INTERNATIONAL AUCTION FRAUD

• Know the location. The seller posts the auction as if he resides in the United States, then responds to victims with a congratulatory email stating he is outside the United States for business reasons, family emergency, etc. Similarly, beware of sellers who post the auction under one name and ask for the funds to be transferred to another individual.
• Sending payment. Usually, international scammers request funds to be wired directly to him/her via money or bank-to-bank wire transfer. By using these services, the money is virtually unrecoverable with no recourse for the victim.