Dodgy email from buyer on paypal

[Mlunat]

I've sold an item on a private sale via Gumtree and have been sent an email by the buyer stating they've made payment. However, my account indicates nothing of the sort and I've received an email from <removed> saying funds are held in escrow account until package is shipped. I'm pretty sure this is a fake buyer/fraud attempt but I just want to make sure with yourselves before I send in a report to Action Fraud Thanks in advance for your advice

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Mlunat

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.

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.
They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal do not tell you to send trackable, they advise it for selling protection but it is not compulsory.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

Scams been ongoing for about 20 years and no point really in reporting it. They use anonymous email addys and usernames and normally work out of an internet cafe in Africa somewhere.