County Sheriff’s Office Warns of eBay Scam
December 5, Press-Citizen
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa is warning online car buyers to take caution when purchasing vehicles from online auction sites like eBay. The sheriff’s office has received several complaints about Internet scams that use eBay look-alike or copycat sites. According to the sheriff’s department, the complaints involve people who have been trying to buy a vehicle, usually one that sells for less than $10,000. The would-be buyer then receives an e-mail notifying them that they have a second chance offer to bid on the vehicle and is directed to a phony site set up by the alleged scammers. According
to the sheriff’s office, the prospective purchaser thinks they are buying a vehicle on eBay, when in reality they are wiring money to someone involved in the scam. Based on the investigation into the cases, the sheriff said the money goes through multiple hands and is “virtually impossible” to determine where it ends up. He said that makes it difficult to file charges or prosecute, and the victim is unlikely to get their money back.
He added that he believes it is likely a nationwide scam and recommended that people be cautious when conducting online transactions and not open e-mails from eBay that promise a second-chance offer.
Source: press-citizen.com | Local News
12-09-07, 01:38 AM
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