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Real stories from scam victims. Learn from their experiences to protect yourself. Share your story to help warn others about online fraud.
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  by kylegt
 
I was able to read a scam that happened exactly like the one that happened to me, so I just wanted to post this to show that they are still out there. They have moved to going through kijiji, and the original "buyer" even texted my phone to begin the scam.

Here is some of the email:
NOTE: This is to confirm to you that the said amount has been successfully transferred by Giovanni Gonzalez and has been deducted from his PayPal account,which is ready to be credited into your account,been that this Payment has been subjected to be a Payment for an MERCHANDISE purchased from you, we reserve the right to make sure this transaction is safe and secured also to verify the legitimacy level on this transaction because of the high sum of funds involved.


The above sum includes the charges of the shipping company and taxes.(as per PayPal MERCHANDISE PAYMENT POLICY). You will receive a Message from the PayPal Customer Verification Department Shortly informing you on how to send the shipping charges and taxes to the transport company to the above details as soon as possible.

Before this email of a "confirmed" payment I only agreed to this form of payment if the money was deposited from paypal to my bank account, then held for 7 days. I was threatened with legal action and all the bullying that these people could give. I argued, and they constantly came back at me. When I told them I would have to take certain action (legal) they left me alone. I am going to see what I can do to them legally though.


Just a heads up though, always make deals that work in your favor.
  by Katharina
 
Hi kylegt,
thanks for posting; I hope you didn't lose any money.

Your chances with legal action are slim. The scammer is probably in another country, operating completely anonymously from an internet café.

You could help other victims who do a Google search by posting the email addresses the scammer used: His own, the fake PayPal's, the "shipping company's".
  by cjcmusic
 
Thanks sooooo much for posting this! I did a google search on "Giovanni Gonzalez" today because he was trying to buy my husband's motorcycle using pay pal. Because of your posting, we ended the deal before we got too involved. We hadn't even done the paypal account information etc. so that was awesome. I just needed to say thanks for helping us to avoid this possible headache and loss of money.
  by dutchgirl26
 
I was lucky this morning to discover a Pay Pal scam. I almost sold my Motorbike
I got a text on my phone to ask if my motorbike was still for sale, it was at 5 am. I had to reply by email, i got this email back

from [email protected]

Aan xxxxxxxxxxx
Hi mate, I have looked at it a few times now, and after looking around, I'm satisfied with the great condition but what's your actual price for it. I love a bargain, so i would like to get it as soon as i can. I would be able to make payment through PayPal, i find it the easiest way to use my credit card safely and is a safe and reliable method of payment... Let me know your price for it . I hope to hear from you soon, and i will make all transportation preparations for the it to be transported to my home in London,UK. If possible can you send me some recent picture or video of the item ?

i replied with the price i wanted and i got this back

Thanks for your response. xxx€ is a nice and acceptable price. I will be adding the 3.9% PayPal surcharge to the total amount i will be paying you. So i will be paying directly into your PayPal account without any delay, and i hope you have a PayPal account.

If you have one already, just send me the address to send it to, which is the email address you use for it or you can send me a PayPal money request, so once i receive the details i will go ahead with the payment through PayPal and then i will contact my shipping company after you get the payment. I will need your home address for the merchandise to be Picked Up by the Shipping Company.

Have a nice day

Than i recieved te next email

I have receive the paypal invoice..Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and make sure you end the item listing immediately.I will be sending the payment shortly and i will email you when am done with it.More so you will be notify by PayPal in your email address after i make the payment,so just make sure you check your email often and often to confirm payment when it is completed., Thanks.

i got kind of worried when i recieved the following email because i thought it was not the right email adres


[email protected]
[email protected]

Aan xxxxx hotmail.com



Hello xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,

This email confirms that you have received an Instant payment of €1,400.00 EUR from Mark Scott ([email protected]) via PayPal MERCHANDISE Payment Service.

Reversals : This method of payment can not be reversed.

Status : Pending - Transport Company Awaiting Payment.

View the "NOTE" of this pending transaction below


Payment Details

Merchandise Amount: €800.00 EUR
Transport Charges:
Taxes and Insurance:

Total:
€600.00 EUR
-------

€1,400.00 EUR
Transaction: 4WR6072127779652U
Quantity: 1
MERCHANDISE Title: Auto Purchased



Transport Company: " COURIER EXCHANGE "

Address: Name : Alex George
Address : 64 Newman Street
City : London
Postal Code : W1T 3EF
Country : United Kingdom.



Address Status: Confirmed



NOTE: This is to confirm to you that the said amount has been successfully transferred by the Sender and been deducted from his Account which is ready to be credited into your account, been that this Payment has been subjected to be a Payment for an MERCHANDISE purchased from you, we reserve the right to make sure this transaction is safe and secured also to verify the legitimacy level on this transaction because of the high sum of funds involved.

The above sum has Included the transport charges and taxes as we and the Transport Company quoted for the buyer (as per PayPal MERCHANDISE PAYMENT POLICY). You will receive a Message from the PayPal Customer Verification Department Shortly informing you on how to send the Transport fares and taxes to the transport company with the above details as soon as possible.

You may contact PayPal customer service by Clicking Here or reply directly to this email by using the reply button in your Mail Box and Quote the Above Transaction ID for quick recognition of this transaction.
Sincerely,

The PayPal Team.

PayPal Email ID PP307

So i called paypal and fw the email to spoof@paypal and it was a scam

Hello xxxx,

Thanks for forwarding that suspicious-looking email. You're right - it
was a phishing attempt, and we're working on stopping the fraud. By
reporting the problem, you've made a difference!

Identity thieves try to trick you into revealing your password or other
personal information through phishing emails and fake websites. To learn
more about online safety, click "Security Center" on any PayPal webpage.


Every email counts. When you forward suspicious-looking emails to
[email protected], you help keep yourself and others safe from identity
theft.

Your account security is very important to us, so we appreciate your
extra effort.

Thanks,

PayPal
  by began steele
 
They write like Nigerians so that's probably where they are from. There is never any harm with checking Paypal transactions as long as you don't follow links the scammer gives you. You will find it uses "https" as a secure site.
  by medocguy
 
Hi there

I am trying to sell some 3 wheel motor cycles when Mark Scott ([email protected]) jumped in and agreed almost immediately to buy one. I thought - that was too easy!! he commented on the good condition of the machine but they are NEW, he never asked about spares, support, colour etc.

Than I checked online and ended up here. Imagine my disappointment when I saw Dutchgirl26' contribution - word for word the same as I received including the spelling mistakes.

Thanks to Dutchgirl and this site, I stopped after the e-mail where he agreed to buy; before any attempt at effecting payment.

That leaves one question - does anyone want to buy ... :?:

Regards

Edited so there is no misunderstanding of what we do here at ScamWarners. ~Bubbles
  by Bubbles
 
Welcome to ScamWarners medocguy. We are pleased you found information here and did not get scammed. This is the reason we have this site.

We don't allow solicitation, so I have edited your post, even though your post was tongue in cheek. :D