How do I identify a scam?

[WV59]

Hi, I am selling a vehicle via Gumtree. I have two interested parties, and both said they deposited money in my PayPal account. I received confirmation, but it went directly to my junk folder. Both deposited more funds and requested me to transfer the excess amount to another account before the money was released into my account. Can anybody confirm if that's how PayPal works, as it feels like a scam to me? The other client asked me to buy a Steam Wallet Gift Card for the value of the extra money paid to me?

Will I see if there are any funds in my account when someone makes a deposit as nothing appears when I lock on?

[kernowlass]

@WV59 

THIS SCAM?

They encourage you to accept a direct Paypal payment.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails may go into your junk/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 or sending as a gift to a family member but they will arrange a shipping agent or courier 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 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 another payment processor than Paypal or by providing some vouchers or tokens before the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the car, they just want that couriers/shipping 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 as a seller for you to send any upfront payments or to use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram, Western Union, Bank Transfer or any sort of gift token or voucher.
There is no seller protection on paypal for any type of motor vehicle.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[Pglebe]

I am selling 2 high value items on Gumtree and I’ve had two identical emails with different names, offering me all money plus shipping. They won’t view because handicapped in wheelchair etc and buying for a family member.  Because I was selling 2 items, I was Immediately suspicious and Thankfully I checked with this community to have my doubts confirmed.  Thank you. Where should

I report this scam?

[kernowlass]

@Pglebe 

No point reporting as none of the transaction would be done using paypals site, they use fake scam paypal emails and get you to send funds using another payment processor.

They normally work out of an internet cafe in another continent !!

[Jenh82]

Could definitely be a scam. The page stating you have a payment might be fake or they could have a hold on the money and cancel after receiving the item for sale. If you got an email about the payment click “Reply,” you should be able to see the full email address of the sender. Don't click any links send on the emails. Go directly to the app or open PayPal in a web browser. If they ask you for any money it's for sure a scam. You can email the pages and or screenshots to spoof@paypal. com The website below might help. https://www.paypal.com/bs/webapps/mpp/security/common-scams This site may help as well. https://www.comparitech.com/identity-theft-protection/paypal-scams/

[kernowlass]

@Jenh82 

Scam has been ongoing for about 15 years and is exactly as per my first post about a week ago.