I'm working an eBay scammer, too funny. How stupid do they think we are?

[uppityperson]

I found a really cheap macbook on eBay which had the note "for some reason reply to me through ebay doesn't work so email me at this email ([e-mail]). I have had too many bad bidders, so do not bid until you email me". "Aha!" I thought, "what fun". So I did. I never did get to bid on eBay because this person's items and account have been terminated, probably due to forwarding the first 2 back and forths to eBay. Their account was gone, items missing by the time Scammer sent back second reply. Here are our emails, first ones first.

Note to scammers, if you can't bid on an eBay item through eBay, it shrieks "SCAM!"


UP wrote:
You say to not bid before emailing you. So I am. Wondering why.
Thanks.Can I bid now?

Scammer replied:
Thank you for your email.
The Buy Now price for macbook pro is 1,200.00 USD and the shipping will be free.The product is in perfect condition,brand new,with no scratches on it,no dammage, sealed in the original box and it containes all the accesories you need.You will receive the TITLE,owner manual,AND THE PAPERS WITH 3 YEARS INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY!
>>>>>> It will come with waranty fully transferable to your name .
>>>>>> So, if you are agree with the price then I will need your full name and address so I can start the shippment, also all the shipping taxes will be paid by me:
>>>>>> First name:
>>>>>> Last name:
>>>>>> Address:
>>>>>> City:
>>>>>> State:
>>>>>> Zip code:
>>>>>> Country:
>>>>>> eBay user ID:
>>>>>> Also after that eBay will contact you with all the payment details so we can complete the deal.
>>>>>> I hope to hear from you soon.
>>>>>> Thank you.
>>>>>>


UP wrote:
What if we just bid, do not do "buy it now"? I do not see a place to do "buy it now" so could not do this even if I wanted. I also do not see "reseve" price so am assuming that, per eBay rules you would honor final bid. How much is shipping since I can not do "buy it now"? Thank you.


Scammer replied:
sir you can buy it right now just give me your full name and address for shippment and after that eBay will send you all details.
Thank you.


UP wrote:
Sir, I want to bid on it, as we do in eBay. I am willing to risk not getting it by bidding. How much is shipping? Thank you.


Scammer replied:
ok ok
give me your offer price and let's have a deal


UP wrote:
I would like to bid on it but need to know what the shipping cost is. Can you tell me, will you tell me? Simply answer, what is shipping?


Scammer replied:
only through eBay buy it now
so if you agree just send me your full name and address for shippment and after that eBay will send you all details about this transaction.
Thank you.


UP wrote:
There is no "buy it now" on your eBay listing. How can I buy it now through eBay if you do not provide a "buy it now" option? I am in Oregon, and want to know how much it would cost to get this shipped to me. Your eBay listing said to contact you for shipping info, it wasn't put on the eBay site. You say "buy it now through eBay" yet there is no option there to do that. You say to contact you about shipping yet you refuse to tell me how much shipping is. I live in Oregon. How much is shipping? Or are you trying to scam me?


Scammer replied:
the shipping is FREE also i only accept payment through eBay in safe
If you agree email me your details for shippment
Thank you


UP wrote:
Gee, I can't find the item now. Matter of fact, I can't find any items you have for sale. Is this not for sale anymore? I can't find it. I'll pay through eBay to be safe, but can't find the item.


Scammer replied:
Don't worry because eBay will send you all details if you want to buy, but first of all i need your full name and address for shippment.
Thank you.


UP wrote:
(Fake name and address)


UP received a bill:
$1200 through Western Union, from eBaySafeCenter ([e-mail] is the return email) After verifying the trutworthiness of the seller and the availability of the merchandise for immediate shipping, we have approved your buy it now transaction and offered you, as the buyer, full purchase protetion for the amount you agreed on with the seller.


Scammer replied:
OK
I have contacted eBay, they have contacted you?
I will wait your answer.
Thank you for your understanding.


UP wrote:
I just got a bill for $1200. I am concerned because I have been trying to find out HOW to bid on eBay and you keep saying "send me your info and eBay will tell you how". Now I get a bill? You are lying and trying to cheat me. I will NOT send you any money through anywhere but eBay, as you said you would do. I want to bid on the item. I have not bid on the item. I sent you my personal information so I could find out how much shipping is and be able to bid. You have lied to me and I think you are trying to cheat me.

[wildhorses]

1. buyer beware---

i have a little thing going on with a seller on e-bay, too. i was going to expose them but, i chickened out...give 'em hell uppityperson:hi:

[uppityperson]

2. I have been laughing all morning.

Just got 2 more replies:Hi again,
Please follow the payment instruction from ebay and send me an email when you will be ready with it. Also, like I have promise to you and I will keep my word all the shipping taxes will be paid by me.After you will make the payment i will send you all the shippment details with the #Tracking Number and you will receive the powerbook in 2-3 bussines days (you have 14 days return policy).
Thank you for your understanding.

