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Selling your used stuff online has become commonplace. So have scams taking advantage of the good names of reputable online companies. At the FTC, we’ve heard from people stung by scammers spoofing PayPal. The scam generally goes like this: You post a high-value item, like a used car, for sale online. In no time at all, you get an email from a buyer willing to pay full price — or more! But he sets conditions; he is only willing to pay by PayPal or insists the sale must happen right away. What’s really going on? A ruse to steal your personal information, money or merchandise.

Here are some suspicious situations to look for and steps to safe selling online:

Scenario One: The buyer claims he can only pay via PayPal. Don’t have a PayPal account? No problem, he says. He’ll send you an email with a link so you can set one up.

What should you do? Don’t take the bait. The link will send you to a website masquerading as PayPal. Any information you enter will be collected by the bogus buyer, and may be used to commit fraud. If you need to set up an account, go directly to PayPal.com.

Scenario Two: “Check your email!” The buyer claims he has sent payment to your PayPal account with additional funds so you can ship the merchandise ASAP, but oops, he sent too much money. He asks you to return the extra money via a money wiring service. It’s all a lie, including the extra money the buyer says he included.

What should you do? Log into your PayPal account. Make sure you’ve been paid before you ship. Never follow links in emails from people you don’t know. The safest approach is to open a browser window, navigate to PayPal.com, and log in yourself. Also, if the buyer claims to have sent extra money, and asks for some back, that’s a big red flag.

Scenario Three: The buyer sends you real money through a real PayPal account, and you ship him the car. Problem is, the PayPal account belongs to someone else! You might need to return the money even though the scammer has your wheels.

What now? Contact PayPal and ask them to open an investigation. The company offers seller protections so you aren’t liable for unauthorized transactions. Also file a complaint with the FTC and your local police department.

Learn how to recognize and avoid common online scams. And contact PayPal at spoof@paypal.com if you’ve been stung by a PayPal spoof. The company wants to hear from you.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Yoda
May 17, 2018
Scammer name is Donald Watt. He claims to be in the U.S. Air Force as a CMSgt (E-9) his phone number is 208-480-1134 and his email is donald.w 90845@ gmail.com He is trying to do the PayPal scam.
markkot
April 29, 2018
I wonder what pay-pal is doing to protect their customers and not the scammers?
Whitney
May 02, 2018

Just had the exact same thing happen with a David Walker - buying a car for his brother... He’s no longer military now - now he’s a wildlife underwater photographer and thus can’t call. Scum

