How do I get my money back? (from dishonest ebay seller)

[Sridhar Ayengar]

9000 VAX wrote:
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=260115466844
> I sent her $50 post office money order, including some extras for better
> packaging. But she did not answer emails, and she did not send me anything.
> She cheated some 10+ other people in the same period of time. I know, she
> had negative feedback back in 2002 before these recent auctions. But her
> auctions did not look like fraud when I bid.
> 
> I heard that it is classified as mail fraud. If I report to the mail 
> office,
> at least they are going to send her a letter to  threaten her. Does anybody
> here have such experience? How do I proceed? Help please.

The last (and only) time I filed a complaint on a postal money order, 
they refunded it immediately and initiated fraud proceedings against the 
recipient.  I don't know if that's standard practice or not, but it's at 
least a data point, FWIW.

Peace...  Sridhar