Certain auction website scams are getting even more cunning

[mrochester]

I sold an item last night on a certain auction website. About 40 minutes later I received an email saying that the item had been removed and all charges refunded because the account used to buy it had been accessed fraudulently.

But here's where the cunning scam comes in... An hour later again, I received another email, apparently from eBay, saying that they had made an error in deleting the item, and urging me to resume the transcation. I also received an email directly from the buyer saying how he'd love me to send the item to his cousin in Africa, and a further scam confirmation email from PayPal saying that funds had been received.

I've had those last 2 emails before, but never a one where they've pretended that removing the auction and refunding the fees had been an error, and to actually continue the transaction. It must trip up an awful lot of unsuspecting people.

 

[danza]

It's not that cunning. It still had an idiot asking you to post to Africa to someone else.

I guess some people would still fall for it though.

 

[Cosimo]

Sounds like a fairly normal scam to me.

 

[Paul11]

the worrying thing, is that this type of scam i imagine, could catch of lot of people out.

 

[Caged]

I sold my phone on eBay and got the standard post-to-Nigeria and fake PayPal email afterwards and had to relist. Didn't stop me receiving emails from the "FBI" for a few weeks later telling me "you is scammer". It would have been a bit more believeable if this so-called FBI didn't use a mail.com address.

 

[Jonny69]

Thanks for the heads up though, I'll keep an eye out.

 

[mrochester]

oh I've had the post item to Africa and fake PayPal received payment confirmation but this is the first time I've seen them fake and ebay message to say 'sorry we made a mistake, we shouldn't have withdrawn this item, please continue the sale'

 

[Nick1881]

Dont be mean, send it to Nigeria

 

[>:|sh4d0w|:<]

Id imagine the one genuine Nigerian user of ebay is having a really rough time of things.

 

[Aloreth]

Id imagine the one genuine Nigerian user of ebay is having a really rough time of things.

arff arff arff those guys really get a bad rep

 

[mrochester]

God, this just keeps getting more and more silly. Everyday since I first posted about this I have had an email...

27th...

The buyer "steve25v6" has made payment for your item and the item is yet to be posted to the given address in Nigeria.We will like to know if you have posted the item so that your account can be credited immediately you send the tracking number to us.

Please respond by Mar-29-2008 so eBay knows whether you have agreed.
Respond to this notice or your account will be block.

Please note: You and the buyer will still be able to leave feedback for each other regarding this transaction.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter. Please don't hesitate to contact us directly through this email if you have further queries or require assistance.

Regards,

Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay International AG.

Today

Dear eBay Member,

We will like to notify you that we are still awaiting the shipping reference number (Tracking Number) of your item sold via eBay for verification so that we can transfer the funds into your PayPal account.This is one of our policy to avoid fraudulent act via eBay.We hope to hear from you soon.
.
Respond to this notice or your account will be blocked.

Please note: You and the buyer will still be able to leave feedback for each other regarding this transaction.

Regards,

Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay International AG.

and

Dear Customer,

It is important we know the status of the item bought otherwise, legal action may be taken against you since you have not replied to our customer care [email protected].

We believed you entered into bidding agreement by requesting money through PayPal, and by non response to the payment confirmation made to your account you have violate the PayPal agreement. However the buyer has already contacted us in other to make report about your non response.We are ensuring to make PayPal a safer place, therefore we need to set confidence on our users.

We request for the Scanned Receipt and the Tracking Number to prove postage of the item in less than 24hours and we will fund the money into your account or face the consequences of LEGAL ACTION. whereby your PayPal account will be frozen and your eBay account to prevent this get the item shipped and send the tracking number to us to make this transaction complete.



This is done in other to protect both the seller and buyer.