Scam or not?

AirKtown
New Community Member

I have posted some items thru our local kijiji. these people on the other side of Canada said they want to buy it and will send me the money via PayPal.  I went out for an hour and when I got back they had emailed saying they had to send double because of shipping costs. Originally they implied a friend would be picking it up. So I get home and they want me to send western union 490 and they say then I can accept the money they sent afterwards. I've never heard of this before. so I asked if I could call the guy. he said yes so I did, he didn't speak fluent English and got mad at me swearing and then hung up on me. He keeps emailing me saying I have their money and they're gonna put me up on charges. I'm so confused and scared. what is going on???

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1 REPLY 1

kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@AirKtown 

 

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.

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.

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

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.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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