This is to inform my fellow ebay members of one of the biggest scams going on,on the ebay site.I see approx.500 of these listing every single day.These scams work mostly by taking over a legitimate sellers account (or creating a bogus one)and listing multiple items with very short listing times and they will almost always state in the listing that if you bid before you contact the seller your bid will be canceled.(THEY WILL ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE DESCRIPTION) Most of the time they won't have a reserve.(Some have links that you can right click on and click properties and it will show the email address) and state the they can not answer through ebay's (ASK SELLER A QUESTION LINK).If You see any auction with any email in the description it is usually a scam.These auctions can usually be spotted just by looking at the price while searching(The dollar amount will sometimes appear ITALIC due to the translation into US currency).They also states to email the seller for payment details or for the buy now price.THEY  LIST IN ALL EBAY CATAGORIES.They will almost always have the buy now price listed in the auction.The location of the items will usually be in the USA but the starting price will can be in EURO'S , GBP's Canadian and US currency, The bidders id will be kept private on alot of them.They're many more ways to spot these scams and I have included an actual copy of the description section of one of these scam listings below.Please look closely at the wording in these auction listings.Most all these scams will appear similar to the one below.The only thing I have changed below is the email address,because I don't want to point at just one when thousand are out there.These auction will start at some really stupid price such as $0.01 ,$1.27,$19.32 or something like that.To see just how many of these listings are on ebay at any given time,Just do a search for (buy now $) and check the box to search in title and discription.You can also search by email address.Please be advise that the scare tactic of leaving negative feedback if you bid without permission,is just that,Feedback can only be left if you are the winning bidder.Please check back often as I will continue to update this as the scam changes.

Below are 10 ways to help you spot a fraud.

1. Any item offered at a super low price.Example:(2007 polaris 660 Buy now $2900)
2. Payment options provide no security for the buyer. (wire tranfer,Western union,etc....)
3. Claims of transaction security or buyer protection.
4. Must contact seller before bidding with a email address other than the ask seller a question link.(email address may be hidden behind "click here for more info" , "contact seller" , or other links in the description) 
5. The sellers location.(The item location is in the USA but payment is in foreign funds)
6. The bidder needs to be pre-approved or the item is listed in a private auction.
7. Item is listed on a hijacked account.(This is the majority)
8. Free shipping to anywhere.(There is no such thing as free shipping)
9. Bidders ID kept private.(MOST SCAMMERS USE THIS FEATURE)But not all listings with private bidders are a fraud,some are to prevent another type of fraud known as a (second chance offers scams)
10.Clicking anywhere on the listing opens an email program.(This is a hacked listing,It
can only be reported to ebay by using the auction # and reporting through the security center link from another page).

UPDATE:Some scammers are using a send email form where you enter your email address and click send.

ONE OF THE EASIEST WAY TO FIND OUT IF A LISTING IS A SCAM IS TO LOOK AT THE CATAGORY THAT THE ITEM IS LISTED IN(LOCATED AT THE TOP OF EVERY ITEM YOU SEARCH FOR)FOR EXAMPLE,IF THE ITEM IS AN ATV BUT IS LISTED UNDER LAMP SHADES,,,,,ITS A SCAM 

UPDATED 4-17-2007 This email address has been used to list over 3000 fraud listing a day  Nanau12@aol.   

UPDATE: I have included a few pictures of currently listed items that have been listed over 300 times by over 50 sellers.I will change these pictures from time to time to keep up with the scammers.

 UPDATE:I have received an email from the REAL owner of the item in the second picture And I'm including a copy of it below

Question from piratescustompower-sports 
Activity with piratescustompower-sports (last 90 days): 
I have bid on 0 items from piratescustompower-sports 
 
 piratescustompower-sports( 178)
 Positive feedback: 100%
 Member since: Dec-27-02
 Location: NY, United States 
 Registered on: www.ebay.com 
 
 
 
Hi , I was in the process of writing a review because of all the scams that have been placed on my auctions and I came across your review. The Blue Rhino with 4 seats that you have a picture posted on your review is mine. I am the owner of www.piratescustompowersports.com

I have not been able to sell it because people think it is a scam, this has done a lot of damage to my business. I have ended 50+ auctions myself by reporting them.

Just wanted to take the time to say thank you for doing the review. I would greatly appreciate it if you would add my comments somehow to your review because i believe people may read it, see my picture and still believe I am not legit.

