DIY Justice

Ever since the ‘Net became ‘popular’ back in the early to mid 90’s, fraudsters and scam artists have gradually realised the vast potential of the online medium for their illegal activities. Their scams range from confidence tricks based on seemingly

Ever since the 'Net became 'popular' back in the early to mid 90's, fraudsters and scam artists have gradually realised the vast potential of the online medium for their illegal activities. Their scams range from confidence tricks based on seemingly authentic e-commerce websites, to social engineering, to the simplest methods of all; taking payments from online auctions and failing to deliver promised goods.

Most of the people who are caught in these types of scams are, by their very nature, relative newbies. The longer you've been online, the less likely you are to respond to spam advertsments, people asking for your details so they can 'send you your prize', or auctions that refuse PayPal payments.

However, people are gradually beginning to realise that methods exist for fighting back. Some of these methods lay in the somewhat grey areas of law, while others are clearly illegal. However, they remain valid methods to track down the person or persons responsible for online scams.

This story is an interesting one. It covers the exploits of a group of eBay customers who fell victim to a scam involving the sale of laptops. The auction seller refused normal (read: safe) methods of payment, insisting on money order's or cheques only. This was a warning that should not have been ignored.

Regardless of their initial folly, this small group of people is fighting back. Using publicly available records, as well as a few more shady techniques, the group has managed to get several important pieces of information on the man who stole their money. They have his name, his Social Security number, his mobile number and his mothers' home phone. They also have control of his primary email account. Currently, attempts are under way to gain access to both the man's PayPal account and his birth certificate.

Their actions seem to be having some affect. Police now have more information with which to track the man down, and some group members have received their original cheque's back in the mail.

Despite the illegality of some methods used, it's nice to see scam artists and fraudsters get the punishment they deserve. Playing on the ignorance or misplaced trust of the naïve should be harshly punished. When neither the law nor the business responsible for handling the transaction care to help, people will take any option open to them – including ones that are somewhat less than totally legal.