What's the scam?

pag4892
Contributor
Contributor

Ive just sold my old iphone on ebay. The buyer has zero ratings and has only joined ebay the same day as hes purchased. He saying the pay now button dosent work for him via the ebay invoice, and wants me to send him my email address or a PayPal request for payment.

What's the scam? This dosent feel right!

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@pag4892

 

Probably uses a hijacked or fake ebay i.d but can't use checkout as they can't open a paypal account so the scam works this way  >>

 

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and often ask you to send the item as a gift to a relative somewhere often Nigeria.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.

The email will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

They will tell you that the payment is on hold and released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

 

If it was on hold it would still show in your paypal account balance, but this payment won't.


If the item requires shipping they will tell you that they will pay you extra and you must pay the agent via western union / moneygram 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 threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send trackable, they advise it for seller protection etc but it is not compulsory.

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.


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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@pag4892

 

Probably uses a hijacked or fake ebay i.d but can't use checkout as they can't open a paypal account so the scam works this way  >>

 

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and often ask you to send the item as a gift to a relative somewhere often Nigeria.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.

The email will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

They will tell you that the payment is on hold and released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

 

If it was on hold it would still show in your paypal account balance, but this payment won't.


If the item requires shipping they will tell you that they will pay you extra and you must pay the agent via western union / moneygram 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 threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send trackable, they advise it for seller protection etc but it is not compulsory.

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.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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shantankenz
New Community Member

I just got the same kind of thing when I posted a phone.  Knew it had to be some kind of scam.

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@shantankenz

 

Glad you weren't caught out.  Smiley Happy


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