Craigslist scam I haven't seen before

adammazza · #1 04-13-2010, 02:23 PM

This is new to me. Recently I've listed a few things on Craigslist, and I've gotten the typical scam requests stating they want to purchase the item, but are out of town, etc.

I'm used to these, and just ignore them. The recent responses I've gotten though, want to pay via Paypal and have the item shipped. They are all in the same form, and obviously a scam, but I was just wondering what the end game is?

Does the buyer use a stolen CC number? As soon as the item ships does he dispute it with Paypal, etc?

T-Bird · #2 04-13-2010, 10:30 PM

Hi.

Dispute, most likely.

I don't have a Paypal account, and in the rare occasion I need to use one, there's some friends I turn to.

I doubt that I get one anytime soon.

I can't deny that the Paypals policy to be on the buyers side does have a hell of a lot to do with my desicion.

Regards
Sam

bongomania · #3 04-13-2010, 11:19 PM

I agree, it's a dispute scam. They do a credit-card chargeback and file a dispute, saying the item never arrived, and Paypal and the credit card company will side with them in most cases. It used to be as a seller you could protect yourself by getting a tracking number, but from what I've heard lately, even that won't work.

**baba** · #4 04-14-2010, 07:14 AM

Yeah, as a seller you have no protection with Paypal.

adammazza · #5 04-14-2010, 07:34 AM

Thanks, that's what I figured. It's most likely a compromised PayPal account as well. I'm going to have them send me funds then report to PayPal. At least that way the person's account that has been compromised will be alerted.

shadowmac · #6 04-14-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I agree, it's a dispute scam. They do a credit-card chargeback and file a dispute, saying the item never arrived, and Paypal and the credit card company will side with them in most cases. It used to be as a seller you could protect yourself by getting a tracking number, but from what I've heard lately, even that won't work.

+1 EXACTLY! Current PayPal policy is designed to protect the buyers and the scammers rely on and manipulate this to thier advantage.

adammazza · #7 04-14-2010, 08:30 AM

So, this guy wasn't even smart enough to try the chargeback route. After I told him to send me money to my PayPal account, he sent me a spoofed Paypal email with an address in Nigeria

.

**baba** · #8 04-14-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adammazza

So, this guy wasn't even smart enough to try the chargeback route. After I told him to send me money to my PayPal account, he sent me a spoofed Paypal email with an address in Nigeria

.

Keep the fish on the line and get a "Talkbass Rules" picture like these: http://forum.419eater.com/forum/album.php

RWP · #9 04-14-2010, 08:52 AM

You can always trust a Nigerian email address. They are great guys over there, one is sending me 30 millions dollars in a few days!

FL Knifemaker · #10 04-14-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWP

You can always trust a Nigerian email address. They are great guys over there, one is sending me 30 millions dollars in a few days!

I like the way they start out, claiming to be a barrister. Than in itself makes me want to tell them to go take a flying EFF at a rolling donut

adammazza · #11 04-14-2010, 09:54 AM

I think when I told him I didn't see the money in my PayPal account it scared him off.

adammazza · #12 04-14-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adammazza

I think when I told him I didn't see the money in my PayPal account it scared him off.

Or, maybe not. Just got this:

------------
Hi,
Thanks for the response, as i want you to know that the payment has been
successfully issued out and has been confirmed by PayPal, but for some
security reason, PayPal is putting an held on the money transferred due to
the rate of what is going on around the internet, so i want you to know that
the money will be remitted as said by PayPal, so i will urge you to get the
item shipped out as per request from PayPal so that the full funds
transferred could be remit right away to your account without any delay or
restriction. So kindly get back to me asap regarding the postage of the
item.
Thanks.
-------

**baba** · #13 04-14-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adammazza

Or, maybe not. Just got this:

------------
Hi,
Thanks for the response, as i want you to know that the payment has been
successfully issued out and has been confirmed by PayPal, but for some
security reason, PayPal is putting an held on the money transferred due to
the rate of what is going on around the internet, so i want you to know that
the money will be remitted as said by PayPal, so i will urge you to get the
item shipped out as per request from PayPal so that the full funds
transferred could be remit right away to your account without any delay or
restriction. So kindly get back to me asap regarding the postage of the
item.
Thanks.
-------

Tell him you will ship it if and only if he can send a picture of him holding a print out from Paypal in one hand and a large sign that says Talkbass Rules in the other hand. Tell him this is necessary to ensure he is legit and once he complies you will gladly ship immediately. Of course this makes no sense, but he may just think you are stupid and confused and do it. Then you will have a scammer trophy shot for Talkbass!!!!!