e`Bay Fraud Example

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Here is just one example.  This bowl is in my collection.  The crook decided to download the images and gamble on a knowledgeable buyer recognizing it's quality and bidding on it. Who can resist such a deal for only 9 dollars? Even with the inflated shipping rate of $65.00, it's still a bargain. Normal rate would be about 8 dollars to ship. It's the inflated shipping charge that nets these crooks their profits.

Though not of Imperial quality, this bowl is still a real find. It tempts even a seasoned, knowledgeable buyer to go against the grain of common sense and place a bid, despite the fact it's a Private auction from China. I cut and pasted directly from the sellers listing the text below. My comments are of course in red.

This item is Chinese old handcraft in good condition.(True)Very nice.(True)This decoration is absolutely exquisite, Such pieces rarely appear for sale today(True).I have kept it for many years old, it is one of my best collections, if you won it (Lying through his teeth). and it will bring lucky for you (No luck, only money for the crook).so wonderful item (True).please don't miss it ! If you buy two or more items together.we are glad to offer combined shipping discount to you, vising combined shipping to you will save shipping cost greatly.(False, you will just lose more.)

So to sum it all up, you really have to be on your guard. I did a little computing on the possible profits these crooks take in using their tactics. One user got about $4,000.00 in his last 2 weeks of trading, mostly in the inflated shipping cost. He had probably netted about $20,000.00 total in his 5 months of trading before being suspended, not to mention any transactions outside of e`Bay.

They join e`Bay, get registered with PayPal and any other means to transfer money quickly and directly to their account. This money is then quickly transferred to a different account. They offer either fake items or (as in the example above) items they don't have until they are caught, investigated, and finally suspended. The offering of items they don't actually have is the last stage in their fraud scheme. It allows them one final chance to quickly take in profits, since the non-delivery of items will immediately  raise eyebrows and lead to suspension.

The next step is to get right back on e`Bay with a new identity (it's pretty easy) and begin all over again listing fake items. One user out there will offer one authentic piece, if you bite you may get a treasure, but from then on out you lose. The average time before  being caught varies. It depends on the crooks tactics and ability. Some I've seen go about a year before being caught and suspended. Some are caught within the first month. I've seen several get right back on within a week.

Be very careful on e`Bay

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