I want to warn everyone about a pratice I just found out about the hard way.
My wife and I were dupped by a couple of realy good cons who used ebay's site to steal $3200.00 dollars from us.
We thought we we're going to buy a 1997 Nissan 4x4, for $3200.00 dollars. I mean these guy posted this truck on craigs list, a web based company that allows people to puchase things from underware to automobiles. So We found this truck my wife wanted wanted and began the process of purchasing it.
We began to email the guy, who called himself George Jason, and you can email this moron at ([email protected]) this guy is very smooth, and as prespective buyers, we needed information that could support who he is. So I demanded that he provide me with information that could validate who he was. Not knowing what he was up to, he began to email us information and e-mail address that were from who we thought was Ebay.
Because he claimed he was an affiIiate of Ebays and in order to purchase the truck we had to use money a gram, (Clue Number 1) a wire transfer company and we did recieved confirmation from who we thought was Ebay, because of the Ebay logo's and address's on them, but all the email address's on them were all fake, the site was fake as well.
I sent Ebay two emails requesting they provide me with some sort of information on this guy. But Ebay never responded. And claim I had never sent them one email. (Clue # 2) There goes that liability. I recieved nothing from them until after these guys got away with our money. They sent documents from ebay and ebays customer support. Then we were directed to Ebays trust and safety site, and when I asked them about this guy, we recieved a quick response "but not from Ebay" which came back right away, defending this guy, that he was an affiliate and they do business with him all the time, and that Ebay has allowed him permission to use money gram, and outside wire transfer company. All the documents were from ebays site. As it goes He got the money.
So I contacted money gram the very mext morning, to try and stop the payment from being made, to a third party in New York state, which by the way, money gram the day before didnt have a problem sending this money to an address, that did not contain (Clue # 3) a ZIP Code, SO I sent a money gram to a place that money gram claims dont exsist. Ok then wheres my money.
So I contacted the FBI, because after a little research, I found out we've been had. I had gotten the FBI's office there in Ephriam Utah, the next day after we lost the funds and spoke with an FBI agent who, could have stopped this guy from getting away. But this didnt happen. Why? Because I didnt follow protocol. I must do things the way the Federal Government want them done. I must file a formal complaint and then they look into the matter. This is where the FBI office is located 35 to 40 minutes from where the suspect was located.
My understanding of cops and robbers is that when you get a lead on a suspect who is wanted in several states for internet fraud, you take that tip and investagate the matter. Even if its a dead end. I had gotten the address from George and I tracked him down to a hotel there in Ephriam Utah.
I'm ok with the lack of Federal help, because they never give it anyways, but hey a leads a leads. The guy has even given me a phone number where I could contact him, 1 801-738-5335 and as I had thought, it was a stolen cell phone.
After I contacted the FEDS, I went on line to report this crime, this was on Feb 1. It is now Feb 8 and my wife and I have recieved no word from the FBI on this matter. I had even filed another formal in writing complaint from their web site again, two days ago and have not heard one word from any Federal officers or investagators, except the one who I spoke with telling me I needed to follow protocall, isnt this for federal employes to do, not ones who repot a crime.
Francis
tangent, Oregon
U.S.A.
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