09 Apr 2019

A question about : eBay/Paypal scam?

I'm new to eBay and have one item listed (activity tracker). I put it in auction and started the price at Ј30. A few people have bidded and it's currently at Ј36.

Then I got a message from someone in the US with no eBay history and who had joined not long ago. They offered me Ј100 and wanted me to send them a Paypal request to their provided email address, promising the money would be there presently.

So I was curious, why offer Ј100 when the highest bid is just Ј36? I questioned the fact that they were in the US, and they responded that the item was a gift for their son in England. I had offered free P & P for the item, but just to UK addresses - the person then volunteered to pay postage on top of the Ј100.

Of course, I didn't go through with this, but was wondering what the scam would likely be? Would they claim the item received wasn't as advertised, send me back an empty box, then make a claim with Paypal.

I responded to their messages by suggesting they bid like everyone else.

Best answers:

  • there address would show as the USA , and you would be asked to post to a English address not listed by paypal , there mate would collect it , the bidder would claim non delivery and get his money back.
    ask him to forward the money to your bank (bank transfer) or to pay you via paypal as a "gift" , that should cover it
  • They use stolen cards to make purchases. They entice you in with a big payment and before you can lick the stamp the money is charged back. Technically it's money laundering or handling stolen
  • I'm thinking you get a fake payment received email combined with a phishing attempt.
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