2 SELLERS ON EBAY ARRESTED: Third suspect sought in online fraud case...

[MRWILLL]

FYI...


TODAY'S SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:


Federal authorities have arrested two people and are looking for another suspected of defrauding bidders of thousands of dollars on the online auction site EBay.


Two of the cases involving EBay focus on Southern California men who sold computers and other electronic equipment, according to the federal indictments unsealed Tuesday. The men collected nearly $70,000 in money orders and checks from winning bidders without ever sending them their merchandise.


One of the suspects, Geroge Arthr Cruz, of Artesia (L.A.County) was arrested Tuesday morning at his work at a warehouse retailer near Los Angeles. He was charged wth 13 counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering for defrauding 18 people of nearly $38,000.


The other suspect, Hen Ben Haim, an Israeli who has an expired U.S. visa and has an office in North Hills, near Los Angeles, is still at large. He took in nearly $32,000 from 200 people, according to the indictment, and is charged with eight counts of mail fraud.


A third fraud case involving EBay is aimed at Darla Prestwich of Albany, Ore. She was arrested over the weekend for allegedly collcting hundreds of thousands of dollars for jewerly, coins and sports memorabilia that she misrespresented online or never delievered.


The investigation is on-going.


GET OUT THE ROPE!!




STOP!!...LOOK!!...LISTEN!!
DVD...Hear it from the people who
mixed and mastered it "LEXICON".

[Lexman]

Will, thanks for the info. We sometimes need a reminder that everyone on the net is NOT legit!

I agonized over my Sonus faber Concerto purchase online. I mean, even COD scared me until I saw the Sonus faber boxes, and truthfully, the UPS man let me peek at the contents before paying for it.

Please do think about it before entering these auctions from individuals. Because it can happen to you. I am reminded about a situation where Ricky over at DT was robbed this way. He did get some of the money back I think, but definitely not all of it to my knowledge.

But remember, if the mail is involved in any way, it's mail fraud, and the Feds will definitely come after them! Won't they?

Lex





<A HREF="http://www.catcables.com" <IMG SRC="http://www.htguide.com/lexman/other/sm_logo.gif"

[Bing Fung]

Thanks for that reminder MR W.

I remember reading that somebody on one of the fourms was defrauded on a Lexicon pre/pro just recently for around 3k... that really bites!




Bing

[MRWILLL]

My UPS driver is very good to me about COD delieveries. He's on vacation, and his Christmas DVD (movie) is still under my tree. I don't mean to brag, but a great $20 investment if I must say.




STOP!!...LOOK!!...LISTEN!!
DVD...Hear it from the people who
mixed and mastered it "LEXICON".

[John Holmes]

Once again "One bad apple, can spoil the whole bunch." Ebay and other such sites offer so much in shopping today. It is sad that because of the few, the many must suffer for fear of the same fate.

Thanks MRWILL for the gentle reminder.




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[KennyG]

With all the purchases I've made in the last month I have been alittle worried myself...but the three people I've purchased from are all either Moderators, or regulars at AVS forum, so I suppose that takes some of the worry out.
Thanks Will, it's always good to keep this in the back of the mind.
Kenny