Potential scam need help

Andywatson
Contributor
Contributor

So I am selling something on gumtree and the guy said he has sent me the payment but the email was in my spam folder under the email address <removed> He has asked me to pay his courier via Amazon gift card is this a scam

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3 REPLIES 3

kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Andywatson 

 

Yes.

 

SCAM.

They encourage you to accept a direct Paypal payment.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails may go into your junk/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 or sending as a gift to a family member but they will arrange a shipping agent or courier 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 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 another payment processor than Paypal or by providing some vouchers or tokens before the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the item, they just want that couriers/shipping 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 NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram, Amazon, Western Union, Bank Transfer or any sort of gift token or voucher.
There is no seller protection on paypal for any type item that is collected by the buyer.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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Sturner2020
Contributor
Contributor

I have had the same I sold an item and first the collection agent wanted a $100 steam wallet gift card had to send picture of this with the section scratched off now they are asking for another $200 for insurance I don’t know if this is legit or a scam? The email is was a <removed> I’m not getting a reply

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Sturner2020 

 

Did you read my above post???


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