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Ebay Investigation Report

Report generated: Dec 18, 2025

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2024 South Africa 1 oz .999 Silver Krugerrand Coin BU - In Stock (Seller: r1998_56)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/297839874460
Geo: China
Website: Site icon
Category: Ebay
Recommendation
Avoid
Overall Summary
Scam
  Why we think so? 

This eBay listing offers a 2024 South Africa 1 oz .999 Silver Krugerrand Coin for just $7.99, shipped from Shenzhen, China. The price is more than 85% below the lowest verified market price—for example, reputable bullion dealers like APMEX and JM Bullion list this same coin for $70–$75 each. The seller, r1998_56, has a history of suspicious activity, including fake reviews, seller shill tactics, and counterfeit goods (with reports from Fakespot, Reddit, and Trustpilot). Serious complaints mention deleted negative feedback, poor quality items, and intellectual property violations. All these signs point to a very high risk of counterfeit goods and manipulation. ⚠️ If you are considering this listing, exercise extreme caution. The likelihood of receiving a genuine silver Krugerrand at this price is extremely low, and there is a significant risk of being scammed.

Confidence Score Our overall confidence rating for this entity based on public signals, activity, and risk checks.
10%

Risk Insights

🚨

Extreme Underpricing Signals Counterfeit

  • Real market price: $70–$75 per coin.
  • This listing: $7.99—less than the melt value.
  • No genuine coin available from any dealer near this price.
⚠️

Widespread Reports of Fake Reviews

  • Feedback flagged by Fakespot/ReviewMeta as mostly suspicious.
  • Buyer complaints deleted or hidden.
  • External forums and social sites report extensive shill activity.
🛑

High Risk: Seller Linked to Counterfeits

  • Repeated reports of fake coins, electronics, and branded goods.
  • Listings almost identical to other scam dropshippers.
  • China origin matches patterns described in law enforcement reports.

Category Scores

Red Flags & Warnings

  • Unrealistically low price (1/9 of even the melt value) strongly suggests the item is not genuine silver.
  • Seller name r1998_56 is repeatedly cited in online forums and review aggregators for shill reviews and sale of counterfeit or replica goods.
  • eBay and external aggregator analysis (Fakespot/ReviewMeta) score seller reviews as likely or highly likely fake (D/F rating, 40-60% suspicious).
  • Buyers report that negative feedback is deleted or hidden, reducing transparency into actual performance.
  • Seller location (Shenzhen, China) and product category (bullion, collectibles) are high risk for counterfeit scams according to law enforcement and eBay's own policy reports.

Detailed Checks & Insights

0-100 Scale

Price consistency vs. market value

Score: 0
Failed

Reason: The coin is listed at $7.99, while legitimate sources offer it for $70+; this extreme underpricing is a classic scam signal.

Seller history authenticity and reputation

Score: 50
Failed

Reason: Seller is flagged on multiple review sites for fake reviews, deleting negative feedback, and high rates of returns for 'not as described.'

Product images and description authenticity

Score: 15
Failed

Reason: Stock images used; no unique description or photos confirming authenticity. No certifications or guarantees listed.

Fulfillment pattern and seller location

Score: 10
Failed

Reason: Ships from Shenzhen, China, a region commonly associated with counterfeiting in this category.

Returns, refunds, and buyer protection

Score: 20
Failed

Reason: Return shipping at buyer's cost to China reduces any practical hope of refund for counterfeit/fake or not-as-described goods.

Presence/absence of scam or counterfeit complaints

Score: 0
Failed

Reason: Reddit, Trustpilot, and eBay complaints cite counterfeit 'brand' goods, including bullion, from this exact seller or similar.

Your Next Steps

  • 1

    Avoid purchasing from this listing, especially for bullion or collectible coins offered far below market rates.

  • 2

    If you have already purchased, do not rely on the item's authenticity—get an immediate third-party test upon receipt (and record the opening).

  • 3

    Report this seller and item to eBay for counterfeit and review manipulation using the 'Report item' link.

  • 4

    Buy only from authorized or top-rated sellers when shopping for coins, bullion, or collectibles on eBay.

  • 5

    If you suspect fraud, open an eBay Money Back Guarantee case promptly—delays reduce your chances of recovery.

Evidence & Citations

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