eBay

indigo-cherry · ‎11-02-2026

Hi guys, I hope we’re all well.

A few days ago I posted on here about believing a buyer of an expensive pokemon card is trying to scam me by trying to send back the wrong card.

I haven’t received the card back yet (it’s in the mail) but I’m 1000% the scratch he said is on it wasn’t there when I sent it. As I always do a thorough check.

I was advised to report it as fraud and then report to eBay if it comes back the wrong card.

My question is, if I receive the right card back but he’s clearly damaged it himself do I still report it as fraud?

I’d usually just eat it if it was a couple of pounds but this is £275 and my son’s and I’m sure the guy is trying to scam me somehow.

Thanks very much.

cobwebcottage · ‎11-02-2026

If you receive the card back which you sent, even if it has damage, it is not fraud so you cannot report it as such.

You can report the buyer to Ebay although they do not see the items before they are sent and when they are returned so there is not much they will be able to do.

Wait and see if you get the card back which you sent and then go from there.

indigo-cherry · ‎11-02-2026

Hi and thanks for your reply.

I understand what you’re saying but UK law does say that intentionally damaging something and returning it for a refund is fraudulent activity.

It’s confusing.

*vyolla* · ‎11-02-2026

@indigo-cherry wrote:

My question is, if I receive the right card back but he’s clearly damaged it himself do I still report it as fraud?

No, you'd then use the option to report receiving a damaged item back.

cobwebcottage · ‎11-02-2026

It's not fraud, it would be criminal damage but you would have to prove the intention to purposely damage it, which you can't.

*vyolla* · ‎11-02-2026

@indigo-cherry wrote:

I understand what you’re saying but UK law does say that intentionally damaging something and returning it for a refund is fraudulent activity.

It isn't, and you'd have an impossible task proving that the damage was caused intentionally even if it were.