(MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH, ON) On Sunday May 30, 2010 a Listowel resident attended at the North Perth OPP Detachment advising that he had been the victim of a fraudster who utilized the services of KIJIJI and Ebay.
The victim explained that he had found a travel trailer for sale of KIJIJI which was an amazing deal. The ad explained that the trailer was being sold because it was repossessed due to a bankruptcy. The trailer was located in Manitoba and contact with the seller was made by email. The buyer was referred by the seller to a site that stated it was associated with Ebay. Using this site this would allow the trailer could be shipped.
The seller required a payment of $3400 which was to be shipped via Western Union to a specified account number. The buyer followed the seller’s instructions exactly and waited for the trailer to be delivered.
On Sunday May 30, 2010 the buyer received a call from Western Union advising him that the seller had attended to pick up the sent money but produced a fake ID. Western Union refused to hand over the money to the seller and it would be returned to the buyer. The buyer could attend at any Western Union office to pick up his money.
The buyer is lucky to not have lost his money which could have easily happened if it had not been for the careful scrutiny of the Western Union employee.
Both the KIJIJI and Ebay sites have been advised of this false ad. Investigation is continuing into the identity of the seller.
The Perth County OPP wants to remind buyers to keep the following in mind, “IF IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY ISâ€.