Somewhat worried - eBay scam....

Okay, check out this page, from eBay Canada: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3063462305&ed=1070809929

Now check out this page, from my website, describing my [now old] system: http://www.dunkyboy.com/me/hifi.php

Notice the striking similarities? Namely, that they're bleedin' identical?!? Now realise that the seller, 'picksanuk' is in Canada, and I have no idea who he is, and no knowledge of his system or its sale. Notice he even lists my HTPC, nicknamed 'Hooper', in the sale!!

I was made aware of this by the top bidder who did a search for Active 10 only to find my site and become understandably confused and concerned! I told him to NOT SEND THE GUY ANY MONEY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, and advised him to report him to eBay (I did the same).

Now, my main concern is whether the guy is just a regular empty-box eBay scammer, or if he perhaps has actual designs on my system, which will sadly be slightly less well defended soon as I'm flying to Florida to see my folks tomorrow (I have flatmates, so the place won't be empty or anything).

It seems unlikely, but I can't help but be somewhat worried...

Anyone heard of any similar scams? What became of them? Any chance eBay will actually get off their arses and do something? In case it doesn't, my lovely flatmate suggested I take advantage of the fact that the eBay ad is stealing my bandwidth by linking the photograph directly to my website, by changing the photograph at that address to something reeeeally obscene. :JOEL:

Dunc

 

seems to be an increase in this practice at the moment.
i think you have done all you can by informing epay, just hope they do something about it.
I wouldnt worry about your personal system, i doubt the guy has your home address.
Change the picture - wicked idea

 

That is weird, isn't it. The strange thing is the "seller" seems to want COD - how's that gonna work with empty boxes??

 

My view is that with cases like this you should be able to inform the police. This is a crime or at least an attempted crime.

EBay have a responsibility to ensure that their facilities are secure and legal and should be taking criminal action themselves.

If the legal system does not currently protect sufficiently against these offences then it is the government's responsibility to change the law so that it does.

Personally, I would recommend hanging for offenders although I appreciate that many forum members will consider this too light a sentence. Remember guys that, with the season of good will fast approaching, there's certainly room for compassion.

 

Duncan, I've seen this a few times. It seems to be rather 'popular' (for all the wrong reasons) for scammers to use other peoples gear/photos when trying to extract money from innocent parties.

There was a guy on e-bay trying to flog exactly the same AudioNote Transport when it was being sold on Audiogon. I actually bought said transport from the Audiogon seller and he told me about how he'd discovered that some dodgy geezah was using his system picks to try and sell something he didn't have (The Audiogon seller sent him some questions about it and he didn't have a clue about the equipment.).

I remember being sent a link to an auction on e-bay where the same scam was being pulled but the linked photo had been changed to a rather errrrrm....interesting phto of a large lady with no clothes on :chunder: . NOT pretty .

Probably did the job.

I do have to mention however that if anybody thinks they can buy a system like that for C$1,375 is asking for trouble .

If you ask me, Ebay will do nowt but thankfully the winning bidder got in touch. Maybe he should get his address for COD and beat the sh*t out of him :chair: .

 

The scammer obviously is as stupid as he can get But only a more stupid person would buy from the person.

 

Personaly I wouldn't buy anything above £5 from a person with no feedback history.

Also if I am spending a large amount of money on ebay I check the history matches with what they are selling etc.

I think each police department in the country needs specialist electronic crime units to deal with crimes like this on ebay.

 

Am I the only one who gets suspicious of auctions from people who can't spell 'system' in their headings.

Also maybe I'm paying more attention these days but I have noticed recently an increase in the number of zero feedback sellers flogging high end gear. Usually wire transfer or other untraceable online payment method. At least you can now just look to see where they registered before avoiding them.

 

I believe quite a lot of posters here have the same spelling problem.
But they can be trusted no doubt


regards

 

That is excellent advice. I have seen a few people get carried away bidding on various things that start above 100 quid and the seller has no history at all.

If in doubt leave it out

 

Hi,

Regarding the ATC 10's on your site you mention that each speaker's amp can be indivdualy adjusted. Can i take it then that this adjustment could act as a balance control in the absence of a balance control on the pre amp?

regards
S+P

 

Sorry but you would have to be a seriously stupid muppet to bid on stuff like this with minus feedback.

Its very much like the suckers that buy the speakers from a guy with a lorry that had 'one pair spare'

They deserve all they get frankly.

 

But sadly not all members of the public are wise. Some people are just far to trusting by nature. It dosn't mean they deserve to get riped off. I agree that you have to be quite stupid to fall for these scams though. Especialy the white van speaker scam.

 

i think he got minus feedback as a result of this auction, gary

 

It seems that eBay have (just) revised their User Agreement which should make it more difficult for fraudsters.

FAQ on eBay User Agreement revisions

 

Mind you, if some joker turns up on eBay with dubious claims about ownership of a national grid power station, he's probably legit.

The Ironbridge Power Station

 

Here is anothe rgood one for you
Vallhalla power cables

So he lives in singapore (leagally can't touch him), only accepts bank transfers and has a zero ebay rating.
Mmmm. Scam anyone!

I don't now how they get away with it!

 

There really should be a 'report this auction' function.

 

Lets hope the only contact he had from this was the police.

 

Steve, you naughty boy I thought you'd already got your knuckles wrapped for this kind of eBay "abuse" before?

Michael.