Possible Fraud

[criminologist]

I accepted an amount from a buyer who said he was an engineer at sea. He then stated that he would have to pay £300 to a company in America for the car to be picked up, but couldnt do this as he was at sea. He said he would pay the amount for the car and an extra £350 in order for me to pay this to a company in America. He then said as he had paid this amount extra which is not the amount requested, that paypal had took the amount for the car plus the £350 giving a different total. He the buyer said, that paypal had told him I would have to send £350 via Western Union and that a western union transaction number would be given to me so that I could do this. I advised the buyer untill the funds were in my account I would not view this request.

This seems very suspect to say the least. I only joined paypal today and I am a bit horrified at the moment. I have filled in complaint with paypal to investigate this.

I was wondering has anyone came across this befor or is there a simple explanation, or is this buyer trying to be fraudulent?

Any suggestions or thoughts from any honest people.

[minty1]

Hi criminologist

This is a classic scam, you will find plenty of the same posts on here or even if you google western union scams/paypal scams to see different tactics.

You wont be receiving any money from them and you will probably receive fake emails supposedly from paypal too.

Glad you didnt fall for it

[criminologist]

Hi Minty1

Thanks for that information. Theres not a lot more to be said except if they are getting away with it and nothing is done they will obviously continue and probably earn a great deal of money and cause a great deal of missery in the process.

paypal perhaps should do more ........................................ 

[kernowlass]

What do you expect paypal to do?

This has nothing to do with paypal.

The email you got would not be from paypal it would be from the scammer pretending to be paypal.

There would never be any payment in your paypal account as most scams originate from Nigeria and they can't own a paypal account.

The scam is the western union payment and again that has nothing to do with paypal. 

[criminologist]

Dear Kernowlass

Surely a better poilicing service of paypal in general would limit this type of illegal activity.

What if any thing do they , paypal have in place for this and other scrupulous activities ?

[kernowlass]

How on earth can paypal police something that does not use the paypal site in anyway??

[Chloeking122]

Hello,

the same thing happened to me today!! i was told that PayPal were 'holding the money' that I should pay the £300 to western union and that PayPal shall credit my account straight after!! Please do not believe these lying people!