Well, I thought on found a good deal on the 10179 set from craigslist. The person was selling the set for $800. Thought this was a reasonable price. Not really a crazy price. Still a real good deal though. Anyway, the catch was the person could only accept money pak order. You buy the card, put money on it and upload it to a debit card. Of course I thought this was sketchy. So I asked her why she doesn't have paypal. Her response was her late husband screwed up their paypal account and couldn't get a new one. I told her I still do not feel safe and she said that she would give me her debit card number to show that she wouldn't rip me off. I basically talked her down to $500 for the set and she gave me her debit card number. I paid her and couple days later she gave me a tracking number that isn't working. I get the error "Delivery status information is not available for your item via this web site. A return receipt after mailing may be available through your local Post Office". Anyway, it has been a week and a half and still nothing. Doing some detective work, I sent her an email from another one of my email accounts asking her if the set was still available. Her response was "I do have another set available". Who has 2 of these sets? I called her phone number she gave me and that gives me a message that the owner doesn't have her voice mail setup yet. Her phone number and area code she gave me coincide with Oil City, PA. Basically where she said she lived. So brickpicker community, what should my next step be? Do I go ahead and call the Oil City police department. I still have her number (course it doesn't work right now) and her debit card. Any help would be appreciated. Oh, here is the link to the add: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tag/3133123515.html

I have been sending her an email once every couple of days saying stuff like "hey thief, have you got caught yet?". She replied the other day stating "i am turning you in for harrasement.I asked you to stop contacting me and you keep going.I have done nothing to no one and DO NOT need to explain myself to you". I find that absolutely hilarious. Obviously, I responded to make sure she leaves her real name. She hasn't figured it is me yet.

Well my ebay auction dispute over a never delivered Technic Combine came to a happy end today. eBay found in my favor and refunded my money. I transferred the refunded money immediately back into my bank account. The seller never once contacted me despite several emails and opening a case. Previous cases I've opened usually had an immediate result of the seller contacting me and promptly shipping the item. Not so this time. At least I'm not out the money any more.

Stackables, was there ever any resolution to this issue? I was wondering if any justice prevailed :)

Nope. Police basically said they couldn't do anything.

Nope. Police basically said they couldn't do anything.

That's sad..... I thought that the Police would do something about it -mind you, they didn't do anything when my families car got broken into..........

Oh boy...Didn't you read my blogs about scams? LOL

You have a mess on your hands. Go to the police. The are quite experienced with internet theft. In most states, theft $500 or more is a felony, so it is quite serious and they should take you serious. Get all your information together and go to the police. Jot the information down in a time line to help explain your story.

At $800 for a new 10179 is a deal of the century. They are now consistently selling for over $2000 for a new set. These crooks know exactly what they cost and what kind of price they can sucker a LEGO collector in for quickly. You are probably not alone. She has probably done it more than once. Her debit card is probably deactivated also. She made some quick cash and moved on. Good luck.

Just remember one thing in life...If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!!!

good idea

I generally adhere to the 'If it's too good to be true rule, it probably isn't.' If I do break the rule, for such risky transactions, I only ever pay via Paypal with a credit card. That way, I can either go back to my CC issuer or Paypal. I've had a situation like this once. Bought an iPhone off Gumtree, local equivalent of Craigslist and had the sellers phone number. He said he mailed it out but never gave a tracking number. Turned out to be a scam. In any case, I was refunded after opening a dispute with Paypal. Also, another recent scam I did't fall for via a FACE to FACE deal on Gumtree. Sometime late last year, a seller posted on Gumtree selling a couple of Lego sets. Death Star, Super Star Destroyer, Cars, City Mine. I emailed and seller (never gave me a name or a number) said he/she would only ship via courier COD. I asked for a pick-up and he/she said they work 80 hours a week and am not home for pick up. Prices were reasonable and it seemed safe enough via courier. After a few weeks, we finally arranged for a delivery. I ordered the Death Star 10188 for $420. Same price as Amazon shipped but figured it was local so... This morning, a guy turns up. Says he's from Couriers Plus and shows some dodgy paperwork (no seller name or address). The company delivery sheet had no contact number. Only a business name and address. So courier was paid and walks off. I lift the box and it feels too light. Opened it up and it was the Cars and City Mine set. Worth $150 but I gave the courier $420. Chased after the courier (he parked round the corner and drove a Holden not a van) and he umm and ahhed and said I already signed for it. I refused to let it go and said it labelled as Star Wars but I didn't receive it. He couldn't give me the sellers name for 'privacy reasons'. Fair enough. He tried to call the 'depot' but couldn't get through. Throughout, he said various things that contradicted each other (Oh I'm in a rush, have other deliveries to make. Then later on, he said, Oh, this is my last delivery for the morning). In the end, I refused the delivery and insisted on my money back. Courier gave it back and went off. I did a Google search on the company and found no telephone number and only an ABN and a business address (at a residence: 7 Lucerne St, Campbellfield, Vic 3061). I emailed the seller who said that it was a mix up and my Death Star was shipped to the wrong address and it was the courier's fault and the other receiving party doesn't want to own up etc. He/she was out of pocket. Despite me asking for him/her to call me throughout, there was no phone call.

Lets not say that your gullible lets just say that the scammer was smart!

I guarantee that less people are getting scammed now because of this site!!!!

I guarantee that less people are getting scammed now because of this site!!!!

I agree!