Possible Scam

[Sarah0802]

Hello I recently advertised a genuine Gucci watch worth £770 and a gold bracelet on Gumtree and was contacted by a man named Maxwell Roland from Manchester. He said he would pay me £900 for both items and he would pay through Paypal. I agreed and received an email from Paypal to say £880 had been paid from Maxwell but it was held in an escrow account until proof of shipment had been emailed to Paypal. I was a bit dubious until i googled escrow and realised it was protection for the buyer so the next day I sent the watch and bracelet off special delivery with the postman. I emailed the tracking number and received an email back to say they had received the tracking number and my payment would he processed. After waiting a full day with still no money I rang Paypal who said there was no money anywhere to be seen on my account. I rang the police who said they couldn’t intercept the parcel and I rang Royal Mail and they said they couldn’t stop the parcel either which is unbelievable. The parcel wasn’t delivered but we still weren’t able to collect it ourselves and today it now say’s Maxwell has signed for it. What can i do as £900 is a lot of money to lose out on. Can I claim the money back from anywhere?

[kernowlass]

@Sarah0802

Its a pity you did not google paypal seller protection instead of escrow. 

A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and often offer you a great deal.
You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.
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.

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.

Your only recourse as NONE of this transaction was done using Paypals site is a possible small claims court action against your buyer.

[USELESSPP]

I find it a bit strange that the local police (local to the address you used - assuming it WAS in the UK ...) did not offer to get the Fraud Squad involved as this may not be the only time this has happened ?

Perhaps find the force involved, email (so there is record) and ask them what they are prepared to do in the given circumstances ?

Then there is always your local MP if you think the issue is being ducked.

Small Claims Court is OK but ultimately no guarantee that you will actually receive payment OR that the alleged fraudster will be stopped.

[kernowlass]

@USELESSPP

Police won't be interested as its a civil consumer matter and not a criminal offence.

If the small claims court find in the sellers favour then if the buyer does not cough up the funds the seller can escalate to the high court and send in the baliffs.

[sweep2907]

Nonsence advise it is not civil claims at all it is fraud as the buyer has been duped and had his watch taken without payment. Some people need to look up the definiition of fraud. As this is so huge now you need to report on Action Fraud with all the details and address you sent too. My friend sent a Macbook recently to Manchester address and like you had fake paypal email. Police have now taken on and paid address a visit.

[kernowlass]

@sweep2907

I think its you that needs to read up on Action Fraud as they are mainly an advice resource and preventative resource, they do not investigate individual cases but look into the general 'pattern' of fraud to detect 'gangs' etc.

They 'may' pass on some info to a local police station but its very rare that it is acted upon apart from you being given a crime number etc.

Very few lead to actual involvement with the CPS.