I am having this exact issue right, although I am having fun with the scammer. I have items for sale on Gumtree as I type this, and got a text this morning stating the following "Hi is this Bed available for sale? Pls msg" followed by the scam email as noted in the OP, so I reply and they tell me contacting through email would be better. So, I played ball for fun. They sent me that blanket response everyone else has been getting about telling me "consider it sold" and "take the listing down" along with "I am disabled" which is their excuse for not being able to pay through bank transfer (blah blah blah), then asking for my PayPal email, address to arrange courier and contact number... even though they contacted me initially on my contact number lol. So, they said they wanted me to tell them the cost of the item, which I told them to check the listing. They then said they wanted to be specific with the cost (surely the cost is on my listing and working out the 3.4% is not hard). Also, this shows they don't actually check your listing for what you're selling as such. They then tell me to give them the cost plus 3.4% for fees on paypal. So I play ball. They said they will send the fee to me and arrange a courier, I have told them "How can you send for delivery of stuff when I have not provided an address?" So, this is where they tell me they are going to allow the funds to clear into the account and then arrange a courier. Right now, I am on the phone to PayPal telling them what is happening and the adviser I am speaking with was not aware of this, but found it funny that I am trying to find a way to beat the scammer. That said, I asked this person who they intend to use as a courier, and they told me a "Private Agent". I told them I will not accept unless it is through a reputable and well-known courier like DHL etc... and I get no reply. In conclusion, especially for those that are worried, do be careful and do not provide any details to them that might compromise your safety in any capacity. I am only having fun with this person because I am a veteran seller on eBay, and I do not take kindly to idiots like this trying to take advantage of unsuspecting people... Take care and ALWAYS check anything you find to be unusual, because more than likely they are scammers trying to swindle you of your goods and/or money.
... View more