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Norwich Evening News 17 Dec 2007 Reporter David Bale
Grandfather's warning for eBay users
A Norfolk grandfather has issued a stark warning to users of a popular internet trading site 10 months after parting with £8,000 for a motor home he has never received.
Mike Young, a grandfather-of-four sent a money order to a bank account in Amsterdam in response to an advertisement for a motor home on eBay.
But he never received it and 10 months later he's still no closer to getting his money back despite a stream of emails between the police here and in Holland.
It comes a week after shoppers using eBay this Christmas were urged to protect themselves after it was revealed scammers tricked people in the county out of £50,000 in the past year.
Norfolk police received 42 complaints from buyers and sellers left out of pocket by fraudsters in the 12 months to October 2007.
Mr Young, 60, from Drayton Wood Road, Hellesdon, said: "I was scammed and I was silly. I was going to buy the motor home and then sell it on, as I'm a salesman.
"It was supposed to be shipped over with eBay's motors warranty and the sale was to go through eBay motors UK transactions.
"I received photos of the inside and out of the vehicle and the logbook and the sale went through on February 6.
"But I got suspicious and through police I found out the vehicle was here in this country and the owners had never advertised it for sale.
"I spoke to Interpol liaison officers at Norwich police station and they contacted Amsterdam police, who in August confirmed the account I sent the money to was still open and that they knew about that particular account holder, but still they could nothing about it.
"I'm now waiting for CID to interview me and I've got a whole dossier to send to Norwich North MP Ian Gibson to see if he can help.
"I'm not writing it off and lying down. If nothing else comes of this then maybe someone will be warned next time they go to spend a lot of money on eBay."
A Norfolk Constabulary spokesman confirmed it received a report of a suspected case of fraud from Mr Young and said it had made various enquires.
But added: "These types of allegations do provide a number of challenges to investigating officers as many offences originate from overseas.
"We would urge consumers to always use a secure computer, follow the security advice given by the site and to avoid completely the use of money transfers or direct banking transactions to pay for goods."
Norfolk Trading Standards is advising people to use a credit card as this offers additional protection through the credit card company, if things go wrong.
Bosses at eBay said the firm was working hard to protect consumers from fraud and has placed advice on the site.
A statement said: "The level of transparency on eBay is far greater than anywhere on the high street and this year we have so far helped to secure over 200 arrests."
Grandfather's warning for eBay users
A Norfolk grandfather has issued a stark warning to users of a popular internet trading site 10 months after parting with £8,000 for a motor home he has never received.
Mike Young, a grandfather-of-four sent a money order to a bank account in Amsterdam in response to an advertisement for a motor home on eBay.
But he never received it and 10 months later he's still no closer to getting his money back despite a stream of emails between the police here and in Holland.
It comes a week after shoppers using eBay this Christmas were urged to protect themselves after it was revealed scammers tricked people in the county out of £50,000 in the past year.
Norfolk police received 42 complaints from buyers and sellers left out of pocket by fraudsters in the 12 months to October 2007.
Mr Young, 60, from Drayton Wood Road, Hellesdon, said: "I was scammed and I was silly. I was going to buy the motor home and then sell it on, as I'm a salesman.
"It was supposed to be shipped over with eBay's motors warranty and the sale was to go through eBay motors UK transactions.
"I received photos of the inside and out of the vehicle and the logbook and the sale went through on February 6.
"But I got suspicious and through police I found out the vehicle was here in this country and the owners had never advertised it for sale.
"I spoke to Interpol liaison officers at Norwich police station and they contacted Amsterdam police, who in August confirmed the account I sent the money to was still open and that they knew about that particular account holder, but still they could nothing about it.
"I'm now waiting for CID to interview me and I've got a whole dossier to send to Norwich North MP Ian Gibson to see if he can help.
"I'm not writing it off and lying down. If nothing else comes of this then maybe someone will be warned next time they go to spend a lot of money on eBay."
A Norfolk Constabulary spokesman confirmed it received a report of a suspected case of fraud from Mr Young and said it had made various enquires.
But added: "These types of allegations do provide a number of challenges to investigating officers as many offences originate from overseas.
"We would urge consumers to always use a secure computer, follow the security advice given by the site and to avoid completely the use of money transfers or direct banking transactions to pay for goods."
Norfolk Trading Standards is advising people to use a credit card as this offers additional protection through the credit card company, if things go wrong.
Bosses at eBay said the firm was working hard to protect consumers from fraud and has placed advice on the site.
A statement said: "The level of transparency on eBay is far greater than anywhere on the high street and this year we have so far helped to secure over 200 arrests."