Author Topic: OT: ebay G4 scam from a year ago (Read 3397 times)

Bruce_F · « **on:** August 18, 2003, 03:27:45 PM »

Some of you will remember that I attempted to buy a G4 off ebay last year and I was scammed out of almost $2400 along with nearly 100 others.

Two guys were the brainstorm of the operation.

When the scam got exposed, one of men left the country with all the money. Last I heard, he's living in Tel Aviv. (I have no idea why he's never been found)

The other guy, who was left holding the bag, was imprisoned for a few months then released. The Florida courts sentenced the guy to make restitution on the lost money. His wages are being garnished and the state of Florida is dispursing the funds.

Does that sound a little strange?

Well... it is.

Today, I got a check from the Florida Dept. of Corrections, Court Ordered Payments Fund. The check is for $5.19 US, with a balance due of $2,384.81.

If my memory serves me correctly, I should see one check per month. That calculates out to 460+ months.

I'm 54 now. If the money continues to roll in at that rate, I'll be 92 years old by the time I get the last check.

Yeah... I'm real happy about that.

oh well...

Greg Dunn · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2003, 03:56:32 PM »

i know what you mean. I took a beating about 2 years ago on a used mac. Bought it from an individual, he wouldn't ship it to me until my check cleared, of course. My check was good, but his computer wasn't. Dead battery, fried HD, and about 1/4 inch of dust bunnies on the logic board when I opened it up. I contacted him about it, he said that I probably screwed something up. No refund, of course. I'll NEVER buy something sight unseen from an individual again. That being said, I've had nothing but good fortune buying used equipment from a few reputable companies. Lesson learned.

ljocampo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2003, 09:27:27 PM »

eBay is totally yankee trading (buyer beware) I have never used ebay to buy anything and probably never will, unless the seller (who wants the buyer to trust him) accepts the fact that he's going to have to trust me first.

Bruce_F · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2003, 10:12:48 PM »

This particular scam was done through scheme called "Pre-Sale Auction". People bid on the item which is still in the factory. In a legitimate auction, the money is used by the auctioneer to get a better price. Even ebay was behind it, for awhile. Had I known at the time that Apple would never agree to such a thing, I would still have my money.

I still use ebay, but I will not do business with anyone who doesn't sell through PayPal or some other means of protected purchase. I am currently a verified business member of PayPal and I will not sell an item unless the bidder agrees to use those terms.

It may not be totally secure, but it sure beats sending someone a money order that is a good as cash on the receiving end.

Yes, ebay is buyer beware. Doing business on ebay requires good communication and thoughfulness.

RHPConsult · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2003, 10:41:33 PM »

Bruce:

You'll be OK if you just don't supersize your fries with that Big Mac, every month!

Bruce_F · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2003, 11:08:47 PM »

No chance... it's got me on a diet!

ljocampo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2003, 11:32:58 PM »

Gosh how I LOVE big macs

Bill · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2003, 01:01:59 AM »

Jack in box has specials all the time Bruce.

ljocampo · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2003, 03:54:14 AM »

Gosh I haven't had Jack in the Box since I left Long Island NY about 12 years ago. I loved Jack in the Box

snuffysbluff · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2003, 08:15:53 AM »

QUOTE(Bill @ Aug 19 2003, 1:01 AM)

Jack in box has specials all the time Bruce.

It's been years ('nam era San Diego), but I still wonder just what's in Jack's secret sauce.

...and are the burgers still the size of a beer can bottom?
...and is that georgeous gal named Donna still running the one at Pacific Beach?
...and does S Diego's finest still want to talk to me about that misunderstanding?
Honest, I didn't know she was married.
...and does anyone know what the statute of limitations is on 5 unpaid traffic tickets?

kelly · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2003, 08:24:24 AM »

Bruce. Invest it.

Four months worth should buy one share of Apple Stock.

Hi Snuffy. How ya been?

snuffysbluff · « **Reply #11 on:** August 21, 2003, 09:54:10 AM »

Hi Kelly and gang...

Haven't be able to get out much...in a long stretch of busy again.

I have been following the saga of Mrs Lop.

Later...
Gary B

Bill · « **Reply #12 on:** August 21, 2003, 06:36:43 PM »

Hey Snuffy!! Hi Ya!

Got a couple spare hours? I talked about ya in a few threads. You find em ... I'm not going to even try.

Bill · « **Reply #13 on:** August 21, 2003, 07:11:44 PM »

Here's one that should go into the 'Dumb Criminals' hall of fame.

Local supermarket sells money orders.
Employee of this supermarket {somehow} manages to use these money orders to make personal ebay transactions without purchasing them.

Long story short, employee was busted bigtime. <gr>

I couldn't get any details on how long the authorities let the line dangle before they pulled in this guppy but I'm sure there's a whole lot more to the story.

Lets see .. 52 cards in a deck .. don't even think this person kept the jokers!

RKSJNich · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2003, 12:19:59 PM »

Anyone out there in Florida government who can stop this foolishness?

The implication of the story is that they are getting about $500 per month from the criminal and writing 100 individual $5 checks to send out to those defrauded. A quick estimate is that they are losing $2,000 a month to do this, as the cost of processing, issuing, and mailing a check is usually estimated at $25 or so. Maybe in these days of effecient government the state pays less than that, but I'll bet their cost is more than $5.19.

At that rate, the state could make a couple of users whole each month and let the criminal go free.

News:

Author Topic: OT: ebay G4 scam from a year ago (Read 3397 times)