Scammed $886 ;'(

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 04:58 PM

Hey guys.

I recently sold something on eBay for the first time ever. I sold my Samsung Galaxy Nexus, for $300 ( + $5 standard shipping ). Being a first time user I didn't know someone would be able to pretend to be paypal at such a good level.

I was contacted by eBay to send the total ammount to this user, and I did. I was then contacted by paypal saying I had recieved a payment, and that I was to ship the item of ASAP and provide a photo/scan of the receipt+tracking number, and I did.

I then had a email saying I needed to pay a total of $350 USD to customs for them to release the parcel and once it was released I would recieve the funds immediatly. I didn't recieve nothing.

I call up paypal today, only to be told paypal DO NOT hold funds, and that I have none put in there, or going in there at all........not good. They ask for the email I recieved the emails from so I fordwarded it to them, and I was told paypal do not have a email of that kind.

So my question is, what can I do now? I have filled out a police fraud report form and provided all recipets that I had, but paypal and eBay seem to be of no help.

NOTE: The package was both registered, and insured.

casabonka · 20-05-2012, 05:12 PM

Having the parcel registered should help with the cops, they will have an address. I always check my PayPal balance first just to double check. Really sucks tho!

creative · 20-05-2012, 05:17 PM

So you posted a phone, and replied to a link in an email asking for $350?

Get a claim in with the postal and if you paid the $350 on a credit card, give them a call as well and get it reversed..

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creative

So you posted a phone, and replied to a link in an email asking for $350?

Get a claim in with the postal and if you paid the $350 on a credit card, give them a call as well and get it reversed..

No the $350 was paid via western union money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by casabonka

Having the parcel registered should help with the cops, they will have an address. I always check my PayPal balance first just to double check. Really sucks tho!

Yes, I posted it to 15 bode thomas road Nigeria.

**Dave R** · 20-05-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

Nigeria

There's your problem.

HLC · 20-05-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

Yes, I posted it to 15 bode thomas road Nigeria.

Is this a joke? Or are you serious?

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

There's your problem.

As I just found out :/

I called Western Union Money, and it can't be reversed or anything cause it's already gone through. So the $350 is gone.

XR6Runner · 20-05-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

Yes, I posted it to 15 bode thomas road Nigeria.

I never exchange goods with anybody from Nigeria. Do a bit of searching about those scammers over there. They are getting pretty sneaky.

AndyXR6T · 20-05-2012, 05:34 PM

Nigeria???? Theres your problem! 9 times out 10 these Internet scans are from
Nigeria. Sorry to hear mate, hope you get your money back

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

Is this a joke? Or are you serious?

Yes I'm serious. Call me stupid or what ever, I didn't know Nigeria was nutorious for scams.

I might be stupid or what ever, I don't care I just want help.

HLC · 20-05-2012, 05:36 PM

I also have to ask:

You sold the phone for $300 + $5 shipping.

You then PAID $350 US for 'customs' to release the phone to the buyer...

You did yourself out of $45 even if they paid?

MrEL · 20-05-2012, 05:37 PM

The phone and the bucks are gone.
Take it as a very expensive lesson.

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

I also have to ask:

You sold the phone for $300 + $5 shipping.

You then PAID $350 US for 'customs' to release the phone to the buyer...

YOU ALREADY DID YOURSELF OUT OF $45 EVEN IF THEY PAID....

Something fishy here...

Forgot to mention that they said they transfered an additional $350 to my account.

When they said I had a total of AUD $800 being transfered I thought it was a scam and that's when I contacted paypal and eBay.

Geez Louise · 20-05-2012, 05:38 PM

Buddy92 sorry to see you got scammed. As it was registered and insured, you should contact Australia Post. How long ago did you send it??

Cheers
Colleen

JG65TE · 20-05-2012, 05:39 PM

Toasted my friend. All over I am afraid no one can help you.

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrEL

The phone and the bucks are gone.
Take it as a very expensive lesson.

Really? As highly praised PayPal and eBay are, there gone and nothing can be done?

And I was told to contact AusPost as soon as possible in the morning, something might be able to be done about the phone, it was insured but don't know if that will help.

