A new ploy for fraud?

Hi, I had a little bit of a different experience I would like to share, I won a bid on E-Bay 2 weeks ago for a Krell 600C, the guy is from Belgium. I wanted to pay him Paypal, wich was offered or meet him in person with a bank draft, deal was worth $5500.00 usd. He wanted me to deposit the money in his New York bank account. He would not call me or give me his telephone contact number. All I had was an e-mail and a telephone number that was directed to an answering machine. Hardly a secure position to hand over $5500. The guy said he would hold the amp until he got back about 5 days. I new something was wrong. I contacted the person that was the bidder below me. I told him that I was from London and wanted to know if he had been contacted by the seller of the Krell 600C he was bidding on with auction #, and that I suspected that this could be a fraud. He contacted me , and said that yes he was contacted, and that he had wired the funds in his account. He was very worried at this point.He got back to me and, had done some investigation and replied that ( he thought this person was using someone else site )and that the over 300 + feedback didn't belong to him. He thinks he has been scamed, but still hoping for the package. Remember pay by Credit Card and (usually) if you don't get the product you don't have to pay, there is some form of protection. A bank transfer cannot be recovered, (If you have the person contact number, and you feel secure, your choice) I sure hope that this guy gets his package. I have done many deals in high end audio, everyone until this deal has been very informative with an open telephone communication, willing to share ideals and there valuable time.

Sounds like the same person who tried this on me (see below). He even sent me a bogus check for $4,200. I think we should all pressure Audiogon to put a warning on their website.
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From: "Jick Thomas"
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 13:05:41 -0500

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response. I am interested and would be willing to buy it at that price, I am glad to hear that it is in mint condition. I will take you for your words. Like I said before, I am located in England and have an International shipping agent that will come pick it up from your house and ship to me. I will arrange for payment by sending your full name and address to my client in the States who is owing me the amount of $3900 to issue you a cashier's check for this amount. which is a refund for a cancelled order I placed with him, and being a refund the amount can only be written on a single check. I know it is more than the amp price but after getting the check, I need you to cash it and deduct cost of the amp, then do me a favour of wiring the remaining balance to my International shipper via money gram/western union. You will also deduct $300 for running around and for the charge fee for wiring back the difference. After this is done, he will then pick the amp up from your residence and ship to me.

So, confirm this and send your full name and address including phone # for mailing the check payment to you as soon as possible.

Waiting for your urgent reply. Thanks and god bless.

Kind regards,
Jick.

This same guy from England tried to buy an amp I was selling. I caught on up front and am trying to help the police now. He will buy an item as reported and have a third party send a cashiers check , which is bad and worth nothing. I actually received the check and the police will soon have it, but he like before wants the balance wired to Nigeria. He used the name Jick Thomas. Be careful!! He sent me $4000.00 for a $700.00 amp. Told me to keep $300.00 for my troubles. The moneyorder was from Allstate Bank, this bank has had this happen many times and can verify quickly if it is false.