Beware PayPal parts scam

[Dazza]

Just letting people know about a possible parts scam that I came across in respect of some rims I had posted on gumtree.

I was contacted by email by someone who said that they were "not local" and gave the impression that English was not their first language. They said that they would buy my parts and pay via PayPal and that they would organise the freight no problem. After a few emails, the person indicated that they could not pay the freight and would prepay the amount of the freight to me for me to pay it to the courier for them. At that point, I said no thanks.

I may be overly cautious but in the course of my work I have come across a version of this scam before. The scammers buy something bulky (e.g. tyres and rims) and prepay you the amount plus freight using a stolen credit card. They then ask you to pay the freight (eg. $500) for them to e.g. a Western Union Credit address. They make off with your payment of the freight amount and you get asked to refund a payment made to you using a stolen credit card.

I am aware of a neighbourhood swimming pool business that went under after getting scammed for $10,000's selling swimming pool pumps to Africa.

[FJ Steve]

as soon as I hear the words "Western Union" I know it's a scam.

There are other indicators...but the WU reference is a dead set give away...same as the friendly Indian IT tech that wants to log into your PC.

[hamza]

lol, nothing gives it away like their english! Mum had a guy contact her to buy her old car abt 2 yrs ago, he was in bermuda and wanted to buy a 01 kia rio, and have it shipped......

speechless.

[Stiggy_21]

^ similar story we had.. My dad was selling his '99 defender. Some lady emailed us from the middle of the ocean (from the NAVY), saying she'll buy the car no questions asked. Said someone in Qld will pay for it and pick it up:/. English was quite amusing actually, you know the half direct translations from some asian language.
Nothing sus

[rayray086]

Thanks for the heads up. I've moved the thread over to the General Discussion section.