Gumtree Paypal scam?

[danielle1996]

I’ve read online about a scam about people using the name ‘sharon’ or ‘alex’ usually trying to buy bikes or motor vehicles and using PayPal / sending a fake email etc to say they’ve sent the money. I’m selling my mobile phone and I’m just a bit worried as I’ve had a WhatsApp from someone called ‘sharon’ abroad asking to pay via PayPal and of I’ll post it abroad. I’m just a bit worried it’s not genuine as I’ve never sold on gumtree before and I was under the assumption the buyer comes to collect the item and pays cash in hand.

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@danielle1996

READ THIS SCAM SO YOU ARE AWARE, ALSO READ UP ON PAYPALS SELLER PROTECTION POLICY SO YOU CAN RISK ASSESS YOUR TRANSACTIONS.

This is a typical 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.

[derek23H]

Selling a car on Gumtree. Buyer has made a few checks and is happy to buy unseen. Its for his daughter and he is in a wheelchair. Will pay up front via Paypal and send someone to collect it. Hasn't responded to my request for his address for the invoice. If its too good to be true then it probably is.

[kernowlass]

@derek23H

SCAM.

They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment. 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.
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.

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 car, 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.
Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any type of motor vehicle.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.