Fake email or I am overreacting?

[azurether]

Dear people,

I have received two emails from PP (?), because I wanted to sell my guitar through PP. So, the buyer sent me money it seems, but it's on temporary hold until I go to a Western Union and pay in advance the shipping costs and then upload a photo of the receipt. I have never done anything like this, but I can imagine it works like that. But the emails have made me suspicious. Maybe I'm panicking for no reason, but to make sure, I would like to ask for your help. The problems with the mails that they arrived in SPAM folder, the grammar is however correct in it and seems legit, but there are some links placed in the letter and I can't open any of them, even that one that says 'Click here for customer service'. On my PC, PayPal logo is not appearing, so it's not visible on screenshots, but on my phone it does, so it looks totally real. I'm just a bit scared to send money in advance then not getting anything at the end and losing it to a fake company. Do you think I have reason to worry?

Thank you in advance!

[kernowlass]

@azurether

This is a typical scam ..................

They may buy on Ebay but they use an anonymous or hijacked Ebay account and DO NOT have a Paypal account so they can't use Ebay checkout. 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 western union, moneygram or walmart etc BEFORE the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the item, they just want the western union etc 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 or Western Union etc.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[azurether]

Yes, the case is very similar to what you described. I found it strange that the buyer asked the price of the item at least like 4 times, I googled the given name or the courier, and google haven't found anything. The buyer seemed interested in the guitar however, asked for photos etc... This sucks.. I could never imagined that I would become tricked by phising. 😞 So sad though. Well deserved kudos, you solved the issue too, just waiting if anybody else wants to comment too.

[kernowlass]

@azurether

My name is kernowlass not kudos, kudos is what you click on to say thank you to someone.

Also this scam has been ongoing for at least the 10 years that i have been helping on here.

[azurether]

I know kudos is not your name... I wrote that you deserved the kudos given to you, cause you helped, in your signature there is "Kudos / Solution appreciated if I helped you." I reflected to this... 

[kernowlass]

@azurether

ok misread it, sorry, but it doesn't really matter as long as you were not scammed 

[Smeusje]

@kernowlass 

Dear Sir.

As I see i have the same problem. Advice is to do nothing as I understand.