Ebay... Item sold can you please send it to Nig.....

[steve m]

Hi all,

I have been making a bit of money on ebay recently due to lack of time (new arrival to the family). I have been making a tidy sum working at it part time.
Anyway to cut a long story short, a couple of my listings had been ended buy BIN's (GREAT)?...

Well no!
For example the last time it happened four days ago I sold a playstation PSP. It had only been listed for about 3 hours before the buy it now button was hit. I then get a message from the member saying that she is in the US working while her son is back home in Nigeria, and could I send the playstation there.

As soon as I read this I was very skeptical. Anyway I then get an email from (supposedly paypal) saying that the funds are on hold and have been takin from there account and will be realised once I post the item and then send them a tracking number.

I decided to go into my paypal and check and sure enough there was nothing in there from them.

I have had it before where in paypal it says that the payment is on hold and to post now (but it always says).
The member even said they had paid an extra £30 for insurance and to post it such a far distance.... LOL do these people never give up?

Bloody scammers.

Neadless to say that I reported the member and they were soon an un registerd member.

Anyone else ever had this problem?

Even a friend of mine had a payment from emanual adyebiour (I mean come on)

Anyway I'm glad I checked, or they would of had me
Nigeria sort of gave them away (I'm not saying all Nigerians are scammers though) but the place has got history...

Steve M

[LegitIncomes]

I had that problem with selling a laptop. I had to relist it a couple times
to get a real bid that wasn't from a Nigerian scammer.

Never ship to Nigeria, under any circumstance...that's the rule I use.

[Martin.Avis]

My daughter sold two cell phones on ebay and both auctions ended the same way - with scammers trying to get her to mail the items to Nigeria.

Thankfully she didn't fall for it, but I bet a lot do.

Ebay acted very quickly to ban the people concerned, but it seems their system badly needs tightening up.

Martin

[OnlineMarketingSys]

For whatever reason electronics items, ESPECIALLY laptops are a target to scammers looking to rip people off. I imagine partly because they are light weight, and can be resold for a large profit, especially in foreign countries. I know how frustrating it can be, especially if you have to list items 2-3 times, just because people are trying to scam you. It's happened before to me, and to be honest Ebay is so large it's extremly hard for them to police the auctions or stop this type of abuse.

One piece of advice would be to require payment immediatly after Buy it now. There is a checkbox to enable this feature. I think this should stop or greatly cut-down on your issues. Most of items I listed, the people just attempted to forward the email, not complete an "actual fradulent paypal transaction".

[Shana_Adam]

smells very fishyy - of course Nigeria being voted I believe the second most dishonest corrupt country in the world. I guess it figures.

why not block certain countries?

[bizideas]

Originally Posted by OnlineMarketingSys

For whatever reason electronics items, ESPECIALLY laptops are a target to scammers looking to rip people off. I imagine partly because they are light weight, and can be resold for a large profit, especially in foreign countries. I know how frustrating it can be, especially if you have to list items 2-3 times, just because people are trying to scam you. It's happened before to me, and to be honest Ebay is so large it's extremly hard for them to police the auctions or stop this type of abuse.

One piece of advice would be to require payment immediatly after Buy it now. There is a checkbox to enable this feature. I think this should stop or greatly cut-down on your issues. Most of items I listed, the people just attempted to forward the email, not complete an "actual fradulent paypal transaction".

Hey Steve M.

Yeah, this is a good advice and a good first step to ward off scammers for a live listing. Naturally it's only going to work for Paypal transactions. Even with Paypal though, a credit card can be used and then charged back later using a stolen credit card as a tool. Even a good customer (alias scammer) could flat out lie about the details of your deliverable(s). It's really bad when it comes to high demand/high end electronics...flat screens, digital cams, laptops, mobile phones, and so on.

Sometimes the predator will try to convince the seller to end the auction early. Don't fall for this, as eBay has a whole section on this fraudulent technique.

Another defense mechanism you can implement is to choose to refuse to sell your merchandise in certain regions of the world. When doing your listing, you can opt NOT to Sell in certain high risk areas such as Nigeria, Indonesia, Singapore, etc.

Good Luck to you Steve M.

"You Will Never Find A More Wretched Hive Of Scum And Villainy"
Obi-Wan Kenobi - Star Wars


Eric

[rlpruitt]

Another way to discourage scammers is to state in your listing that you'll only accept PayPal and will only ship your item to PayPal confirmed addresses. Most scammers don't try to manipulate PayPal (by getting a fraudulent PayPal account) and will move on to an easier target.

(BTW: This won't stop the more sophisticated scammers who traffic in fraudulent PayPal accounts, but MOST scammers don't work that hard.)

