I thought that it would be useful to explain how I've just been taken for a ride by a scam external but connected to e-bay. I am a regular member, but to hide my embarassment I find that luckily my cookie isnt showing!
I looked for a guitar, and bid for it, and lost the bid.
I was contacted by what appeared to be the bone-fide seller, stating that the highest bidder didn't come up with the money, and would I like to re-bid.
I did receive e-bay messages telling me I should not reply to contacts after the bid finished, but whoever it was that obtained my e-mail address, (however they did that,) had a mock-up of a e-bay notice that convinced me that it was on the level. I entered into correspondence with whoever was supposedly selling the guitar, and in spite of my nagging misgivings I sent £1250 cash via Western Union to a London branch, I had to show my passport, and presumed that the same would happen in the other branch.
You probably guess that that was the last I heard from my correspondent, and e-bay didnt seem to be bothered, because it was not directly their fault, so I contacted the police, and their computer fraud unit downloaded all my e-mail correspondence with the alleged seller, and in spite of lots of computer info, and knowing where the money was picked up, the in shop video had already been wiped, and that was the end of the trail.
So like e-bay says- never correspond after the sale if you dont win the item, and never use Western union for internet transfer of cash.