Couple sold short, loses savings in internet scam

By Nikkii Joyce

ONE man's bid to give his terminally-ill wife the world has ended after the couple was scammed out of $8500 through a reputable online trade agent.

Russell Hellyer, 65, said he didn't think twice about buying a camper home through the Trading Post for him and wife of 45 years, Pat.

The Glenore Grove couple, whose recent trials include Pat's breast-cancer diagnosis, was planning to travel the countryside to visit interstate friends and seeking to buy a camper to be their home away from home.

"We used our savings and now it's gone, and my plan to take her back to the UK to make her goodbyes at home is now probably gone as well," the British expat said.

The couple went online with the Trading Post last month and answered an advertisement selling a 1993 Toyota Coaster motorhome being sold for $7200.

Mr Hellyer said initial contact was made with the seller claiming to be a "verified trader" which is a 100-point identity verification process through Australia Post.

He said the "scammer's" depth of cunning was such that he even placed the "verified trader" logo on each of his emails.

Despite further email revelations that the motorhome "owner" was living in the United Kingdom and that he wanted an extra $1300, Mr Hellyer said he didn't doubt the authenticity of the deal.

The money, totalling $8450, was deposited into an account of owner "David Parrat" through a Western Union money transfer.

In an email dated August 23, Mr Parrat said: "I am sorry but I cannot sell you the coaster for $8450 because my ex-wife will not allow me. She told me that if I want to sell the coaster she wants $14,500 for it so if you still want the coaster you will need to send me $6050 more. If this is not okay for you I will send you money back because I already found a buyer for $1500."

Less than 24 hours after they demanded their money back, reality hit hard for the Hellyers.

"I am sorry but I cannot send you the money back because I have paid $3000 for shipping and insurance. If you want the coaster you must send me $6050. If this is not okay, I will send you $5450 back."

Not surprisingly, the $5450 was never sent back and "Mr Parrat" was never heard from again.

"How does this happen on what is supposed to be a secure service? I've been told that there is nothing Trading Post can do, and our money is gone," Mr Hellyer said.

A Trading Post spokeswoman said the scam the Hellyers fell prey to was the result of a customer registering and placing an ad on tradingpost.com.au in the same manner a legitimate user would go about placing a listing.

She said fraudulent sellers obtained photos of vehicles from ads on other sites or libraries and posted contact details (email addresses) in the ads.

"When the buyer contacts the seller, the seller sends back an email much like the one I have attached. This is where the Verified Trader aspect comes in, not in their Trading Post ad," she said.

"As Trading Post is not involved in the transaction between the buyer and seller we are unable to offer any money back guarantees. This is outlined in Trading Post's terms of use."

She said the Trading Post had removed the advertisements as soon as they were detected and there were also numerous site content warnings on tradingpost.com.au in relation to these scams.

Laidley Police officer-in-charge Jim McDonald said there was little Queensland Police could do about the international scam but it had been reported to Interpol.


Article source http://www.thechronicle.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3784739