possible e-mail scammer

LW007
New Community Member

i advertised goods for sale on gumtree. next day i receive a text from a number claiming they like the goods, and could i reply back to  an e-mail address instead to discuss.  

 

They then advised me they would like to buy the goods "without even seeing them". and payment would be sent asap.  I was to look out in my junk or spam folder and follow instruction. They would send over the total amount with an additional extra £450, in order for me to do an online bank transfer to some courier driver.  She was claiming she is deaf and wheelchair bound. 

 

Then another e-mail was sent to me advising that Paypal have withheld the money until i make the payment to the courier.

 

Two e-mails arrived, claiming from <removed> but detailing an "other" cc'd email address of <removed> advising me to urgently make the payment.

 

I think this a scam.  

 

anyone else experienced this and how do we report it?

 

 

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1 REPLY 1

kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@LW007 

 

Pointless reporting it as this scam has been ongoing for about 15 years.

 

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.

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

Once you have become a victim they may try again with more fake Paypal emails with other reasons that you must send them a payment for custom fees / to verify, expand or upgrade an account.

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, Western Union, Bank Transfer or any sort of gift token or voucher.
There is no seller protection on paypal for any type of item that is collected by the buyer.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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