I'm no sucker!

It's official, I was almost a victim of internet fraud! From EBay no less!

Trying to be a good steward and always trying to save a buck or four, I was looking on EBay recently for tickets to Disneyland and I ran across a listing for the following:
"4 Disneyland Premium Annual Passports for $500". I was soooo excited cuz these are the super duper daddy of all annual passes, normally costing $349 each and includes parking and no blackout dates, etc.... As I read further, the listing said that they're only selling to pre-approved buyers and to email this person directly, so I did. It was a little odd, but I think I was so excited, I didn't want to entertain the idea that this wasn't real. The listing also said, "I'm open to all offers." That was very suspicious, but I initially blocked it out of my mind. The picture showed plastic pass cards that you can buy at any Disney Store that said Pemium Annual Pass. But as I recall, you can take those cards from the Disney Store and not put any value on them. I think Lauryn's had a couple of those to play with in the past. So I briefly mention that fact in my email asking if he'd mind if we met at a Disney Store (the listing said he was from San Jose), and then after verifying the authenticity, I'd pay him.

The email came back telling me that he was selling the tickets for his boss who's in London and won't be able to make it in time. OK, "in time" from unused annual passes? It gets better. Actually, I think I'll post a copy of the entire email to serve as a warning to others out there. Here it is:

Capcoada@aol.com
Hi,
The total price for all 4 Disneyland Premium Annual Passport Pass - Tickets is $ 500 .
I sell them for my boss. He is from USA. Right now we are located in LONDON, UKwith some business problems and my boss will not arrive in time that's why I'm sellingthe tickets for him. He bought them trough his company so don't worry the tickets aregenuine. Beside this we will use a safe scheme.
We will use Square Trade to handle this. They will act like a 3rd party in this deal likeEscrow.We will use Western Union as a method of payment and Fed Ex as a shipping method.
Here are in few words the deal steps:Buyer and seller agree on the transaction terms and a selling price. Seller contacts eBay'sSquare Trade Center with the transaction details; eBay's Square Trade Center accepts thetransaction and offers purchase protection to the buyer (if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either the buyer or the seller); The buyer deposit the payment at a Western Union office.After the payment is deposited, the eBay's Square Trade Center will instruct the seller tostart the shipping process. The seller has one business day to send the buyer and eBay'sSquare Trade Center the tracking number of the shipment. Buyer receives the merchandiseand has five days to inspect it.
If it is complete and as described, the buyer should accept the merchandise. If he refuses the merchandise, the buyer must ship the merchandise back to the seller within three business days. After the inspection period is over, the buyer must contact eBay's Square Trade Center with the result of the inspection. If the buyer refuses the merchandise, the money from Western Union is retired after the tracking number for the returned shipment is verified.
If you decide to keep the merchandise you will provide the transfer details to the seller in order to pick his money.
Attention: Sending the payment by any other method will void this transaction and your right to refund. The payment details are confidential and will not be released under any circumstances.Square Trade security measures are constantly reviewed and modified given involving circumstances globally, drawing on both internal assessments and the support of government agencies. Their constant priority is for the safety of their people, their customers, and public. Square Trade always tries to fulfill its customers' need.
If you agree with my terms please drop me your full name and address so we can start the deal. Shipping will be done trough Fed Ex overnight delivery and the tracking number will be provided as soon as shipping is made. It will take about 24 hours to reach your location.
IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE THEM EMAIL ME BACK WITH:
YOUR FULL NAME:.......YOUR ADRESS:...CITY:...STATE:...ZIP CODE:....EMAIL ADDRESS:....
I WILL NEED THESE DETAILS FOR SQUARE TRADE SO THEY CAN CONTACT YOU
THANK YOU

So, here's the deal: I looked up Square Trade and they only provide Post-Purchase Buyer Protection in case something goes wrong. They are not an "Escrow" service. They don't hold funds for you or help you complete a transaction. I also called Western Union and asked them what kind of ID or information a person would need to provide in order to pick up the cash. She told me they only have to show a picture ID. I told the rep about the email I received and she transferred me over to their fraud department. The fraud rep told me that they've had tons of fraud cases from overseas, especially from the UK and that this is definitely a fraud case. Western Union should never be used for purchases as the funds are not held and the person on the receiving side only has to show ID and then picks up the cash and you'll never hear from them again.

I considered reporting this to EBay, but as I looked for the saved listing on My EBay, it was completed gone! So someone there must have caught it and deleted it.

So anyways, BEWARE of those darn UK'ers looking to pilfer cash out of unsuspecting moms looking for cheap Disneyland tickets!

Alright....back to my EBay search....