evilBay Fraud advice

EdT82SC · 09-26-2006, 06:40 AM

I haven't been defrauded yet, but I was about to be. A guy with 0 rating made the top bid for an item I just sold. The auction is a U.S. ship only. After the auction is over he sends me an email telling me he is in South Africa for a Bank that has a branch in New York. He gives me the address of the NY branch, and a person to send it in care of. He said he spoke with her, and she was expecting the package. I was suspicious already. so I looked up the phone number of the bank, and called. I asked for the person I was to send the package in care of, and I'm told she hasn't worked there since June.

So I know the guy is lying to me. I don't know how his scam works, and I'm not willing to find out. So how should I handle this?

id10t · 09-26-2006, 06:47 AM

Tell him you tried to call and make delivery arrangements, but that person isn't there any more. Give him the option of sending certified funds, etc.

Rot 911 · 09-26-2006, 06:50 AM

When I sold my car on e-bay all bidders with zero feedback had to contact me to be able to bid. Those that didn't I cancelled their bids.

Joeaksa · 09-27-2006, 05:08 AM

Also send a note to the 2nd highest bidder telling them that your article may be available and asking if they are interested.

RickM · RickM's Garage

In the future you may prevent crap bids by editing the "Buyer Requirements" on the last page of the auction setup.

You should also be able to retrieve your auction charges by claiming a nonpaying bidder.

Here's the Buyer Requirements page:

Full Tilt · 09-27-2006, 08:07 AM

Weird... I dont know why he would want it sent to...no where essensially. I dont blame you for being suspicious. I know a lot of people use ebay without problems but it still makes me nervous.

Joeaksa · 09-27-2006, 01:27 PM

I just had an auction that had something like this. Was selling old aviation maps. We usually thrown them away but had been putting them on Ebay for a while and thought I would give it a try.

Had complete maps to fly on instruments for America, Europe, Carib, Hawaii and Pacific rim, all in leather binders. Original cost was in the thousands but two years out of date so normally useless. Sometimes the guys using a flight simulator want them so might get lucky.

Two days into the auction I received an email from a guy in S.Korea asking if I would end the auction and sell them to him. Nope, not going to do that. Then more and more questions and I think he is a flake. One hour before the end of the auction I email him and ask if he is going to bid. Return email says to watch the auction.

Well kids... he bids at the last 20 seconds and takes the auction up to $450 for part of the out of date maps!!! Now I am a bit worried as am I going to get my money? He later asks about airmail shipping of the maps to Korea. Jeez thats $300 for shipping... finally he decides to ship it to SoCal then they evidently have a weekly airmail shipment going over from there. Pay pal one hour later has $480 my direction and the charge clears with no problems.

One week later the maps are in Seoul and he emails me and asks if I have any more. Yep and I quote him $425. One hour later and the funds are in my account! Ship them to him and now a few days later he is asking if I ever get any others to please let him know.

Turns out that he works with the Korean Police department and is using them for training of their pilots. Whew! It worked out this time but you just never know, especially on overseas stuff.