Now, I know this isn’t memorabilia related, and by no means am I trying to jinx my Packers and predict a Super Bowl birth, but let me just say that I’ve been checking out eBay for Super Bowl tickets just in case.

I highly doubt I will be able to afford the $3k+ that sellers are charging per ticket, but by checking out these SB ticket auctions, it gave me an idea for a blog entry.

One thing I found out is that many of these auctions are fraudulent. Some look very good, but if the price is too good to be true, in almost all cases, it is a crooked sale.

Take a look at this one. I had one of my colleagues go through the entire process and the alleged “bad seller’s,” wacky directions on how to complete the sale.

First of all, I knew it was probably a bad auction because the seller was only charging about $1k per ticket… much less than they should be selling for.

Then as I looked at the auction description, the text instructs the perspective buyer to email the seller to his personal email address, instead of by eBay’s “ask a seller a question” feature.

Right there should be enough red flags to detect the auction was fraudulent, but we wanted to see what the seller would have us do in order to complete this transaction.

I “xx’d” out all personal information, as his name probably wasn’t really used anyway and my colleague’s name isn’t important.

Funny how this started as a normal eBay auction and ended up being a potential out-of-the-country wire transaction.

Keep in mind, the actual Username that showed up in the auction was probably legit, but somehow the alleged crook obtained the legit user’s password, probably by hacking into his computer or a personal account.



That’s why you should always stay away from phishing emails.

Here is their dialogue. Hopefully you can follow it easily. It’s rather interesting. Note: the seller ended the auction yesterday.

My buddies email starts it off below:

Erik xxxxx
W6545 Quality Dr.
Greenville, WI
54942

user id = xxxx

I would like all 8 tickets please.

Thanks - Erik

--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> Hello,
>
> i have for sale 8 tickets Section: 105, Row: 9,
> seats  numbers:
> 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12.
>  
> 1 Ticket.........................$1400
> 2  Tickets........................$2700
> 4  Tickets........................$4200
> 8  Tickets........................$8000
>  
>
>
> The shipping cost and taxes are included in the
> total price.  I will ship the
> tickets with UPS service and
> you will receive it in two  working days.
> Please send me your full name, home and shipping
> address, ebay  ID and
> how many tickets you want to buy so I can register
> the  transaction
> with ebay asap.
>  
> Thank you
>
>
*********************
Sounds good - I can't wait to go to the game!  I'm a
die-hard Packers fan and am praying they make it.

You have made my day - Thank you so very much!

Erik
--- xxxx@aol.com wrote:

> ok, i will forward your info to ebay right now, ebay
> will contact you with  
> all the details you will need about the transaction.
>  
> Thank you
*******************************
Hello Michael,

I did receive the instructions.  Can I ask one
question?  Why would eBay want me to wire money to the
UK when you, me, and eBay are all located in the US?

Thanks, Erik

--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> did you received ebay payment instructions?
>  
> Let me know please
*********************
From: eBay <payments@ebay-tickets.com>
Reply-To: eBay <no-reply@ebay-tickets.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:51:26 -0700
To: <xxxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: eBay Transaction Started for item : Super Bowl XLII Tickets 2/3/08 Glendale

 Congratulations - eBay Transaction Started


eBay Item: 8 x Super Bowl XLII Tickets 2/3/08 Glendale.
 
Seller: Michael xxxx - United States

Dear xxx (Erik xxxx), the seller Michael xxxx started the transaction over the eBay protection program.
eBay requires the payment for this item to be done through MoneyGram money transfer service to
a verified eBay agent.
If you are not familiarized with the MoneyGram money transfer services please visit: www.moneygram.com <http://www.moneygram.com/> .
If you want to locate the nearest MoneyGram agency in your area please click here <http://www.moneygram.com/eFindUs/findUs.do?countryCode=US&amp;languageCode=en> .
You have to pay with cash at any MoneyGram Office.
Note: The funds will not be released under any circumstances. We will hold the payment until you will
send us your confirmation that you have received, inspected and you agree to keep the item.
When we will have your confirmation we will transfer the funds to the seller.   

 
eBay Agent Payment Details :


Sale price:
US $8,000.00
(amount to be sent)
 
First Name:
John
Last Name: xxxx
Address: 72 High Holborn
City: London
State/ZipCode: WC1V 6LS
Country: United Kingdom
How to make payment?
1. Locate the nearest MoneyGram Office.
2. Make the payment with cash using the above agent details.
3. Fax us the following details from the payment receipt:
- Reference Number - 8 digits number from the payment receipt
- Sender Name and Address
- Receiver Name
- Amount
4. Fax the payment receipt to the following fax number :
1-408-834-7689
 

Contact the seller if you have a question about the sale at xxxx@aol.com <mailto:xxxxxx@aol.com>     
 
Delivery information :
First Name: Erik

Last Name: xxxx

Street: W6545 Quality Dr.

City: Greenville

State/ZipCode: WI/  54942

Country: United States
 
 Marketplace Safety Tips  
Pay with Money Gram - Money Gram is the fast, easy and secure way to pay on eBay.
Protect yourself from spoof (fake) email and websites. Take the Spoof Tutorial to learn about ways to protect your account including eBay Toolbar wit Account Guard.
***************
Ok Mike - makes sense - thank you.

One last question before I send the payment.  Since
eBay owns PayPal, why do they have us do this
transaction via a wire transaction?  I would think we
all would like to keep the payment internal to all
parties involved, right? (Me, you, and eBay)

Thanks again,

Erik
--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> Hi again,
>  
> ebay has agents all over the world (ebay.ca,
> ebay.co.uk, ebay.de etc) and  to
> increase the security of the transactions the agents
> are from another  
> country! ebaywill hold your money until you will be
> the owner of the  tickets.
>  
> Thank you
> *****************
Makes sense.  Also, who is the person in England named
Michael xxxx?  Does he work for eBay and is serving
as our liason for this transaction?

