2. misc-audio
  3. 1130366466

I fell victim to a scam

I purchased a piece of audio equipment from an Audiogoner with 0 feedback. The Paypal account was unverified as well. I thought, "I was a newbie once, everyone has to start someplace". I've performed dozens of internet transactions and have never been burned, until now.

I received a tracking number "billing information received"... But no product was ever shipped. I was burned out of a decent amount of cash. I won't starve, but I'm pissed. Paypal was useless in helping. They basically told me that Paypal protects Paypal. Audiogon does not disclose account information either.

I have started a police investigation, and they have obtained a search warrant to get the address and bank records of the seller. I'm not holding my breath to catch him though.

If he (or she) is an amateur, then the bank records may lead me to him. If he is a pro, then I guess there is a way to launder the cash.

I mean, Paypal either wires the money to his bank, or cuts him a check. Is there a way to track this? Any Lawyers out there want to chime in?

Part of me is tempted to spend the money to find this person (or people) and prosecute. Am I spinning my wheels?

As I search through other Audiogon adds, I see other suspicious deals. Zero feedback, too good to be true deals. Obviously, I'll do my homework next time...
the_lanman
entrope
482 posts
 
I always inquire of zero feedback members if they will send me the goods and then I send them the payment. The rationale I use is that I have feedback and a reputation they can check but they do not.

I have done this successfully on two occasions.
horseface's avatar
horseface
222 posts
 
I dont know if you guys have ever read Slashdot but they posted a thread where an Ebay theif tried to ripoff a PC geek (I use that term because I am one) with an elaborate scam the geek saw right through it and posted to Slahdot.

The crook had setup a fake escrow service so he could receive the goods and never make payment. The geek was selling an Apple Powerbook. In the next week he had literally thousands of geeks all over the world helping him out. He sent the guy a modified box ... then he had hackers with cameras acrross the street in England where the package was delivered ready to shoot pictures of the guy getting his $300 empty box filled with rocks or something - I cant remember.

He really screwed the guy - by claiming the boxes value at $2500 and he had to pay customes to get it ... everyday we watched for more posts. It was so great - never did get a picture of the guy and the address the box was delivered to was an Internet cafe.

I will try to find it ... I think we all could use a laugh.

Mike
elevick
2,439 posts
 
STOP PAYMENT-I agree with bigkidz. Your bank will do whatever you like....I know one "scammer" who burned big by a guy who scammed him by stopping payment on a money order!
Also, there are escrow services IESCROW.com and more.
I personally, will check out any sellors. I google them for name, address and home phone and make sure it matches. I will even call their home phone and play dumb asking for them even if they have given another number.
That is why I always give my name, phone, address and more everytime I close a deal just to prove that I am for real.
jsonic
227 posts
 
Paypal is owned by E-bay. E-bay only cares about the seller. That is why you can have hundreds of negative feedbacks as a seller and remain a member of ebay but if you're a buyer screwing a seller you are booted on the 3rd infraction. This is because ebay only cares about the fees involved which are payed by sellers not buyers. Paypal is fairly useless in helping you they try to stall you long enough to make your claim invalid (30 days?) . The only way to protect yourself is to use a credit card and dispute the charges if you pay and get nothing in return. I have never gotten beat on ebay save for a broken item and the lady made good on it. Paypal with credit card is the safest way to go.
the_lanman OP
19 posts
 
Good news for me! As I mentioned, my first reaction was to go to the Police. However, I just spoke with my bank. They had me come in and fill out an "Affidavit for Unauthorized Access of my Account" form. My bank reimbursed me my full amount and they will now pursue getting the money from the sellers bank. I lost a lot of sleep over this one, but I lucked out in the end. Thanks for all of your input to my situation!
More to discover