whatever
May 09, 2018
Just had a similar situation happen to me. Posted a laptop on LETGO for sale. They messaged me and asked me to send them an invoice from my paypal. So I did that. As they were "paying" for it he "MIKE" wrote to me and said that he was sending double what I was asking as long as I sent it overseas to his niece who is traveling. As soon as I got that message I started researching and noticed that the confirmation message I got from "PAYPAL" wasn't real. It was a fake message used to try and steal my information. Please be careful! The scammers are everywhere!
ben
May 10, 2018
"chief master sgt" (e-9) of the air force trying to buy my heavily modified mustang claiming "my brother will enjoy it more than you"
ukchris
May 16, 2018
lol - the latest is tonyjohn1231@ gmail.com - same story, i have a car for sale, he cant see it as on base (a lot of military need cars!!) whats my paypal details etc. I've even told him Im a Money Laundering Prevention officer for a bank (which I am, have been in this type of role over 20 years) and he still insists on going ahead, so I'm going to have some fun :-)
So_Cal760
May 12, 2018
Very similar text message for my Craigslist used car today. Person is on Air Force in Texas and will have moved pick up car (paying full price after asking 2 basic questions about it). I asked him to provide me with more info, including his CO, so I could call and confirm things. This would be similar for a landlord to request a service member's CO so they could contact the CO if rent was late/not paid. If it was legit the person would be fine providing that info (since it is common). Of course I haven't heard anything back....
Beauty
May 15, 2018
Mine is an Ebay item. This is now the new scam. I bid and won. Seller has 0 feedback. I still bid thinking it is a good deal. A little hesitant, seller not new but with 0 feedback. After sending seller message to send with signature confirmation, he replied right away. But when I asked for tracking no reply and the next day I saw usps tracking. I feel i got scam, something fishy because the bidding did not go high, tolkowsky diamond set, originally purchased for $8k, and i bid up to $1,000, won for $936. To make it short, was delivered to a different address with same zip code of mine. I never got the item, but showed delivered. I called Ebay and told Them I feel this is a scam and seller’s account was hacked, because item was shipped from GA., seller account says from North Carolina. Ebay open the case for me, and I started to type to send message to seller through my phone, but i stopped for awhile. When I continue to finish typing, I submit and the next screen showed, Case closed! I am so lost, what just happened? I did not close the case at all! I called Ebay and explain, they said once closed, Paypal will be my other resort. Then they said, I typed before I closed the words “ ITEM RECEIVED”. What the heck? I did not type those words. I believed he hacked my account too, and closed the case himself! I was so shocked. I lost a day of sleep thinking about it, I just got scammed for $936. I went to the post office, and was told that it was delivered to an address (NOT MY ADDRESS), when I researched, it is a RESTAURANT in my area. I called Paypal and explained. Thank God, Paypal closed the case in my favor. LESSON- be careful, and IF TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, It is not true! I changed my password too, and security questions. Allso, try to set a 2 step notification in your ebay account. Every time you log in, they send you a pin at your phone. Take care everyone! We need to be smarter than these scammers!
Sweettart1023
May 17, 2018

Just had a scammer try this out on me i have a vehicle posted on Craigslist.

Scammer 99 cavalier - $1600 ...Hello! Do you Still have it for sale? I'm Ashley Me Yes it is still available Scammer Ok How long have you been using it, Any damages and are you the first owner ? Me I am not the first owner and there is some body damage the interior is not the best but it is a solid car it runs and drives great it is my husbands daily driver he has had it for a little over a year but he needs a bigger vehicle for work. Scammer Ok Do you have a pay-pal account to receive payment for it? Me My husband has a pay pal account set up i can get his info for you in the morning before he leaves for work. Scammer Okay i will be looking forward for that, do you have any other recent pics to send also? Me I do not but i can take some in the morning. Where are you located i noticed you don't have a local number. Scammer Okay thanks and i will be looking forward..Good night i just moved to Dallas Tx,hope that is not a problem? i have not find time to change to the new area phone code Me No not a problem just didn't recognize the area code dallas is quite a drive from corpus are you in town to purchase? Scammer I have a private courier agent that will come for the pick up once the payment clears...so no shipping included and With the issue of my details,transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the courier services company agent, and they will be handling the title for me She says her name is Ashley and the phone number she used is 973-814-7910 watch out people.

Pls
May 17, 2018
Same scam, Kevin from Texas was deaf so couldn't call to talk in person. Would have courier pick up van, after I had the money. Glad I checked on paypal scams first.
MR
May 19, 2018
This site has great awareness but unfortunately I didn't see this in advance of being scammed. I listed a diamond wedding ring on ebay and received an email from ebay saying that it had been sold. Shortly after that I received another email from what appeared to be from ebay stating that the item should be shipped providing the buyers email address and a confirmed shipping address and stating that funds had been processed to PayPal. I then received a email from what appeared to be PayPal advising me that funds had been received but held until proof of shipping, at which time funds would be released. I shipped and provided proof of shipping. When the release did not occur I became suspicious and contacted PayPal only to find out that they never sent an email nor were there any funds pending in my account. I also co tasted ebay and filed for resolution, only to be advised that I must contact local police, file a IC3 fraud claim, and file with the US Postal Service inspectors. I don't know any other actions to take to get compensated. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
650-300-7348
May 22, 2018
This is what the scammer sent me: INTERSTED IN UR BIKE DO U STILL HAVE IT ???? Okay sound good,i have look at other ads but it is nothing compare to yours,what is the condition and the last asking price? Okay sound good ,i am okay with it and i am ready to purchase it , i am a Sgt in the USA military ,i am currently deployed,and i got the pics you posted about it...do you got more??? Okay sound good,i have look at other ads but it is nothing compare to yours,what is the condition and the last asking price? Okay good.... i am really interested buying it from you and i am okay with the price , i wont be able to come for the pick up ,because i am currently deployed , but i will hire a shipper who will come for the pickup ,and also do the necessary paperwork on my behalf as soon as we are done with the payment part of the transaction I am comfortable paying you via PayPal to complete this transaction because of their security when it comes to online transactions. Let me have your PayPal details ( Account name,PayPal Email and the Pick up Address so that I can initiate the payment Thanks for getting back to me...I got your PayPal details and as soon as I heard back from my private mover who will be there for the pickup I will be making the payment asap What's your firm price??? I got that once I heard back from my private mover who will be there for the pickup I will be making the payment
Jim
June 12, 2018

