Selling a Truck and they want to do paypal. Is this a scam?

[CCole762]

Put my ad up for sale on Craigslist. Got contacted via text that someone is interested. He is out of state and insists on using paypal. Some emails roll in from <removed>@paypal.com saying he sent the money but it is in a holding pattern. That I have to send $500 via walmart money gram to a transporting company and then the transaction will go thru.

Is this normal? I know it sounds odd. But I am not sure how it would go and be able to protect us both. I mean if it just went into my account the seller could **bleep** over the buyer.

Please help me. I need the money from the sale of this vechile. I can not affored to lose money.

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@CCole762

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and often don't quibble on price to lure you in.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.

It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

If the item requires shipping they will tell you that they will pay you extra and you must pay the agent via western union / moneygram BEFORE the funds are released to you.

They are not interested in the vehicle, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

They also threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.

Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service.

Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any type of motor vehicle.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.