CPM Forum

General => General Forum Comments => Topic started by: canada-banknotes on November 24, 2007, 12:27:33 pm

Title: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: canada-banknotes on November 24, 2007, 12:27:33 pm

*** WARNING ***

Please take note that a fraudulent 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882 replacement is being offered on eBay.

See:   http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270190567410 (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270190567410)

First clue that this note is fraudulent is the fact that it falls outside the current known range of 0160000 - 0239999.

I did not base my conclusion just on this fact, as there have been other unexpected replacement note finds
recently that fall outside known ranges.  The real evidence lies in the fact that the same eBay member bought
a grouping of 1954 notes on eBay on October 30th that included the same serial numbered $20 note without
the asterisk.

See:   http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120175460674 (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120175460674)

I have also used forensic software in my lab to enhance the eBay image of the note and it is obvious that the
asterisk has been added after the fact in an effort to defraud an unsuspecting buyer.

"Buyer Beware"

...Arthur
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on November 24, 2007, 12:36:48 pm
 Wow Way to go Arthur!  I was watching this one and would never have noticed the number range. They have changed the opening min. bid from $49.99 to $500.00 too.

 What can be done about this? Can it be stopped?

 I will be more careful about fake asterisks from now on. Thanks Arthur

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: canada-banknotes on November 24, 2007, 01:04:56 pm

I would suggest that all CPMF members, that have an eBay account, file a complaint with eBay's Tust and
Safety Team.  If you provide details from my previous post including eBay items numbers, I am sure that eBay
will pull the listing.  If you add the fact that it is an obvious attempt to defraud a buyer based on the difference
in market price between a V/E and *V/E note, then the eBay member may also be suspended.  The more
complaints they receive the more chance they will act quickly and harshly.

You can file a complaint at the following link:

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/contact_us/_base/index.html (http://pages.ebay.ca/help/contact_us/_base/index.html)

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Northwest5 on November 24, 2007, 01:15:49 pm
Great work Aurthur, I was outbid on a *1 1954 note a few weeks ago, which may be a good thing.  I will send in a complaint to Ebay.  Thank You.  Murray.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: CJ_Sidewall on November 24, 2007, 01:53:52 pm
Ditto Arthur, very nice find.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: friedsquid on November 24, 2007, 02:27:33 pm
I would have never spotted that one Arthur...They are selling the same $100 note that was purchased as that part of that lot as well...but no asterisk on it ....YET

FRIEDSQUID
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: 50monarch on November 24, 2007, 03:58:57 pm
Nice catch Arthur.  The banknote does look authentic from the picture and I suspect not many people would have picked up on the serial number being outside the range.

I'm not sure if anyone reported this to eBay.  I did, however the way eBay is set up, you can only report the Item Number...you can't send comments.   

Anyway we'll see what happens...the email says that they will review the request within 24 hours.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: kforse on November 24, 2007, 04:46:02 pm
Arthur,

I have also sent an email to Ebay but unfortunately the main mail in response removes all your message information and only leaves the two item numbers in question.

I have asked that they respond back to me concerning this issue as well.

Thanks for keeping the world honest.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: hanmer on November 24, 2007, 04:52:04 pm
I too have a lab, mine is secret though. The stars are good from far, but far from good. Hope it gets pulled. If not then I hope no one bids on it, or they at least use Pay Pal to pay. I too sent an email to E Bay as well.

I love this place.

:)

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: canada-banknotes on November 24, 2007, 04:59:02 pm

I sent an email to the eBay seller requesting a high quality scan of the front and back of this note.  The
seller is located in Quebec and I thought I would request this information using my limited grasp of the
French language.  Unfortunately this resulted in the seller responding totally in French.

