I think I've been involved with a Scam/Fraud $1650, HELP :(

[BranW]

Hi, Recently I have been playing online games with people I found myself to be "friends" with. They asked me to create an invoice via paypal so that they can get paid through my paypal and so he can send the shoes for money. I did this as I "trusted" them and because of the many reasons they have given me. We were messaging through discord about this and I thought everything went well, the invoice was paid, apparently the shoes were shipped and I got a cut of £200 from this for "helping". I did this and now I have received a chargeback on the invoice meaning I am now $1650 in debt to paypal or the buyer (Not sure). I am 18 scared, stressed, worried, all kinds of emotions at my difficult time of doing exams. I sent the rest of the money to the other friend so that he could get the money for the person who sold the shoes. Problem is that I did it through friends and family. I can make a resolution centre claim for Fraud/Scamming activity, but would I be able to get the money back from the payment I sent his friend so that I can pay off this negative balance ASAP. My parents and myself DON'T have enough money to pay this debt off, our family is already in a tough situation with money and has been for years. I have information on the person I sent the money to after my cut was taken, including where he about lives, where he attended college, his name, age, etc. I also have screenshots of our discord messages on what they have said about this situation.

The person who was meant to send the shoes has been using a what seems like illegal method to stop each chargeback by calling paypal. I am scared they will pose as me and do the same if I try and report the person I sent money to via friends and family. I have been stressed about this situation for weeks, breaking down and overall not having a very pleasant time. I am upset not knowing if I will be able to get the money back and pay back the person who got scammed for the shoes or not. I feel like i've been used and so has my paypal to make these people more money. ANY help would be appreciated and If anyone could reach out and talk to me about this I would greatly appreciate it. I haven't told my parents because I know ill breakdown, they will be stressed and everything.

What do I do?

[kernowlass]

@BranW    😢

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 his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time. That is also why you would be unable to open a dispute apart from an unauthorised transaction (if your account was hacked and used without your consent).

Your only hope is if you funded your paypal payment via a credit card then contact your card issuer and see if they will help you but unfortunately again as it was a 'gift' of money they may decline as well.