IP LookUp

When any user logs onto the internet their internet service provider (ISP) assigns them an "IP address". This little series of numbers (for example 219.88.206.175) is used to route internet traffic around the world. In this case the first three digits (219) identify the user as coming from an address within the New Zealand IP range. By comparison 62.186.77.64 indicates that the user is from Romania.

An efficient "gatekeeper" system would shunt users in one of two directions. New Zealand members would be directed to TradeMe's servers to go through the normal signup process, whilst people from overseas IP addresses would br routed elsewhere. While it's not 100% accurate, this simple measure would be invisible to genuine traders and would stop over 95% of scammers in their tracks.

TradeMe's own Privacy Policy contains the following gem: "Users who login have their IP addresses recorded." The ScamBusters think that's just great but wonder why they haven't locked out the Romanian IP blocks already?

Here's how easy it is.

This IP lookup is powered by IP2Location.com

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