I have moaned to various people and to eBay themselves about criminal activity that takes place almost every day on eBay, yet they deliberately choose to do nothing about it. I rather suspect that there are criminals on the inside of eBay that permit this to happen. I just wanted to draw it to the attention of other members of this forum in case anyone here was caught out with this scam. There is a Honda CB 750 in the listing today so this would be quite close to home.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175261215270?hash=item28ce61ea26:g:EtUAAOSwuMtiawIJThe scam is quite simple, basically the scammer copies lots of pictures off eBay of desirable cars, bikes, boats, other high value items. A profile is hacked into, quite often one that isn't used too often so the true owner doesn't notice. A picture is unloaded and the object of desire is given a unrealistically low price. Along with the picture there is a short description which usually gives away that it is written by a non European shall we say. The text usually specifies to get the vehicle at the price indicated, DO NOT BID directly on eBay, but to contact the seller directly on a email address which is always shown in another picture. The upshot is that you are asked to wire the money to them and they will deliver the vehicle or give you a bogus address to collect it from.
But surprise surprise there is no address or vehicle and you have suddenly thrown away hundred or thousands of pounds.
I was surprised to see two of my classic cars for sale on there one day, both parked at my home!
The give away's are:-
1. The vehicle is always too much of a bargain
2. If you look at eBay a lot like me, you will see the same pictures over and over
3. They will always ask you NOT TO BID but to contact them via email
4. If you look at what else the buyer is selling, sometimes they have listed literally hundreds of other vehicles of all types
I have challenged eBay over this scam several times and never received a reply, I actually reported this bike and several others over 2 days ago and it is still listed, which makes me suspect criminal activity from within eBay.
The sad fact is, it must work occasionally or crim types wouldn't do it.
If you want a bit of fun that will indicate that the scam is up, put a massive bid on any vehicle of your choice. I put a bid of £32,000 on a Saab 96V4 that's worth no more than £5K. Sadly I was outbid
But make sure you report it.
Hope it stops anyone here getting caught out.