You would think ebay and other sites would wise up to this issue, it's not difficult to implement better options to solve this issue:
Some of my idea's
- Host all pictures at ebay
- All pics should be watermarked with user id and auction id on each pic by ebay - no links
- Email verification of any auction must be verified using a registered email address
- Auctions may not be posted within 48 hours of changing an email address or account info
- Account changes must be verified using prior account info before changes are allowed
Maybe the above is not the best or cheapest way to get the scammers out of business, however you would think that there is something more that could be done.
IMO there are more options that could be used...