Although some people argue that you'll lose potential customers by limiting your buyers to PayPal account holders, the vast majority of eBay shoppers already have PayPal accounts and the anti-scam benefits more than outweigh the costs.

FYI: A link to eBay's tips on securing your listing HERE

Ralph

[Goatboy]

We had a similar problem with a DVD. A guy in Wisconsin ordered it and the minute he was notified it was shipped, he cancelled his paypal payment.

Of course, the moment he cancelled his paypal payment we went back to the post office, explained to the post master and had the package stopped in Wisconsin prior to delivery and returned to us. We also filed a complaint with the Postal Inspectors and called our local police and filed a complaint through their detectives. The last I knew, this guy had collected a whole lot of merchandise using the same trick on everyone and the post office was preparing to pick him up.

The strange thing is that we didn't want the movie in the first place and after trying to give it away decided to put it on eBay so we wouldn't have to throw it away. If he had asked, we might have given him the movie, but when he tried to steal it, the situation became a matter of principle.

It also seems that eBay has turned into a place with greater protections for the buyers than the sellers.

[OnlineMarketingSys]

Originally Posted by Goatboy

We had a similar problem with a DVD. A guy in Wisconsin ordered it and the minute he was notified it was shipped, he cancelled his paypal payment.

Of course, the moment he cancelled his paypal payment we went back to the post office, explained to the post master and had the package stopped in Wisconsin prior to delivery and returned to us. We also filed a complaint with the Postal Inspectors and called our local police and filed a complaint through their detectives. The last I knew, this guy had collected a whole lot of merchandise using the same trick on everyone and the post office was preparing to pick him up.

The strange thing is that we didn't want the movie in the first place and after trying to give it away decided to put it on eBay so we wouldn't have to throw it away. If he had asked, we might have given him the movie, but when he tried to steal it, the situation became a matter of principle.

It also seems that eBay has turned into a place with greater protections for the buyers than the sellers.

I am surprised Paypal didn't close down this guy's account. I don't know how long ago it was, but if it was recently I would also send an email to Paypal alerting them. It should be fairly easy for them to see a pattern in this guy's transaction's, especially since your probably not the first one to complain

[steve m]

Originally Posted by Goatboy

We had a similar problem with a DVD. A guy in Wisconsin ordered it and the minute he was notified it was shipped, he cancelled his paypal payment.

Of course, the moment he cancelled his paypal payment we went back to the post office, explained to the post master and had the package stopped in Wisconsin prior to delivery and returned to us. We also filed a complaint with the Postal Inspectors and called our local police and filed a complaint through their detectives. The last I knew, this guy had collected a whole lot of merchandise using the same trick on everyone and the post office was preparing to pick him up.

The strange thing is that we didn't want the movie in the first place and after trying to give it away decided to put it on eBay so we wouldn't have to throw it away. If he had asked, we might have given him the movie, but when he tried to steal it, the situation became a matter of principle.

It also seems that eBay has turned into a place with greater protections for the buyers than the sellers.

I know what you mean buy the principle of it. A dvd I mean come on ah is it really worth scamming a dvd. Was he that hard up lol...

When I first started online I got scammed from pilar to post, (mostly at DP) to good to be true adsense sites LOL we all learn buy are mistakes I suppose

[Harvey Segal]

Originally Posted by steve m

Even a friend of mine had a payment from emanual adyebiour (I mean come on)

He plays for Togo - so no problem there.

Harvey


.

[ken_p]

it must be working for from Nigerians end, if they are still going at it. i wonder how many people have fallen for them already?i heard that paypal is not available in nigeria, so how did they try and make it look like they purchased your item??

[tj]

Originally Posted by ken_p

it must be working for from Nigerians end, if they are still going at it. i wonder how many people have fallen for them already?i heard that paypal is not available in nigeria, so how did they try and make it look like they purchased your item??

They invent their own Paypal message / form and use just the Paypal logo for that form. Had a guy who claimed to be a professor in Utah currently in the UK at a conference to buy an camera for his son in Nigeria.

Here is his so called Paypal message with all the errors - I just changed the email address and the amount. If someone is interested in the whole conversation, I can send it as pdf

****

Please keep in mind that this email did not come from Paypal.

Timo

Dear Timo Jacob,

We the PayPal Team wishes to Inform you that the Fund has been Cleared as was shown to you previoulsy in Our Transaction Deatils of your Fund which has been Sent to you By Our Client {Dr.Mmuo}, But it was placed on a Temporary Hold until Shipment Information/Tracking Number is received from you.

Please do bear with us that the Fund has not been Credited as we told you in our past mails which we sent to you, it is because your Buyer is a Bonafide Client that uses Our Service for payment Transfer and we cannot afford to Credit your Account without Shipment Information/Tracking Number due to past events from other Clients that cheats On Other Clients in transferring of Funds.

