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  #1  
Old 05-22-2020
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Default Most Elaborate Scam

Hello All!
I am an electronics wholesaler, so we buy many units.(2.5 years of business, 200k++ annual sales)
I recently sold an iPhone via eBay, The buyer received the item, and after 4 weeks he opened a case on PayPal, claiming the item as defective.
We sold him a Brand New Sealed unit- so his allegations hold no premise.
I looked into his particular account and saw he was a new Buyer on eBay, 2 months in...
And his allegations on PayPal were outrageous(defective defective etc), and he never bothered to even reach out to us via eBay or by any other means...

-PayPal approved his claim although I did not want the unit back, as he didn't upload any Proof, however I uploaded proof and yet PayPal decided he should ship the item back.
I was waiting for the item, as I'm sure either he swapped the phone, lied, and probably would sent something else back...Either way my company would have been able to salvage the situation (return to our vendors, etc)

NOW this is where it gets funky! He uploaded a tracking number showing the item delivered 3 days ago, to my address, Signed by someone!!! Yet, I was here!!
--Nothing, No one Showed up to my doorstep!!
Now, The item in question is a very expensive phone, iPhone 11 Pro max 512..1600 Loss..
Question: Is it possible he could have coordinated something like this?
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  #2  
Old 05-22-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

its elaborate but not new... had this same issue as a buyer once maybe in 2018. bought an alienware. it said it was delivered and signed for but i never got the item. lost the case cause it was delivered.. i think its a hack job on a courier company or an inside job.
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Old 05-22-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

sometimes fed ex doesn't get physical signatures, do you get a lot of mail at the address? did you get any thing random that day?
do you live at a apt or any address that has a number at the end of it?
is your return address up to date?
definitely need to find out the address on the label, they may have sent it to a place near you so its in the same zip code.
keep us informed

also do you have imei? report that stolen and make his
so far successful adventure a little troublesome
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Old 05-23-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

This refund scam happens all the time. As long the buyer provides the tracking number it is nearly impossible to proof it wrong i the eyes of PayPal. Probably you can fight it with your terms and conditions to regulate the return and compülain process... Just an thought
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Old 05-23-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

How to protect your self from scams like that?
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Old 05-23-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

As agent said

I would go round every shop on your street enquiring if you can be bothered. Depending on the size of your business you will probably write it off as a loss (which is what the scammer is hoping most likely) OR you can get evidence he sent back rubbish, get a police statement / affidavit signed, sent through to paypal and even start small claims proceedings. Getting all that will show you mean business and paypal will refund you out of their own pocket.

The buyer still wins, but you don't have to absorb the loss. Paypal can.

Last edited by james_112233; 05-23-2020 at 10:03 AM.
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Old 05-23-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

Quote:
Originally Posted by james_112233 View Post
As agent said

I would go round every shop on your street enquiring if you can be bothered. Depending on the size of your business you will probably write it off as a loss (which is what the scammer is hoping most likely) OR you can get evidence he sent back rubbish, get a police statement / affidavit signed, sent through to paypal and even start small claims proceedings. Getting all that will show you mean business and paypal will refund you out of their own pocket.

The buyer still wins, but you don't have to absorb the loss. Paypal can.
I second this, but don't back out just because PayPal refunds you. Hold the scammer accountable.
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  #8  
Old 05-24-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyman View Post
I second this, but don't back out just because PayPal refunds you. Hold the scammer accountable.
Welcome to the forum - all the best as you master stealth

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Old 05-24-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

He just mailed an empty envelope to any address with the same zip code and put that tracking number. That is proof of delivery.

I have been selling electronics for 20 years on eBay. It is suicide to sell electronics over about $400 on eBay. So many scams, if you are selling an iPhone you are safer to meet some guy from craigslist at 2AM in the alley behind the liquor store.

Contact the carrier who delivered it, try to get proof that it was not sent to your address. Then try to contact Paypal with this information. Get a police report if necessary. It is actually possible that you can win an appeal with Paypal if you can prove it was signed for by someone at a different address. I had a customer a few months ago who used a freight forwarder to ship phones to Bulgaria. He opened case because they were scratched (my photos clearly showed it was very scratched.). Paypal decided in my favor, he appealed, Paypal approved return. He sent an empty DHL envelope from Bulgaria and I was able to prove he didn't possibly send 3 cell phones.

Paypal customer support might work with you. If you get a stupid rep hang up (or close chat) and start over.

Last edited by cafonabob1; 05-24-2020 at 06:44 PM.
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Old 05-25-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

If OP can find a way to speak to a human at Paypal (not an Indian/Filipino chatbot) and can prove that the item was sent to a different address then they will likely reverse the outcome.



Quote:
Originally Posted by agent006140 View Post
OP appears not to be familiar with the rough and tumble world of selling on Fleabay.
INAD is a he said,she said situation and the result will always be return item to seller.
Didnt Paypal amend its policy on signature confirmation and tracking for item $750 or more,that trackingmust show more than just zipcode,it must be the full address and the signature must be the seller or someone he designated at the return address,as this scam has been going on for years .
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Old 06-03-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

Ok Ready! Heres the Update. eBay has fully refunded the item to the buyer claiming that the item was delivered. I went into my Local Post Office and they provided the details of the EXACT location, including house number and all..LO and Behold the item was delivered to a different house and its literally down the street..WTF?
Now I have the documents IN HAND provided by USPS tracking And I have 10 Days to Appeal the Decision made from Paypal. I have sent them an email already with the proof, and on PayPal when I go to make the Appeal, it has only 2 options:
The Buyer Has already been refunded and I would like to provide proof
Or
The item was returned but not in the same Condition it was sent

Looks like I will be calling in....
I'll keep you guys updated..
I can knock on their house and pursue the recipients legally as well...(because the return purposely put the incorrect address , 217 VS 305, so it could have been an inside job or maybe the return just had nothing in the box) Who knows...

Last edited by TheRealist; 06-03-2020 at 06:09 PM.
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  #12  
Old 06-03-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

can't you report and block the IMEI number at least? Bricking the phone.
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Old 06-03-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

There are services out there that provide tracking numbers showing delivery to a specific zip code
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  #14  
Old 06-04-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe_Joe View Post
There are services out there that provide tracking numbers showing delivery to a specific zip code
Do you have any idea how big a zipcode actually is?
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Old 06-07-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

Same thing happened to me once, all ebay and paypal need is proof of delivery and they will refund the buyer but in my case ebay refunded the buyer on my behalf and let me keep the money
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Old 06-09-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

Final Update:
PayPal Has Refunded Me. The Scammers Phone Has been Bricked and Blocked. Another One for the good guys!
Good Guys= 1
Bad Guys= 0
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  #17  
Old 06-09-2020
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Default Re: Most Elaborate Scam

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheRealist View Post
Final Update:
PayPal Has Refunded Me. The Scammers Phone Has been Bricked and Blocked. Another One for the good guys!
Good Guys= 1
Bad Guys= 0
lol. so you get to keep the money, and the buyer gets phone parts. nice.
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