Guess they didn't like my "you are a liar and a cheat. Shove off. cc to eBay and Attorney General" reply. Or maybe they didn't understand it. These sorts of people piss me off. Robbery and taking advantage of people's trust in others.

[uppityperson]

3. Update, this message just in! Time to threaten legal action again.

Hi again,

I understand you perfectly but through Western Union it's the only way for me because my Paypal account is not active for the moment. Also we can do in this way so you will see that I'm seriouse seller:

You can make the payment on your friend name or at you father name but on my address so I will can't pick up the money. After you will receive the item and you will have it in your hands you will go at Western Union and change the payment on my name so I will can receive the money.

First name: you can choose
Last name: you can choose
Address: 58 Dace Road
City: London
Zip code: E3 2NX
Country: United Kingdom

Thank you for your understandin

[wildhorses]

4. what do you think the end result will be?

i wanted to expose the jerk i found but he has a 99.3% positive rating...he is pretty sneaky

[uppityperson]

5. This just in...

"hey sir 1,200.00 USD is the price

tomorrow i will start the shippment"

UP replies:
This is all being sent to eBay and the Attorney General (State's attorney/lawyer) for fraud.

I will probably get more spoof phishing crap from this person. At least they should spell check. I know, I know, snotty elitist uppity librul I am.

Send in what you think to eBay and they will check it out. This one had a decent rating also, but now is gone.

[Capn Sunshine]

6. They all have a good seller rating...until they don't.

Last Year around Christmas I put up a pic of a guy's rating which was impeccable until he suddenly went south taking around 15k in cash with him.

[wildhorses]

7. would you mind to keep me posted as this plays out--

you can pm me if you prefer, thanks

[uppityperson]

8. Sure. My big problem is since they lost their eBay status, I can't

remember what their username was. They had a decent bit of feedback also, but the telling point was the posting email address in the description and saying to email them as "contact seller" thru ebay didn't work for them. I'll post more if I get more.

[Left Is Write]

11. It may be a hijacked account.

Scammers have been known to hack an account with good feedback, take a few suckers, and then disappear.

[uppityperson]

14. Got this from eBay about it. Interesting. Haven't heard from "Eric" today though.

Thank you for writing eBay in regard to item number 190079809112.

The recent items listed with the ljr4008 account were the result of an
unauthorized account takeover. We were not aware of this activity until
some time after the listings appeared on the site. Once we became aware
of this activity, immediate action was taken. We are now in the process
of restoring the account to its true owner. However, the transactions in
question should be considered null and void.

Allow me to offer some possibilities why this could have occurred.

If the user had a relatively simple password or password hint question
it is possible that a third party was able to gain access to the account
by guessing the password.

It is also possible that the user could have unknowingly provided his or
her password to another party. Some eBay members have reported receiving
messages asking for User IDs and passwords. These messages appear to
come from eBay Support, but in fact are not. eBay will never ask for
sensitive information of this nature through email.

Finally, there are a number of computer viruses in circulation that log
and record keystrokes. It's recommended that computer users keep their
virus alert software up-to-date, and check their system often for
problems. A firewall for high-speed Internet users is also highly
recommended.

Please be aware that eBay urges caution when purchasing high-priced
items, especially if the price seems too good to be true.

We do not recommend the use of instant cash wire transfer services such
as Western Union and MoneyGram, and we ask that users decline sending
payment in cases where these are the only methods of payment offered by
the seller. Generally, if payment is sent using an instant cash wire
transfer service and the item is not delivered as promised, no recourse
is available for recovering funds. In most cases, a verified escrow
service should be used when purchasing high dollar value items. More
information on the benefits and risks of individual payment methods can
be found at:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/payment.html

I understand your frustration regarding this matter and apologize for
the inconvenience it caused you.

Sincerely,

Wilhelm
eBay Customer Support

[NMDemDist2]

9. my husband sold a very rare antique toy truck on e-bay once

over $1500 was the final auction

some poor newbie contacted us about 3 weeks later wondering where his truck was (he didn't win the bid)

same MO, he got a "2nd Chance" spoof and sent the $$$ to England via Western Union

we felt bad, but just forwarded the emails to e-bay so they could explain he was an idiot

[uppityperson]

12. That is bad. I got a 2nd chance notice once, through eBay

in my messages there. I looked and talked to eBay and it was real. That is really too bad. I haven't heard back since I said I'm sending all the emails to eBay and the attorney general. Alas, poor Eric, I was only getting to know you. jholzha@ (a free yipee type email account)

[NMDemDist2]

13. if it comes into your ebay messages it's legit

this guy got it by email and didn't realize it was a spoof

i bought the laptop i'm posting on via a "2nd chance" the seller had 25 units and as long as your bid was high enough he sent 2nd chances. i got a great deal that way

[Left Is Write]

10. What's sad is that lots of people WILL fall for that obvious scam.