In that case we appreciate to have you as one of Our Clients that uses PayPal, but to be on the safe side and to prevent you from any ''Fraudulent Activities'' Including your Payment Sender {Dr.Daniel Lambert Moon}. We need you to do your Own part as he has done by sending the Fund to this PayPal Account: zzz@zzz.com by providing to us the Shipment Information/Tracking Number.


**ATTENSION**
Your Account will be Credited only if we get the Shipment Information/Tracking Number the Same day or after 24hrs of Receiving the Information. And the Shipment Information/Tracking Number Must be sent to Our Department through paypal_service@mail2identity.com and further to let you know that the sum of ($xxx.xx USD) has been deducted from his PayPal Account (Your buyer) which will be transfered to your PayPal Account after Shipment Information is received or gotten from you in Your PayPal Account Recent Activity List.

Shipment Information/Tracking Number should not be Sent to your Buyer for Security Reasons and it is Our duty to handle the Shipment Information.

We await to read from you after the Shipmrent.


Thank you for using PayPal!
The PayPal Team
----------------------------------------------------------------
PROTECT YOUR PASSWORD

NEVER give your password to anyone, including PayPal employees. Protect yourself against fraudulent websites by opening a new web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape) and typing in the PayPal URL every time you log in to your account.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Sincerely,
PayPal




PayPal Email ID PP310

*************************

[steve m]

Originally Posted by ken_p

it must be working for from Nigerians end, if they are still going at it. i wonder how many people have fallen for them already?i heard that paypal is not available in nigeria, so how did they try and make it look like they purchased your item??

I listed the itemand it was bin'd buy some member. Ithen got an email with the title

service @ paypal.com

when opening the email its really from paypalonlinestatus @ something.com

Received Payment With PayPal
PayPal makes it easy to Receive (the stupid name they gave here)money.


For security purposes, payment has been deducted from the buyer's account and has been APPROVED. However, the payment will remain pending until shipment tracking number is sent to our customer service department for verification before money is remitted into your account.

Below are the necessary information require before your account will be credited.

1 : Ship item to buyer's required address as stated below ONLY.



2 : Shipment tracking number should be sent to our customer service @ there email adress again.

-----------------------------------------------------------

So i then contacted ebay and they banned the member..
Also Nigerians have paypal yes mate. But I think its different in some way but they $100 have it of sorts.

Anyway the follownig day I get another email from them check this out..


dear steven (member blah blah)

We regret to inform you that your eBay account would be suspended in the next 24 hrs due to concerns we have for the safety and integrity of the eBay Community.

Per the User Agreement, Section 9, we may immediately issue a warning, temporarily suspend, indefinitely suspend or terminate your membership and refuse to provide our services to you if we believe that your actions may cause financial loss or legal liability for you, our users or us. We may also take these actions if we are unable to verify or authenticate any information you provide to us.

Please be advised you would be prohibited from using eBay in any way. This includes the registering of a new account......................

Please note that any seller fees due to eBay will immediately become due and payable. eBay will charge any amounts you have not previously disputed to the billing method currently on file.
Please in accordance with the unsent item bought from you by (the stupid name they gave) which payment has been verified by our customer care and you have not send the item to her designated address provided by paypal to you in which is Nigeria........
To avoid this suspension kindly send the item today.

Regards,

eBay Trust & Safety






As you can see they went through some great lenghs to scam me

Steve M

Sorry lads not this time

[steve m]

Originally Posted by tj

They invent their own Paypal message / form and use just the Paypal logo for that form. Had a guy who claimed to be a professor in Utah currently in the UK at a conference to buy an camera for his son in Nigeria.

Here is his so called Paypal message with all the errors - I just changed the email address and the amount. If someone is interested in the whole conversation, I can send it as pdf

****

Please keep in mind that this email did not come from Paypal.

Timo

Dear Timo Jacob,

We the PayPal Team wishes to Inform you that the Fund has been Cleared as was shown to you previoulsy in Our Transaction Deatils of your Fund which has been Sent to you By Our Client {Dr.Mmuo}, But it was placed on a Temporary Hold until Shipment Information/Tracking Number is received from you.

Please do bear with us that the Fund has not been Credited as we told you in our past mails which we sent to you, it is because your Buyer is a Bonafide Client that uses Our Service for payment Transfer and we cannot afford to Credit your Account without Shipment Information/Tracking Number due to past events from other Clients that cheats On Other Clients in transferring of Funds.

