Having to pay out for buyer's shipping fees before receiving funds on a sale

[apoole12]

I advertised some car wheels and tyres in Bargain Pages for sale.

I had a person offer to buy them and pay through Paypal including my Paypal fees.. 

This person emailed me to say they had paid for the items, my Paypal charges and an extra £100 to cover their shipping fees - they live in the United States and I live in the UK.  They did not tell me this prior to the agreement to sell to them. 

I looked in my Paypal account but could not see any amount received from this buyer.

I contacted him and he said that I had to pay £100 to Western Union for his shipping fees and that I then had to scan the receipt for this and email it to Paypal who would then credit my account with the purchase price and the refund of £100 for the shipping fees.

Obviously I am very reluctant to do this as it means me paying out £100 before I receive anything from the buyer.  I have informed the buyer that I am not prepared to do this but he keeps saying that I must do it this way to be able to have the funds credited to my account.

I have since received an email from 'Paypal' saying that I am in violation of the Paypal policy and if I do not pay the £100 to Western Union within 24 hours then I will be subject to legal action.

Please help

Thanks

[minty1 · Accepted solution]

Hi apoole12

No no no this is a  typical SCAM google western union scams and you will see the tactics they use

Always accept cash for anything being collected

Never accept paypal for an item that is collected as you will lose sellers protection

Never pay anyones shipping fees

You havent been paid, you will not be paid its a scam

[minty1]

Also the emails arent from paypal they are fake ones from the scammer as they have your email address

[apoole12]

Oh my life. Thank you so much. Have googled and you are right. Exactly same emails supposedly from Paypal. Have also googled the "buyer's" email address and he appears on a dating website with several different names and locations ie. Los Angeles, Idaho, Nigeria. Thank you so much for your information advice.

[minty1]

Welcome

[chelseadocherty]

I'm in the exact situation but I have already paid the £100 and sent the item but checked my bank statements and nothing has came out but not letting me take the £100 out the bank how can I resolve it,very desperate

[minty1]

Hi chelseadocherty

Unfortunately you have been scammed

Its nothing to do with paypal so unfortunately they wont be able to help you

There wont be any money going into your bank, they just wanted the "shipping" payment from you

You could ask at your local police station to see if they can help

Aslso check out this website ACTIONFRAUDPOLICE.CO.UK