- Nov 27, 1999
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Read this over at http://www.wsj.com :
Court Issues Warrant for Arrest
Of Alleged eBay Scam Artist
By NICK WINGFIELD
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
A federal court in Michigan last week issued a warrant for the arrest of Stewart C. Richardson, a seller of ceramic figurines on the eBay Inc. auction site who allegedly collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from bidders without sending them any merchandise.
The warrant, issued by the U.S. attorney's office in Detroit, alleges one count of wire fraud against Mr. Richardson, 60 years old, who hasn't been seen by employees at his business or by his family since Jan. 17 and is considered a fugitive.
An affidavit by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in support of the warrant alleges that Mr. Richardson, working out of a shop in White Lake, Mich., defrauded dozens of eBay bidders across the country who sent him money during the first weeks of January for collectible figurines that Mr. Richardson never delivered as promised. Mr. Richardson's activities were described in a page one story in The Wall Street Journal last month.
The FBI affidavit says that about 74 victims from 23 states contacted the bureau reporting losses related to Mr. Richardson of about $163,000. A person close to the investigation says the number of victims has risen to 100 since the affidavit was taken and that the tally of victims' losses ultimately may rise to about $300,000.
Mr. Richardson's case has surprised eBay officials and users of the popular auction site because the Michigan man had a stellar reputation during the five years he sold collectibles on the eBay site, according to seller comments on the site. Mr. Richardson's friends and family have expressed shock about his disappearance, saying they were unaware of his activities.
Michigan state records show other details about Mr. Richardson's past. He spent a total of about eight years in prison during the late 1950s and 1960s for a number of felonies, the most serious of which was assault with intent to commit murder, according to Department of Corrections records.
Court Issues Warrant for Arrest
Of Alleged eBay Scam Artist
By NICK WINGFIELD
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
A federal court in Michigan last week issued a warrant for the arrest of Stewart C. Richardson, a seller of ceramic figurines on the eBay Inc. auction site who allegedly collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from bidders without sending them any merchandise.
The warrant, issued by the U.S. attorney's office in Detroit, alleges one count of wire fraud against Mr. Richardson, 60 years old, who hasn't been seen by employees at his business or by his family since Jan. 17 and is considered a fugitive.
An affidavit by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in support of the warrant alleges that Mr. Richardson, working out of a shop in White Lake, Mich., defrauded dozens of eBay bidders across the country who sent him money during the first weeks of January for collectible figurines that Mr. Richardson never delivered as promised. Mr. Richardson's activities were described in a page one story in The Wall Street Journal last month.
The FBI affidavit says that about 74 victims from 23 states contacted the bureau reporting losses related to Mr. Richardson of about $163,000. A person close to the investigation says the number of victims has risen to 100 since the affidavit was taken and that the tally of victims' losses ultimately may rise to about $300,000.
Mr. Richardson's case has surprised eBay officials and users of the popular auction site because the Michigan man had a stellar reputation during the five years he sold collectibles on the eBay site, according to seller comments on the site. Mr. Richardson's friends and family have expressed shock about his disappearance, saying they were unaware of his activities.
Michigan state records show other details about Mr. Richardson's past. He spent a total of about eight years in prison during the late 1950s and 1960s for a number of felonies, the most serious of which was assault with intent to commit murder, according to Department of Corrections records.
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