Gumtree Scam

Oldie · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Dec 2010 Karma :

A mate of mine just told me that he had sold his Keyboard on Gumtree for £150, to a guy in NIGERIA! He said "it's ok, cos the bloke has already transferred the money into my Paypal account.

He doesn't know that the guy will then go for a Chargeback from paypal and that he will end up with nowt..

Question - Assuming that the "purchaser" is probably using a stolen card, or even if he isn't, is the next step to simply email the "purchaser" and say something like the goods have been damaged and get Paypal to return the money? Is it that simple?

Also wondering if his Paypal account is now vulnerable?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Chalky. · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Karma :

Transfer the money into his bank account and see what happens.

The Disapproving Brit · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Karma :

A more sensible option would be to leave the money where it is but not bother sending it. It *will* get claimed back eventually, and PP will chase for the money if its not there.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

He'll have been paid from a stolen paypal account which belongs to someone who responded to one of the scam emails which say "click here to verify your paypal login details".

Is he meant to be posting the keyboard or has the buyer said that they'll get someone to collect it?

Refunding the payment before the scam goes any further does seem like the best thing to do.

Don't think his paypal account is now vulnerable but his email address will be on a sucker list so he can look forward to more spam and scam emails.

Oldie · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Dec 2010 Karma :

Yeah, he was meant to be posting it to the guy in Nigeria although the scammer only sent the £150 for the keyboard, an no p&p. I think that he's been in touch with the guy by email but I told him to stop everything until I see him after work at 9 tonight. I think that the PP refund idea with a "don't ship overseas" comment should suffice. I think that I'll get him to change his PP account as well. Cheers guys.

daz_d_biker · Spanner Monkey Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Karma :

transfer the money into a bank account, tell him you've posted it and shove it on ebay Thumbs Up

If it's a stolen paypal account or a stolen credit card etc he's not going to persue it...
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Drew · Banned Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Karma :

When people say 'transfer the money back'. Don't just make a payment to him for the same amount of money, as paypall will take a cut of both transfers.
Make sure you go into the transaction and 'refund' the payment

bEN_ · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Karma :

I don't come across many scam adverts or get any scam e-mails anymore, which is a shame because i'd like to troll some of them for lulz.

edit: just made a fake laptop ad on gumtree as a clueless person with an expensive laptop and just wants rid of it and posts worldwide Razz

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andys675 · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Karma :

glue a load of old keys to a piece of wood and post it to him with a note saying here's your keyboard you cunt

keep the proof of posting for ebay as evidence

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Gumtree purchases & sales should always be done in person. As per the classified ads papers you used to get.

Was your friend dropped on the head as a baby?

Oldie · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Dec 2010 Karma :

Looks like it's sorted now. Said it was the worst day of his life when he realised what a complete idiot he was!

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Right you can keep both the money and the keyboard.

Send something to the address via a tracked recorded delivery, will cost £10-20, make it an empty box or similar.

Then paypal will take the money from your paypal account, as it has come from a stolen account if you can prove to them you sent the item off in good faith you will get the money back from paypal.
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