Paypal Scam????? Please help

GumtreeGal26
New Community Member

I was advertising an item for sale on Gumtree.  I was contacted by someone who wanted to buy it.  Long story..  I set up Paypal account.  He says he has paid 450 pounds to paypal and i have to pay 300 into a bank acccont for courier services.  From my own money.  The funds are being withheld until the courier is paid.  Paypal service@paypal have confirmed it is not a scam but i am sure it is..  i did not agree to pay money out of my own account for shipping costs.  They said if i dont pay today they will take legal action.  

SCAM?  i am waiting for a callback from paypal 

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@GumtreeGal26 

 

SCAM.

 

They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails 'may' go into your junk or spam folders.

They don't quibble on cost and may also say they can't view the item as they are disabled or working abroad etc etc but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect it.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't actually have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.


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/ shipping agent via bank transfer, western union, moneygram or walmart etc BEFORE the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the item, they just want the courier funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

They also 'sometimes' threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service or expect you to use bank transfer.
Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any item that is collected by the buyer.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@GumtreeGal26 

 

SCAM.

 

They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails 'may' go into your junk or spam folders.

They don't quibble on cost and may also say they can't view the item as they are disabled or working abroad etc etc but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect it.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't actually have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.


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/ shipping agent via bank transfer, western union, moneygram or walmart etc BEFORE the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the item, they just want the courier funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

They also 'sometimes' threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service or expect you to use bank transfer.
Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any item that is collected by the buyer.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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