In reply to by 650-300-7348

I had the same wording just today from someone claiming to want to purchase my car “i apologize for the late reply, i am sorry for that. Okay good i got the pictures, i am very interested in it and i am okay with the price , i wont be able to come for the pick up ,because i am currently deployed , but i will hire a shipper who will come for the pick up ,and also do the necessary paperwork on my behalf as soon as we are done with the payment part of the transaction I am comfortable paying you via PayPal to complete this transaction because of their security when it comes to online transactions. Let me have your PayPal details ( Account name,PayPal Email and the Pick up Address so that I can initiate the payment...”
TruthFinder
May 29, 2018

This is my message from today. 5/26/18

The price and condition are okay. I'm ready to pay the price, I want to buy this for my Dad as his birthday gift.I'm just asking about it to make sure it’s in good condition. I'm presently deployed out of town because I work with the Military and have been in camp for some time and due to my deployment i will not be able to come for inspection, I have a mover coming for it on my behalf. So i am requesting this transaction should be done via PayPal so the PayPal charges are on me and PayPal is very safe and I have access to my funds there that's the only reason why PayPal is the only payment option. I am straight up with you and I want you to be honest with me as well. Hoping for an eloquent business with you. Details needed are Your Paypal email address: Firm price: Full Name: Cell phone number

avinash8860
May 30, 2018
I got one from Maj Coleman. Idaho national army gaurd in Boise. Wants me to pay $900 via walmart2walmart to his pickup agent. Playing with him for a bit... Does anyone not report this to the cops?
Peter
May 31, 2018
I got a similar one who claimed to work for a construction company in a remote area. He cannot make phone and cannot come to look at the furnitures I am selling. Only Paypal. "Hi, My name is Justin. Am very interested, please send more general close up pictures because I won't be able come inspect it due to work location. I am currently working at a local area with Turner Const. which makes it very hard for me to make phone calls due to bad network reception. As for payment, I can only make the payment through PayPal if acceptable which I believe is the most secured for online transactions. I will send a freight agent for pickup at your preferred location once payment is confirmed and cleared. I have few questions; Where do you live? What is your final asking price ? Does it have anything negative i should know about? Email back to know if my offer is accepted so that we can proceed, I hope to hear from you soon. I believe PayPal is the best way to send money online and it is safe and secure, it is very easy to open an account with them and Kindly send me your PayPal money request or simply get back to me with the total cost of the item and your PayPal email ID so that i can proceed with the payment asap..And i want you to know that you are very much safe with them and also i the buyer as well."
Bird
June 03, 2018
A CBRN Specialist(74D) buying my dirt bike as a “birthday surprise gift” for his son, these guys are ruthless, he’s the fourth cbrn specialist to contact me in 3 daysXD
Bella
June 13, 2018
I got 1 even better today it was a text message. Beware his name is Rowland 347-667-1593 his email address is a woman's name @gmail. com & he was very insistant about me setting up a pay pal acctt to buy my camper. Was going to have a freight company come pick it up! He is out of Prescott, Arizona. I called Pay pal and this was a first for them.
MJ in ATL
June 13, 2018
Just listed a car this afternoon on Cars.com and received the email below within 2 hours! ​Thanks for your response. Please understand that I am not around for inspection due to the nature of my job, I serve in the U.S Army as a CAS(Civil Affairs Specialist (38B)) currently on active duty and it's been quite busy on the field these days with lots of restrictions, strictly no calls for security reasons but we have secure access to the internet as our major means of communication for OK with your asking price and if you don't mind, I can only pay through PayPal at the moment because it's the most secure way to make or receive payment online this is why I'll prefer using PayPal to pay you, all I need is your PayPal email to make the payment and if you don't have a PayPal account, it's pretty easy to set up at www. paypal. com. I have a few questions for you. Are you the original owner? How long have you owned it? Whats its condition, any damages and what is your reason for selling? I hope you consider my offer. I am ready to buy. I'll arrange for pick up after you have confirmed and received payment. Thanks for understanding, hope to read from you soon.
Robert
June 05, 2018
Another scammer at (510) 254-7470. Claims" I am ready to purchase...I a Sgt in the US military, I am currently deployed...I won't be able to pick up but I will hire a shipper...I am comfortable paying via Paypal...let me have your Paypal details..." Watch out folks!
stephan
June 17, 2018

