Possible scam/ Craigslist

[Honeybeemaiden1]

While trying to sell tires on Craigslist, a purchaser contacted my friend and wants to pay for their item by sending their payment for the item via PayPal, and give me extra money for covering the shipping. Then they want him to pay their shipper via western union to ship the items. This sounds fishy to me, how do we know if this is legit purchase? My friend gave his paypal Account number and the money appears to now be in his account, but Now he has to pay their shipper via western union to ship the items. I feel Like they could take the money via western union, then cancel the transaction via paypal and completely scam my friend of money.

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Honeybeemaiden1

I doubt very much that the funds are showing in his paypal balance as this sounds like a typical scam as per below.

I think your friend may be relying on spoof emails telling him that the funds are in his account but pending until he pays the courier??

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

They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment and don't quibble on cost. They 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.
Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any type of item that is collected by the buyer.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.