Can I ask that one of our French speaking members provide a translation for those of us that can't
understand the reply provided below from the seller:

"Oui avec plaisir mais je n'ai parcontre plus les photos scanner dans l'ordi car je les scan chez une amie et
lorsque je les met en vente je les garde pas. Je comprend pas c'est que j'ai payer pour que les gens vois
des sagrandi et qu'elles reste normal. Mais je vais photographier avec mon kodak. Puis-je vous demander
combien il serait évalué ? car je me fit au connaisseur moi je ne connais rien même ici j,achète lorsque je
vous plusieur encherreur sur le meme projet c,est la seule facon je sais qu'il vaut quelque chose . Vous
semblez en être un... déjà quelqu'un voulais me l'acheter a 500,00 si j,arêtais l'enchere c'est le pourquoi
j'ai commencer l'enchere a 500,00 mais il n'a pas voulue me dire combien il valait... merci de me le dire.
Joanne"
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: viauauto on November 24, 2007, 05:03:11 pm
Columbo strike again  ;D


8) Patrick 8)
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: stevepot99 on November 24, 2007, 05:09:38 pm

http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr




Yes with pleasure but I do not have parcontre any more the photographs scanner in the ordi because I them scan in a friend and when I puts them on sale I do not keep them. I it does not include/understand is that I have to pay so that people see sagrandi and that they remains normal. But I will photograph with my Kodak. Can I ask you how much it would be evaluated? because I to the expert me I do not know anything even here J was done, buys when I you plusior encherror on the same project C, is the only way I know that it is worth something. You seem to be one... already somebody wanted for it to buy it to me has 500,00 if J, arêtais the bidding it is it why I have to begin the bidding has 500,00 but he did not mean to me how much he was worth... thank you for me the statement. Joanne "
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: canada-banknotes on November 24, 2007, 05:11:35 pm


Okay....now if someone can translate the translation we will be set  ???
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: viauauto on November 24, 2007, 05:14:18 pm
I sent an email to the eBay seller requesting a high quality scan of the front and back of this note.  The
seller is located in Quebec and I thought I would request this information using my limited grasp of the
French language.  Unfortunately this resulted in the seller responding totally in French.

Can I ask that one of our French speaking members provide a translation for those of us that can't
understand the reply provided below from the seller:

"Oui avec plaisir mais je n'ai parcontre plus les photos scanner dans l'ordi car je les scan chez une amie et
lorsque je les met en vente je les garde pas. Je comprend pas c'est que j'ai payer pour que les gens vois
des sagrandi et qu'elles reste normal. Mais je vais photographier avec mon kodak. Puis-je vous demander
combien il serait évalué ? car je me fit au connaisseur moi je ne connais rien même ici j,achète lorsque je
vous plusieur encherreur sur le meme projet c,est la seule facon je sais qu'il vaut quelque chose . Vous
semblez en être un... déjà quelqu'un voulais me l'acheter a 500,00 si j,arêtais l'enchere c'est le pourquoi
j'ai commencer l'enchere a 500,00 mais il n'a pas voulue me dire combien il valait... merci de me le dire.
Joanne"


Goes something like this :

Yes with pleasure but I dont have any more photo in my computer because I scan them at a friend house and when I put them to sell I didnt keep it. I don't understand because I paid to see picture that can expand on ebay but I will take picture with my kodak. Can I ask you how much it is evaluate ? because if I relied on expert me I dont know anything, I know what a Note worth when I see all buyer bid on my item, you seem to be one to bidding on it... somebody wanted to buy from me at 500$ if I stop the auction. It is why I started the auction at 500$ but he didnt want to tell me how much the note worth... thank for letting me know...
Joanne
======================

When let me tell you... strange french writing heheh and I try to translate for you the best as Ican  ;D I'm not perfect billingual.


8) Patrick 8)

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: friedsquid on November 24, 2007, 05:20:31 pm
This is funny because I sent the seller 2 emails 1 regarding the asterisk note and another regarding the $100 note. The answer I got for the asterisk was also totally in French
"Je comprend pas ce que vous voulez dire . Vous trouver qu'il ressemble a un même astérisk que le votre ?


- mollyannejo"
but the one about the other note in English (I think?)