In reply to by Robert

Got the same crook today, 1 hour after posting an ad on craigslist. same number 510-254-7470
PayPal possibl…
June 09, 2018
Oh God! Something happens to me today, I’m selling a living Room Set vía Craigslist, two people text me about it, one of them actually said I’ll pay $100 extr if you save it for me, and when I ask to meet him/her in person didn’t have an answer, just stop texting. The other person said he/she was very busy at work and couldn’t see the set in person, and he/she asked me to open a pay pal account so the transaction can be done, I opened the account and send it my info, then didn’t received the money or something, I closed the account and I just waitiang to see what happens. :(
Mahoney
June 13, 2018
I got a PP scammerrrrrr asking me to pay with PP and send a courier to pick it up. I'm trying to find the IP in the email so I can locate this precious melissalincoln135 @gmail. com...
larzxxx
June 13, 2018

-------scam-----------

Thanks for getting back to me i have check the listing and am okay with the vehicle, also satisfied with your asking price.I really want this to be a surprise for my friend so i won't let him know anything about it until it gets delivered to him as i have a shipping agent that do pick up for me, i will take care of the shipment myself. I will be paying you through PayPal which is a fast, safe and reliable method of payment. kindly log in to your PayPal account and select the request money button located at the top of your PayPal account homepage and send the billing request directly to my PayPal account id which is martaflorecka007 @ gmail.com so i can submit payment to you via PayPal right now. Regards.

brx3
July 11, 2018

In reply to by larzxxx

Just got exactly the same stuff today. Why there is nobody to stop those losers?
sallybinzwigs
June 13, 2018
I’m in Canada on Vancouver Island and got a text from a guy wanting to purchase a band saw from me but it was to be shipped and paid via PayPal. I will send the texts he sent, $250 · Delta Band Saw..I will like to know Why you are you selling it, Probably more pics I cant make it there to check it,I will arrange a freight to come.Do you have PayPal account for the Get back to me with your Name and your PayPal email address for the payment? Now here is where it gets really obvious this is a scam! Is that all you have for sale? I tell him to check my other ads online then he sends me these texts Do you still have the $100 · French doors $500 · Heavy duty rolling shelves, $350 · PAC tool snapper guillotine, $200 · Wood Stove How much is the total? I say the amount and notice out of about 30 ads he has picked out only the most expensive items that I ve posted! Then he sends this. .. I just sent the money now and the money has been deducted from my account,PayPal must have Notify you through Email,pls check your email box, or it may redirect to your Spam Box, check your Junk box as well...Thanks I know he isn’t sending me any real money. What a jerk! His number is ‭+1 (605) 836-9050‬
Six
June 14, 2018
Would be interested to accept their deal... And have their courier pick up a matchbox car
Leslie
June 15, 2018
Watch out for a guy trying to buy stuff from you through paypal and then wanting to ship your merch to Nigeria. The email he used was Larry Smith watch out his number is 650-300-8967
Roldy
July 14, 2018

