[Laptopdealer66]

I just thought I would alert you all to a recent scam that is still going on with ebay/paypal.Just before I go ioto this i must tell you I have been using ebay/paypal for 5 years and am fully ware of almost all the scams.

about 8 weeks ago I listed a laptop on ebay,the day it was ending I recived an email asking if he could pay by paypal but collect the itme as he lived close,I agreed on a price and said that would be ok.The next day he emailed and asked for my contact details which I supplied,He called me about 4pm and said he would be along at 6pm I said i would not release the laptop unless I recived the funds first and he had a confirmed address etc.He said he did and he was sending the funds now and would be here about 8.30 to collect,I waited till 8pm and still had not recived the funds so i called him and told him the deal was off,He asured me he had sent the money I checked and he had but he spoke in a strong african accent and yet he used a scotish name so i was a little suspiccious as he waited till the last miniute to make payment.I checked his details and there were no details on record for him not a confirmed address or anything so I decided I was not going to let him take the laptop,It was now 9.15 and he still was not here I called him and asked him if he had documents on him to prove his name and address etc he said he did and he would be here in 30mins,I told him it was too late and he would have to wait till tomorow now,he became very angry and satrted shouting he had been driving for an hour and he was still coming to collect,I calmly told him that there was no way I was going to release the laptop to him and if he turned up at my home I would call the police.he said OK and ended the call.
I was still wary so I called paypal to check seek their advice,They advised me not to part with the laptop as even if the deal was legitamate (It sounded like a scam to them)that as soon as he got home he could file a complaint of non receipt and if I could not provide tracking info I would loose the claim.Whilst I was on the phone to paypal the guy turned up at my home and tried calling my mobile twice (which I ignored) he then drove off after 5 mins.I texted him to advise I would not let him collect the laptop but I would post it to him for free.
The next morning I awoke and checked paypal and sure enough the money he paid ahd been taken back due to unautherised transaction,he hacked someone elses paypal account to send money.I thought what a lucky escape I had had and went to work,At about 11am I recived a text from the rip off merchant asking me to post the laptop my first reaction was to tell him to get lost!!! however then I had a brainwave and sent him a text saying yes i would post it today so he would get it tomorow just send me your name and address!!!! well to my surprise he did.Right I thought I have you now so I went to my local cop shop and told my local officer all I knew. there reply was well there is really nothing we can do "no crime has been commited",What about the hacking of paypal I said well thats for paypal to investigate they replied.So I thought I am wasting my time here so left.

Anyway about a week later I was checking ebay when I saw an advert for a stolen laptop (I thought it was a bit strange advertising a stolen laptop for sale) anyway I looked at the add and was shocked to discover a lady had been selling a laptop and had had the same thing happen to her except she had handed the laptop over to the con man.I thought well heres a chance to do some good with my info so I emailed the seller and asked her to contact me asap.The lady called about an hour latter and I told her my story she was convinced it was the same people so I then told her I had an address for them,She was so happy she nearly broke down in tears thanking me,Her husband was ex CID so he contacted his ex mates and now with our combined evidence and statements etc the gang has been arrested it turned out to be a gang of about 12 illegal imigrants all ripping the public off and shipping the laptops back to Africa.They have now been charged with over 100 thefts and will be deported.

unfortunatley very few laptops were seized and 90% of people have lost out but at least they will not be able to carry out this scam anymore.So please if you know anyone who uses ebay/paypal pass this story onto them to stop
anyone else being ripped off by this sacm.

[hermitd]

nice one mate.. (Y) keep up the good work

[v CJ v]

Nice work buddy. I've been in the exact same situation, however the Police assisted me from day 1.

[Mac Man]

Great story.

Need to change your user name to 'sherlock' though

[Golf_turbo]

Well done mate. I hate eBay now, don't feel safe selling things on it. Everything can be a scam now.

Long gone are they days of "can you send this phone to my husabnd as a gift to nigera"

These days they are hacking accounts and knocking on your door. Quite scary really. (well for them if they try it)

[Cyland101]

Good on you for seeingthis through to a good result....

Must say I have no real trust in either ebay or paypal, to the point where I don't even keep my bank details or credit cards registered with paypal and only add them for the transaction and then remove them..... Painfull, but I would rather be carefull than be ripped off

[Laptopdealer66]

Originally Posted by Cyland101

Good on you for seeingthis through to a good result....

Must say I have no real trust in either ebay or paypal, to the point where I don't even keep my bank details or credit cards registered with paypal and only add them for the transaction and then remove them..... Painfull, but I would rather be carefull than be ripped off

it only stores the last set of nos though so you cant get the whole no.

Still these days it odes seam evryone is trying to rip everyone else off,its a sad cynical world we live in.

[TylerDurden]

I used to use ebay quite a bit, but will not touch it now (for selling) because I'm forced to accept PP, no chance.

[Cyland101]

Not so worried about them seeing the part deails of the account numbers etc, but them hacking my paypal account and then using it to buy stuff....

[danmc_82]

Good work mate, goes to how it can happen to anyone.

[edwardtickle]

Well done to you mate, been using ebay and paypal for a while but have never come across this scam before

[wormvortex]

deported, good one. This is the UK! if they won't throw terrorists out you think they will throw out common thieves?

[addyb]

That is a scary scam. I stopped using ebay about a year ago. I can't stand it anymore and I hate the paranoia it brings these days. I used to be quite the wheeler and dealer on ebay but no more. Its got so corrupt these days I can't bring myself to trust anyone on it.