You can contact a global mod and I'm hoping they can may be give you the uncensored thread if it's a clear cut scam case.

I'm also agreeing with you regarding the point you're highlighting. It is very good to see if admin can remove the "self-moderated" option from certain boards or sections like market place or otherwise put certain strict restrictions to the OP before starting a self-moderated thread in marketplace board. Because the thread starts can cover up their shady activities by deleting others posts when someone asking about the in-depth details about their project.

There is a another problem also highlighted by @EcuaMobi regarding moving the self-moderated threads between boards to delete the post of others. theymos answered this thread by saying non-mods members cannot move self-moderated threads. But what would happened if any mod moved the topics for the relevant board?

Link>>>Avoiding board limitations by temporarily moving threads to another board

So I think admin/staff shall take necessary actions or solutions regarding those issues with the self-moderated threads and also red tagged members shouldn't allowed to create self-moderated threads except discussions.