High bidder never gets truck, sues eBay and seller for fraud

Alleging he was defrauded out of $18,000 and a new pickup, an Orange County man has filed suit against the popular Internet auction site eBay.

Roddy Richards filed the suit against eBay, Dean Stull and Craig Mancin on Oct. 29 in Orange County District Court.

According to the suit, on Nov. 15, 2007, Richards placed a bid on a 2007 Chevy Silverado listed by Stull.

Stull notified him later that he won the truck and Richards submitted an $18,000 payment through eBay.

However, after he completed the transaction, Richards learned the truck belonged to a third party, Mancin, who allegedly refused to deliver the truck, court papers say.

Richards asserts eBay has a duty to its customers to make sure such fraud doesn't transpire on its Web site.

He also asserts that "the sale in question was covered by eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection for up to $20,000," but eBay refuses to compensate him.

Richards is suing for actual damages and is represented by attorney Stephen Williams.

Case No. A-090579-c