Dating App Scam

[simong32]

My son has recently (2 days ago) been scammed into sending the best part of £1100 over 2 separate transactions under the "Family & Friends".... to two separate people

Having reported this to the Police, they have confirmed that this is a Dating Scam

We have marked both transactions in PayPal, but have received the email below back from them.

Of course the use, on face value isnt "unauthorised", but none the less my son has been scammed, using the PayPal system, PayPal dont seem like they will do anything more about it....so they get away Scott Free as such?

We are awaiting a crime reference number from the Police, but Im wondering if anyone has any advice on how to escalate this within PayPal, or has previous experience which may be relevant

Thanks

Simon

We've completed our review of your unauthorised activity case, and we’ve determined there was no unauthorised use.

[kernowlass]

@simong32 

A friends / family (or gift payment) is intended as a transfer of funds from family or friends to one another. For this reason, there is no processing fee when payment is made with bank or PayPal balance.
However as it is a gift payment, there is also no Buyer protection as no goods or services should have been exchanged.

If he was not a close mate or family member you should never use that option as it enables the seller to evade paying his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time.

You would also not be able to open a dispute apart from one citing an unauthorised transaction but that would be automatically closed as you did authorise the initial payment.

Be careful as using that option for purchasing goods is against Paypal rules and can lead to account limitation.

If you funded your paypal payment via a credit card then contact your card issuer and see if they will help you but unfortunately they may decline as well as it was a gift payment.