In reply to by Leslie

Yup! Just had larry hit me up for a PS4 to be sent to Nigeria today! WATCH OUT FOR THIS. SAME NUMBER (650-300-8967)
Curtd
June 17, 2018
Beware This from from Gerry. 862-227-8077 Good,thanks for your response.I want this shipped to my son IN Nevada,USA as a Birthday gift, i ill give you $1000 and $100 for shipping fee, And am sure this is real? Also do you have a PayPal account so i can pay you:)?
Nays
June 19, 2018
Paypal scam - URGENT I think I'm being scammed . I advertised a BRIDAL lehenga for sale at 14000. This lady is prepared to pay the full amount . Only through paypal . I have never used paypal before yet she insisted I downloaded it. I gave her my details. She wanted my address as she says she's not in state at the moment and wanted the item shipped to her. At first she was going to pay for her shipping . Then she told me she's sending me a paypal with the cost of her shipping included , her pick up guy will contact me , setup a date for meeting and a way for me to transfer her shipping costs to them. Which I agreed to. Upon her payment , I received numerous email from paypal telling me that the amount that the lady paid is on hold , it has been approved and transferred from her account but is on hold with them , and the only way the money will release into my account is if I send a money gram to her shipping guy all the way in dubai immediately ( amount of R5850,00) , I then need to send them my details as well as proof of the payment , thereafter that money that she had transferred will be released into my account. They keep reassuring me that the money is safe will them and I will receive it once I've sent through the money . I have received numerous emails insisting on this . However , not only can I not afford to pay that R5850 , which I didn't even know I had to pay in the first place , I had no idea that I would be liable for this cost , and cannot understand how they can force me to pay it. I've sent numerous emails back to them , telling them that I am unable to pay this amount , and to please refund the lady. However they insisting that they cannot give the lady her money back and they also cannot accept that I cannot pay this fee ( even though I'm not liable for me ). I told them to please reimburse her so that she can sort out her own shipping fees and only pay me the cost of my item for sale as I didn't want to get involved with all this and dnot understand why she needs a third party ( me) to handle all this for her , when she is more than capable of doing it herself. They insisted that they cannot return her money , and that I , according to their rules and regulations , am responsible and liable to pay that fee. When I told them again I cannot do this , they then sent a email saying they are going to take legal action against me. They are suspending my account , they know my personal details and will be informing the FBI and interpol. Please help me with this. I don't understand how I can be forced to pay this , something I'm not liable for. How can they force a sale ? And is paypal allowed to make threats like this ? Please contact me with how to handle the situation. As I feel like I should go to the police station with this.
FTC Staff
June 21, 2018

In reply to by Nays

This sounds like a scam. This person is trying to take your money and your personal information.

The email you received could be from a fake PayPal account. The scammer might use an email address that is similar to a PayPal address.

You may contact PayPal directly and ask them to open an investigation. The company offers seller protections so you are not liable for an unauthorized transaction.

disappointed
June 21, 2018
Thank you for getting back to me.Can you assure me that is in good state and that i will not be disappointed with it?I'm ready to pay your asking price and to be honest, i want to buy it for my new moving house. I am marine biologist that works on the sea at the moment,will pay you through my PayPal account.Please get back to me with your PayPal name and PayPal email account so that i can make the payment asap ,I have an pick up agent that will come for it after i make the payment. This was from AlexJoe271@ gmail.com
GM
June 22, 2018

Phone number: (708) 792-0027‬

First contact via text message from an add on Craig’s List: Hello kindly get back to me on my mail SgtDonardwilliams@ gmail.com with the Firm price and the condition of the Bike Thanks.

