resolved Beware of Fraud-Can the real Ebay please stand up

[theokri]

Hi Guys,

Thought I will share a near miss I had in the last two days.

I was shopping for a second hand Landcruiser UTE and found what seems to be a really good deal on Gumtree for $7500.The vehicle was green in colour and looked in good shape, exactly what I needed for the boat. I responded to the mail and was answered by the Seller the next morning via mail . He indicated that he was going through a divorce and therfore needed to sell the vehicle as soon as possible.

He indicated that in the interest of both parties the sale would be handled through Ebay. I agreed and promptly received a mail from "Ebay" indicating that the sale has been approved and that once the money was deposited through Westernunion into a holding account the vehicle would be delivered for inspection. I thought it strange that the transfer would be going through Westernunion.I also found a few typo's in the mail.

I tranferred the money but did not provide the reference code that would allow the money to be collected. Something in the back of my mind worried me and I contacted E-bay directly to confirm the validity of the deal and informed the seller that I will forward the deposit reference to "Ebay" on confirmation of the validity of the deal. Took the missus to the movies and amazingly I had two e-mails from Ebay one indicating that the transaction was a fake and one indicating that it was 100% safe.

I went to Ebay's live help and they confirmed the one indicating that it was a fake came from them and the other not. I must congratulate the "real" Ebay on the professional help I received.

I got my money back but it was a close shave. Moral of the story be careful of these fraudsters. Still looking for a landcruiser!

[Angus]

Thanks for sharing mate!

Good moral and lets hope more people take it on board.

What rat bags to try it.

Anyway of getting a ID on the actual culprit and send Booty after them

Angus

[theokri]

I left out a bit of info which might be important as well. The seller indicated that due to divorce he is currently in the UK and the money had to be transferred there.

I had a mail form him a short while ago that I need to finalise the deal as soon as possible as two other people is also interested.

Maybe a parcel bomb would do.

The real Ebay forensic team is investigating at the moment

[username_taken]

that gumtree place is full of scamsters

[jeff f]

first thing that would give it away if you were familliar with ebays rules is ebay forbids payment by western union and the like

the only way to pay is cc paypal or dd

[yoyo]

Never ever ever pay anyone by Western Union. end of story.