I paid a freelance writer to write a dissertation for me to read, not to hand in as my own. I paid using a visa debit card via paypal. Originally we agreed on a set deadline and I said it is extendible by a few days.

I have asked an update of the progress numerous times and a sample/draft as evidence that he has been working on it. I have been given excuses and empty promises. Nothing was sent to me, not even a sample of the work several days after the deadline.

Now the writer is asking for an additional week but in his email he still didn't send me a sample to prove he had been working on the dissertation, and he seems to avoid my questions.

I understand that paypal doesn't cover virtual goods and services. If the writer refuses to voluntary refund me, what can I do? I live in UK and plan to get the visa debit card company to chargeback paypal, but would it work?

I'm willing to go as far as suing this writer for fraud as he took my money by promising to carry out a service but obviously he didn't.

He's given me his word several times that he will send me the sample but each time there is always an excuse. E.g. sending someone else's work by mistake. Pretending to have already sent it.

Although paying for custom written dissertations in UK is legal, how will my visa debit card company respond? Is there any established process for a student like me to follow?