Scammed online - can I get my money back?

[Zhenix]

I got in contact with someone over Discord to purchase an account, in which I was blocked after sending payment. Is there anything I can do?

[PayPal_Intars]

Hi Zhenix,

Welcome to the community forum and thanks for posting.

If you have yet to receive the item or service you purchased, you can file a dispute through PayPal by following the steps listed here: https://www.paypal.com/uk/smarthelp/article/what-if-i-didn't-receive-my-item-or-it's-not-as-advertis.... If you are unable to resolve your dispute directly with the seller, then it is important that you escalate this dispute to a PayPal claim within 20 days. By escalating this dispute to a claim, you are asking PayPal to investigate the dispute and determine its outcome. If the dispute is not escalated to a claim within 20 days, then it will automatically be closed.

I hope this helps,

Intars

[Zhenix]

Thankyou for the reply,

I've been through the resolution centre and the only option I get to give is that it was unauthorised activity on my account - but it wasn't.

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Zhenix 

Then you must have used the 'friends / family' option, if so then.............

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).

You also 'risk' having your account limited for using this option when you are purchasing goods as its against Paypal rules.

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.