Is this a scam?

[David172]

PayPal Hello David <removed>, Transaction ID: 9TQ95872YQ3810894P Status : Pending 98% complete (AWAITING WESTERN UNION PAYMENT) Description Quantity Unit Price Amount Car 1 $2,300.00 $2,300.00 Shipping/handling $950.00 Total $3,250.00 AUD PayPal Policy The total sum of $3,250 AUD has been deducted from the buyer's account and has been "APPROVED" but it will not be credited into your account (for security purpose) until you send the requested sum of $850.00 AUD via Western Union. Issues with this transaction ? Email our customer care/help desk department at : usert.com and a representative will attend to you immediately. See below for the information on how to send the funds via Western Union. Funds Remittance Details: Name of Bank: Heritage Bank Name of Account Holder: David <removed> Account Number: ********92 BSB: ****** Information On How To Complete Your Transaction As mentioned in the payment receipt and as per the new PayPal payment policy, we have fully deducted the total sum of $3,250 AUD from the buyer' s account and it cannot be refunded to her due to the terms and conditions for this transaction. Your money is safe and secure with us but it has been put on hold for security purpose and will not be credited into your account until we receive the necessary details from you. What do I need to do? Kindly go to the nearest Western Union outlet with cash and ask for the Western Union section, fill in the transfer form with the appropriate details. Send the sum of $850.00 AUD (cash) to the details below: Name : Alfred <removed> City: Paris State: Paris Zip Code: 75007 Country : France. An MTCN would be given to you by Western Union. Kindly send the below information to us as soon as you have completed the Western Union transfer so that we can credit your account instantly: - Sender's Name and Address - MTCN - Total Amount Sent - Test question and Answer (if applicable) Send the above information to us. You will receive a confirmation email from us as soon as we receive the requested information from you. Security Tips Do not give out your password or any information related to your account to a third party. Send all question regarding this transaction to our customer care via email. Issues with this transaction ? Email our customer care/help desk department and a representative will attend to you immediately. Copyright © 1999-2018 PayPal. All rights reserved. PayPal S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., Société en Commandite par Actions. Registered office: 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 PayPal Email ID PP307.

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@David172

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

OR
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.

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

Or once you have sent and they know you have become a victim they may again send you 'fake' Paypal emails stating they sent too much and you have to refund BEFORE the funds are released to your balance or you have to send a western union payment to pay customs fees etc.


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.
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 or item that is collected by the buyer.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[Geoffrey33]

Thanks this has been really helpful - all looked kosher and very professional just got suspicious as some grammar incorrect (if you know what I mean!) will delete immediately- do I report it to anyone?

[kernowlass]

@Geoffrey33

Not really, this scam has been ongoing for about 15 years and is all over the internet.

No one can 'do' anything really as they use throwaway i.d's and email addresses and work from anonymous internet cafes often in Africa somewhere.

Just spread the word.