This guide is to inform you of a hacker who has been stealing seller's information and listing items for sale under the seller's ID. So far I have only seen it with an Ayotte drum set which he repeatedly lists under different seller ID's. In the auction he states that any prospective bidders should contact him first through an email address he lists in the auction. He states " do not use 'ask seller a question' to contact me." He does this because if you use that link to contact the seller, it will not go to him but instead to the seller who's ID he has stolen. He usually has a one day listing to avoid anyone catching on.

Some safety tips:

1. Make sure the seller's location and the item location match. All of these auctions are listed as being located in Bergamo, Italy while the seller's have been from Germany, United Kingdom, Norway, and the U.S.

2. Always use the 'ask seller a question' link to contact the seller. These communications are recorded and regulated by Ebay.

3.If a seller asks you to perform a transaction outside of Ebay, say no!!!

4. Ayotte make custom made drum sets. They are quite rare and are very expensive! It is very unlikely that you will see the same kit twice. This hacker lists a drumset thats worth about $4000 new for $250.

If this hacker is smart he'll move on to some other area to decieve buyers. Keep safe and look for these tell-tale signs.

Update 7/20/07: I've noticed this hacker is now listing a Ludwig Bonham Stainless Steel kit, which costs about $5000, only 100 were made. Don't bid if the price is any less than this. the auction has the same format as the ayotte auction: item listed in Bergamo, Italy, must contact seller outside of ebay, etc... Also, he's now listing a Roland V-drum set, a Yamaha absolute Birch kit, and a Gretsch Walnut round badge kit all in the same manner as his other fake auctions.