Buyer scam, fake return case.

[gadgetuk1960]

I have sold a laptop, it was delivered by royal mail to the buyer with a photo proof. Buyer then opened a case stating that the parcel is empty and submitted a return request, after which i requested a case to be opened. Despite ebay customer service stating that I am fully protected and every agent saying that this is clearly a scam they in the end sided with the buyer because he provided "Action fraud" reference number and they issued him a refund. What can I do? Ebay agent said that he can't do anything but he agrees that this is a scam. 

[**peaseblossom**]

You can't be certain it's a scam.  It's also possible the item was stolen in transit.   You can put in a claim for compensation.

If you bought the postage through ebay here's how to claim:
https://support.packlink.com/hc/en-gb/articles/5528489675922-How-can-I-request-compensation-for-loss....

If you bought direct from Royal Mail or your post office you can claim from their website or the post office.

[gadgetuk1960]

There's a photo proof of delivery. So this is an official loophole then? Anybody can say box is empty and that's all ebay just refunds money without any care?  Plus everyone at ebay said it's fine just wait for him to return something or nothing, assuring me they are on my side and then out of nowhere they issued a refund the next day. 

[papso22]

Ebay agents tell you what they think you want to hear.  They were never going to be on your side on this especially when the buyer is prepared to file a report with Action Fraud.

[john1297576]

“and submitted a return request,”

Did you respond to this by supplying a return label, as if so refund shoukd only be made after return. (even if just an empty box)

Not supplying a return label, then buyer just escalates and ebay refund. Relying on what agents tell you is never wise,  following the system sometimes works better.

[arkwebus]

 Buyer then opened a case stating that the parcel is empty and submitted a return request, after which i requested a case to be opened.

I'm confused here [not unusual].  The buyer opens a case; what case do you - the seller - think you can open?   As @john1297576 asks "did you send the label for return of the empty box?".  If you did not then eBay will find for the buyer without any investigation.  

I very much doubt this is a scam if the buyer really reported this to Action Fraud.  They are merely data gathering [they do no case work] but eBay will take notice of a report to them. 

You need to make one almighty fuss to Royal Mail.  Their address is Royal Mail FREEPOST Plymouth

 @gadgetuk1960 

[gadgetuk1960]

anyone can file action fraud report and get a reference number, majority of the cases never get looked at due to volumes and lack of funds.  

[gadgetuk1960]

You fill in action fraud  form and get a reference number, majority of cases in UK go nowhere so this is hardly a proof of anything how can ebay side with a buyer based on action fraud ref number. 

To clarify I waited to dispute return claim as buyer prior to that message me saying, "item is missing what can you do for me because ebay will mess you up." So because I knew this is not a return of an item I waited to open a dispute. 

[gadgetuk1960]

Yes I realise now that I should have just accepted return, it seems like this buyer knew exactly what to do. The questions is what can I do now? Ebay is nearly shutting me down saying it's done we can't help you. One ebay manager is trying to do something but it will load nowhere probably. 

[gadgetuk1960 · Accepted solution]

@arkwebus @papso22 @john1297576  @**peaseblossom**  just giving you guys an update. As I said this was an actual scam and I was lucky to get in touch with Ebay manager who actually cared and spent few days investigating. Outcome was that this buyer is an actual scammer with multiple fraudulent accounts and I got my funds back. 

[arkwebus]

By whatever means it is good to know that you got a successful outcome and even more so that you reported back so that those who helped out get some feedback.  I am somewhat surprised too that you were given "details" of the outcome by eBay; they rarely supply them.

@gadgetuk1960