So how should I handle this Ebay scammer

[oldcarnut]

I recently sold my Challenger on Ebay.  Somebody I know that bid on it got this letter from this person on Ebay looking mail offering a second chance on the car I already have been paid for and sent to Texas.  He calls me and tells me about it and forwards the email to me. I called Ebay right away to verify mine and his accounts aren't hacked and change passwods etc.  Heres the first email to him
The seller, (me) is making this Second Chance Offer because the high bidder was either unable to complete the transaction or the seller has a duplicate item for sale. The selling of this item through Second Chance Offer is in compliance with eBay policy; you will be able to exchange Feedback with the seller and will be eligible for all eBay services associated with a transaction, such as fraud protection.
Act Now - This Offer Ends Soon !
To take advantage of this opportunity, please act quickly. This offer ends on March 1, 2013, 8:22 pm. To buy this item contact the seller at: mikewengineer@gmail.com
So he replies about it knowing I already sold and delivered it and gets this back from him.

Hi Finally managed to get to a laptop where I can check my inbox, hope it hasn't been long since you emailed. My wife and I celebrate 15 years of marriage, ended up in Yellowstone National Park. Long story short the winner after speaking on the phone waiting for him all day long comes up and wants a straight swap. If that wasn't enough the bugger almost made us lose our flight. Hopefully we can come to an agreement so I won't have to relist it therefore I am willing to accept your last bid price: $11,500.00. I've got nothing to hide, agree with and recommend for your peace of mind a proper inspection before cash changes hands. Next week I'll return home and would like to have a buyer waiting for me. I'd appreciate if you can get back with an answer by tomorrow if you're keen to buy it. Regards, Dr. M. W. Becker P.S. Can be reached on 307-278-6545 low signal strength area I do check emails regularly.
What's the best way to deal with this?  Anybody had a previous experience? Wish there was an easy way to get him busted

[odcics2]

Send the FBI to meet him.   

[Cooter]

I recently sold my Challenger on Ebay.  Somebody I know that bid on it got this letter from this person on Ebay looking mail offering a second chance What's the best way to deal with this?  

If the car is sold, move ahead. Nothing you can/will do will stop this. Scammers are all over E-Pay. You turn them into E-Pay, Evil Bay removes them, they are back under a different name in 10 min....Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, wore it out and now I polish the cars with it.

[1970Moparmann]

The only thing you can really do is -

-Let the Fraud Department at Ebay know.   They helped me out in the past very professionally.

-I have heard people go to the local police department to let them know.  They may or may not do anything about it. 

[nvrbdn]

if he didnt take over your ebay account, how did he get the info on the next bidder? guess not being a hacker, i dont know how to get that info. also, wouldnt the next bidders offer be less than the buyer bought the car for? unless you accepted trade with cash and he is going for straight cash. i dont know, guess i have alot of questions.

[oldcarnut]

I don't know how he did it but the 2nd offer for was for much lower than it sold for.  Ive forwarded the letters to Ebay.  Car sold for 17500.  2nd was for 11500.  People I talked to there just said update the email and Ebay passwords.  Nothing on their end showed compromises to the accounts  but the emails looked pretty authentic from Ebay only one of them had a similar but a non ebay web address.  I'd like to call him myself to see what he says about my car but not sure if its the wisest thing to do.  Just hate the thought of somebody using my add to rip somebody off.

[RallyeMike]

My suggested action is not recommended for discussion in a public forum.

[mauve66]

they tell you on ebay not to click on ANY email that comes to you, go straight to ebay.com then log in that way, then check your messages and it won't be there(same with search results, even though you finally found that one item don't click on the link in the email, ever).  the wording in the email gives it away as ebay won't protect anything your doing straight to his email or phone

[Mike DC]

             
I'm curious about how this guy actually expects to get 11.5k out of somebody without handing over a car.  He's not claiming that he needs the money sent ahead of time to a Nigerian bank account or something.   


Maybe he's just fishing for information on people.

