IS THIS A SCAM??

[temp20180419]

IS THIS A SCAM????  Buyer wants to pay $980 in cash for a Money Gram to be sent to his "agent", which will then release the $$ he allegedly sent to PP, which will also include funds for the $980 I paid out of pocket.  Help, please.  BELOW IS THE EMAIL THAT THE BUYER SENT TO ME.

Hello XXXXXX try to understand me i sent $16,000.00 in all. I added $1,000 but $980.00 will need to be sent to the hauler agent via Money Gram and the remaining $20 is to cover the MG charges. PayPal said they wont release the money into your account until you get back to them with the Money Gram details of the $980.00 added with the payment as this is done by PayPal to protect both parties. The $980.00 will be coming out of your pocket as you will be reimbursed back with the total funds $16,000.00 once PayPal receive the Money Gram transfer details and receipt for proof of the money transferred. You're to go a Money Gram Money Transfer Office with the $1,000.00 in cash and send it to the hauler agent. You will be given the receipt of the transfer which you will have to email PayPal by replying back to them via the payment confirmation e-mail you received from them for prompt verification and quick release of the funds into your account. Hope you finally understand now? 

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@temp20180419

This is a typical scam ..................

They may buy on Ebay but they use an anonymous or hijacked Ebay account and DO NOT have a Paypal account so they can't use Ebay checkout. They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.

They don't quibble on cost and may also say they can't view the item as they are disabled or working abroad etc etc but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect it.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't actually have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

The 'fake' paypal email will tell you that the buyer has paid for the item + shipping costs but you must send those shipping costs to the courier/ shipping agent via western union, moneygram or walmart etc BEFORE the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the item, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.
They also 'sometimes' 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 eg Moneygram or Western Union etc.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.