In that case we appreciate to have you as one of Our Clients that uses PayPal, but to be on the safe side and to prevent you from any ''Fraudulent Activities'' Including your Payment Sender {Dr.Daniel Lambert Moon}. We need you to do your Own part as he has done by sending the Fund to this PayPal Account: zzz@zzz.com by providing to us the Shipment Information/Tracking Number.


**ATTENSION**
Your Account will be Credited only if we get the Shipment Information/Tracking Number the Same day or after 24hrs of Receiving the Information. And the Shipment Information/Tracking Number Must be sent to Our Department through paypal_service@mail2identity.com and further to let you know that the sum of (.xx USD) has been deducted from his PayPal Account (Your buyer) which will be transfered to your PayPal Account after Shipment Information is received or gotten from you in Your PayPal Account Recent Activity List.

Shipment Information/Tracking Number should not be Sent to your Buyer for Security Reasons and it is Our duty to handle the Shipment Information.

We await to read from you after the Shipmrent.


Thank you for using PayPal!
The PayPal Team
----------------------------------------------------------------
PROTECT YOUR PASSWORD

NEVER give your password to anyone, including PayPal employees. Protect yourself against fraudulent websites by opening a new web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape) and typing in the PayPal URL every time you log in to your account.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Sincerely,
PayPal




PayPal Email ID PP310

*************************

Gotta hand it to them they do try hard to scam you huh.

[Goatboy]

Originally Posted by OnlineMarketingSys

I am surprised Paypal didn't close down this guy's account. I don't know how long ago it was, but if it was recently I would also send an email to Paypal alerting them. It should be fairly easy for them to see a pattern in this guy's transaction's, especially since your probably not the first one to complain

It was my wife's DVD and she reported the guy to eBay, Paypal, the Postal Service, the local police here, the local police in Green Bay, and she probably would have told his mother if she could have found the woman. I swear it was funny for awhile, like watching a rat terrier after a ground squirrel. Cost a lot on the phone bill though.

[tj]

At least they should check their messages for errors and something like "We the Paypal Team wishes to inform you ..." ROFL

Timo

[Shana_Adam]

YouTube - Fonejacker - Monies

sounds like this guy its hilarious!!

[steve m]

Originally Posted by Shana_Adam

smells very fishyy - of course Nigeria being voted I believe the second most dishonest corrupt country in the world. I guess it figures.

why not block certain countries?

whats the first

[thezone]

Originally Posted by ken_p

it must be working for from Nigerians end, if they are still going at it. i wonder how many people have fallen for them already?i heard that paypal is not available in nigeria, so how did they try and make it look like they purchased your item??

Most Nigerian scams are really only advanced fee schemes of one sort or another, they don't want the merchandise (not usually anyways), they want money, which is why it is an overpayment for one reason or another, with instructions to return the "extra" money via western onion (which in my experience has always been a location within the US and Canada). A lot of these schemes originate from within north America and have a "son" "daughter" "husband" "grandmother" working/schooling or in the army stationed in Nigeria, which is why they have to present you with a foreign "certified" check or a money order (which adds time to the clearing process, since it is a foreign item) and gives them enough time to get the overpayment (since a lot of North Americans don't understand clearing rules of "certified" (guaranteed) payment instruments).

I have yet to experience one that wanted the money sent to Nigeria (I'm sure they exist too), but the ones I came across (and yes I always agreed to get the fake checks and money orders). I always claimed to send them the money, and always supplied them with creative retrieval information.

The scams that want merchandise, use stolen CC's and use the employer sites (looking for employees), who as part of their job accepts merchandise orders and repackage and ship the goods to Russia, or the UK (probably more places, but only heard of those two locales).

If only these individuals had 13 digit months like myself...they wouldn't have to nickel and dime their way to the top....ahhhh sooo sad.....

[MemberWing]

It's actually simpler.
When you selling item on Ebay in a very competitive niche - top competitors drive you out of business by routinely winning your auction from hired scam accounts. Main idea is to get rid of your listing, they don't care about your item.

Although hired scammers (from poor countries) who get paid peanuts for such an action are trying to do double dipping by luring sellers into sending them items.

Gleb

[Shana_Adam]

The internet is a very easy place to get hold of anyone's details. In my previous job I used to have access to peoples details from all over the world. People who do not live in UK posting their private details on a website that companies have access to
name,address,dob,Social security nos

People should be very careful where they post their details. For example when you apply for a job you send your resume out but how do you know where exactly it is going.

Any corrupt person can get hold of millions of peoples of details for a mere few hundred bucks or by placing a legitimate looking ad for free!

[tommygadget]

Hmm... When I bought a few Dell laptops, I kept seeing one guy's listing over and over again. I was wondering why I kept seeing it and looked at the listing. He said in the listing that scammers kept bidding up the price and moving on without paying. Pretty sad IMO.

TomG.