Ebay - paid for Sony 50 inch Plasma TV via Western Union money transfer - didn't receive TV but paid money

# 3 for May 19, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on May 18, 2003:

From: Chris Downham [Email User]

RE: Ebay - paid for Sony 50 inch Plasma TV via Western Union money transfer - didn't receive TV but paid money I found a Sony 50" Plasma TV on ebay (after their site had specially promoted plasma TVs). I had to registed with seller to buy the TV / take part in auction. I checked out sellers feedback and it was 100% positive, this filled me with confidence. I was told to Western Union the money to the seller in Europe (i was in UK) and he would then check it was their and then UPS me the TV. When I recived the TV annd was happy with it I would then release money Control Transfer Number and transaction would be complete. Doe to 100% positive feedback and cheap price of TV I went ahead. TV was never sent but money was collected.. I then put my detective head on and found many, many such scams on ebay for the same product. I mailed the sellers to warn them off ebay and complained to ebay. After further research conducted by mailing the people who had given these sellers such glorious feedback it became apparent that the sellers had hijacked the accounts of innocent ebayers and used them to commit fraud. It was also then apparent that either no ID or false ID was being used to collect the money via Western Union. I invovled the police and they said that after speaking to ebay and western union that this had beeen happening alot for many weeks for the same product. Why was I not warned by ebay or western union. We cannot let this continue with such big companies just ignoring their consumer responsibiltiy. Please email me if similar has happened to you as together we can resolve this for the benefit of future buyers.

Email User, Sheffield, England

Comment On This

I had just bought an item a few days ago and i can see myself going down the same path. I have not been able to contact the seller or anything and they again had 100% feedback.