Complaint Review: Zoltan Faranek [email protected] - Valencia Other

I was bidding on eBay for a video phone in which I didn't win. After the auction I received an e-mail from [email protected] stating that he had video phones for sale. So I asked him to e-mail me some prices and I would think about it. He told me he had a set of Vialta Beamer Video Phone Stations (BM80-2 Pair) for $250 shipped. I e-mailed him back saying how can I trust that I will get the phones? He told me that I would send my money thru UPS using UPS Exchange Collect Transaction and I would receive the merchandise and if I wasn't satisfied I could send them back and get my money back. So I thought it was pretty safe because I received this e-mail (below):

From: Ups es

To: MyEmailAddress

Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2003 6:33 PM

Subject: UPS Exchange Collect Transaction

Dear UPS customer MyName,

You are involved as the buyer [email protected] in a UPS Exchange Collect transaction with the seller [email protected]. The objects of the transaction is represented by Vialta Beamer Phone Video Station (BM80-2, Pair). The seller has enterd the price of $250.00 USD for this items .

This transaction was initiated by the seller at our UPS Spain branch:

UNITED PARCEL SERVICE ESPANA LTD Y COMPANIA S.R.C.

Registro Mercantil: Madrid

Nmero de Registro Mercantil: C-28/328508

NIF (Nmero de Identificacin Fiscal): ESC 28328508

The seller paid the shipping fees and fulfilled the first step of the transaction. The buyer have to submit payment, this is the next step of the transaction. As soon as we receive the payment form we will notify the seller and pick up the parcel from his address. The seller choosed the UPS On-Call Pickup option. You recieved earlier a shipping notification for that parcel.

We require the payment to be done through Money Gram to our UPS Spain representative. The transfer info are confidential and will not be released under any circumstances. UPS security measures are constantly reviewed and modified given evolving circumstances globally, drawing on both internal assessments and the support of government agencies. Our security procedures are among the most effective in the transportation industry and remain confidential to maximize their effectiveness. Our constant priority is for the safety of our people, our customers, and the general public. UPS always tries to fulfill its customers' needs. The UPS representative will handle your transaction. Here you have the necessary data for the transaction:

Receiver's (UPS Spain representative)

Name: ZOLTAN FARANEK

Adress: Fuente Lahiguera 15-17

Zip: 46006

City: Valencia,Spain

As soon as you perform the funds transfer you have to fill out the form you receive in your email and click on submit button. We will hold payment until you send us your confirmation that you are satisfied with the product you recieved. The time frame for the shipping is 3 (three) business days. You will have 72 hours at your disposal for testing the units. As soon as we recieve your confirmation we will release the funds to the seller.

Thank you for using UPS Exchange Collect!

UNITED PARCEL SERVICE ESPANA LTD Y COMPANIA S.R.C.

_________________________________

Confirm payment from UPS Exchange Collect

Note: Please fill out the form exactly as it is written . Any minor mistake will will make the transfer unverifiable. Thank you for your understanding.

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Buyer's details:

First Name:

Last name:

Company:

Street Address:

Rm., Fl., Apt.:

City:

State:

Zip:

Country:

Reference Number#

Amount: $

Seller email:

Item Description:

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I went to my local Walmart and sent a Money Gram to Zoltan Faranek at the address stated in which I thought he was a UPS representative as stated in the e-mail. So after that I filled out the form UPS sent me and sent it via e-mail. I thought everything was in place but I was beginning to get a little suspicious because I didn't here anything from UPS or the seller.

After about a week I sent [email protected] an e-mail asking him what was going on with our transaction and he told me it would go out in a few days (meaning this Monday 12/8/03) but here it has passed and I have not heard anything since.

So yesterday I e-mailed UPS stating I received this UPS Exchange Collection Transaction e-mail from them (I sent them the form) and I have not heard anything from them. They e-mailed me back today stating that the form I received was NOT from them. He spoofed (made it look like the UPS site sent me an e-mail but with all his information to send to him) the site. That is why I am contacting you to see if there is anything you can do for me to retrieve my money back. Any help would be appreciated in this matter. If you should need any further info please e-mail me or call.

Jonathan

Hamilton, New Jersey
U.S.A.