Got Scammed

[kaleci_1220]

My 67-year old mom was Scammed for $1,400.00...she thought she was buying a car and was going to surprise me.  Long story short she purchases the cards and provides the scammer with all 7 gift card($200.00ea) numbers. She called me and told me what she had done and stated they are asking her for another $1,000.00 to ship; I told her I've never heard of that, I will call eBay.  I spoke w/ a rep and he confirmed that it was a scam. He did check on the seven gifts and 2 of them had the full balance remaining and the remaining 5 were used.  The 2 gift cards that were not used he sent me an email asking for proof of purchase and the card number along with an email link to attach proof(done, & still waiting on a response).  For the remaining 5 gift cards I have filled a report with FTC also sent an email to spoof@ebay  with pictures of the cards, proof of purchase, a copy of the invoice that was sent, a picture of the ad, the FTC report, and a copy of the emails that were sent back and forth(still waiting on a response).  I got a reply from FTC stating they don't resolve fraud they only keep a log of them. The ebay rep advise me to allow 48-72hrs for a response regarding the 5 cards but I am soooo anxious and nervous regarding this matter. Does anyone know what is the next step of the process or if the funds are going to be refunded? I know my mom finance and for her to spend such a large amount means that she did a lot of saving and budgeting. She is filled with regret and seem to be going into a depression. She is a very heartfelt lady and this scammer hit her right in the chest her is the copy of the ad along with her response. 

"Hi, I have received your email regarding the 2012 Toyota Highlander XLE .The suv has 43,729 miles 3.5 Liter V6 engine. The suv is in perfect condition with clear title, no accidents, no liens or loans and it has just been completely serviced. The engine runs very good and the automatic transmission shifts perfectly.The price for the suv is $1400 ( including delivery and handling to your address ) I'm selling this suv because my child of only 26 years died 2 months ago in a bike accident, the suv belonged to my son and it brings me bad memories and that's the reason I want to sell it. Me and my husband travel a lot with our business and we want to make this deal through eBay Motors ( Buyer Protection Program ), so if you're interested in purchasing the suv  just reply me your full name, full address, phone number and email address so I can notify eBay.Once that is done, they will contact you in the next 12 hours to explain the entire procedure."  STANARD SCAM

MY MOM RESPONSE

"l am so sorry for your lost my heart goes out to you and your husband..l would like to take a look at this amazing vehicle..and perhaps purchase it in Honor of your Son..l need a good reliable transportation..l would appreciate the honor if you would allow me to purchase the car."   

Just to show you what type of person she is..........................please help

[nobody*s_perfect]

There have always been scammers and thieves, even though most people are good.  I'm older than the mom in question. IMHO she is just lacking in common sense, which unfortunately cannot be taught. She needs somebody to watch over her so she doesn't get scammed again and again. 

[futuremarine2011]

also remember the old saying,  one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch

[kaleci_1220]

Thank you for the reply, I will break the news to her tonight😓😭

[kaleci_1220]

Thank you for the reply, I will break the news to her tonight😭

[bonjourami]

Just take a look at the Motors board..you will see how frequent this scam is..your mom is not the only one to fall for it.

[krazzykats]

Remind mom, "if its sounds too good to be true, it probably is"...

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

If you believe that you or someone you know was scammed into buying eBay Gift Cards, visit our gift card page to contact customer service and find additional information related to gift card scams.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

A 2012 Highlander in perfect condtion for $1400?  I could sell a dozen a day at that price.  

Any vehicle you find on a site other than eBay (craigslist, facebook marketplace, offerup, letgo, etc) were the "seller" tells you it will be completed on eBay is a scam, 100% of the time.  There are no exceptions to this rule.  

The scammer almost always claims to be a woman and always gives a reason for selling.  It is either a divorce and she just wants to get rid of the car, is widowed and the car brings bad memories, has lost a child and the car brings bad memories, is deployed or travels a lot, so eBay will "handle the transaction."  

eBay does not handle transactions, have a warehouse or shipping containers.   All eBay transactions take place between seller and buyer.  eBay simply provides the advertising venue.

No legitimate seller requires payment in gift cards, ever.   The scammers send a fake eBay invoice requiring payment be made with gift cards.  They will tell you that eBay will not release the funds until you have received the vehicle and you have a five day inspection period.  If after the five day inspection period you decide you want to keep the car, eBay will then release the money. Only problem is, as soon as they get the card numbers the money is gone and cannot be traced.

The scammer asked your mother for more money for shipping because they realized she was any easy mark, to be blunt.   They got $1400 out of her, why not go for another grand.

I am sorry your mother lost her money.  Sites like eBay and craigslist have warnings posted to make people aware of this very old scam. But people still fall for it, day after day.

[vanman1029]

I am surprised you got a response from  ebay,, since ebay had nothing to do with this sale.

[ripsmc]

This scam is as common as dirt, eBay has nothing to do with it at all, and the odds of seeing a penny of that money back are less than zero.

No enforcement agency is going to investigate or even care no matter how many complaints are filed.

A low miles 2012 Highlander in perfect condition for 1400 bucks? Just always ask this question. Why would someone bother even advertising it when any dealer in town would come running to the house with cash and pay a lot more than that for it. A single phone call and done deal in minutes.

And with income tax return season hitting this is going to get a lot, lot worse.

[markalex_71]

THIS IS SO SAD THIS PERSON TRIED TO GET ME TO BUT THANK GOD I DID MY RESEARCH 

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.