Jessica Medina

Nina –

Victim Location 66720

Type of a scam Online Purchase

Ad on Craigslist for a SkidSteer Bobcat 873 Tire Size – $100. Description asked $1800.00. Bobcat was supposed to be located within 100 miles of my town and ad even gave a contact # to that effect, so I decided to make contact with seller to ask questions and possibly make the purchase. After several attempts at contacting seller with no verbal response I finally received a text saying that they couldn’t talk because the number was a work phone, but if I texted my email address to that same # I would be sent via my email additional pics and info, so I went ahead and did. I received an email with more pics and with detailed info on the Bobcat and a sob story as to why it was being sold so cheap. I then returned an email to her saying I was still interested and asked where the Bobcat was located and when I could make a purchase. She says she’s in Mississippi at her parents and the Bobcat was at a shipping company in Biloxi, MS and she adds " My presence won’t be necessary because I prearranged the deal with eBay. The deal includes free delivery and it will arrive at your address in 2-3 days. You will have 5 days to try out prior to making any purchase and if by any reason you find something you don’t like about it you can send it back at my expense. If you are interested in knowing more info about how it works, I can ask eBay to send you an email with more information on how to purchase it. eBay will contact you shortly after they have the details with all the confirmation that you need to complete the deal. If you would like to receive the email from eBay with all the transaction information please reply with your full name, shipping address and phone # and they will contact you right away." Of course I was thinking this is too good to be true but I just had to play this out to see how this transaction would be asked to be completed if I wanted to buy this Bobcat, so I returned an email to her stating my continued interest in making this purchase with the info she said she needed. She then emails me saying " I got your information and I will go ahead and start the transaction at eBay for this sale. As soon they will register our transaction, they will email you the invoice with instructions on how this sale can be completed successfully and stress free. I will keep you updated on the process." And then I get an invoice from eBay which in short has her name, address, etc and my name address, etc and instructions on how to make payment. I copied this off the invoice:

US $1,800.00 (9 cards x $200 each) via eBay Cards

For your purchase you have to buy exactly the same cards as the draft exposed:

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Pending Payment is required within 48 hours of invoice date!

What to do next? How to make the payment?

Payment must be submitted via eBay Cards by providing the code from each card!

eBay Cards can be purchased at locations where you shop for your daily needs. There are no special customer service counters and no forms to fill out.

STEP 1 Go to any drugstore or grocery store and pick up eBay Cards of $100, $200, $300 or $500 each to complete the amount from the Prepaid Product Section and take them to the register. The cashier will collect your Cash and load it onto the eBay Cards. There are no hidden fees or charges.

STEP 2 Scratch off the back side of each eBay Card to see the code (13 digit number).

STEP 3 Confirm your payment calling (866) 448-3229 or reply to this message with the code from each eBay Card so we can validate your payment.Buy with Confidence! eBay protects your vehicle purchase against fraud and material misrepresentation.

This program is provided for FREE on all eligible vehicle transactions. There is no sign-up, opt-in, or registration necessary.

Complete your eBay transaction in 5 easy steps!

Step 1 Buyer and seller agree on the transaction terms and a selling price. Seller contacts eBay with the transaction details;

Step 2 eBay accepts the transaction and offers purchase protection to the buyer (if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either the buyer or the seller);

Step 3 The Buyer receives an invoice and complete the payment to eBay.

After the payment is received and approved the seller will initiate the delivery.

The seller has three business days to send the buyer and eBay the tracking number of the shipment. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the buyer;

Step 4 Buyer receives the merchandise and has five days to inspect it. If it is complete and as described, the buyer should accept the merchandise. If he refuses the merchandise, the buyer must ship the merchandise back to the seller within three business days. The seller will pay for shipping back the merchandise

Step 5 After the inspection period is over ( 5 business days ), the buyer must contact us with the result of the inspection. If the buyer refuses the merchandise, the refund will be sent to the buyer after the tracking number for the returned shipment is verified. Should you need a refund for this transaction, the insured amount will be taken from the seller’s purchase protection account and sent to you. The refund is sent to your bank account, or by check or money order.

You have 30 days from the above verification date to request a refund. Refund requests are processed within 3 days.

Buyers and Sellers know what to expect: The Buyer and Seller view and agree to terms before the transaction begins. Payments are Guaranteed Shipments are Safe: The Seller may feel safe when shipping the merchandise to the Buyer, knowing that the Buyer’s payment has been verified by eBay.

The Buyer Protection Program is an insurance policy for up to $50,000.00 that may protect you in specified circumstances against fraud, breach of warranty and misrepresentation, including the following situations:

Paying for a vehicle but not receiving it.

Fraud or misrepresentations in the seller’s listing as to the seller’s ownership of, or title to the vehicle.

Undisclosed third party charges or encumbrances affecting the vehicle.

Receiving a different make or model of vehicle than was described.

Not receiving or not being able to register the certificate of title for the vehicle.

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eBay Customer Support: +1 (866) 448-3229

Email: [email protected]

We are available at the following hours:

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific Time Monday through Friday

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific Time Saturday and Sunday

Well I hope you can see this as a scam as well as I have. So, I will not try making any purchases like this one now or in the future. Lesson learned and we now have knowledge of how scammers use any means to get your money.