Can anything be done about what I think is a scam!

Dodgy PSP shopping store

[Wild_Rose]

I was asked by someone I know to take a look at a site that they'd ordered a PSP from. (PSPs are difficult to get hold of here in the UK). They've paid by paypal and were now getting a bit twitchy about it turning up.

I checked the whois info, from the site and the domain name (a .co.uk) has been registered in the UK and the registrant is registered in Baghdad! The site is hosted in the US. I've contacted the hosting co, but they don't want to know.

Is there anything else that can be done, ( I'm completely assuming that the PSP won't turn up, but the site doesn't look in any shape or form like a legitimate business ) or has is there anything that can be done via paypal.

I just wish they'd asked before they parted with their money.

Thanks for any help or advise.

[kaled]

I'm guessing ....... PSP = Play Station Portable?

Kaled.

[Wild_Rose]

I don't know what it stands for but it's definitely a very small games console made by Playstation.

[stapel]

If you have an issue with payment through PayPal, talk to PayPal.

I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing the connection: How does this relate to webmastering issues...?

Eliz.

[BertieB]

>how does this relate to webmastering issues?

If there is indeed a way (and a reason to, presuming the PSP doesn't turn up) to deal with these scam/fraud websites, it may be useful information for the original poster and others who may come across similar sites; possibly other fly-by-night types that try and compete with their own legitimite sites. Tenuous, perhaps; but potentially informative :)

The less disreputable sites, the better - they drag us all down.

As stapel said, your friend can speak to Paypal about payment issues and disputes; and also possibly the CC company, who (I think) have a responsibility when it comes to fraud. This responsibility may only be for instances of stolen cards/identities, I'm not sure.

If they find out it is a scam -- and you should make absolutely certain of this -- you or they can contact the hosting provider of the website; search engines; and the registrar of the domain name (although I'm not sure they legally have to do anything - check Nominet's [nominet.org.uk] policies).

And yes, PSP == PlayStation Portable™ :)