No holes, no creases not writing. I made an announcement with a photo enlarged for the rest you must see not?


-
 mollyannejo

Yet the original Seller described the $100 note like this
Quote
$100.00=AU CENTRE FOLD AND COUNTING CREASES

can I get a translation please
THX FRIEDSQUID
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: 50monarch on November 24, 2007, 05:28:35 pm
I do not understand what you want to say. You to find that it resembles a same asterisk as yours?

I'm translating this from MS Word...but on the up side I am furthering my grade 12 French.  :)
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: 50monarch on November 24, 2007, 05:32:14 pm
Bidding has ended for this item.

"The seller ended this listing early because the item is no longer available for sale."

I hope eBay got to them before someone bought it.

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Philippe_B on November 24, 2007, 06:17:31 pm
Also take a look at the *X/F that she is selling. It is totally out of the range. That's an other bogus replacement note.

This seller should be banned from Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/One-Dollar-1954-1-00-UNC-Asterisk-X-F8077442_W0QQitemZ280176905849QQihZ018QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: 50monarch on November 24, 2007, 07:59:16 pm
This is crazy >:(
It's the $1 bill form the eBay listing (October 30th) that Arthur noted.  Back to the eBay fraud department we go.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: thefullmonty on November 24, 2007, 09:07:15 pm
The same seller had a 1954 $5 *R/C note with serial number 3022770 for sale.  See eBay item # 280176897971.  The auction ended yesterday and the picture of the note was replaced by a 1943 nickel, so unfortunately, you cannot see the note offered.

It is really eBay's responsibility to stop buyers from making bad decisions and buying obviously misrepresented notes?  Or is it the responsibility of buyers to learn to be less stupid?  I don't need lab equipment to see that the asterisk is fake.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Philippe_B on November 24, 2007, 10:41:35 pm
I just noticed something else. She tried to sell the X/F note before adding the asterix. The auction ended on November 17th and I'm pretty sure that the winning bidder is a friend of the seller because the note was relisted and the user ID of the winning bidder (sylvie1393) is French.

You can see the auction if you click here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/One-1-00-Dollar-1954-Lawson-Bouey-UNC-X-F8077442_W0QQitemZ280172335652QQihZ018QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: canada-banknotes on November 24, 2007, 11:30:38 pm

The auction for the fraudulent 1954 $1 X/F 8077442 is now showing as ended early as well.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280176905849 (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280176905849)

I hope that by bombarding eBay's Trust and Safety Team with the item numbers for this seller's auctions
we forced the seller to close the listings.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Hudson A B on November 26, 2007, 02:07:38 am
I have a translation from the initial message:

[edit]That's pushing the envelope a little too far, Hudson. --BWJM[/edit]


Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: d_polo on November 26, 2007, 05:09:38 am
Also, the * star looks to be a deeper red than the serial number, plus a bit blurry and on the back of the note, you can see where the ink bled through from the front. To me it looks like the astrix was printed on after by computer printer.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: pattattie on November 26, 2007, 12:50:44 pm
I would definintely stay away from this individual.

The vendor is stating that they scan the notes at a friend's home and do not keep copies after creating the ebay listing. Oversized photos were purchased with the listing but do not seem to have been made available by ebay. The vendor also states that they have very little knowledge in the field. They purchase notes without knowing the value of the item being acquired. They simply base their decision for buying a note on the fact that if others are willing to pay a large sum for a certain item, then it must surely have some value.  They are actually asking the sender of the email (I believe canada-banknotes) how much the note is worth. It seems they were offered $500 to end the auction early and this was the basis for the $500 stating price. 


Hope this helps.

Alain
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: bugsy on November 26, 2007, 01:52:42 pm
I just want to send out a way to go to all the members that did report this fraudulent ebayer. And a big pat on the back to Arthur for using his knowledge and know how to spot this fake. The forum members really pulled together like a family and put a stop to this type of activity. It goes to show that the members here are really looking out for there hobby and future of the hobby as well. It should make us members feel proud that we can pull together for a problem like this and keep our loved hobby safe and inviting to new comers without the worry of people like that out there!!!
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!! :D :D :D


        Jeff
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: gonkman on November 26, 2007, 03:45:47 pm

Hello..

