FRAUD Alert!

[Henry Sakaida]

I was looking at the Lavian HSU grouping (HSU, Order of Lenin, 2 Red Banners, Order of the Red Star, and a screwback Order of the Patriotic War), plus a gramota and an order booklet). Top bid was $12,750.00 out of 58 bids.
If the winner receives it and it is genuine, then he made a fantastic deal!
If the seller was smart, they should have approached Sothesbys or some other reliable international auction house.

My question to the membership: Have you ever won a bid on a pricey medal from any of the former Soviet republics and had non-delivery because the Customs of the originating country had confiscated it from the seller? You had already paid. Did you get your money back? Or you disputed the authenticity?

I would imagine that the sender would have to declare what is in the package. If there is a false declaration, it would be confiscated and the sender would be in trouble, and instead of winding up with $12,750.00, he would be looking at legal problems. And what happens if US Customs checks and finds out that the declaration is false or inaccurate?

The above scenario prevents me from bidding on overseas items, no matter what it is. Sure, I get excited seeing such offers. I'll be looking to see if this set turns up again!