Suspicious scammer using AI generated or photoshopped photo in a return case

[lemonxlemon]

Hi all,

I have a suspicious scammer here that I never came across with.

This buyer created a return case with only one photo uploaded.

The photo shows a crack inside of the mug.

First of all, this is a brand new Hermes porcelain mug, which I have sold numerous of them and never had one cracked or broken. They were always packed well protected.

Secondly, if a brand new Hermes porcelain mug cracks, the crack mark should be a very clean white mark, same with any high quality porcelain mugs. It shouldn't be black like the photo this buyer uploaded.

Therefore, I strongly believe there is something fishy with this buyer. This buyer only just registered the account in July 2025. So I asked her to show me more photos of the parcel box that she received and also more photo of this mug in multiple angles. She replied with only the photos of the parcel box which is undamaged. I asked her again to show me more photos of the mug and she stopped replying.

This photo with the crack, I strongly believe it is AI generated or photoshopped!

Has anyone else came across with this or similar case?

[*casey*]

That's just  the angle it's been taken.

If you have a look at the other  photos in the actual listing, you'll see  a very similar one  showing white at the top of the inside of the mug and gold outside

[domino-710]

OK - more than a single cup - should have done my homework. 

Still think the crack is rubbish.

[siddieswans]

This buyer has gone to way too much trouble. They could simply have used a lead pencil to draw a line down the inside of the cup and called it a hairline crack. Instead they have created something that even eBay may think looks suss. 

In my experience with International INAD eBay do not even bother to ask for proof of the problem; International sale, you are not able to issue a return postage label, automatic refund. I know there are ways to get around paying for return postage using PayPal but no scammer is going to be that co-operative.

More than likely you will pay them for postage and they don't send it back - more money for them. And if you organise something outside of eBay,  eBay are not going to care if you get stung (again.) 

Good luck with your interaction with eBay; it is so obviously contrived that even an eBay employee may twig to it. 

[pnc75]

Please come back when this is all over and let us know how you get along. I'm crossing my fingers for you.

[lemonxlemon]

Thank you all for helping out!

I have requested a call back from CS.

The lady customer service representative was very kind and helpful. 

I have mentioned pretty much everything that was discussed here, although she immediately had the same suspicious doubts about this buyer just like all of us here has, she said in order for ebay to step in with the seller's protection to be activated, I will first need to accept the return and message the buyer to obtain a quote for the return postage, together with her PayPal account email, once I  have them, then I could PayPal the postage to the buyer first and let her send it back to me. Once I receive the mug, then I have 3 business days to check, if I find out the mug is a different mug then ebay will step in and close the case in my favour.

I asked what happens if the mug cannot be sent because it is cracked which is considered a dangerous item for most courier companies?

She said then the buyer will need to find a courier that allows it to be sent. If not, then I  can contact eBay and ask for further instructions.

I have messaged the buyer 2 hours ago, and her local time is nearly 2pm now, but still have not receive a word from her.

I'm really looking forward to hearing back from her, as I'm curious what else is under her sleeves that she could use to complete her scam.

[lemonxlemon]

Update:

I might as well upload the chat screenshots with the buyer.

She finally replied after I accepted the return, but still does not bother to show me more photos of the mug.

Anyways, she replied with a DHL quote that costs almost the same value as the mug 😂

[countessalmirena]

Buyer is trying everything to dissuade you from requiring the cup’s return.

The replies and the situation have a worse stench than Hamlet’s Denmark.

[padi*0409]

@lemonxlemon

If you haven't done it already, it might pay you to get in touch with a CS supervisor and direct them to this thread, in relation to the dispute the buyer has raised.

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[lemonxlemon]

@padi*0409

Really? I didn't know you can do that! I'll give it a shot!

Thank you so much for your advice!

[domino-710]

Just looked it up - a crack on fine porcelain will show all the way through - not only on the inside.

Where are the photos of the actual damage - both sides.

And - yes - take the person you speak  to this thread - good Padi.