Now I am worried I won an auction from this same seller for an * 1954 1 Dollar.

Any of you care to work your magic on the image and see if you think it might be bogus?  I have yet to recieve the item as it just recently..

Any comments or thoughts would be appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280176629788&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=018

Link to the item above.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on November 26, 2007, 04:37:46 pm
This is a real *S/O  note. There are no regular 1954 S/O notes without an asterisk with a number less than 7900001.

 I will never buy from this seller EVER and the list of sellers is getting longer. I guess some would still purchase from this seller if there is a bargain to be had but what else would this seller be willing to do for a buck, maybe lost in the mail with no insurance? or pressed or sending the wrong note on purpose there are many other ways to be ripped off.

 I think adding an asterisk is probably the worst thing a seller could do.

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: walktothewater on November 26, 2007, 07:19:02 pm
Quote
The vendor also states that they have very little knowledge in the field. They purchase notes without knowing the value of the item being acquired. They simply base their decision for buying a note on the fact that if others are willing to pay a large sum for a certain item, then it must surely have some value.
Although the logic fails me - I believe this is the case.

- this person actually bought a note (not the $20) from me (on eBay) and immediately re-listed the very same note with my description only a week later.   When I saw the listing of the note I sold her --I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me because she copied my auction posting. 

I then investigated her other auctions and found that there were other notes listed that had a previous seller's auction/posting also copied. 

I tried to communicate with her once and she appears to have no comprehension of English.  I believe this is why she copies a person's auction description onto her posting. Strang but true. 

Good work on spotting this one Arthur!
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: d_polo on November 27, 2007, 01:48:29 am
Also on that $20, one astrix on the left is higher than the other one on the right, a home made print job for sure.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Ottawa on November 27, 2007, 08:36:53 am
I guess fake *C/I 1954 $1 Lawson-Bouey notes will be next! However, at least the Charlton catalogue has warned us about that possibility (page 266).

Yes, the perpetrator of the fake asterisk crime is indeed a miserable creature. However, fake collectibles (not only paper money) have been around for the longest time and one must always be on one's guard. Whenever the price of a collectible starts to climb the likelihood of encountering fakes increases. It wasn't so long ago that the plastic holders containing high grade certified coins were being tampered with and lower grade coins were being inserted in their place. Fortunately, that will probably never happen with certified paper money because it's not so easy to tamper with serial numbers ...
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Fever on November 28, 2007, 09:05:47 pm
Correct me if I'm wrong because I don't collect US notes, but I didn't know that the USA used an asterisk system for their replacement notes.....

Are they at it again???

Ebay item: 270190581547

http://cgi.ebay.ca/20-REPLACEMENT-NOTE-MINT-2004-Asterisk-EL03343478_W0QQitemZ270190581547QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.ca/20-REPLACEMENT-NOTE-MINT-2004-Asterisk-EL03343478_W0QQitemZ270190581547QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: coinsplus on November 28, 2007, 11:03:51 pm
US banknotes do use asterisks for their notes.  But instead of calling them astericks, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (aka BEP), they are referred to as "star" notes.   

This note looks to be genuine. 
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: jasper on November 28, 2007, 11:04:03 pm
Yes, US notes have a star for replacement notes. They call it a star rather than an asterisk as in "STAR note"
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Elwoodbluesca on December 21, 2007, 10:34:27 pm
This seller is too much, check this out, totally processed?

