Buyer Scam

[ryah05]

So I've been on ebay for couple years, but just recently started selling. I put up a rather new laptop up for sale as my very first item, and this buyer offered me extra, to which I accepted. However, several things began to feel out of place as soon as I did this.

First, the buyer texted me, asked for my paypal address, then proceed to "pay" for his item. From this serveral things seems odd. First, the name on his paypal does not match the name on the ebay account. Second, he asked for me to do this quickly and have it sent out by end of today for his son in Nigeria, for which he provided me a second address, spelled wrong, to a college in Nigeria. However, his "son" had a different last name than both of the name he gave to me. Lastly things became really odd when under the "paypal" email, it told me to send tracking number to sale-safety-payment@usa.com, which upon googling, came up with nothing. I was then convinced that he was a scammer. 

To actually prove this, I called paypal customer support, and after couple minutes of talking, they asked me to foward the email to review@paypal.com. After I did, the operator first told me that there was no activity in my account for serveral days now, and if they were holding the money it would still show up in my activities, which it didn't. Several minutes later, I recieved an email comfirming that the original email I've recieved telling to ship the item was fake, and the operator told me to hold off on sending the item. 

I then confronted the buyer, and after he acted like he was suprised, he stopped responding, and so I opened a case. 

So just a couple more questions ( sorry for the long rant):

1. Will I still be forced to ship the item?

2. Would I still need to pay ebay for seller services?

3. Can I put the item up for sale again?

Really the 3rd question is what I'm asking, as I am in need of some cash right now, but from what I understand, or thought, I am suppose to wait till the case is solved to relist, which will take several days.

Sorry for the long rant, but this isn't how I'd imaging my first sale in 2017 would be like. Also, can/should I sent pictures of our conversation or email to ebay resolution center? Would that make this any faster?

[hafoster]

It's a scam.

What case did you open? It should have been Unpaid Item Dispute --

open in 48 hours, and close 96 hours later to get your fees back.

Next time, use the advanced listing form to add Immediate Payment Required.

[southernfriedbelle]

@ryah05, did you realize you have posted this topic twice? Some members have responded to the other thread, but on this one, you have provided more details that are helpful to fully understanding the issue. You might want to close out the other thread with a note directing responders to this one. 

[castlemagicmemories · Accepted solution]

Scam and an old one at that.

Warning signs:

Asking for your email to pay.  Buyer doesn't need that, can pay through the listing.

Offering more money.

Location is Nigeria.

Open an UID unpaid item dispute, close it after 96 hrs.  You get your fees back and are free to list.

List as fixed price, immediate payment required.

Add the "buyer" to your BBL blocked bidder list.

[siayan]

You can call and they may close it out right away as they see it is a scam. 

[jbbowers12012]

hi, everyone here has given great advice.....i would like to add however, that being a fairly new seller, when you list hi value items such a laptops, cell phones etc., etc. you become a scam magnet with a world-wide target on your back. i would respectfully suggest starting out your selling career by offering some lo-ticket items until you gain a bit more experience....many say that when you start selling on ebay "if you cant'afford to lose it dont' list it. " also, read thru. this board whenever you have some extra time. you can really learn a lot from the experiences of others......BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!

[castlemagicmemories]

They also say never sell anything with a value that exceeds your feedback number, so if you have 46 feedback, then don't sell anything over 46 dollars.

[castlemagicmemories]

OP, laptops are a highly attractive item for scams.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@siayan wrote:

You can call and they may close it out right away as they see it is a scam. 

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Something to consider.

[goddess-bastet-1910]

Have you thought about restricting your sales to US only until you get more experience ? You need to both mark US only on Ebay and US funded payments on Paypal.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@goddess-bastet-1910 wrote:
Have you thought about restricting your sales to US only until you get more experience ? You need to both mark US only on Ebay and US funded payments on Paypal.

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This is a good idea.  Get some experience first before  you decide to tackle international sales.  Otherwise it's like diving in the deep end, not knowing how to swim.

If you insist on international, you could use GSP.

[turquoisetulips]

ANYTHING Nigeria ,run !!! don't walk . 

[ryah05]

Thank you all for advices on this. Ebay had already cancel the offer for me the thr buyer was uncomfirmed. Thank you guys so much.

[sidemouse]

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@ryah05 wrote:

So I've been on ebay for couple years, but just recently started selling. I put up a rather new laptop up for sale as my very first item, and this buyer offered me extra, to which I accepted. However, several things began to feel out of place as soon as I did this.

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So the fact this buyer offered to pay more than what you were asking didn't ring any alarm bells?

[oladipolatund_0]

Not all Nigerians are scammers , i do business sincerely