So now it's confirmed I got scammed, first time in 5 years as I'm usually very careful with this, but didn't bother to check everything this time. I won an auction here, had a quick chat with the seller and then sent the funds $385. After the payment he stopped communicating, so I started digging into this and quickly realized that I got scammed and he doesn't even own the site. Yeah I know there were some signs of it from the beginning, but I didn't bother to check since it's not a very big amount. I started a paypal claim quickly, so he couldn't withdraw the funds. Do you think I can get it back, do PP ever reverse virtual goods transactions? The scammer is from india, you can see his details in whois for his site gokule.com. (now it's using private registration, but it had the details before)
Open a paypal dispute and send every necassary information about the deal.Search on google about this also. Another good option is track the identity of the scammer from his sites or anything and send him some fake messages that you are the cyber police and you would be visiting his home and put him in jail if he does not return the money ASAP.
it was sent through DP's auction payment link (fyi, Shawn, this thing just makes it easier for the scammers, get rid of it!), so there's a mention of the DP auction, I openned a PP dispute almost immediately, but they are known to discard virtual goods disputes. I didn't choose any option if it was virtual or not, as I followed the payment link directly through DP. Has anyone ever been able to recover the funds from being scammed on DP? If you know of any members/threads on the matter please link here. it was fairly obvious after a few searches and following his sig links.
fyi: I called paypal and explained them the case, they are saying that they are now awaiting for the other party to provide proof of delivery, so after 11 (?) days if he can't prove he delivered the products or if its insufficient they'll refund the money.
Paypal will refund you because they don't have buyer protraction about digital items.So you are secure Thank you
PayPal also do not seller protection, so to be honest; the chances of this going "sour" will be more in your favour.If you are able to, i'd advise seeing if you can find out who the hosting company for the website is. Then if there is no "WHOIS" details for the real owner, see if the hosting company could pass a messsage along; as i am sure that the real owner would be interested in this fraud which relates to his/her website.I am confident that you will get the funds back and appreciate that it is going to take some time. Hope that all goes well,Michael
Man this is what totally scares me about this place. You KNOW the vultures are here every day circling and waiting for anything to drop
Unfortunately, you have VERY low chance of refund, because PP customer protection doesn't work for intangible goods I was also kinda scammed by an Indian - he sold me a site with fake earnings report (what kind of people the Indians are! really no rasism, just facts! ), I opened the dispute and he disputed back and I lost Still you can try, because in your case it is an absolute scam. Anyway, if you open the dispute and he won't respond you will get your money, but there are big chances he will respond
Well, they've just completed their "investigation" and didn't refund the money, claiming there is no protection against virtual goods sales. No matter if you call them, provide proof and all
Sorry to hear that Michael. I wouldn't have paid him because he wasn't the verified owner of the site.