuente employees given the access to authentic bands.

 

[jfields]

I wonder if this guy is any way affiliated with the one selling the Chili Peppers? You're right, the pictures do look very suspect with those cello's they are in. Other than that, it would be hard to tell, as the wrappers even have that perfect shade of red.

 

[JHolmes763]

What a cluster...

 

[moki]

Caveat Emptor -- buyer beware! I would advise AGAINST buying any cigars off of eBay, for sure, and also keep in mind that anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.

Know how things should be packaged; look for improbabilities before buying.

 

[tomthirtysix]

This listing (230211788386) has been removed or is no longer available. Please make sure you entered the right item number.
If the listing was removed by eBay, consider it canceled. Note: Listings that have ended more than 90 days ago will no longer appear on eBay

 

[tsmckenney]

Has anyone contacted Fuente about this? Moki?

 

[moki]

Has anyone contacted Fuente about this? Moki?

Yes. I can't say anything further at this time.

 

[moki]

This listing (230211788386) has been removed or is no longer available. Please make sure you entered the right item number.
If the listing was removed by eBay, consider it canceled. Note: Listings that have ended more than 90 days ago will no longer appear on eBay

Use the archived link that I posted:

http://people.AmbrosiaSW.com/~andrew/cigars/dr_fake_opus.pdf

Counterfeits, Fakes & Infringers

Relevant article:

[URL="http://www.investigation.com/articles/library/2002articles/articles13.htm"]http://www.investigation.com/articles/libr.../articles13.htm[/URL]

Fuente also is ripped off frequently by less than reputable distributors who claim to have Arturo Fuente factory seconds. “There absolutely are no Fuente seconds,” Suarez said. “ If they don’t measure up to Arturo Fuente standards, they are destroyed at the factory or given to employees to smoke.”

 

[Niko]

I want some Chili "pAppers".

 

[JohnnieSRT-4]

He's back, and found some friends.

Fakes

 

[indyrob]

I used to think that it was a bad idea to sell your boxes on ebay as a way to help keep legit boxes out of the hands of counterfiters, but where are they getting all the bands?

 

[botl43]

I used to think that it was a bad idea to sell your boxes on ebay as a way to help keep legit boxes out of the hands of counterfiters, but where are they getting all the bands?

This is what there trying to figure out.

 

[MillhizzelPB]

Caveat Emptor -- buyer beware! I would advise AGAINST buying any cigars off of eBay, for sure, and also keep in mind that anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.

Know how things should be packaged; look for improbabilities before buying.

Another heads up guys... As i pointed out to Moki The guy who was selling fake Chilis has some how changed his name. His feed back is still the same but the name has some how changed. Just keep this in mind

 

[Strayvector]

Anyone take a look at his rating comments? This guy sells e-gold. I always thought e-gold was an inside joke that I was not privy to.

 

[IanHummel]

Nope, e-gold is a method of currency used usually in scams actually. Those online pyramid schemes that tell you to send them $100 and then you can cash it out in 8 days for $400, they all use e-gold too. Illegal stuff bought online, uses e-gold. The reason it is used is that it is all anonymous when funding because the funding is all done via-3rd party that then transfers the money into e-gold and then sends it to another 3rd party that deposits it into your account. Oh yeah, it's all off shore too.

 

[tigger]

TRULY, THE BANDS MAKES OTHER WAY WHAT TO BE SOLD FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

You can say that again.

 

[ilcchef2]

I can't even say it a first time...

 

[cincycigarman]

He's back, and found some friends.

Fakes

This guy has been selling on Ebay since 2005 and has a high approval rating. I would not buy cigars off Ebay ever, but this is a little frightening.

 

[tomthirtysix]

Caveat Emptor -- buyer beware! I would advise AGAINST buying any cigars off of eBay, for sure, and also keep in mind that anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.

Know how things should be packaged; look for improbabilities before buying.

Another heads up guys... As i pointed out to Moki The guy who was selling fake Chilis has some how changed his name. His feed back is still the same but the name has some how changed. Just keep this in mind

shadycigar, or whatever his name is, did not change his name. If you go back to the link you posted for that, you'll see that he actually bid on that lot.