After Being Scammed on Here 21 years ago, I Received my Money Back Today!

As unbelievable as it sounds, I purchased a U2 limited edition iPod on here in 2005 and after repeated unanswered emails to the 'seller' I didn't receive the item. I paid $435. 

I opened a dispute with TradeMe and as helpful as they could be, the bottom line was that they couldn't assist, so I gathered as much detail as possible on the circumstances and I even managed to trace the branch of the bank account number quoted to me by the 'seller' - turns out there were many bogus iPods finishing at auction around the same day/time as mine. There was a very helpful site (not sure if it's still active) called scambusters NZ: started by a group of guys who had been similarly scammed on TradeMe, like I had been. This was such a great resource and helped in gathering the information required. 

I took my own case file to the police in person and about a year later, I received a letter saying someone had been caught and they were to appear in a local court. It went on to say that it would highly unlikely for me to see my money again.

Fast forward two decades to today: a letter in the post from the Ministry of Justice stating that I MAY be due a reparation from a crime. Of course, in my maturing years, my memory is not what it used to be and I was confused. They were catching up on their administration, the letter said. 

So I called MoJ and quoted my reference number. The very helpful lady said 'this goes back to 2006'. The penny then dropped. My TradeMe scam. 

So, somewhat shocked, the money will be making it's way - the full $435 - to my account in the next day or two.

Patience pays!