Users of the internet auction site eBay are being defrauded by unscrupulous dealers who secretly bid up the price of items on sale to boost profits, claims a report today.
The Sunday Times says its investigation has revealed that the practice of artificially driving up prices — known as shill bidding — is widespread across the site.
An undercover reporter last week taped one of the UK's biggest eBay sellers admitting that he was prepared to use business associates to bid on his goods for him.
The Sunday Times said it found evidence that a number of businesses — from overseas property agencies to car dealerships — have placed bids on their own items using fake identities.
Read more http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=416879&in_page_id=2
Monday, January 29, 2007
PCSO employees charged with selling seized arms on eBay
former Pima County Sheriff's armorer and former sergeant and supervisor of the Pima Regional Training Center have been forced to resign after being charged with stealing and selling arms, armor and weapons that were either purchased or seized by the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
Thomas Sibley and Thayer Thacker are now the subject of an aggressive criminal investigation.
Former Sheriff's Sgt. Thayer Thacker was assisnged to the Pima Regional Training Center. He'd been with the department for 15 years.
Read more http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5997077&nav=menu216_15_3
Thomas Sibley and Thayer Thacker are now the subject of an aggressive criminal investigation.
Former Sheriff's Sgt. Thayer Thacker was assisnged to the Pima Regional Training Center. He'd been with the department for 15 years.
Read more http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5997077&nav=menu216_15_3
Sale of GGB Prank Part of EBay Protest
In an act of protest against the Bay Area based company eBay, one eBay user located in New York City has placed the Golden Gate Bridge for sale, and the highest bid is a pitiful $.99 cents.A user by the name of gmajorspresents, who has received nothing but positive feedback on his sales, is using the hypothetical sale of the bridge to illustrate what he perceives to be major flaws in eBay policy.gmajorspresents calls for "a three strikes and you're out" complaint policy "for sellers using straw bidders."
He insists that sellers should "list postal and handling charges separately," and require signature of the recipient of any item sent by mail. gmajorspresents also demands a 24-hour hotline to field complaints "instead of 2 day vague email responses."
Read more http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_027113815.html
He insists that sellers should "list postal and handling charges separately," and require signature of the recipient of any item sent by mail. gmajorspresents also demands a 24-hour hotline to field complaints "instead of 2 day vague email responses."
Read more http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_027113815.html
Alleged eBay Scammer Caught In Santa Clarita
Sheriff’s Department officials have acted on a warrant issued by Santa Clarita Superior Court to arrest Ronald Walker, a man they believe is responsible for a series of eBay scams that duped six victims out of a total of $9,000.
Allegedly, Walker listed items for sale in the popular auction site, and once they sold, collected payment but never shipped anything out. The items include a Sony Camcorder, Louis Vuitton handbag, tickets to the 2006 Rose Bowl game and a 32” Television.
The items were listed for sale using eBay accounts in his own name, as well as his co-worker’s name and a variety of fake names.
His bail has been set at $100,000.
Allegedly, Walker listed items for sale in the popular auction site, and once they sold, collected payment but never shipped anything out. The items include a Sony Camcorder, Louis Vuitton handbag, tickets to the 2006 Rose Bowl game and a 32” Television.
The items were listed for sale using eBay accounts in his own name, as well as his co-worker’s name and a variety of fake names.
His bail has been set at $100,000.
Ebay To Suspend All Virtual Item Auctions
A new report from technology news site Slashdot has revealed that online auction house Ebay intends to remove listings for all virtual items, regardless of type or game title, clamping down on third-party sales of gold and accounts from many popular MMOs.
Despite the Slashdot piece further explaining continued in-game item and currency sales through third party firms as IGE, previously profiled on Gamasutra in August, and Sony Online Entertainment's own internal Station Exchange for its line-up of MMO titles, eBay has decided to close down all virtual item listings due to their inherent 'legal complexities.'
The policy currently in effect covers virtual items of any type, including in-game currency, items, and entire accounts or characters from MMOs, even up to, the report notes, 'neopoints' currency for casual virtual-pet website Neopets.
Read more http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12556
Despite the Slashdot piece further explaining continued in-game item and currency sales through third party firms as IGE, previously profiled on Gamasutra in August, and Sony Online Entertainment's own internal Station Exchange for its line-up of MMO titles, eBay has decided to close down all virtual item listings due to their inherent 'legal complexities.'
The policy currently in effect covers virtual items of any type, including in-game currency, items, and entire accounts or characters from MMOs, even up to, the report notes, 'neopoints' currency for casual virtual-pet website Neopets.
Read more http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12556
Friday, January 26, 2007
Priest Caught Selling Absolution on eBay
A Catholic priest from the Norwood neighbourhood of Bronx, New York, has been charged with selling absolution via an account on eBay, the popular online auction website. The priest, Father Augustine Butler, allegedly offered "Complete absolution for all sins, past, present and future" at a starting bid of $250. Nearly 2,440 eBay users took Mr. Butler up on his "limited supply" offer before church authorities were apprised of the transgression.
"Father Butler's actions have brought shame down upon himself, the Catholic church, and to eBay, the respected internet auction house," Cardinal Primaverde, of the Archdiocese of New York, said.
read more http://www.avantnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=332
"Father Butler's actions have brought shame down upon himself, the Catholic church, and to eBay, the respected internet auction house," Cardinal Primaverde, of the Archdiocese of New York, said.
read more http://www.avantnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=332
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Australian student sells his life on eBay, including 'cranky girlfriend'
Fancy a new life? An Australian man is selling his on the auction site eBay, offering his name, phone number, worldly possessions and circle of friends to the highest bidder.
Nicael Holt, a 24-year-old philosophy student, has promised to introduce the buyer to his potential lovers - "around eight which I have been flirting with", as he put it on his eBay entry - and his grand repertoire of six jokes.
Bidding started at A$5 (£2) and closed yesterday at A$7,500. Mr Holt, from Wollongong, south of Sydney, said he would go through with the deal if any of the top five bidders were genuine and prepared to pay cash.
Under an entry posted on the site earlier this month, headed "New Life for Sale!!", Mr Holt offered a broken relationship with a cranky ex-girlfriend and a four-week training course "in becoming me", including fashion sense, food tastes and "style of seduction".
Read more http://news.independent.co.uk/world/australasia/article2183873.ece
Nicael Holt, a 24-year-old philosophy student, has promised to introduce the buyer to his potential lovers - "around eight which I have been flirting with", as he put it on his eBay entry - and his grand repertoire of six jokes.
Bidding started at A$5 (£2) and closed yesterday at A$7,500. Mr Holt, from Wollongong, south of Sydney, said he would go through with the deal if any of the top five bidders were genuine and prepared to pay cash.
Under an entry posted on the site earlier this month, headed "New Life for Sale!!", Mr Holt offered a broken relationship with a cranky ex-girlfriend and a four-week training course "in becoming me", including fashion sense, food tastes and "style of seduction".
Read more http://news.independent.co.uk/world/australasia/article2183873.ece
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