Victim of eBay Scam Recovers Funds

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - An investigation by local law enforcement helped recover $11,200 to a local victim of an eBay scam. The money was recovered from a bank account believed to be involved with the Russian Mafia.

The victim purchased farming equipment through a seller on eBay in February and was due to be delivered no later than March 5, 2010. When the equipment failed to arrive, the victim contacted eBay security and was informed that the transaction was fraudulent. The victim then filed a report with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).

MCSO Detective Scott Davis verified the information in the report and learned that the eBay sellers were engaged in a multi-million dollar scam. The proceeds of this theft and others from around the country were linked to an account which had recently been seized as a result of a criminal investigation. Det. Davis determined that the account was tied to members of the Russian Mafia. Authorities believe the people behind the scam were international criminals operating outside the United States, and all documentation regarding the account was linked to stolen passports.

After completing the investigation with the eBay, the bank, and national law enforcement, Det. Davis contacted Claudia Laird with the District Attorney’s newly created Civil Litigation and White Collar Crime Division.

Due to the international nature of the investigation and the possibility of funds being transferred, Laird and Davis prepared documents in an effort to seize the funds and return the cash to Montgomery County. Judge Edwards of the 9th District Court reviewed the documents and authorized the seizure of funds.

Within days of initiating the investigation Davis and Laird had recovered the complainant’s cash and returned it. Sheriff Tommy Gage said, “I am very pleased with the cooperative efforts between the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office. Efforts like this pay dividends for victims of crime where funds could easily have been lost forever.”

District Attorney Brett Ligon said, “This case is a good example of the dangers of cyber crime and hopes that everyone will be cautious when conducting business on the internet because most cases do not end with recovery of property.”

Source: Lt. Dan Norris, PIO, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office