Attorney General's News Release

March 12, 2001

Nixon sues St. Louis County man over Internet auction scam

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has filed a lawsuit against a St. Louis County man who accepted payments for sports collectibles and cameras sold through the online auction site eBay, but failed to deliver the merchandise.

In a lawsuit brought Friday in St. Louis County Circuit Court, Nixon charged Jeffrey W. Wilhelm with violating Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act, including falsely promising to deliver merchandise upon receipt of payment, and failing to refund money that purchasers had requested. Over a nine-month period, at least twelve individuals lost a total of approximately $3,000 in the scam.

"We have aggressively prosecuted those who commit Internet auction fraud, and will continue to protect Missouri consumers while shopping in the Internet marketplace,"

Nixon said. Nixon is asking the court to order the defendant to pay full restitution to all consumers who have sent the defendant money without receiving merchandise, and to pay a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation of Missouri law.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818