I accept: several requests per month from people asking me to help them track down someone who has successfully scammed them via eBay, online instrument marketplaces, etc. While I'm more than happy to help out, I won't if you haven't protected yourself as much as you could have. Go through this check list every time you trade, buy, or sell online.
Run a quick background check on the buyer/seller. Ask for a name, a phone number, or an address to be able to better contact them. And then, look up the number. Whether you get a home phone number, a work number, a cell phone, an address, etc., you must verify the information. Call them. If you think they gave you a cell phone number. This will tell you what city they're in, as well as if it's a land line or a cell phone number. Reverse the phone numbers and addresses the person gives you to see where they go.
If you think the address given is a mail drop, then you can verify it.
If you want to find out who owns the address they give you to send payment, you can go to several public records databases. However, this is only viable if the person is in the United States of America.
Furthermore, ask for references from other people that have done business with the person.
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I feel sorry for your girlfriend but sometimes you shouldn't trust randoms or one day they turn your back on you, and you lost. They get profit and don't care about you.