Buyer said: Payment Sent. But Balance is zero and no pending funds?

[hoangnguyen74]

Hi! I sent an invoice for the payment ($897.97 USD) to customer yesterday. Today my balance didn't receive any payment yet. But he said he paid for the payment and the money is peding to my paypal account, all i need to do is make the shipment and sent the shipment proof to paypal, so the money will be released to my account. His request was a fraud or not? Because The Payment status is The invoice was sent to the recipient and is pending payment. Could you help me? Thanks!

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

Is it going to Nigeria?  If so read this.

THIS IS A 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.

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

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

They 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.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[hoangnguyen74]

Thank you verymuch!

This scammer is from Benin Republic, Africa. He saw i' m selling on ebay and requested me send a gift for his cousin via usps express mail.

Thank God. He can't cheat me.

[kernowlass]

Can I suggest you use your eBay buyer block to reduce countries you won't post to. 

[hoangnguyen74]

Sure! Give me an advice, please! @kernowlass .

[kernowlass]

My eBay > bidder/buyer management > exemption list. 

Also I would read up on PayPal seller protection as you are not covered if you send to an address that is not the PayPal registered address of the buyer. 

Good luck.