Oct. 13, 2002--
News Specialist Stacy Butler reports.
Mindy Bollinger thought she found a bargain on the
online auction website Ebay. She was the highest
bidder for a new laptop, sent in her check for almost
$1400 to a company out of New York, but received
nothing in return.
That was six months ago. Now she's part of a group
of victims from around the country who are fighting
back.
Mindy says since the online company, Electro Depot,
cashed her check, she's received numerous emails
from the owner that her computer is on the way. But
now the company is out of business. She says she
checked the owner's status before she sent a check
and no one had complained of fraud.
Mindy Bollinger/Fighting Back: "He was a preferred
seller on Ebay. He actually had sold stuff. So I think
that was a really good cover. He did look valid."
Mindy now spends four hours a day writing emails to
other alleged victims and directing them to the New
York Better Business Bureau and federal agencies
handling the complaint. She's one of three Utahns so
far who believe they've been scammed.
The group says Electro Depot and another company
likely owned by the same man have defrauded more
than 100 Americans out of $300,000. They expect
the case to go before the New York District Attorney.
