It's said that if it's too good to be true it probably is.  Imagine being able to buy a pro-sumer (advanced amateur or professional type) video camcorder for one third the maket or street price* value.  But that's what some con artists would have you believe.  Here's how it works:

First, they obtain a reputable members eBay ID. One that normally has many positive feedbacks.  If you are active on eBay, like myself with a store and receive about 100 eBay related e-mails a day to my personal e-mail, you invaraibly get your share of "spoofs".  These are e-mails that really look like they are generated through the eBay message system, but in reality they are cleverly put together to get you to click the respond button and thus capture your eBay ID AND Password.  I've been "spoofed" a couple of times and now make the practice of NEVER answering e-mail but ONLY through the My Message Link directly through eBay.  But that is how simple it is to obtain your user ID and Password.  (If you feel you've been spoofed -change your password immediately).

Now what the con artist will do is create a very attractive ad designed to lure you in with a very very cheap price and actually post that listing, posing under the reputable users ID.  The listing will always contain a Buy It Now option, but never by clicking on the regular spot.  (To do this the actual owner of the User ID would be notified and receive funds, once paid into their account - any respectable user would know something is wrong and you would probably get your money back in that event).

NO, the trick for the con artist is to get you to do all of your correspondence using an out of eBay messaging system, most normally their own e-mail (which I'm certain they change on a regular basis).  The other thing that is most noticable is the fact that these are almost always 24 hour listings,  designed to get you to act quickly and so also that hopefully (for them) the real owner of the user ID doesn't check their e-mail too often and realize if they do get some through eBay correspondence s(uch as Ask Seller A Question) that red flags go up and the rightful owner of the eBay ID immediately contacts Trust and Safety (eBay Security Dept.)

Don't fall for this.  Sure I would love to buy a Sony VX2100 or a Canon XL1, brand new - out of the box for $500 or $600, but that is never going to happen.   Plus there are scores of other, usually higher end $2000 to $5000 items, that are the "bait" for the scam. 

Yes, eBay (trust and safety) patrols the listings for this type of activity, but with the perponderance of daily listings, a few do slip through, and there is always someone somewhere who will fall into the trap.  This gives all forms of internet commerce and our community a bad wrap.  Just like dope, if there were no market, it would quickly go away, but someone is always on for the con because it is very tempting.

The tips for on-line buying are just good common sense.  Know who you're dealing with.  For bigger ticket items, perhaps engage in a phone call or two so that you can detect the level of sincerity (or lack there of) that your good sense and life experience tells you, BUT conduct all components of the actual transaction through eBay.  If the seller hints at any other method of closing the deal, red flags should go up!

We've got a great community.  Let's not let a few bad apples hurt a great reputation of a fantastic marketplace.  Give the cons no market and they will soon disappear.  That's the only sure way of beating this.

Good Luck and Happy Bidding!!

*Street Price refers to the price that an item is normally selling for; not the list price, but normally a discounted price that with some due dilligence you can purchase an item for either on or off line.  The term "street" should not be construed as grey market or stolen, it simply means the "trading" price for a given item.  It is simply a slang that refers to what things are actually selling for rather than a list or asking price.