Buy
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230203054328
Sell
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Twenty-20-00-dollars-1937-Osborne-Towers-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ270197708471QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Buy
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360005065023
Sell
http://cgi.ebay.ca/One-hundred-dollars-100-00-1937-Coyne-Towers_W0QQitemZ270198020574QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Buy
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200152163491
Sell
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Two-2-00-Dollars-1954-Rare-Prefix-S-R-0069931_W0QQitemZ270197770210QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Buy
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190178126508
Sell
http://cgi.ebay.ca/JA-One-hundred-dollars-100-1954-AU-UNC-J-A-6558256_W0QQitemZ270197431003QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Buy
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190178135544
Sell
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Five-dollars-1954-Asterisk-W-S-0245694-EF_W0QQitemZ270197433125QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Buy
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190178135350
Sell
http://cgi.ebay.ca/HF-1-00-one-dollar-1954-Asterisk-H-F-0786980-EF-AU_W0QQitemZ270197433692QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3429QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: eyevet on December 22, 2007, 12:21:44 am
Wow Sherlock!!!!

Good work.   I vote for tarring and feathering, followed by the iron lady!!!
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: nova7415 on December 22, 2007, 01:20:15 am
     Let me be the second member to Thank you for bringing this seller to our attention :o. I was glad to see that the buyer of those notes realized what the seller was up to and didn't follow through with the purchases 8). I doubt there is anything eBay can do as there were no "legal" laws broken.....just deception >:(.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Punkys Dad on December 22, 2007, 02:42:18 am
So this seller is at it again!
I hate to say this but I get this gut feeling as I looked carefully at these lots, I already get the impression that the buyer could be the same person as the seller(s) under another identity. I could likely be wrong but an eBay newbie wouldn't be spending $1000s without some homework. To the seller it would be a useful way of avoiding Negative feedback when the heat is on, and could still slant the undisclosable data that eBay collects for their use. Please, has anyone contacted the buyer?

Maybe the buyer may respond in French.  ???
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: coinsplus on December 22, 2007, 04:04:28 am
This seller has no morals. 

I don't think the buyer would be the same or related to the seller.  With some of those notes going for such high prices, the eBay gets a cut of the selling price.  So, by looking at the several auctions that ended, the fees to eBay would be nearly $100. 

I have a feeling that perhaps the buyer is doing it in spite, knowing that the notes are not worth what the seller is selling them at.

Actually, the BUYER has PLACED NEGATIVE FEEDBACK and made warnings about the seller. 

Whoever the buyer is... that's fantastic!!! 

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Manada on December 22, 2007, 10:29:17 am
Nice one Elwoodblues! And big kudos to the "buyer" of those items, and nipping the seller right in the butt.

Great job everyone! Nice to see people protecting our great hobby.

Happy holidays everyone!
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Elwoodbluesca on December 22, 2007, 11:16:23 am
     Let me be the second member to Thank you for bringing this seller to our attention :o. I was glad to see that the buyer of those notes realized what the seller was up to and didn't follow through with the purchases 8). I doubt there is anything eBay can do as there were no "legal" laws broken.....just deception >:(.


Most of the notes have been altered in some way, (trimmed, washed, pressed, pencil removed), would this not be an altercation of the original item, and then be considered a misrepresentation of the original item. This can easily be tracked through eBay itself.
Could this be in violation of eBay’s policies?
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: walktothewater on December 22, 2007, 01:56:57 pm
Elwood --you  need to be congratulated for an outstanding bit of detective work there! 

KUDOS man!

Also, whoever is "crzzyhorse" on eBay, the brave buyer to take "Mollyannejo" on- thanks & Kudos to you for trying to keep unscrupulous sellers like her on the straight and narrow. 

Now, with that perfectly fitting feedback, at least potential buyers will know what game she's at.

Way to go guys!
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: venga50 on December 22, 2007, 06:13:53 pm
crzzyhorse on eBay is now showing as "no longer a registered user", but was a eBay member since August 2006.

Guess he/she had already planned to close their eBay account and decided to stick it to this fraud at the same time!  Genius!!  I love it!!!
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Punkys Dad on December 22, 2007, 07:48:18 pm
Wow Sherlock!!!!

