I won an auction for a software package at about $150. I received a demo CD, which is available free. Although the ad was clearly misleading, and I was not the only one taken in by this scam, I found eBay and Paypal provided absolutely nothing in the way of recourse - in fact, it cost me additional $$ to clear up further damage. BUYER BEWARE, to say the least!
I once bought a gallon of gold paint for 150 large. Actually I thought I was paying 70 dollars for a gallon of Ralph Lauren Gold paint. Turns out it was a quart!!! I spoke with the seller and he gave me this discontuined paint for $150 a gallon. A few months later Dutch Boy comes out with their new line of metalic paints.
--Miss Castro
Las Vegas
I've been selling on ebay (on and off) for a couple of years - I like to think that most users of ebay are honest trustworthy people, but if I think there is likely to be a problem I research the feedback - even the `positive` feedbacks can be revealing (eg. We got there in the end, finally came through - indicates slow payer or supplier)
But don't forget `buyers` try it on as well - I've received an email today - I've sent the cash where are the goods`. Well I've received no cash, paypal or cheque. Anyway I do state in my terms that I don't recommend people posting cash. But the biggest bugbear of the seller is the `bidder` who promptly disappears the moment they've won.
After many years of using ebay my account was being used by others, also my paypal account had to stop using both and will not get another account with either. Having my bank account closed, was a pain.
Charles Locke from Deluth and Nahid Mahdavi from New York posing as international art dealers sold a fake Picasso drawing for $145 000 after received the funds Charles Locke declared bankrupcy.
Mr. Locke is under investigation from the FBI and I am curently suing Mr. Locke and Mrs. Madahivi to try to retrive the $145 000.
CP
Trying to find him from SC. Not having any luck with search engines, telephone calls or e-mails. Any help would be welcome.
Chronology of an ebay fraud account
On July 15, 2004 I visited the ebay auction site and placed the winning bid. for an Ipod w/20 gig drive.
On July 19,2004, at 3:37 PM (PDST) I informed the seller, Mr. Charles Locke that a Western Union Money Order was mailed to Charles Locke in the amount of $277.30 On July 19, 2004, at 6:47 PM (EDST) I received an acknowledgement from Mr. Locke that he had been informed of the Money Order.
On July 20, 2004, I received verification from Western Union that the Money order had been sent by U,S, Mail.
On July 28, 2004, I sent an email inquiry to Mr. Locke asking what was the current status of this transaction. There was no response.
On July 29, 2004 I received an email from Mr. Locke that the Ipod would go to the shipper around the eighth of August, 2004.
On August 9, 2004 I sent an email to Mr. Locke asking for an exact shipping date for the Ipod.
On August 10, 2004, I received an email from Mr. Locke stating that the Ipod would go to the shipper this week and he would forward a tracking number as soon as he had it.
On August 21, 2004 I again queried Mr. Locke on where the Ipod was and asked for a firm shipping date.
On August 26, 2004, Mr. Locke informed me that due to circumstances beyond his control he was discontinuing his business and would be unable to fill my order. A refund in the full amount would be processed and sent to me.
On August 27, 2004, at 9:17 AM (PDST), I sent Mr. Locke an email asking for a firm, fixed date to receive the refund.
On August 27, 2004, at 8:32 PM (EDST) Mr. Locke responded by saying that his accountant was handling everything and the check would be sent the second week in September.
On August 27, 2004, I sent Mr. Locke one last email stating that if he had not responded with a date and check by August 3, 2004, I would file fraud charges against him.
Trying to contact ebay with evidence of fraud is the internet equivalent of getting an abortion at the local Baptist clinic. I filed a complaint with the FBI, Secret Service (Mail Fraud) and the Internet provider for ebay. The FBI complaint resulted in a “Local investigation” in Mr. Locke’s town after being transferred through three different jurisdictions. As of this date, 4/6/05, I still am out my $277.00 and a total of 67 others that I am in email contact with are out a total of over $24,000.00 with no recourse. Locke is out on bail, ebay has collected their dollars so they do not care, and those who have been lucky enough to have recovered their money through their credit card or bank by using pay-pal and later requesting their bank/credit card to refund the money as a fraud, are being punished as having negative pay-pal balances.
I believe the current teen-age vernacular is “ebay sucks!”
If you want the responses from others in this case, let me know I have them.
Would love to know if you have ever had any luck from ebay..
They just don't bother returning emails or anything support wise on this. Paypal is still taking money for charles locke last time I checked.
I lost a lot of money on this Charles Locke liar as well. Let me know if you have any more information like a home phone number etc..
I have a mobile number which he never answers and a home address but living in the UK i can't go visit...
cheers
Ben
ebay and PayPal can verify this.
Want to kindly tell us how to talk to e-bay and pay pal? Since no one else seems to know how to do this. Come on. Enlighten us. Who do u talk to, and what is the phone number?
Charles Locke has now declared fraudulent bankrupcy. He is under investigation by the FBI for selling fake works of art and othe matters, he has stolen money from many people thru pay pal and pay pal is now suing him .
Charles locke is a liar and a criminal,
If you can provide any more information regarding this individual pleas do so.
Thank You.
T and S
If you want his home address and details, I can give them to you. Post up here if you do and I'll send them to you.
Cheers
Ben
check with ebay/paypal to make sure you're not participating ni an ongoing fraud. Very serious.
Could you please give me all information that you would have available regarding Mr. Locke
Thank you.
Chantal
Best thing to do is click on the user's profile, go to bio, and use the anonymous "email this user" thought the CNet software. Posting personal information openly is an invite to SPAM or worse (speaking of ID theft!)
-- Dave K.
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