Gumtree - is this reply a scam - it feels like one

CommitedToChange

I've placed an add on gumtree to sell a new laptop bag and have had this email:

Thank you for your mai.Am really interested in buying your item and i want the item ship through Royal Mail next day delivery to my place in united-kingdom and additional money of £20 will be added to the payment for the shipping of the item through my paypal acct,i will also provide the shipping address after payment....Thanks

I'm selling the dell bag for £20 - but this just doesn't feel right and you know what they say......

Thoughts, suggestions (offers;)) Thanks

MsCrow

Ignore, ignore, ignore, it is a scam. Or, you should spin it along and say yes of course and see what happens. There was a similar thread on here and they played it our for ages, it was very funny. Can't find the post but this website might show you how these things play out - http://www.419eater.com/

CommitedToChange

Many thanks

Thought it was but wanted to be sure - didn't want to be paranoid :rotfl:

Lol - annoying scammers. will def try to find that thread to see how they spun it out.

pinkshoes

It's a generic reply that they will have sent to all adverts, as they always write "your item" rather than what it actually is.

Gumtree is one of their favourite places for finding someone to fall for their scam.

Premier_2

How is this a scam?

A similar but different scam is to overpay the item, say by cheque, and request the item is sent with together with the change due. Then the original payment is recalled e.g. because it was a stolen cheque, etc.

Here the buyer is willing to pay by paypal, and is willing to pay £20 to cover the cost of sending the item Special Delivery - perhaps they want it in a hurry.
What is important is that you as the seller will have full tracking including proof of delivery online.

As long as you receive the money before you send (as always) how is this a scam?

durham_girl

Premier wrote: »

How is this a scam?

A similar but different scam is to overpay the item, say by cheque, and request the item is sent with together with the change due. Then the original payment is recalled e.g. because it was a stolen cheque, etc.

Here the buyer is willing to pay by paypal, and is willing to pay £20 to cover the cost of sending the item Special Delivery - perhaps they want it in a hurry.
What is important is that you as the seller will have full tracking including proof of delivery online.

As long as you receive the money before you send (as always) how is this a scam?

Hijacked paypal account?

Premier_2

durham_girl wrote: »

Hijacked paypal account?

Possible, but then it always is. But why would someone go to such lengths that bring attention to themselves? Wouldn't it be better to just buy items - most people post as soon as paypal payment is received anyway?

Take usual precautions. e.g once payment is received check person really lives at the address stated e.g. is in phone book, is on electoral register, etc. Most scammers don't like to be traced so wouldn't have items sent to their home address.

Pssst

Gumtree is rife with scammers. Best stay away from the whole site IMHO

soolin

It will be one of those dodgy paypal emails the ones where 'paypal' tell you they are holding funds until you supply a tracking number.The reason they are doing it for a laptop bag is they send out thousands at a go and the word laptop was picked up but the 'bag' bit was ignored.

CommitedToChange

Ah that makes sense - I couldn't figure out how it would work, but it def felt like a scam.

Ah well - didn't think it would sell anyway to be honest but thought I'd give it a shot

soolin

I always think it better safe than sorry.