possible scam? - DPChallenge Forums

04/22/2008 08:04:07 AM · #1

Hi guys,

As you might be aware, i'm selling my camera and all the stuff with it. I had it one eBay with a buy it now that was activated by someone in Germany. So far no problems... then they sent me this:

"Hi I have bought this your lovely item, please are you sure that it is in good condition, because am sending it out as a gift to my son who is to engage his spouse in Lagos Nigeria,I want you to get me the postage cost to Lagos Nigeria via Royalmail International Signed For ,I will be fully responsible for the postage cost okay.I will pay you via PayPal only, please no other payment method than PayPal. If that is okay then get back to me ASAP for immediate payment. Regards. Joy."

I checked out their profile, they have zero feedback and only joined yesterday. I'm thinking it's dodgy as hell but i thought paypal was rather legit and I would be protected if I went ahead with it? I told her the postage to Nigeria signed for is Â£85 (true enough) and to germany it's Â£30 (also true enough). I insisted I was not going to send anything to Nigeria because it's scam-country (not to mention their president oews me $11m).

Anyone else had anything like this? It just seems off they want to use Paypal.

ryand

Canon EOS-5D

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

04/22/2008 08:08:26 AM · #2

SCAM I had pretty much the exact same scam pulled on me a few years ago when I was selling a camera, he said he was in England and he was giving it to his son in Nigeria. Pretty much you can't sell/buy from Nigeria as that is where the majority of scammers come from. Definitely run away and report the Ebay address that they are using. He would send you an email from "paypal" (himself) saying "Paypal has received your money and is holding it until your item has been shipped. It will then be released into your fund." But Paypal never actually has anything to do with it.

yakatme

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/22/2008 08:08:31 AM · #3

I would trust Paypal but I'd stay from anything having to do with Nigeria. Why bother with the risk associated with all the scams that originate there? There will be another buyer.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

04/22/2008 08:08:47 AM · #4

To be covered (insured) by Paypal you must ship to a confirmed address. Sounds fishy to me...be careful!

Go to paypal.com for more info.

ETA - there are filters you can put in place when you list on eBay to block buyers with zero feedback (or less than a positive 1...something like that). There are other filters available to the seller...might want to check those out for next time.

Message edited by author 2008-04-22 08:11:42.

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

04/22/2008 08:20:19 AM · #5

I have had this type of email before also. At the time I was selling watches and some guy bought 3 watches and wanted me to ship them out of the country. He paid over $500 for the items and about 3 days after I shipped them I found out that the credit card he used to pay for the items was stolen. Paypal took the money out of my account and left me with a negative balance. I see it like this, if they speak broken English do not sell to them.

When I used to sell on eBay I would add it to my listing that I would ONLY sell to people with a confirmed paypal address. I say it's a scam and if you sell your camera you will end up losing it and your money.

imagesbytlp

Nikon D7100

04/22/2008 08:21:15 AM · #6

SCAM, SCAM, SCAM...I am a eBay Seller and I can tell you that most scam's originate in Nigeria. Refund their money and wait for someone legit!! You will be sorry if you go through with this.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

04/22/2008 08:23:58 AM · #7

I know a rich Nigerian prince!

figaro

Canon EOS-7D

04/22/2008 08:25:44 AM · #8

Yep - run a mile from this one. I'm in the market for a 30D and a number of the ones I've watched have been relisted as a result of these scams.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

04/22/2008 08:34:12 AM · #9

Heh, a few years ago I made a post here suggesting that anything that mentioned the word "Nigeria" was basically a scam, and people were ripping me a new one, suggesting I was some sort of racist for making that statement. Nigeria has certainly earned the distinction of being Scamland.

Message edited by author 2008-04-22 08:34:34.

04/22/2008 08:45:44 AM · #10

well he sent me an email saying "I have sent you Â£535, please supply the shipping number so the funds can be released". This isn't how paypal works... i sent him an email telling him he had been reported to the eBay fraud department, the paypal fraud department and an investigation is under way. I also left them negative feedback and relisted the item.

I was trying to find a simple form on the eBay website to do with reporting a scam but i've no idea where it is. So basically i told them that there was no way in hell this was going ahead since I know how paypal works.

What a tard...

Thanks for the quick replies though guys :) Appreciated!

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

04/22/2008 08:53:07 AM · #11

Originally posted by Tez:

... I was trying to find a simple form on the eBay website to do with reporting a scam but i've no idea where it is. So basically i told them that there was no way in hell this was going ahead since I know how paypal works. ...

Some of the stuff is buried on eBay and not easy to find...especially when you're in a hurry.

I'd use this area/link (found it under Help/Contact Us/Security & Resolution)... //pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/reportproblem.html

dd1989

Fujifilm x100

04/22/2008 08:56:05 AM · #12

When I sell things on eBay I set my preferences to UK bidders only, that helps cut down some of the scamming, and if there is even the slightest hint of "nigeria" mentioned, then I'd rather lose the listing fee and cut my losses.

04/22/2008 08:57:06 AM · #13

ah hah... thanks for that!

citymars

Nikon D700

04/22/2008 08:57:54 AM · #14

Originally posted by Tez:

... i'm selling my camera and all the stuff with it.

What's going on?

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

04/22/2008 08:59:11 AM · #15

Originally posted by citymars:

Originally posted by Tez:
... i'm selling my camera and all the stuff with it.

What's going on?

FS: 400d w/ grip, 4 batts, remote, Lowepro bag. Opening post says he's upgrading to a new camera. :-D

Message edited by author 2008-04-22 08:59:45.

04/22/2008 08:59:55 AM · #16

:), no worries Larry. I'm selling my 400d and grip and batteries etc as well as a lens i don't use before I go away for 18 months to opefully produce a book. The money i get from the sales is going to buy me a 40d or a 5d... basically something with a metal alloy body because the plastic body of the 400d probably wont like being taken through the himalayas after being in 45 degree heat in India so it's a means to an end. I'm not giving it up or anything.

citymars

Nikon D700

04/22/2008 09:10:46 AM · #17

Glad to hear it, Tez. :-)