ebay related fraud, unknown seller

[fred3]

What is the name of your state? PA

I have a case where I believe I could win easily but my problem is that I am not sure if my problem involves 1 or 2 people and if the information that this person gave me is real. I was in a deal with a person to by a used car, I sent the deposit through wire transfer (moneygram) so the moneygram people cant help me either. All my communications were through email, and I sent my payment to a "3rd party ebay agent" (who might be the person I was in communication with, under a fake ID, or another person working with him.) This was actually a ebay posting that the seller removed so, its not covered under ebay's warranties. I was tricked, by fake emails, into thinking that the transaction was still under ebay's protection.

I have the name and addresses of 2 different people, 1 in Alaska and 1 in Texas. The moneygram people verified that the payment was picked up in Texas, by the 1 person but with a different address then the one given. I have of course emailed the people I was in the deal with to refund me my money (after I realized I screwed up) and he has went predictably silent.

Besides the fact that I made a mistake, I still entered a contract with the person, and should be able to sue for my money back. I think I need a investigator of some kind, to verify people's existence/information, I'm not sure. Maybe I could sue a John Doe, but how could I collect? I am also seeking 4,745$ in damages, is that still a small claims court amount? I of course have all email communications saved, filled my claim to the FBI (no response), and have all receipts saved on payments.

I don't even know if this is the right forum for this question, and if anyone needs more information I will give.

Thanks for any help,
Fred

 

[SnowCajun]

Fred, I'm not sure exactly what to do about car transactions across so many states like this, but my first move would be to contact eBay, then immediately afterwards file complaints with either your state Attorney General's Office or the Attorney General's Office in Texas, this can usually be done online. Be sure to save every piece of email or correspondence you have, eBay should be able to find out via IP traces who used their account to defraud you, but the sooner you get in contact with them the better because they get a billion hits a day on their site.

Also, if you wired the money to this person they should have had to show proper identification when picking it up, unless you're meaning you did so by Paypal! If so you need to be on the horn to Paypal immediately also. Times a wasting guy, get a move on, the longer you sit still the further away they're getting.

Good luck!
SnowCajun

 

[Zigner]

eBay should be able to find out via IP traces who used their account to defraud you, but the sooner you get in contact with them the better because they get a billion hits a day on their site.

What does eBay care? This transaction wasn't done through eBay.

 

[SnowCajun]

What does eBay care? This transaction wasn't done through eBay.

Good point, I thought when he said, "3rd party ebay agent" that he'd made the deal on eBay ...

 

[TheGeekess]

The way I read the original post, it was an eBay deal.
From eBay's website:
"To help buy with confidence it's important to avoid risky payment options. Use these simple tips to pay more safely.

1. Pay for your eBay purchases with PayPal. PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online. With PayPal you can pay without exposing your financial information.
* With PayPal, you may pay with your credit card, bank account, or PayPal balance.
* Pay with PayPal and receive up to $200 of buyer protection for tangible goods on eBay.com. On certain listings (or: transactions, or: items), receive up to $2000 of protection. See Eligibility.
* Sign up for a PayPal account now! Click here.
2. Never pay for an eBay purchase with Western Union, MoneyGram or other instant cash transfer services. Why?
* When you send money through one of these services, you can't confirm who picks up the cash. Once you send the money, you won't be able to get it back - you won't even know who got it!
* Western Union and MoneyGram both recommend against using their services to pay for online auction-style purchases. Click here to read warnings from these companies.
* eBay prohibits sellers from asking buyers to send payment through Western Union, MoneyGram or other instant cash transfer services. Click here to learn more.
* eBay does not offer protection for payments made through Western Union, MoneyGram or other instant cash transfer services. "
(Bold added)
http://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/paysafely/

 

[fred3]

It's actually not an ebay transaction, the seller tricked me into thinking it was through fake emails. So ebay said they cannot help me, after I asked them if the emails were fake. And moneygram said they could only tell me that the payment was picked up and by who. Both said I'm out of luck and need to file a complaint with the FBI, and I'm sure the FBI doesn't care(*don't have the resources for a small claim) enough to do anything.

Problem is finding who to sue, and how.