Thanks again
Sean

Below are 2 actual email responses from  offenders who's location after checking the IP address  came back as located in Romania.(Look close at the second one,It's a good one)

Hello,
First let me say that the atv is available for $2900, I am the first owner
of the atv. You will receive your atv by DAS at your home address. It is
insured in case of damage and it takes 7 days to be delivered at your door.
I will send the atv with all the papers you need to register it(clear title,
bill of sale, odometer disclosure statement).No scratches or dents, no
hidden defects,the atv has not sustained any damage whatsoever. I recently
moved to England and the atv is here with me and because I want to deal as
soon as possible I am ready to cover the shipping costs and insurance. If
you agree with this price we can start to complete the transaction, you
won't pay any additional taxes because the atv is registered in US, just the
price for it $2900. I am a private seller not a dealer and I had ( for the
moment ) the privilege to buy this atv for a low cost from a bankrupt store
and we bought it along with others in order to make a showroom, but life had
another plan for us. My wife was promoted and we had to move to England and
we do not have time to open the showroom anymore, besides there are a lot of
things which have priority now, so this atv has to go, you have now the
opportunity to purchase the atv from me at great saving from the original
price.
The payment we will be made safely under ebay's purchase protection program
and the most important thing is that I have a purchase protection account
for $10,000 and I assume you know what this mean. In case we will close this
deal, you are protected by ebay. How you are protected by ebay, well, in
case you will not receive the atv as I described to you, ebay will refund
you 100%. If you are interested in purchasing the atv provide me with your
name and shipping address so we can start the transaction.
Thanks,
Lennie

Hi, 

 First of all I want tell you some details regarding the atv.The atv is in a very good condition, no damage or defects; it looks just the way you saw it in my presentation. I am the first owner of the atv.The atv has a clear title and you'll receive all the documentation required for registration.
Currently I am in United Kingdom,but the atv is deposited in (ebay's warehouse in San Jose,CA) cause I don't have anyone to take care of this transaction. I am selling this atv because the shipping to Europe will cost me to much.In short time ebay will contact you and confirm that they have and will ship the atv. So,this deal will be closed under ebay's protection.To be fair with all possible buyers I will sell the atv to the first buyer that will arrange the payment.The price for this atv is $2900 USD with shipping and insurance fees included.

PAYMENT:
For the atv's payment, I've choose cash money transfer through Western Union, because this way the funds will be available the same day you will make the transfer unlike PayPal or Escrow that allows you to cash the money after 10 or 12 days.
SHIPPING:
The atv will be shipped through US.JC MOTORS or DAS Shipping Company after the payment of $2900 USD was confirmed.You'll receive the atv in 5 or 6 days.
RETURN POLICY:
In case you are not satisfied with your ebay purchase,you can send it back in 7 days, with full refund of course.
 

Hope we'll do business

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

This came with all the ebay official looking marks

 subject: Ebay insurance #   ---------(I removed the number)

Item name:                2005 YAMAHA RHINO 660 4X4 CUSTOM 4-SEAT, ONLY $2900
Buy It Now price:        $2,900.00 USD
Quantity:                   1
Subtotal:                   $2,900.00 USD (Shipping & Handling included)
Seller E-mail:             melissab7085&hotmail.com(I changed the @ symbol)

eBay's Warehouse Payment Instructions:

We confirm you the atv is located at eBay Warehouse in San Jose, CA.It was inspected  by eBay and insured by Square Trade.The eBay's experts inspected the atv and it matches the description that you are aware of.We also confirm you the atv has a clear title and you will receive it along with the atv.eBay will ship the atv as soon as the seller will confirm us the payment was made.

The seller requires the payment to be made by cash money transfer through Western Union. After you'll complete the payment, please provide to the seller your shipping address and the details of the wire transfer.

If you are not satisfied with your purchase from eBay, you can return the product within 7 days of receipt.

Transactions with this eBay seller are covered by purchase protection against fraud and description errors.You can feel comfortable buying from Melissa Birk, knowing that he is a verified seller and serious eBay member.

Sincerely, 

eBay Warehouse Department

Search here After clicking this link,check the box marked (search in title and description)and then hit the search button.You can also add a dollar amout for more results.
 

If you find this info helpful,Please click the yes button below.