is this fraud?

[tbeee]

I sold an item to a certain buyer named Colins, and he paid me the fee of 650GBP through paypal.

According to Paypal rules, I was not to have access to the money until the buyer confirms receipt of the goods. I sent out this good to the buyer and provided Paypal with the tracking number and by Friday, the 27th of May, 2011, the buyer confirmed receipt of this item. 

Just as paypal was about to credit my account with the fees of 650GBP, they "realised" that the buyer Colins sent out 810GBP instead of 650GBP. I was requested to by Paypal send out the balance of 160GBP to the buyer's family first via western unionbefore my account gets credited, and this I did! 

After sending out this money, Paypal still requested I sent out another 190GBP to the buyer's family again!!!!!!

How professional is this?????

Does my being a seller expose me to being victimised to this level?????

I have told them I have no 190GBP to send out any more, and right now all I want is for my account to be credited with my 810GBP!!!!!!!

I am a struggling young student with loads and loads of bills and debts! I do not even have a job any more or any source where income comes form! I cannot afford to send out any more money! I expect Paypal to be more fair in their judgement!

I gave him the option of sending my money now via money gram or western union. Or if truly his account limit is 1000GBP, he should send me the 1000GBP, and I gave my word to immediately refund the excess back to him!! BUT no, Paypal is insisting I send out the other 190GBP.

Currently, I have 810GBP out there, and both Paypal and the buyer Colins are dribbling me about this money

[PayPal_david]

Hi Tbeee,

To be honest, it sounds to me that you may have been a victim of fraud here.

Have you checked your PayPal account and can you see notification of the payment on your PayPal transaction history?

We would never ask you to post an item before releasing a payment to your PayPal account. If the payment had been placed on hold, you would see the transaction itself on your History page.

It sounds to me that you have received an email advising you to post the item and provide a tracking number before the funds are released to your PayPal account. When you would send the item and provide the tracking number, the funds will not be showing in your PayPal account and you may be advised that you need to provide a part refund of a certain amount, not through PayPal, before the remaining funds will be released.

This is a common enough scam to be honest. If this has happened to you, you should contact your local police to advise them what has happened. You should also provide them with as much information as possible so that this may assist them with their investigation.

I hope this helps,

David.