*BEWARE* eBay Scam Alert

[OregonMichael]

I just talked to Murff about this and thought it'd be a good idea to alert forum members. There are two listings currently on eBay for OCD lanterns (see links below). Both of these lanterns were sold in eBay auctions within the last month or so and this seller has copied the photos and text from the original listings. As you'll see, buried within the photos, is a buy-it-now offer that requires the buyer to email the seller directly and do the sale outside of eBay. I don't believe this seller actually owns the lanterns and this is a scam.

While it's strictly forbidden to post live auctions here on the forum, these are an exception:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Colema ... wcr0udcO8g

...and...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coleman-Nickel ... SwuDlgFKwR

eBay has been notified and said they are taking the listings down, but so far they have not. BEWARE!!

[arizonacamper]

Good catch and good information thanks
Shawn

[SteveRetherford]

darn near 10,000 fake auctions ? thats a lot of work .....i dont get it ?

[TSPORT]

I just clicked to view all of the seller’s listings. They all have that picture that states do not bid, contact them direct. Not just lanterns, all kind of household stuff, etc.. Looks like a pawn shop using eBay for free advertising. Hopefully eBay will block their whole account.

[OregonMichael]

I just clicked to view all of the seller’s listings. They all have that picture that states do not bid, contact them direct. Not just lanterns, all kind of household stuff, etc.. Looks like a pawn shop using eBay for free advertising. Hopefully eBay will block their whole account.

I don't know how they're getting away with that. Buyer's and sellers aren't even allowed to exchange private email addresses in the eBay messaging system. The biggest issue here is, I don't believe that pawn shop actually owns either of those lanterns.

[BSAGuy]

Wow. I have been on eBay for 20+ years and never seen that scam before. Very creative to bury an email in the pics. I don't know how these guys sleep at night.

[SteveRetherford]

lots of WIERD stuff once you look at the sellers info , business is in the UK run by a fellow named Patel , but says the lantern is in california . Member since: Oct-18-11 in United Kingdom ya , buyer BEWARE !!!

[mowgod]

There's a ton of this type of shenanigans on offer up and Craig's list they get your email and info to steal your ID or sell your info to ad agency's for money

[CaptainFantastic]

Thanks Steve. I had those two pop up in my eBay email alerts this morning, like many of us I suspect.

I actually took a look at the time, and wondered about the "OCD" label as it reminds me of my wife cleaning the house
Also, I thought that such a NIB was a bit cheap so far... and then the photo of the outside-eBay BIN was another clue as you mentioned.

BTW - the domain of the email address is registered in Panama and does not even serve up a web page with any info.

Maybe we can do a 'GameStop' and as little guys bombard the seller with questions

[hikerduane]

I had a new seller say my payment hadn't been received and to send directly to him. After I did the leg work, advised him as a new seller, ebay would withhold funds until I received the items. Never did see them on the bay again.
Duane

[OregonMichael]

Maybe we can do a 'GameStop' and as little guys bombard the seller with questions

They say in the listing that they won't respond to eBay messages, so I think they've got that wired. They want an email to their private address so they can harvest information. Like I said...no way they actually have these lanterns. It's pretty surprising that eBay is leaving these listings up this long. They know about them...

[gpaguy]

Something like this was happening before but the sellers were all brand new to Ebay. This seller has a history but the scammer may have just hijacked a whole established Ebay account to help with scam.

[The Warrior]

Both items have been reported to ebay. See what happens, if anything.

[tonywebber45]

I have seen the same thing done with vehicles on the UK bay, not entirely sure how it earns them anything.

[Stovie]

What is an "OCD" lantern?

Obsessive compulsive disorder? (but maybe that goes without saying.)

[OregonMichael]

What is an "OCD" lantern?

Obsessive compulsive disorder? (but maybe that goes without saying.)

Office of Civil Defense. A small amount of 200s were hand engraved for use by the OCD during the Cold War, but it's doubtful that any of them were put to use.

[outlawmws]

Both items have been reported to ebay. See what happens, if anything.

Just do this ^^ - Eprey is VERY possessive about their income. so I'd guess the seller will disappear.

[The Warrior]

Ebay removed the items. Easy to report.

[Gasman64]

Good to see the listings gone.

[offrink]

Is the guy still posting?

[WYSIWYG]

I saw that he had LOTS of stuff for sale. I had the page cached on my phone and now everything I click hits a dead end. So it looks like the account is gone

[OregonMichael]

I saw that he had LOTS of stuff for sale. I had the page cached on my phone and now everything I click hits a dead end. So it looks like the account is gone

Yes, it looks like eBay suspended (or deleted) the user account, and that's a good thing. A friend came by today who was watching a rare hiking stove from the same seller and didn't know what had been going on.

[BSAGuy]

Good riddance!

[Dmacp]

ebay goes through great lengths to prevent you from contacting the seller/buyer directly.

I suspect that is why they prohibited Paypal.

[outlawmws]

PayPal is still an option for buying at Eprey...

[CaptainFantastic]

One of these OCD lanterns is back on there. Twice. I just reported both.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164688154672?ul_noapp=true
.

Screenshot 2021-02-06 at 12.10.22.jpg

.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184652005153?ul_noapp=true
.

Screenshot 2021-02-06 at 12.10.39.jpg

[Gasman64]

Ian, I found those listings and also reported.

[CaptainFantastic]

Ian, I found those listings and also reported.

OK thanks Steve. Maybe they will be taken down quickly.

[gpaguy]

U see these two items are on Ebay UK also. Both listings have bids. On of the listings has so many bids that it's near his 2000 dollar asking price. He should allow bidding on these two auctions because it my surpass his 2 grand asking price. LOL

[OregonMichael]

I think they're gone now. I don't know why eBay doesn't suspend this person's account. Outside of violating eBay's terms, the seller doesn't even have the item. The photos and description have been copied and pasted from someone else's ended auction from a couple of months ago.

[Dmacp]

PayPal is still an option for buying at Eprey...

It is for selling too at this moment......

[lamplighter44]

I just experienced a sinking feeling. I just bought some radio gear from Patel. Good luck to me. I may need it.

[OregonMichael]

Thought it was worth bumping this thread, since this problem persists. There is also a thread about this in Classifieds. These phony listings are still repeatedly showing up on eBay, even though they've been reported multiple times.

If you see one, please report to eBay.