Scam on selling items by Gumtree/Craigslist

[Alozano]

Hi all,

I posted 2 adverts yesterday in Gumtree and Craigslist selling 2 appliances devices.

Today I received 3 emails from different potential buyers with the same "requirements" to complete the deal, I copy 2 of them here below for further information:

Email 1:

Thanks so much.. I wish i could do a face to face deal  but due to my job i can not and I can only pay through PayPal at the moment due to my work and pickup agent is available to come and pick it up after payment made,all i need is the email you use in setting it up and your name so that i can make the payment and you will be notify by paypal as soon as am done.arrangement for the pickup follows as paypal will update you on that after transaction completed.
Email 2:

Great!please consider it sold and take the ads down off gumtree,i am buying it for my son and i am ready to pay your full asking price, i have read through the advert and i'm totally satisfied with it and i will be glad if you can get back to me fast,sadly i won't be able to come for the inspection and pick up due to my disabilities,i loss my hearing and being on a wheelchair but I have a courier agent that will help me to pick it up at your preferred location.

Regarding the payment i can only pay via PayPal at the moment and I will be responsible for all the PayPal fee/charges on this transaction kindly get back to me with your PayPal email,Phone Number and the pick up location so that i can inform the courier agent about it now?

With "requirements" I mean: all show urgency to buy, all show no intention to meet in person, only payment available via PayPal, and asking for details to make the payment.

I might be too suspicious but I've read similar histories in Internet about frauds done this way, so would appreciate some advice/guidance on how to progress with this sell and to know if this is a potential fraud or a true genuine buyer.

Many thanks in advance.

[kernowlass]

@Alozano

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and say they can't view the item as they are disabled / working abroad etc etc.

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.

If the item requires shipping the 'fake' paypal email will tell you that the buyer has paid for the item + shipping costs but you must send those shipping costs to the courier via western union / moneygram BEFORE the funds are released to you.

They are not interested in the item, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.


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 use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram or Western Union.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[Alozano]

Many thanks Kernowlass, will delete those emails.