lol ok that's a deal, but I want an interesting and USEFUL use for it
The scam went like this.
I advertise my Macbook Pro on ebay, guy emails me to say he's interested but can I lift the "only paypal account holders can bid" restriction. I say no. He emails back to say it's ok he's signed up, he then wins the auction.
He then emails to say he wants to pay by direct bank transfer as the paypal charge is exorbitant. I initially say no but after looking into it and seeing it's safe agree. He then tells me although he lives locally he is away at uni so he will pay the money (cash) into a branch local to where he is. I tell him whatever, as long as he knows I'm not posting the MBP until I see the money in my account.
On the agreed date he emails me to check my online banking, which I do, and see that the cash has been paid in. So I email back to say I'll post it off right away.
He then emails me to ask can his friend collect it as he's in the area? Sure I said, not a problem. His friend then rings me to say he'll be in town later and can I meet him at the train station as he's on his way home. Not a problem says I, meets him at the station and hands over the laptop. Done deal! Or so I thought...all sounds innocuous so far right?
OK fast forward a couple of months to the police turning up where I learn that what he's actually done is advertised the same laptop, at the same time on another auction site. Informs the winner that she's won and to pay the cash direct into his bank account on such and such a date and then gives her MY name and bank details. Which she does.
Long story short, she pays the money into my account, he tells me he's paid the money into my account. I hand over the laptop in the train station. At no point do I get his address. She complains to the police that she's paid me money and got no laptop, they turn up to arrest me.
If it wasn't for the fact that I keep ALL emails and had records of phone calls etc they probably would have as well. As it was they confiscated my Mac Pro for three weeks, thankfully I managed to delete the "backups" of all my movies.
OK over to you
