Paypal fake email and payment

[rb02pa]

Hi, 

Is sold my laptop via gumtree. I received a message asking if the item was still for sale. The buyer asked for my email address so he could pay me via PayPal. He said that he was paying via Goods and Services. I received an email in my junk folder stating that payment is pending until tracking info for postage of the item is sent in a reply to the email. 

So I have posted the item (laptop, sale £1250) via royal mail tracked special delivery and then had a email stating that the buyer has been charged twice and that I would need to refund the buyer £1250 in order to receive my funds. 

Any advice on what action can be taken? Can I claim the cost back for the item?

[kernowlass]

@rb02pa 

SCAM.

They encourage you to accept a direct Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails may go into your junk/spam folders.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.
They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

Once you have become a victim they may try again with more fake Paypal emails with other reasons that you must send them a payment for overpayment / custom fees / to verify, expand or upgrade an account.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal do not tell you to send trackable, they advise it for selling protection but it is not compulsory.
Paypal NEVER expect you to send money as a seller until you were paid and if the buyer overpaid then you would use the REFUND option ON that transaction that would show in your paypal account.