Note the eMail ID that contains the person’s name: Sgt. Donald Williams. This will change in subsequent text. Funny stuff. I didn’t reply to that email ID on purpose.

Second Text message after 8 days: i am very interested in it and i am okay with the price , i wont be able to come for the pick up ,because i am currently deployed , but i will hire a shipper who will come for the pick up ,and also do the necessary paperwork on my behalf as soon as we are done with the payment part of the transaction. I am comfortable making the payment via PayPal to complete this transaction because of their security when it comes to online transactions. Let me have your PayPal details ( Account name,PayPal Email and the Pick up Address so that I can initiate the payment.

At this point I asked for his name. Here is what I got: Sgt Robert Anthony Note a different name than 8 days earlier. ALARM!!! Followed by the urgency to get my contact information:

Do get back to me with your Paypal email address to make the payment

Joey
June 22, 2018
Eric Jones (323) 985-1687 texted about my car advert (could have been Craigslist or CarGuru), asking me to email (no harm right?) so I did. He responded 'not available to view because of my job,. I want to buy this for my son birthday Gift. I am currently deployed... OK with asking price...only pay through PayPal at the moment because its the most secure way.'. Asked questions, polite - and a courier would pick up after money was in my hand. After finding this blog I asked Eric to email me from his military account. Guessing I won't hear back ;)
VirtualEinstein
July 05, 2018
Same scam from 3 different numbers for furniture on Craigslist 412-385-7475, 682-213-7698, and 626-594-7816. The 626 number offered to send me a cashier's check. The other 2 had the same PayPal demands.
california
July 10, 2018

In reply to by VirtualEinstein

Same 626- number sent me a text and asked me my address to send cashier's check.. what would be their trick with cashier's check? They just trying to get my name and address info or else? This must be a scam, right?
Illmatik1
July 09, 2018
I just received this message for a car I’m selling lol: I am satisfied with the condition and I am going to purchase it. I am presently at Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland. Due to my job, I won't be able to come for it. I will have an agent come for pickup on my behalf. I request this transaction be done via Paypal and the Paypal charges are on me. Do you have a Paypal account? Sgt. Wood.
ASSA
July 13, 2018
Mine, he asked to pay me the rent in advance for one of my rooms to rent from easy roommates.com Then asked me to ship 950 $ which is included in the full amount for rent and bond. and ship 950$ to some shipment company via western union money transfer. to help him!!!!!
Jpcows
July 13, 2018
From 240 355 3280 STG Wood I am satisfied with the condition and I am going to purchase it. I am presently at Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland. Due to my job, I won't be able to come for it. I will have an agent come for pickup on my behalf. I request this transaction be done via Paypal and the Paypal charges are on me. Do you have a Paypal account? Sgt. Wood.
kansas girl
July 15, 2018
I’ve had three separate (or maybe they’re the same) people message me saying they will only pay through PayPal and then will send a mover to pick up m merchandise after money clears. I don’t how this will work for them? If i check My real PayPal and funds are not there then i don’t allow anyone to pick up my merchandise, right? I would Also have to be able to move the money from my PayPal to my bank before I considered the transaction cleared. Is there another way they can scam me if these are my terms?
Jericho
July 16, 2018
Please note the variation of my scam, type in "offshore oil and gas paypal scam" into google and view the news articles. Scam Text: "Thanks for getting back, I'm cool with the price likewise the condition, I work with New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) and we are presently offshore in New Zealand Taranaki Basin. We do not have access to phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with internet messaging facility. I will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Westpac bank account, please get back to me with your Paypal details, I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct."
orithia
July 18, 2018
What is the Scammer's aim please as I got this email today? Thanks for your response, Yes the chair I want you to consider this a deal as i am willing to pay your full asking price! i actually want to buy it for a family member who is urgently in need of it, i have checked through your posting and i'm fully satisfied with it. Unfortunately, i would not be able to come personally to view/collect, i work offshore as an instructor on a oil rig so i dont have time at all, but like i said i am 100% OK with the advert. However, I have a reliable courier that would help me to pick it up at your preferred location after you have received your money via PayPal as that is the only means of payment available to me at the moment. I would also appreciate if you could remove the advert asap. To start off with, please get back to me with suitable collection time so that I can inform the courier agent about it now.
FTC Staff
July 19, 2018