Good work.   I vote for tarring and feathering, followed by the iron lady!!!

I already got the feathers. When do we start?

The Ebay listings now show,
"This listing (270197770xxx) has been removed or is no longer available. Please make sure you entered the right item number."

Meaning....

"We're covering our a**es even thought we got paid our fees for it fraud or no fraud."
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: coinsplus on December 23, 2007, 12:38:42 am
OH NO!!!  eBay may erase all the negative feedback from the seller. 

When eBay buyers become "no longer registered users", all feedbacks related to that user will eventually disappear.  As a result, when someone checks the feedback from this con-artist seller, they will not know about these material facts.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on December 23, 2007, 03:48:39 am
These notes are being relisted and the old item numbers now show invalid items.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on January 01, 2008, 05:03:27 pm
All negitive feed back has been width drawn but I for one will remember this seller.

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: AL-Bob on January 01, 2008, 06:11:23 pm
So much for the person who sacrificed their ID in defense of those sellers who do have some integrity.

I guess it's no wonder there are so many crooks now on eBay with their shiny 100% feedback Gold/Platinum whatever status!  They make buyers jump through hoops, even have to answer every question right on a ridiculous eBay "survey/tutorial" just to leave a feedback, and to the buyers own demise.

All the while they chime about how feedback is engraved in stone and can never be changed, removed under any circumstances! What a joke, I guess that whole site is just burying itself into obsoleteness.

Thank goodness for the Canadian Paper Money forum.  ;) Here at least there are some people who really do care about the hobby.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Elwoodbluesca on January 01, 2008, 07:43:10 pm
If you are concerned about this seller, please do as I have done. Contact the buyer of the item and forward them the purchase link of the item they just bought or are bidding on, and let them decide if they will continue with the sale.

I am not telling the buyer not to buy, just a “buyer beware” message and giving them a little more info about the item.

This has worked.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Hudson A B on January 02, 2008, 02:18:46 am

Thank goodness for the Canadian Paper Money forum.  ;) Here at least there are some people who really do care about the hobby.

Amen to that.

Hudson
Happily not married to ebay, since 2005
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Elwoodbluesca on January 02, 2008, 09:49:58 pm
Yes the forum is a great place, but if you shelter yourself within the forum, you will loose touch with the market, and if people are out there misrepresenting and altering notes, it is truly going to hurt the hobby. As established collectors it is our responsibility to help monitor and police the action of the hobby.

A new collector buys these notes, and then tries to sell or trade it to an experienced collector, then finds out they have been had by the seller, and it is too late, the damage has been done and you now have a pissed off collector, and a fraud artist who is laughing their way to the bank.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Elwoodbluesca on January 04, 2008, 11:48:42 pm
mollyannejo - No longer a registered user  ;D

http://myworld.ebay.ca/mollyannejo/

Be on the lookout, I am sure she will pop up again.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: gonkman on January 08, 2008, 03:52:34 pm

Hi Guys..

As mentioned earlier up in this thread I purchased a 1954 *SO bill from this person.

I did receive the note.  If put some scans up do you think you guys could take a look and give me an opinion on if the note was altered?

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on January 08, 2008, 04:44:42 pm
Quote
If put some scans up do you think you guys could take a look and give me an opinion on if the note was altered?

Lets see the scans. I'm sure you'll get a few opinions.

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: gonkman on January 08, 2008, 08:24:09 pm

Here are the scans of the note.  I took them at 600DPI but Auctiva kinda shrinks the file size on you.

Any comments on a possible grade would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

Front
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/6/2/8/3/2/2/webimg/96164488_o.jpg

Back
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/6/2/8/3/2/2/webimg/96164479_o.jpg

Gonkman
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on January 08, 2008, 10:39:01 pm
I am by no means a professional grader but it looks V.F. to me almost E.F. though.
 It's hard to tell from the scan but it seems to have been folded down the center and may have been washed, I say that because the serial number on the right side looks blurry mostly above the right side asterisk but alot of times when a note is washed it will bleed through the back and that is not the case here. So it looks to me to be a very fine note made to look like an extra fine note.

