Spam?

JaqDyer
New Community Member

So I'm selling a motorbike on gumtree and I got an email regarding the add. Nothing unusual until I sent her two invoices for the money which she completely ignored. Then I get an email from an email which has PayPal spelt wrong, and ends really oddly saying that I've received a payment of £3640 because she apparently can't collect it. And that I need to send a requested sum of £370 via RIA money Transfer. And apparently, the money can't be refunded. Any ideas if this is spam or not because alarm bells are ringing for me...

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2 REPLIES 2

JaqDyer
New Community Member

Oh, and when I try and look up the transaction ID, it can't be found...

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@JaqDyer 

 

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 bike, 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 that is collected by the buyer.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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