In reply to by orithia

If the message is from a scammer, he might:

  • send you a link that takes you to a fake PayPal website. If you type your personal information on that fake site, the scammer can take your information and use it to commit fraud.
  • say he sent payment to your PayPal account, plus extra money to pay for shipping the merchandise. He asks you to return that "extra money" to him by wire transfer. When a buyer says he sent extra money and asks for money back, it's a sign of a scam. If you send him money, you will lose money. 

Before you send anyone merchandise, log into your PayPal account yourself. Make sure you were paid. Never follow links in emails from a person you don't know.

Boat for sale
July 18, 2018
I received the same email and process request today except that I need to make a payment of $1,250 out of my pocket via Money Gram Money Transfer at nearest Walmart to the address given to you by PayPal, And you will receive the whole money of $6,800 in your account - without any delay this are done to protect both of us from a fraudulent transaction... Pls advise ASAP. Apparently this was the advise of PayPal prior to confirming my account.
PSP86
July 19, 2018
Same thing as yall, with the questions, word for word. Even tho my post answered some of them which was strange but I answered anyways. His reply(james porter e-5 with the Army) is pasted below. Thankfully I found this info because it was too strange to agree to full price and said PayPal only, so I searched craigslist scams and found this blog. Thanks so much. Almost messed up. It's a pleasure to virtually meet you and I do appreciate the way you answered to all my questions! I’m satisfied with it 's condition and I believe I won’t be disappointed buying it from you. Also, I want you to know I am seriously interested in purchasing it and am pretty sure my brother is going to cherish and enjoy it more than you did. Well, it will be a very good decision to see what I'm buying myself, but I am a very busy person and won’t be able to come see or inspect it as I have a hauler carrier agent that will be coming for the pick up/storage & sign all necessary documents, I.e. (The paperwork and transferring of ownership) will be done by the hauler agent on my behalf. Plus, I would also love to assure you that it won't leave your possession until the money is being received and cleared into your PayPal account. I will be patient with you as am a honest man and a man of my word, so once everything is completed, then we can both schedule the hauler arrival time and date for the pickup of it. BTW, I'd have loved to send the hauler agent with a cash or cashier check, but they do not deal with cash transaction between buyer and seller. So, since I'm requesting this transaction to be done via PayPal, I will be responsible for all the PayPal fees/charges for this transaction & I hope we can make this transaction as fast as possible, As I look forward hearing from you with your PayPal information as requested below since you're the holder of the account. Your PayPal email address: Firm price for the item: Home address as for the pickup/meeting location & cell phone#: I am ready to purchase the it, so you can take the add off and consider it sold to me and its new owner which is my brother. You can easily setup an account with PayPal at paypal. com Very Respectfully! ​
Lizé
July 24, 2018
Hi anyone been contacted by a ethannwilliee @ gmail.com? Story sounds very much the same
Aludt
July 20, 2018
I just got a similar text from an "enlisted guy" wanting to by my motor home. Phone number from AZ 928-707-8140. Thank you everyone for keeping safe.
Tam
July 20, 2018
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2018 6:51 AM To: Subject: Re: 5th wheel Thank you for responding. I am okay with the Ad,and your asking price and ready to make a fast purchase. Kindly send me some pics close up. I would like to see any imperfections just to be sure but if it is how you have described it everything is Ok. Also I am wondering if you are you the first owner of it? Also does it has any fault? Why are you selling it? How have you been using it? Best Regards
Roger
July 22, 2018
I just received an “offer” for an antique stove on Craigslist with payment only through PayPal. Nice try! Thanks to all for the heads up.
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