 Other opinions are welcomed.

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Elwoodbluesca on January 08, 2008, 10:55:04 pm
*S/O note

Buy
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200170407544

Sell
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280176629788
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on January 08, 2008, 11:21:10 pm
Even the first seller used a different note for the reverse scan to cover up the stain in the cloud. Who removed the stain was it you gonkman or was it the seller?

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: gonkman on January 09, 2008, 09:37:44 am

It wasn't me.  I wouldn't even know where to start to try and do something like that.

Soap and Water? Or does Tide work? :P

Oh well guess I got screwed on this note.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: gonkman on February 07, 2008, 11:21:38 am

Update...  If anyone Cares... :P

I did send the *SO Note (see above links) in to BCS with my other notes for grading.  I had to do it.. :)

It came back...

EF-40 RESTORED....

Oh well.. looks like the holder is now worth more than the note almost...

LOL...

Still looks nice inthe holder though.. :)

Just thought I would post an update.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: coinsplus on February 08, 2008, 01:36:11 am
I am just wondering, with the comment "restored", what does this word mean in paper money grading terms?  Technically, when I think of restored, it seems that it was pressed, cleaned, repaired, touched up, etc.

We all know that it's a fake replacement note.  Do they (BCS) refer to the word "restored" as "fake"?  Or, did this note slip past them, and they actually think it's a real replacement note but has been cleaned, pressed, etc. 

Their website says they don't grade error notes, but would they grade an altered, fake note?   To me, they should have used the word, "doctored note" or "altered non-replacement note" in the comments section.   Or, they should not at all grade and slab a fake note. 

Coincidentally, in the next issue of CoinWorld... (Feb. 18/08 issue):  PCGS, NGC warn of Increased 'coin doctoring' and will not grade grade altered coins.



Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: Gary_T on February 08, 2008, 04:20:20 am
Quote
We all know that it's a fake replacement note.  Do they (BCS) refer to the word "restored" as "fake"?  Or, did this note slip past them, and they actually think it's a real replacement note but has been cleaned, pressed, etc.

The note they graded was a real replacement note *S/O 0087040 falls in range, but it has been washed and pressed.

 I think you made the mistake and thought they had graded the *V/E note but I don't think they have.

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: friedsquid on February 08, 2008, 07:25:23 am
mis post

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: gonkman on February 08, 2008, 09:55:42 am

Whoops..

Yeah sorry for the confusion.  I had made a post earlier about this seller and that I had purchased an *SO note from them.

I had made inquiries about if it was real or fake.  The scans I posted of the *SO note appeared to be a real note but it had been "Restored".

ie: Pressed, Washed - Made to look better.

I sent the note into BCS.

It came back with the exact same result.  The note was "Restored" to make it look better.

Sorry for the confusion.
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: coinsplus on February 08, 2008, 10:59:47 am
Oops... got confused with the notes...

My apologies. 

 
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: gonkman on February 11, 2008, 08:40:21 am

FYI..

I was browing around and checking my Feedback on E-Bay..

Miss buy and wash/restore is back in business on E-Bay.

http://myworld.ebay.ca/mollyannejo/

Oh well.. looks like according to her feedback she bought some more notes recently.

Expect them to be "Upgraded" and on Auction soon enough.

Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: StormThief24 on April 10, 2008, 07:08:33 pm
...and she's once again no longer a registered user. What's she up to?
Title: Re: eBay Fraud Warning - 1954 $20 *V/E 0593882
Post by: numismateer on June 29, 2008, 03:46:23 am
It looks like she's at it again, selling better prefix washed notes.
sylvie1393 was associated with mollyannejo before, so it's probably a second
user ID. Same bad English, similar page setup, and similar excuse that the notes are a friends and no returns. I would suggest to avoid.

http://search.ebay.ca/_W0QQsassZsylvie1393