Scammed by fake psychic

[B-21]

I've been scammed. I was contacted on instagram by someone posing as an astrologer woman I follow, she offered a reading, sent her rates and offered text or video readings, I thought she was legit, I'm a complete fool. She requested I send money through "friends & family" option so that it was there instantly and she could provide an instant service instead of waiting a few days. She also had me download whatsapp so she could msg through there. I wised up after looking at the real person's page while waiting. I asked for a refund. She said she would. The "seller" has now blocked me and hasn't returned my funds. Ive taken screenshots of our conversations. Is there any way of getting my money back or have I shot myself in the foot by paying as "friends and family"? The screenshots prove she took money and didn't deliver.

[kernowlass]

@B-21 

A friends / family (or gift payment) is intended as a transfer of funds from family or friends to one another. For this reason, there is no processing fee when payment is made with bank or PayPal balance.
However as it is a gift payment, there is also no buyer protection as no goods or services should have been exchanged.

If he was not a close mate or family member you should never use that option as it enables the seller to evade paying his Paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time.

You would also not be able to open a dispute (apart from one citing an unauthorised transaction), which would be automatically closed as you did authorise the initial payment.

Be careful as using that option for purchasing goods is against Paypal rules and can lead to account limitation.

If you funded your Paypal payment via a credit card then contact your card issuer and see if they will help you but unfortunately they may decline as well as it was a gift payment.