What happens to those who try to defraud on eBay?

dan1ecu

I’ve seem posts here that expose people who are blatantly attempting to deceive eBay bidders. There was a thread recently about someone using pictures in his auctions that he apparently stole from other coin dealers’ web sites. I suppose that he was planning to collect big money from the winners, and then send them an inferior coin (or maybe no coin at all). Has anyone ever been prosecuted for this? I’d hate to think that a thief would simply loose his privileges on eBay.

Dan

coppercoins

I personally know of only a couple of stories about some kid who sold thousands in computer equipment on eBay he never had, then hiked with the money. He was prosecuted for it, but I have no idea what the outcome was. Many, many cases on eBay go unprosecuted, however.

airplanenut

If the seller is:

New- They get booted
A sporadic seller- maybe a slight suspension
A powerseller- eBay says "We can't let him to- we get $$$ for each person he frauds... let's make him a platinum power seller for getting us that much closer to a caribbean cruise!"

Jeremy

wingedliberty

The crimes you describe have the following potential remedies.

1.copyright infringement.
2.FBI internet fraud division.
3.local state's attorney general.
4.better business bureau.
5.ebay itself/negative feedback.
6.numismatic reputation suffers.

Brian.

dan1ecu

I suppose that there are gray areas - like altering a scan to make a coin more attractive or to hide a cleaning. I’m guessing that in most cases, it would be difficult to prove an intent to deceive. Sticking with very established sellers might be the answer.

Dan

chiefbob

I should have looked closer, but didn't notice the "cleaned" designation on the ANACS photo scan on an eBay lot. It is an 1886-S Morgan, that was described as XF but nowhere in the description as "cleaned". Curiously enough, the scan showed the holder sideways rather than vertical. A strong light reflection almost hid the word "cleaned" on the holder. The auction had only a couple minutes left when I bid on it, based mostly on the description, and the seller's feedback rating. It wasn't until later on that I looked closer at the scan and saw the holder description.

This is borderline deception, and I should have paid closer attention to it. A reputable seller (dealer?) would have included the entire ANACS description from the slab. I know I would have, as I've sold items on eBay in the past and was very upfront with the descriptions (antique newspapers, etc.). A lot of my feedback even mentioned the items were better than I described.

Bob

Dog97

<<What happens to those who try to defraud on eBay?>> They make lots of $$, more than they would if they had a J-O-B.

DesertLizard

Also keep in mind no "crime" is comitted until a sale is consumated. No such thing as attempted fraud.

"The" problem in my opinion is that too low level crimes as these are ignored by law enforcement. Whilte collar crime is not a priority and when caught people are slapped on the wrist.

This can be an instance when crime does pay.

northcoin

EBay does not do a good job of policing itself with regard to fraud. I bid and paid for an item from a seller who had scammed dozens of other people. It was a dvd of which the seller was listing multiple listings for the same dvd. I learned this when the item didn't show up. I informed ebay and didn't even get the courtesy of a responsive letter. All I got back from ebay was a computer generated message when I applied for their "guarantee" saying that they were not obligated to honor their guarantee/insurance since it was one week past their reporting date requirement. A number of the other people who had been scammed did timely report their loss and yet ebay did nothing to inform me of the scam as another buyer who had bid on the very same item to alert me before their reporting time requirement ran.

cointagious

<< <i>Also keep in mind no "crime" is comitted until a sale is consumated. No such thing as attempted fraud. >>




the element of a fraud, in general, is 'What must be proved is that the person knowingly and willfully devised or intended to devise a scheme to defraud'.

Tonelover

Here's what happens to them. I too had written ebay regarding masterful-collections and here's the response I got just this morning, nearly a week after he was suspended or he un-registered himself.

Hello, Thank you for writing eBay. eBay doesn't actually handle the merchandise that is offered for auction. Without firsthand knowledge of the item, we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of the listing information. We encourage memberswho are interested in bidding on an item to email the seller for additional information.

Actually I am quite shocked and feel this response is one for the record books. It is extremely scary to see first hand the extent ebay will go through to ensure a safe trading environment. Very sad indeed and it says volumes about how dangerous of a place it can be if you're not careful.

coinguy1

Well said, Tonelover. It's truly frightening to see how little they care and how little they will do.

presleyh

As a 10 times victim of criminal acts, I can tell most of you watch too much television. There in no one in law enforcement to sit and watch ebay. Even if there was, the only jurisdiction is federal. No state law enforcement agencies will cross into another state unless it is a high profile class A felony. No FBI task force is going to tackle ebay as long as terrorism is shutting down airports. In chattanooga there are 80 to 100 burglaries per day, there are 5 burglary detectives. As one detective puts it "divide 80 burglaries by 8 hours then by 5 detectives. How many hours can we spend on yours?" Even IF someone is caught, the penalty is 30 days suspended court cost of 35.00. In closing, BUYER BEWARE, Ebay can not police and prosecute their site.

dan1ecu

Even if one did e-mail the seller like eBay suggests, there’s no guarantee that accurate information will be given. I’m hoping that problems with deception are few and far between. Even so, I’m leaning towards sticking with reputable sellers like Heritage and other large dealers, who have to maintain a good reputation.

Dan

coindaughter

There was a case in my area in the news last week. Some college kids were selling computer equipment on Ebay and not delivering. Complaints were made, and the local police and the FBI became involved here. At least one of the three has been arrested. So, it is possible to bring people to justice.

JLW

<< <i>There was a case in my area in the news last week. Some college kids were selling computer equipment on Ebay and not delivering. Complaints were made, and the local police and the FBI became involved here. At least one of the three has been arrested. So, it is possible to bring people to justice. >>


coindaughter,
Nobody better mess with Santa Barbarans, right? I was born there and lived there until my dad transferred to Santa Maria with the county. Still one of my favorite places in the world.
Joe

Mikey

I've been contacted by the FBI over a guy named Tony McEnroe, who they are investigating. He sold silver eagles on ebay about a year ago and went out of business.