Or maybe he's gonna start in with excuses for why he needs (some/all) of the money ahead of time to secure the deal. 

[CUTiger78]

The area code is WY.

I'd call him up.  Turn on number blocking on your phone first, so that your # doesn't show up on his phone.  Or use some other phone besides your own.  See what he says.

Good luck!

[mauve66]

             
I'm curious about how this guy actually expects to get 11.5k out of somebody without handing over a car.  He's not claiming that he needs the money sent ahead of time to a Nigerian bank account or something.   


Maybe he's just fishing for information on people.

Or maybe he's gonna start in with excuses for why he needs (some/all) of the money ahead of time to secure the deal. 

he'll give the siring details when he gets the phone call, if he said wiring in the email someone would be suspicious but once you hear his "sincere" voice your fears will fade away.......

[hatersaurusrex]

He won't answer.  The whole point of the 'I'm in a poor reception area' ruse is to ease your suspicion when you can't get him on the phone.  If you were that 11,500 bidder you'd probably be desparate to snap the car up and - if you were the perfect sucker he's looking for - you'd break down and do the deal over email because your desire for a screaming deal would override your common sense.    That number is probably a skype number or something with a WY area code to look legit.   5,000 bucks of money says this guy is in Nigeria or overseas at least.

The use of the words 'bugger' and 'keen' should tell you the guy's not an American.

[TUFCAT]

That number is probably a skype number or something with a WY area code to look legit.   5,000 bucks of money says this guy is in Nigeria or overseas at least.

The use of the words 'bugger' and 'keen' should tell you the guy's not an American.

 ALL of this is bullshit.    So please don't call, email, or smoke signal this idiot. You could end up in his vortex.

[oldcarnut]

I got a responce from the Ebay folks they'd do their investigation of all the links etc whatever that entails.  Haven't heard from anyone else about getting one or the one guy getting more.  I'm still befuddled how he got the ID name and registered name together when as far as I know the bidders id's are hidden to all but the seller.  One thing for sure was his bid was not $11500  Either way I let it go instead of instigating direct conflict with him. Got enough problems without asking for more when I lost nothing

[Dodgedude73]

You should really report this scammer scum to the FBI and ebay!! I wonder where he is. He just idd the same thing to me. Trying to scam me out of $6000!! Wrote me basically the same email and 2nd chance offer. But usually when someone sends you a 2nd chance offer it will appear in your ebay inbox messages. There was nothing from him so hot the hell idd he get my personal email address? I just changed my password.
2 weeks ago I bid on a 2004 GMC conversion van. It sold for $7450 and there were 3 people who bid higher than my $6000. But yet he sends me a 2nd chance offer LOL. He said the same BS that he was out of town in Europe on business. I told him I didnt have the $6000 anymore that I only had $5200 and he said "fine we can do the deal". I want to know who this POS is!!!! I also wrote the guy on ebay who was selling the van and I wrote the winning buyer. I will copy and paste the convo I had with this theif so you can see he fed me the same story!

[Dodgedude73]

Long story short the winner after speaking on the phone waiting for him all day long comes up and wants a straight swap. If that wasn't enough the bugger almost made us lose our flight.


He fed me the same BS line!!!

[oldcarnut]

Same guy name, email address, and phone # ?

[Dodgedude73]

This is what I got from him on Feb 25th. mind you thic BS 2nd chance off was not in my inbox messages on ebay.

You've been given a second chance to buy Chevrolet : Express Conversion 2004 GMC Savana EXPLORER Conversion Van -Limited double doors - NO RE, which you placed a bid on for $ 6,000.00 on 12-Feb-13 . To purchase this item, reply to this email or just contact the seller at: mikewengineer@gmail.com

Act Now - This Offer Ends Soon !
To take advantage of this opportunity, please act quickly. This offer ends on February 28, 2013, 2:56 am. To buy this item contact the seller at: mikewengineer@gmail.com

[Dodgedude73]

I then said to him:  Hello!! I thought this sold for $7450? Did the winner change his mind or other people ahead of me?? I think there were a few others who bid higher than me.

