My dad uses eBay fairly heavily as a means to buy and sell collectible magazines. Recently he purchased a first edition magazine way below his actual value. Total payment was $700 plus $59 for the wire transfer fee. After payment was made the seller kept stringing my dad along with bullshit stories.
Finally, all communication stopped. Luckily, my dad acquired as much information on the seller before sending payment including the guys SS number. The seller provided all information, some of which was false, but he did include his SS number.
With the advice of a trollhunter my dad knows, he filed a police report with both his local police department (Houston, TX) and the seller's local department (Egg Harbor, NJ I believe). Police began investigating the mail fraud and my dad continued his search for the guy since some of the phone numbers provided were either disconnected or the guy was no longer at that address.
A few days ago my dad was to go on a business trip out to Detroit, MI and then a short vacation to PA and NJ to visit family. He decided to take a day to hunt the guy down. Turns out my dad found the guys place of residence and then went to the police department to report this. The police officers escorted my dad to the guys place in order to set up contact and let the seller know about the charges.
The police officers told the guy he has three days to refund the $759 or the investigation would continue and the charges stand. Sure enough, three days after the initial meeting my dad had a refund waiting for him via Western Union. My dad said the look on the guys face was priceless when he answered the door. Just wish I had been there to see it.
Finally, all communication stopped. Luckily, my dad acquired as much information on the seller before sending payment including the guys SS number. The seller provided all information, some of which was false, but he did include his SS number.
With the advice of a trollhunter my dad knows, he filed a police report with both his local police department (Houston, TX) and the seller's local department (Egg Harbor, NJ I believe). Police began investigating the mail fraud and my dad continued his search for the guy since some of the phone numbers provided were either disconnected or the guy was no longer at that address.
A few days ago my dad was to go on a business trip out to Detroit, MI and then a short vacation to PA and NJ to visit family. He decided to take a day to hunt the guy down. Turns out my dad found the guys place of residence and then went to the police department to report this. The police officers escorted my dad to the guys place in order to set up contact and let the seller know about the charges.
The police officers told the guy he has three days to refund the $759 or the investigation would continue and the charges stand. Sure enough, three days after the initial meeting my dad had a refund waiting for him via Western Union. My dad said the look on the guys face was priceless when he answered the door. Just wish I had been there to see it.