Ebay Fraud... Need Help From Someone In The Philippines

Your best bet is to call ebay and report exactly what you have discovered about the buyer already trying to sell the coins he supposedly doesn't have. Screen grabs are a must!

Using your pictures is a tip off and something you can bring up but unfortunately I have to agree with Beefer, you probably are going to end up eating this.

For international sales I would recommend only Australia, Canada, England and if you wanted to be adventurous France/Germany. If the tracking doesn't get scanned ebay takes the money from you and I have had that happen as well.

I appreciate the interest and responses.

I have found about 25 other sellers who this 'sham' buyer has left feedback for, being either negative feedback saying the buyer had to contact PayPal to get a refund, or that the seller was gracious about the lost item and gave a complete refund.

I have contacted as many of these sellers as ebay will let me up to this point, and plan to continue contacting the sellers I can find. Several of the sellers I have contacted replied to me that: this buyer said the items were lost in the mail, a refund was given to the buyer, and now the buyer is selling the same coins (with the same pictures) on eBay-Philippines. They have also contacted ebay and PayPal.

I will also add, most of these other sellers have thousands of prior ebay sales, so he's not just going after the newbie ebay sellers.

It will be interesting to see where it goes from here....

If ebay has a history of making refunds to this wayward international buyer for filing "item not received" disputes they are well aware of what he is doing. To allow that buyer continued access to the site is just enabling them to continue to defraud sellers.

I had this exact same scenario with a buyer in S Korea several years ago. It took several emails, phone calls, and unfortunately, several subtle threats to get ebay off their duffs to take action. I eventually got my money that was taken from my account returned and the buyer became NARU'd under that ID.

One or two missing packages is plausible. 25 missing packages? .... Nobody has that much bad luck!

As far as the Global Shipping program goes read the fine print closely. Last time I looked currency, banknotes and gold were excluded from the GSP.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

There's problem number one. What do you want to charge him with? Copyright infringement for copying a few photos? Do you really think the police in Philippines will even be interested in your case? ebay is known to be fully on the side of the buyer, so no sympathy to be expected there...

I fully agree that every alarm bell screaming 'fraud!' is ringing here. I've been to Philippines several times and, despite the country being extremely poor, by far most people tend to be honest (this one person is one of those exceptions, of course), and only a select few know about the real value of 'old' coins, as they call them there. American coins, also graded Morgans, can be bought there and are usually a lot cheaper than in the US. Simply because there isn't much of a market for it as people simply don't have much money for numismatics: those who are interested in it, know where to find it and won't buy a premium plus intercontinental shipping. So I'd certainly add Philippines to the blacklist.

I also recommend to use as many services ebay provides as possible when it comes to intercontinental shipping to questionable buyers and/or countries. However, when it comes to the list of 'safe' countries listed by basebal21, I'd call that male cow excrement. Europe, especially West Europe, is much, much safer than the US in almost every respect. The whole Norwegian police force used just over 20 bullets in total (so not per officer, but in total) last year, for example. We don't have to discuss putting your collection in a bank box safe here because it's unsafe to keep at home... You can easily put all of Scandinavia, West Europe and good parts of Central Europe on your trusted list.

Anyway, it's a good idea to continue what you do now. There's a pattern, you have several people with the same experience, so that makes the case much stronger (but still not a run race, as ebay will ot be on your side by default). I wish you good luck!

So my battle rages on....

I called ebay first thing this morning. The guy seemed interested and said there would be an investigation opened, and told me to take screenshots (which I already have), he was also interested enough to confirm that this guy is using the two screen names that I believed he was, AND that he was also using two more screen names... but I have a feeling that the ebay wheels of justice move as slowly as any government wheels of justice.

I then called PayPal, who assured me they would not return to money to the buyer.... but also suggested that it would be easier if I could relay the information I have acquired to the buyer (i.e.. this is a fraud, he is now selling my coins, I have screenshot proof, he has ripped off other people) and then he and I could work this out within the PayPal "Resolution Center", without getting them involved.

I just messages a few more people who seem to have had this same problem with him, to check and see if their coins are for sale on ' ebay Philippines'. (I'm hoping with more complaints it will draw more attention)

Because someone asked, the transaction was for $120 (for 3 common ANACS graded Morgans). I will only sell within the US from here on out, but have really only been selling to get rid of some stuff.... and to have cash for some NEW stuff!

I appreciate the comradery, and tips, I've gotten from the members of this site about this particular problem.



PS:
@UltraRant - I reread my posts to make sure, and not once did I mention "charges/infringement/police/cases".

[quote]There's problem number one. What do you want to charge him with? Copyright infringement for copying a few photos? Do you really think the police in Philippines will even be interested in your case? quote]

It sounds like you may be making headway. I hope it turns out well for you and poorly for the scammer.