Seven Convicted in eBay Phishing Scam

Internet users are warned repeatedly about phishing, yet some still are careless as to whom they hand out their personal information. But the authorities are beginning to crack down on the growing problem. On Tuesday, 29 year-old David Levi of Lytham, England was sentenced to four years in jail for stealing money and committing identity theft through an eBay phishing scam.

Levi, along with six others, stole nearly $360,000 from over 160 people through a scam that asked them to update their bank information with eBay. The auction site never sends out such e-mails, and has repeatedly warned its customers about phishing scams that appear to be legitimate eBay communications.

"A large number of people lost a significant amount of money, and it is quite apparent that the use of a fraudulent eBay site was quite sophisticated," Judge Phillip Sycamore said in his ruling.

Levi had already been serving time for drug-related convictions, and will serve four years more for this crime. Three of years would be for fraud, and one year for "perverting the course of justice," which is referred to as obstruction of justice in the United States.

Other members of the group received sentences from six months to two years, depending on their involvement. Levi's brother Guy and Daniel Lett, both 22, were sentenced to 21 and 24 months respectively on conspiracy charges. Derek Anderson, 59, Chris Worden, 23, Craig Jameson, 31, and Gareth Rice, 22 received six months for money laundering.

On the American version of the eBay site, the company includes a Security Center where it warns about e-mails like the ones Levi sent. "Do not click on a link embedded within any potentially suspicious email, especially if the email requests personal information," the site says.

eBay recommends that users download the company's toolbar, which will warn customers when they are on a site that is not either eBay nor PayPal and may be suspicious.