VENDOR ON EBAY ACCUSED OF FRAUD.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer

The FBI is searching for an Encino man who is accused of defrauding more than 200 people through the online auction service eBay, officials said Tuesday.

A federal grand jury has indicted Hen Ben Haim, 27 - who used the name Shay Albaz when online - on eight counts of mail fraud.

Haim, an Israeli citizen whose visa has expired, is accused of taking $32,000 from people for laptop computers, hand-held computers, Nintendo games and other items, then failing to produce the merchandise, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Bosley.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.

Bosley advised people to be cautious when buying items from a third party through an online auction service. At the least, people should check the online profiles provided by the auction service, which include complaints from dissatisfied customers, she said.

``At any time you're using your credit card online, it's not wise really to purchase anything too big over the Internet, especially if you can't afford it,'' Bosley said. ``If you suspect any fraudulent activity, immediately contact your credit card company.''

Haim is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 165 pounds. He drives a black Mitsubishi Galant with California plates 4PEJ918.

For information about online fraud and how to file a complaint, visit the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

HAIM