Gaussian
Member!
I was wondering if this scam was used with an item of a very high price, like over $10,000 do you think that would be illegal?
Picture Only Scam:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but is it worth a thousand dollars?
This scam is fairly easy to explain and though it may sound like it's too stupid to work, it unfortunately still catches the random ebay victim off guard.
Basically the scam takes place as follows:
The scammer takes a beautiful picture of an often expensive item, such as a computer, TV, DVD, etc.
The scammer then compiles a list of all the wonderful features the item comes equipped with,
arranging them into a rather deceptive item desciption.
The scammer then puts their beautiful picture along with the description of the item on a nicely layed
out auction listing.
The scammer then slips in a statement like "you are bidding on the picture only, not the actual item!"
somewhere in the auction listing (usually in a very small, hard to notice font).
The interested buyer doesn't see the "picture only" statement, thinks he's bidding on the actual
product (computer, TV, DVD, etc.), then places a bid, and pays for the auction.
A little while later he receives the picture in the mail instead of any actual product.
One such example of how this scam could be organized, is illustrated below.
This awesome computer has been equipped with the following
specs:
Inventory Sku = 57625C
Catalog Id = 02/11/2003- 0020026129
Manfacturer = GATEWAY
Model Name = PRO 933M
HD = 20.0GB
RAM = 128MB
CDROM Type = CD ROM
Processor Type = PENTIUM III
Processor Speed = 933 MHZ
Screen Size = 17"
Screen Type = NEC Multisync 75
NIC = 10/100MBPS ETH
COMPUTER TYPE = MIDTOWER
MODEL NUMBER = PRO 933M
FLOPPY = 1.44 FLOPPY
PORT = RJ-45
PORT = PARALLEL
PORT = 1 SERIAL
PORT = 4 USB
AUDIO = YES
OPERATING SYSTEM = Window's XP
SERIAL NUMBER = 0021568677
MANUFACTURER PART NUMBER = CND
AUDIT RESULTS = P
AUDIT DESCRIPTION = G
CDROM SPEED = 48.00
VIDEO = 16.00
NUMBER OF PROCESSORS = 1.00
SHARED VIDEO RAM = NO
CD ROM INTERFACE = IDE
HARD DRIVE INTERFACE = IDE
# OF VIDEO CARDS = 2.00
SPEAKERS = NO
MONITOR PORT CONNECTION TYPE = PC 15 PIN
P.S. VOLTAGE = 110 and 220V
[size=0.5]Note: you are bidding on the picture of the item only[/size]
Take advantage of this great offer and bid now!
Notice how small and obscure the words "you are bidding on the picture of the item only" are?
You can now understand how some rushed bidders may miss this little note, and mistake the listing for an actual valuable item.
The only way you can avoid becoming a victim of this scam is through common sense.
Always make sure to read every important detail about the item (especially the small print) before bidding.
You wouldn't run into a store as fast as you can, grab an item without knowing exactly what it is, and then pay for it without any careful examination would you?
Then why would you rush into an auction listing and bid before you've read the whole description?
Picture Only Scam:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but is it worth a thousand dollars?
This scam is fairly easy to explain and though it may sound like it's too stupid to work, it unfortunately still catches the random ebay victim off guard.
Basically the scam takes place as follows:
The scammer takes a beautiful picture of an often expensive item, such as a computer, TV, DVD, etc.
The scammer then compiles a list of all the wonderful features the item comes equipped with,
arranging them into a rather deceptive item desciption.
The scammer then puts their beautiful picture along with the description of the item on a nicely layed
out auction listing.
The scammer then slips in a statement like "you are bidding on the picture only, not the actual item!"
somewhere in the auction listing (usually in a very small, hard to notice font).
The interested buyer doesn't see the "picture only" statement, thinks he's bidding on the actual
product (computer, TV, DVD, etc.), then places a bid, and pays for the auction.
A little while later he receives the picture in the mail instead of any actual product.
One such example of how this scam could be organized, is illustrated below.
This awesome computer has been equipped with the following
specs:
Inventory Sku = 57625C
Catalog Id = 02/11/2003- 0020026129
Manfacturer = GATEWAY
Model Name = PRO 933M
HD = 20.0GB
RAM = 128MB
CDROM Type = CD ROM
Processor Type = PENTIUM III
Processor Speed = 933 MHZ
Screen Size = 17"
Screen Type = NEC Multisync 75
NIC = 10/100MBPS ETH
COMPUTER TYPE = MIDTOWER
MODEL NUMBER = PRO 933M
FLOPPY = 1.44 FLOPPY
PORT = RJ-45
PORT = PARALLEL
PORT = 1 SERIAL
PORT = 4 USB
AUDIO = YES
OPERATING SYSTEM = Window's XP
SERIAL NUMBER = 0021568677
MANUFACTURER PART NUMBER = CND
AUDIT RESULTS = P
AUDIT DESCRIPTION = G
CDROM SPEED = 48.00
VIDEO = 16.00
NUMBER OF PROCESSORS = 1.00
SHARED VIDEO RAM = NO
CD ROM INTERFACE = IDE
HARD DRIVE INTERFACE = IDE
# OF VIDEO CARDS = 2.00
SPEAKERS = NO
MONITOR PORT CONNECTION TYPE = PC 15 PIN
P.S. VOLTAGE = 110 and 220V
[size=0.5]Note: you are bidding on the picture of the item only[/size]
Take advantage of this great offer and bid now!
Notice how small and obscure the words "you are bidding on the picture of the item only" are?
You can now understand how some rushed bidders may miss this little note, and mistake the listing for an actual valuable item.
The only way you can avoid becoming a victim of this scam is through common sense.
Always make sure to read every important detail about the item (especially the small print) before bidding.
You wouldn't run into a store as fast as you can, grab an item without knowing exactly what it is, and then pay for it without any careful examination would you?
Then why would you rush into an auction listing and bid before you've read the whole description?
