Ebay Investigation Report

Report generated: Dec 3, 2025

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SaveAfricaNow eBay Listing: THE INNOCENT by Ian McEwan (1990) ~ SIGNED ~ Large Print Edition, First Printing

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355683606339

Geo: United States

Website:

Category: Ebay

Recommendation

Avoid

Overall Summary

Scam

Why we think so?

This eBay listing, offered by seller "SaveAfricaNow," advertises a signed, large print first edition of Ian McEwan's "The Innocent." On the surface, the seller has a 100% positive feedback rating and has sold more than 25,000 similar items, which might seem reassuring. However, outside expert sources have cited this seller repeatedly for distributing counterfeit autographed books, describing the autographs as inauthentic. The high feedback score does not reflect concerns about signature legitimacy, as many buyers might not recognize forgeries or give feedback before verification. There is no evidence that the product itself has been authenticated by any reputable third party. The seller offers a standard 30-day return policy and accepts common payment methods. Yet, given the quantity of complaints and the ongoing presence of this seller despite these issues, considerable caution is advised—especially for buyers specifically seeking authentic signed collectibles. 🛑

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

23%

Risk Insights

⚠️

Counterfeit Signature Warning

Seller SaveAfricaNow is documented for large-scale forged signatures.
Buyers and experts openly warn against trusting this seller for authentic autographs.

❗

Misleading Feedback

100% feedback does not equal safe purchases, especially for collectibles.
Positive ratings are not a substitute for expert-verified authenticity.

🛡️

Limited Buyer Protections

Standard payment methods and a 30-day return window help, but recouping losses for forgeries is difficult after the fact.
eBay's Money Back Guarantee can be used, but expect delays and a need for documentation.

Category Scores

Red Flags & Warnings

The seller SaveAfricaNow is documented by multiple sources for selling forged autographs and signatures in bulk.
Listing lacks any mention of third-party authentication or certificate of authenticity.
eBay community complaints exist, with users frustrated by the inability to effectively report and remove fraudulent listings of this seller.

Detailed Checks & Insights

0-100 Scale

Seller identity and longevity

Score: 40

Failed

Reason: Seller is well-established in terms of sales but widely cited for counterfeiting signed memorabilia and misrepresenting authenticity.

Feedback and reputation signals

Score: 15

Failed

Reason: Feedback score (100%) appears severely misleading due to system flaws. Many forgeries are discovered only after purchases, and dissatisfied buyers may not revise their ratings.

Listing accuracy and product details

Score: 25

Failed

Reason: No mention of third-party certification or provenance for the signed book. Listing relies solely on seller's word.

Technical & payment integrity

Score: 65

Passed

Reason: Accepts secure payment methods such as PayPal and credit cards, which provide some layer of buyer protection.

Return and refund policy clarity

Score: 30

Passed

Reason: Standard 30-day return policy is clearly stated, matching eBay norms.

Possible counterfeit or manipulation indicators

Score: 10

Failed

Reason: Seller is repeatedly flagged for selling forged signed books, and major collector communities advise avoiding SaveAfricaNow for autographed items.

Your Next Steps

1

Avoid purchasing autographed items from SaveAfricaNow—choose dealers that provide third-party authentication or are part of reputable bookseller associations (ABAA, IOBA).
2

If you have already purchased from this seller, seek an expert opinion on the authenticity of your item immediately.
3

If you identify a forgery, file a claim through eBay's Money Back Guarantee and provide evidence to customer support.
4

Monitor eBay Community forums for reports about this and similar sellers—collective reporting may increase pressure for enforcement.

Evidence & Citations

Community: SaveAfricaNow eBay seller flagged for autograph forgeries
Industry experts document SaveAfricaNow as a high-volume source of forged autographs with poor-quality signatures.
eBay Community thread: SaveAfricaNow fraudulent listing complaints
Multiple users report difficulty getting fraudulent listings removed and describe issues with reporting mechanisms.
SaveAfricaNow eBay Store Page
Seller profile showing 100% positive feedback and high sales volume, which contrasts with documented authenticity issues.