He answered me:   From: "mikewengineer@engineer-m.com" <mikewengineer@engineer-m.com>
To: k.****e@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, March 2, 2013 6:07 PM
Subject: Fw: You've received a Second Chance Offer on eBay item #130847854912: Chevrolet : Express Conversion 2004 GMC Savana EXPLORER Conversion Van -Limited double doors - NO RE

Thank you for the reply. According with eBay you can buy my car for your last bid: $6000. The "winner" on eBay, after speaking on the phone waiting for him all day long comes up and wants a straight swap. If that wasn't enough the bugger almost made me lose my flight. Must tell you i'm in Europe with business for the next 6 weeks but this is not a problem because i have the car in a shipping company custody and they will take care of delivery (i offer free shipping within 800 miles area). However, before any delivery can be done I want to be sure that we do this transaction in the safest mode possible for both of us using eBay because they offer the highest rate of safety and reliability during online transactions. Needless to remind you that I am a professional seller with exquisite 100% positive feedback, so I offer and expect 100% seriousness (take a look over my feedback on eBay). Using eBay you will get 3 days to inspect the car (after it's delivered) before paying me and I'll be sure that I have a genuine buyer with funds ready who won't mess me around. You'll get the chance to inspect the vehicle, test it and everything you like while your money are safely held in eBay's account. ONLY after you confirm with eBay that you agree to keep the car, they'll release the money to me. In case you don't like it you get a full refund. If you have the funds ready email me back to confirm and i will register the transaction with eBay. Once the transaction is registered, eBay will contact you with ALL the info regarding shipping, purchase protection, and refund policy (no obligation to buy and no fees involved if you won't accept the transaction's terms). Regards, MIKE WEBBER Structural Engineer Employee Of Automotive Management Resources Inc. Department Of Automotive Managers and Personnel Trailer

[Dodgedude73]

And more lies...............

I then said to him(at this point I was baiting him): I have $5200 now if that will do.

He replied back to me:   From: "mikewengineer@engineer-m.com" <mikewengineer@engineer-m.com>
To: k.****e@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, March 2, 2013 9:01 PM
Subject: Re: You've received a Second Chance Offer on eBay item #130847854912: Chevrolet : Express Conversion 2004 GMC Savana EXPLORER Conversion Van -Limited double doors - NO RE

Ok, we can have a deal for $5200. Email me back with your shipping address to get the ball rolling. Regards, MIKE WEBBER Structural Engineer Employee Of Automotive Management Resources Inc. Department Of Automotive Managers and Personnel Trailer.


This is the last I heard of him.

[aussiemuscle]

But usually when someone sends you a 2nd chance offer it will appear in your ebay inbox messages.

Which is why i've turned off ebay emails (the only ones they send you are change of email address notifications).

[Patronus]

Why don't you just poop in a box and send it?

[Rallyecharger]

I always send those offers to  spoof@ebay.com so that they have a record of it. That sort of crap happens to me once or twice a year from dealing with the Ebay auctions. Biggest piece of advice out of all of this is do not access your Ebay account from the Second chance offer Ebay screen, otherwise they have your log in info..........

[Dodgedude73]

I have reported him and I scared him off. He stopped writing me

[model maker]

Why is it these scamming idiots can never spell correctly ? maybe thats why they have to scam, they cannot hold a job because they are morons.

EXAMPLE from the pasted email above

"Regards, MIKE WEBBER Structural Engineer Employee Of Automotive Management Resources Inc. Department Of Automotive Managers and Personnel Trailer

[hatersaurusrex]

Personnel is the correct spelling if you're training people for their job and not to do Pilates

Trailer, however... maybe he follows his personnel around all the time?

[bobas]

I try to steal my 5,000$ claiming second chance offer for car that was worted 25,000$. Same story same technique to trick you,beware people