Cashie · 20-05-2012, 05:40 PM

Wow, tough lesson learnt here dude.
Nigeria, Western Union and Paypal emails should have all set off alarms bells..
Are you new to the internet?
Why did you send $350 for customs clearance on a $300 item you sold?
How exactly did you end up $886 out of pocket, I can see the $350, and the cost of the Nexus...?

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

Buddy92 sorry to see you got scammed. As it was registered and insured, you should contact Australia Post. How long ago did you send it??

Cheers
Colleen

Thursday it was posted.

Geez Louise · 20-05-2012, 05:40 PM

Maybe you can get it stopped?? and returned to sender...I really dont know if it is possible...but it may be.

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashie

Wow, tough lesson learnt here dude.
Nigeria, Western Union and Paypal emails should have all set off alarms bells..
Are you new to the internet?
Why did you send $350 for customs clearance on a $300 item you sold?
How exactly did you end up $886 out of pocket, I can see the $350, and the cost of the Nexus...?

$450 phone, $350 transfered to western union, and $80 posted.

Few $$ and cents I didn't add but that's roughly what it cost.

And honestly, yes I am kind of new, especially to buying/selling.

Cashie · 20-05-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

Really? As highly praised PayPal and eBay are, there gone and nothing can be done?

And I was told to contact AusPost as soon as possible in the morning, something might be able to be done about the phone, it was insured but don't know if that will help.

You didn't use PayPal, you used a fraud Nigerian scammer..
This insurance is only for the postage, I'm guessing it arrived safely to it's new owner.

Geez Louise · 20-05-2012, 05:42 PM

Guys...ease up a bit. This stuff sadly happens all the time.

We have a member here who had trust in people...don't flame him for having faith....Hard lesson has been learnt and hopefully will be a lesson for others who may try and be scammed in the future.

Cheers
Col

buddy92 · 20-05-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashie

You didn't use PayPal, you used a fraud Nigerian scammer..
This insurance is only for the postage, I'm guessing it arrived safely to it's new owner.

Yeah but didn't know people would get away with frauding paypal, I had no idea paypal never held money, sent emails or what ever, I didn't even think of that.

I came here for help, not to be flamed.

Kryton · 20-05-2012, 05:50 PM

there is no help to be given.
You got scammed - end of story.
The phone and the money are gone forever.

creative · 20-05-2012, 05:50 PM

Let me try again.....

Phone sold and posted before you recieved funds.
You were Asked for $350 to clear customs and you paid thinking they have added that onto the funds they have sent you.... Hence the $850+ lost?

If this is the case then the only real chance you have is postal intercepting the package and returning it to you.

As a bit of advice, never send anything before you get funds, if your not sure, ask on here. If anyone askes for anything, expect a scam. Trust no one and question everything. I know this is all hindsight and you can say goodbye to the $350 but you may get your phone back or insurance paid out for it to help soften the blow...

TheSneakiness · 20-05-2012, 05:52 PM

I know you're new to the whole eBay thing, however do you not watch ACA or TT? They have scams originating from Nigeria all the time.

flappist · 20-05-2012, 05:56 PM

I think the message has got through.

Edit:

Re-opened at request of OP as the above is obviously premature..

SpoolMan · 20-05-2012, 07:57 PM

Ebay states under no circumstances anyone should use Western Union, unfortunately the money is gone.
My sons brother in law lost $3600 buying a motor bike and paying with western union.

JC · 20-05-2012, 08:23 PM

I have over 500 transactions on eBay, and at least 75% of them through paypal, and I have not been scammed once (at least, not to my knowledge...). Why? because I trust no-one and nothing. I NEVER click on a supposed "paypal" link in emails (I use the favourite link in my browser). I have "trained" my missus to do the same. Neither of us click on any browser links in an email, unless we can verify the link and/or the email address first.

If you suspect everyone, and trust no-one, and don't go blindly clicking on links and paypal or ebay advice, then the $886 lesson may in fact be the only time you get scammed, so could actually be a cheap lesson (I know it doesn't feel like it now...).

chrisfpv · 20-05-2012, 08:25 PM

We live and we learn.