I already went to the bank and have the cash in hand.
There is also a Money Gram location within 1 mile from
my work.  I'll be heading over there shortly after I
hear back from you.

Thanks again, Erik
--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> using paypal there is a transfer limit ($2000), so
> the available method for  
> our transaction is Money Gram.
>  
> Thank you
******************
That's what I figured.  Thanks for answering my
questions and you can expect payment shortly.  I'm off
to the store with the MoneyGram location.

Can you please send me a photo/scan of all 8 tickets
so I can see what I am getting?  The tickets will be
sent overnight, right?

Thanks, Erik


--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

>  
>  
> he is the agent assigned for our transaction and he
> works for  ebay!
********************
Mike,

These tickets are in the 400 section.  Your ebay ad
said they were in the 100 section.  I'd like to see
the 8 tickets I am buying for $8K in the 100 level as
you advertised in your eBay auction.  Please hurry -
my lunch hour is over in 30 minutes and I'd like to
take care of this today!

Thanks, Erik

--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> i will overnight the tickets! I attache one picture!
>  
> Thank you
******************
Ok - as long as they are in the 100 level and not the
400 level.

I'm off to the store.  What's your cell or phone in
case there are any hang-ups?

Thanks - Erik

--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> this is the only picture i have of the tickets! i
> had these 2 tickets  
> available also! at this point i'm at work and i
> can't take a picture!
>  
> Thanks for your understanding

********************
Mike,

Just got back from the MoneyGram store.  I showed him
my invoice you sent me and he said that you were
trying to scam me.  He asked me if I knew you
personally and I said no.  He was asking me all these
eBay questions and said they highly suggest not to use
Western Union or MoneyGram.  I showed him the spot on
the invoice where it said that MoneyGram was the
preferred method, but he insisted I put the $8000 in
my pocket.

There's a couple more MoneyGram stores in my city, so
I will try there after work.

I would like an explanation as to why he gave me such
a hard time in trying to send you the money for the
tickets.  Is there something I'm not aware of?

Thanks, Erik

--- xxxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> ONCE AGAIN: TICKETS INFO: Section: 105, Row: 9,
> seats numbers: 
> 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12.
> 
> my cell #: (631) xxxxxxx
> 
> Thanks again

********************
Good advice - thanks Mike!

--- xxxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> please understand: ebay placed warnings against
> Western Union or Money Gram 
> because were situations when the sellers didn't send
> the items after the
> buyers  paid! BUT: in our transaction ebay asked you
> to transfer the funds to one
> of  their agents (SO YOU WILL NOT SEND THE MONEY
> DIRECTLY TO THE SELLER< EBAY 
> WILL HOLD YOUR MONEY UNTIL YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
> TICKETS, EBAY ASKED YOU TO 
> TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO ONE OF THEIR AGNETS!). in our
> transaction we are both 
> protected, my advice for you: locate another Money
> Gram office and don't tell 
> them that you sned the money to buy something over
> the internet, if they ask you
>  tell that you send the money to a friend or
> relative!
> 
> Thanks
**********************
Mike,

Quick question.  Why does the invoice I received for
this transaction encourage Western Union and
MoneyGram, and other emails I have from other eBay
transactions warm you about them.  Is it because the
UK has different rules and regulations and my payment
is going there?

I just don't understand the contradiction.  Can you
explain it to me?

Thanks, Erik

--- xxxxxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> please understand: ebay placed warnings against
> Western Union or Money Gram 
> because were situations when the sellers didn't send
> the items after the
> buyers  paid! BUT: in our transaction ebay asked you
> to transfer the funds to one
> of  their agents (SO YOU WILL NOT SEND THE MONEY
> DIRECTLY TO THE SELLER< EBAY 
> WILL HOLD YOUR MONEY UNTIL YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
> TICKETS, EBAY ASKED YOU TO 
> TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO ONE OF THEIR AGNETS!). in our
> transaction we are both 
> protected, my advice for you: locate another Money
> Gram office and don't tell 
> them that you sned the money to buy something over
> the internet, if they ask you
>  tell that you send the money to a friend or
> relative!
> 
> Thanks
*****************
Mike,

I've got a better idea.  I'm going to book a flight to
your nearest airport and pay you in person.  Then
there's no hassle for you, no middleman, and you get
your cash.  I can be there tomorrow.

Does that sound like a plan or what?

Erik

--- xxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> please understand: ebay placed warnings against
> Western Union or Money Gram 
> because were situations when the sellers didn't send
> the items after the
> buyers  paid! BUT: in our transaction ebay asked you
> to transfer the funds to one
> of  their agents (SO YOU WILL NOT SEND THE MONEY
> DIRECTLY TO THE SELLER< EBAY 
> WILL HOLD YOUR MONEY UNTIL YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
> TICKETS, EBAY ASKED YOU TO 
> TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO ONE OF THEIR AGNETS!). in our
> transaction we are both 
> protected, my advice for you: locate another Money
> Gram office and don't tell 
> them that you sned the money to buy something over
> the internet, if they ask you
>  tell that you send the money to a friend or
> relative!
> 
> Thanks
***********************

--- xxxxxx@aol.com wrote:

> i already prepared the shipping! i buy and sell
> tickets on ebay and is a  way
> of life for me, i must stay online almost all the
> time! if i must meet you i 
> will lose time, these weeks are very important for
> me because of the super
> bowl.  please understand

I think this is where my friend should write him and say "THE END."