Idaho Man Charged in PayPal Scam

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Boise man is charged with grand theft and computer crimes after prosecutors say he "sold" items on eBay that he never shipped, leaving PayPal to refund the money to the buyers.

Fraud detectives were notified by bank investigators that 41-year-old David Edward Grindle might be behind an elaborate scheme that cost PayPal at least $115,000 in losses. Police found Grindle posted various electronic items for sale on eBay and received payment through PayPal, but did not ship the item.

Because PayPal offers purchase protection, it refunded the money to the buyers. Boise police found Grindle used more than 400 PayPal accounts and more than 400 bank accounts into which the PayPal payments were deposited. Grindle was arrested Monday and made an initial court appearance Tuesday. His is jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail.