| I have been reading lately about many cases | | | | really nice, however stated that he was |
| of people, who are the victims of conmen on | | | | unable to meet me as he was unable to drive, |
| the internet auction website Ebay. I myself | | | | as he had yet to pass his driving test. The |
| had a negative experience a number of years | | | | alarm bells should have started ringing, but |
| ago when a man tried to steal £170 from | | | | for whatever reason, they didn't.As his house |
| me. I was one of the lucky ones as I managed | | | | was a long way from where I lived, I |
| to get the money back.I had been having lots | | | | reluctantly agreed to pay via a bank |
| of fun buying and selling on Ebay for a | | | | transfer. He assured me he would post the |
| number of months, without any problems at | | | | phone that very day via Royal Mail Special |
| all. I regularly sold second hand mobile | | | | Delivery to arrive by noon the next day. He |
| phones and was making a fair amount of money | | | | seemed very genuine, they always do your |
| for very little effort. If I ever bought | | | | thinking and that was that.As you will no |
| anything that cost over £100, I would | | | | doubt have guessed, no phone arrived the next |
| always meet the seller somewhere, normally | | | | day or in fact any day.I tried contacting |
| just off the motorway. I managed to purchase | | | | Tony via e-mail, text and by phoning his |
| what I felt were some real bargains and also | | | | mobile phone, there was no reply.I realised |
| sold off many items which I no longer needed | | | | what a fool I had been, however decided to go |
| or wanted.This fun and easy way of earning | | | | to the police. They were very helpful and |
| cash was soon to come to an end. Maybe I am a | | | | about half an hour later I had a crime |
| bit of a fool, but it came as quite a shock | | | | number, however was warned that it was very |
| when it happened.On one particular day, I was | | | | unlikely I would ever see a phone or receive |
| scouring ebay, looking to purchase another | | | | a refund of my money. The police advised me |
| second hand mobile phone, which I would then | | | | to be very careful as they regularly have |
| re-sell, hopefully for a profit. I eventually | | | | complaints from people who have been |
| found an advert for a buy it now phone, with | | | | defrauded on ebay, I was not alone!Outside |
| the asking price low but not extremely low. | | | | the police station I sent Tony a text with |
| It was available for only £170, I believed | | | | the police crime number. To my shock he |
| I could quite easily make a profit of at | | | | phoned me straight away swearing at me but |
| least £50 at this price.On the advert | | | | eventually agreed to refund me the money, if |
| there was a mobile number, which I could | | | | I stopped the police action against him.I was |
| phone if I had any questions. I duly did this | | | | very lucky, I am sure many other people as |
| and a man calling himself Tony answered. I | | | | the police stated, never get their money |
| asked him the general type questions, which | | | | back. |
| he was happy to answer. He sounded and seemed | | | | |