- Jul 1, 2004
- 21,030
- 2
- 61
I am 99% sure that I am being scammed by a guy in CA.
First off, I assume he got my email address (and thus yahoo IM sn) via my Ebay auction, where it is listed.
He actually sends me an IM via Yahoo, asking about overnight delivery for a $1340 system, then after I tell him it would $200+ for overnight delivery, he decides he now wants a $2000 computer.
At around 11pm my time, I told him I was going to bed, simply because I didn't want to talk to him anymore via my yahoo IM.
At this point to make a long story shorter, I have an Instant Payment with a NY Confirmed Address (which is a PO Box, which is against my shipping rules stated in my auction), and another email from him saying that they have the wrong address and wants me to ship to a CA address. I have not replied back yet.
He also wanted me to ship the system out "first thing" tomorrow morning, between 9-10am.
I assume he is thinking that I will ship the system to him and he can get it before the person finds out that there is a $2000+ charge on their CC which they didn't make.
Seeing as how today is the 28th, I also believe that he is probably moving out of his residence (end of the month), and probably won't be leaving a forwarding address, hehe.
This is a really expensive item, and I'd like to have this guy arrested. Being an Ebay'er full time, I get rather sick and tired of scammers, and for once I'd like to see one get his ass put in jail. This afterall isn't just an ordinary scam, this is criminal activity. And for once, the guy is in the USA, not another country.
If anyone can provide some tips, assistence, advice, help, I would LOVE to get it.
I am NOT posting any info here publically (addresses, names, etc.) as I don't think that would be allowed.
I will say that he wants me to ship the system to Westminster, CA 92683. Anyone live there?
Update #1
Well, something happened. I checked my PayPal account, and there is now a hold on that transaction. I do not know whats going on now.
Update #2
I have contacted the detectives of the Westminster, CA police department via email, forwarding the Yahoo IM Log and pdf's of the PayPal transaction and his email asking me to ship the system to a Westminster, CA address.
Update #3
The guy contacted me again this morning. Wants to re-send payment. Yet another person is going to have to deal with their CC company.
Update #4
Just sent me another payment. This time the confirmed address is in GA. I told him I'd go ahead and ship the system out.
Update #5
Contacted the owner of the PayPal account of the second payment, left him a message. Apparently he lost his wallet yesterday.
Update #6
We are now up to victim #5, and a total attempted stolen amount of over $10,000.
I just got off the phone with the Westminster Police Department. They took down the address of the perp, and my info and are going to have someone call me back.
Update #7
Further contact has been received from the Police department in the perp's area. There is a detective working on it, and I have been conversing and asnwering questions from someone assisting him in the case.
Update #8
Just talked to the Westminster PD again. There is a definitely a detective that is currently investigating the case. He was not in, but she did give me his name and extension, and said that I can call him on Monday.
Late Update #9
I never got the Westminster PD to call me back, and never got any other info on the situation.
First off, I assume he got my email address (and thus yahoo IM sn) via my Ebay auction, where it is listed.
He actually sends me an IM via Yahoo, asking about overnight delivery for a $1340 system, then after I tell him it would $200+ for overnight delivery, he decides he now wants a $2000 computer.
At around 11pm my time, I told him I was going to bed, simply because I didn't want to talk to him anymore via my yahoo IM.
At this point to make a long story shorter, I have an Instant Payment with a NY Confirmed Address (which is a PO Box, which is against my shipping rules stated in my auction), and another email from him saying that they have the wrong address and wants me to ship to a CA address. I have not replied back yet.
He also wanted me to ship the system out "first thing" tomorrow morning, between 9-10am.
I assume he is thinking that I will ship the system to him and he can get it before the person finds out that there is a $2000+ charge on their CC which they didn't make.
Seeing as how today is the 28th, I also believe that he is probably moving out of his residence (end of the month), and probably won't be leaving a forwarding address, hehe.
This is a really expensive item, and I'd like to have this guy arrested. Being an Ebay'er full time, I get rather sick and tired of scammers, and for once I'd like to see one get his ass put in jail. This afterall isn't just an ordinary scam, this is criminal activity. And for once, the guy is in the USA, not another country.
If anyone can provide some tips, assistence, advice, help, I would LOVE to get it.
I am NOT posting any info here publically (addresses, names, etc.) as I don't think that would be allowed.
I will say that he wants me to ship the system to Westminster, CA 92683. Anyone live there?
Update #1
Well, something happened. I checked my PayPal account, and there is now a hold on that transaction. I do not know whats going on now.
Update #2
I have contacted the detectives of the Westminster, CA police department via email, forwarding the Yahoo IM Log and pdf's of the PayPal transaction and his email asking me to ship the system to a Westminster, CA address.
Update #3
The guy contacted me again this morning. Wants to re-send payment. Yet another person is going to have to deal with their CC company.
Update #4
Just sent me another payment. This time the confirmed address is in GA. I told him I'd go ahead and ship the system out.
Update #5
Contacted the owner of the PayPal account of the second payment, left him a message. Apparently he lost his wallet yesterday.
Update #6
We are now up to victim #5, and a total attempted stolen amount of over $10,000.
I just got off the phone with the Westminster Police Department. They took down the address of the perp, and my info and are going to have someone call me back.
Update #7
Further contact has been received from the Police department in the perp's area. There is a detective working on it, and I have been conversing and asnwering questions from someone assisting him in the case.
Update #8
Just talked to the Westminster PD again. There is a definitely a detective that is currently investigating the case. He was not in, but she did give me his name and extension, and said that I can call him on Monday.
Late Update #9
I never got the Westminster PD to call me back, and never got any other info on the situation.