Bogus/scary 2nd chance offers on eBay BEWARE

[itjclarke]

For those who got one today, is this the first? If this is something that happens everyday, then oh well.. But if this is the start of something new, this sucks. This guy has information he shouldn't have. And again, if he starts sending "your best offer has been accepted" emails, and better masks his email address, I might get a little more nervous.

[peterose4hof]

Are all these items from the same seller?

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by peterose4hof

Are all these items from the same seller?

Different sellers, but each email/notice traces back to the same email address (listed in above posts), which in the notices is provided as the sellers'. This single person is posing as the seller offering a 2nd chance offer on a closed item that we've actually bid.

To add: I do not think any of the sellers are involved

[Blinky]

Hi gang, I am not a baseball card enthusiast, but I have been getting a 2nd chance offer from this same person jrenv.engineer@gmail.com. I did a google search of his email and your forum came up so I wanted to post my info from this individual. It even went so far as to inform me to look in my spam folder to find is email correspondence. I think this is a definite scam, but a good one as he had me tricked until I found your forum. Here is what was sent to me:


from:

engineer

reply-to:

jrenv.engineer@gmail.com

to:

date:

Mon, Apr 1, 2013 at 8:48 PM

subject:

Re: You've received a Second Chance Offer on eBay item #300872690518: VTL Ultimate Pre-amp w/phono cable (90 degree DIN plug to XLR connectors inc)

mailed-by:

m3kw2wvrgufz5godrsrytgd7.apphosting.bounces.google .com

signed-by:

engineer.wor44.info

[Eric72]

The specificity involved with the emails people are receiving is fairly alarming. If this is a hacker/scammer situation, they appear to have worked out a somewhat sophisticated little operation that will almost certainly dupe quite a few people.

Another possibility is that there may be someone running rogue at eBay.

Either way, it may be time to sound the alarm before too many people fall prey to this.

Best Regards,

Eric

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Eric72

The specificity involved with the emails people are receiving is fairly alarming. If this is a hacker/scammer situation, they appear to have worked out a somewhat sophisticated little operation that will almost certainly dupe quite a few people.

Another possibility is that there may be someone running rogue at eBay.

Either way, it may be time to sound the alarm before too many people fall prey to this.

Best Regards,

Eric

Couldn't agree more, this is much more specific and targeted than the spam eBay/PayPal mails that try to steal you login/password.. And have nothing in common with seller sending a bogus 2nd chance offer after shilling his own auction.

The information this guy is gathering is secret to the bidders and sellers, and if he can get this.. I assume he figure out how to send false invoices, or best offer acceptance emails. The red flags were are there, but I think he'll probably only get better at hiding them.

I've connected eBay, have not heard back yet

[Eric72]

If this indeed turns out to be someone attempting to commit fraud through email, I believe the laws regarding mail or wire fraud would be applicable.

If I also understand correctly, each use of the email to make this attempt would be a separate violation of said laws. Thus, the criminal sanctions in such a case could be staggering.

So, here is my question. Does actual economic damage need to occur, or does the mere attempt to defraud constitute a violation of the law?

If the mere attempt is a crime, this joker could be teeing themself up for some very serious legal issues.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Eric72

The specificity involved with the emails people are receiving is fairly alarming. If this is a hacker/scammer situation, they appear to have worked out a somewhat sophisticated little operation that will almost certainly dupe quite a few people.

Another possibility is that there may be someone running rogue at eBay.

Either way, it may be time to sound the alarm before too many people fall prey to this.

Best Regards,

Eric

Sorry to quote myself; however, I still contend that someone at eBay doing nefarious things is a strong possibility.

They are a publicly traded company. Investors and stakeholders deserve answers here...just my two cents.

Best Regards,

Eric

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Sorry to quote myself; however, I still contend that someone at eBay doing nefarious things is a strong possibility.

I agree Eric... or that there's someone has been able to hack into places on eBay's site they have no business being.

Been a hectic week and still haven't found time to read the article (my firewalls are blocking it now) but I'm glad this has at least caught someone's attention.. even with the article's aforementioned flawed logic. Seems like many weren't too bothered when the original emails started going out.. but now that it's gotten a little press, eBay has to act like they're acting, right??? Unless of course they're behind the article and Mr. Siciliano's logic... have to read the article and judge for myself.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Sorry to quote myself; however, I still contend that someone at eBay doing nefarious things is a strong possibility.

They are a publicly traded company. Investors and stakeholders deserve answers here...just my two cents.

Best Regards,

Eric

If there is someone doing something at ebay, in a nefarious manner, my guess is it would be a rogue employee and not company related otherwise.

[travrosty]

always type in ebays address in the header and go to ebay first before you respond to any second chance offers and only respond to offers that go through ebay and it will eliminate these phishing emails.