Examples of Suspected Fraud or Fake Emails

[PayPal_Andy]

Hey Everybody!

In an effort to make things easier to find and research, I'm going to consolidate as many threads as possible where we have examples of people trying to defraud hard working sellers (Craigslist emails, 'PayPal' emails asking you to send money outside of PayPal, etc).  This will also be used as a master thread for future posts regarding this same situation.

When you post your examples here, please remember to not include last names or contact information of whoever is sending these emails.  There's no way to confirm if that person has been defrauded as well and the name is being used fraudulently.

Thanks for your cooperation and remember, keep the conversation productive, on task, and above all, keep it clean. I know these things can be difficult and frustrating, but bleep filled posts or posts that look like government redacted files will never benefit anyone. 😄

Andy

[Vah]

My guess is that it is a scam...see this language from another Craigslist post:

Hi ,
Thanks for the swift response, just to let you know that am okay with the condition and price of the item, am ready for its purchase and my form of payment will be by PayPal.I would have really love to come for the viewing but due to my work frame that might not be possible as am on work inspection to Mexico at the moment and I do not have access to a phone,but if you have more pictures, might want to have a good look, I'll be responsible for the pick-up and the pick up Charges will be included in your payment to avoid delay and to enable pick up company to schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up at your location after funds has been received as i have other properties to be moved alongside with yours. All i will need is your PayPal email address to make the payment and then I will make arrangement for pick up Don't forget to also send me the Picked Up Location Address so i can Know the Charges for the Shipping Company also.I will be expecting your email

Almost exactly the same verbiage.  Avoid at all costs...

[Mike00018]

Thanks for the advice.  I am pretty sure it was a scam.  The language and typos concerned me.  I responded to him that I was not comfortable paying for his shipping and he would have do that himself, and offered my phone number to discuss.  I never heard from him again.   Mike

[lenatural_mot]

I was trying to sell my Invacare hospital bed on craiglist, I too am handicapped and I received the EXACT same message that you did.  I was excited at first thinking i sold it and then he said he sent the money to paypal and I received an official "looking" receipt from paypal in my email, however when I checked my paypal it was empty, and  included in the paypal money he supposedly sent was the shipping money that I am  to send via western union.  that is NOT going to happen!  Those jerks!  I am not sending any money for anything.  It is their job to pay a shipping company or arrange a pick up and pay them, not mine.  Owell at least you and I are not easily fooled

[diron]

Just the week I had the same thing happen to me. I fell for it until I realized that a  paypal deposit would show up right away. I do not know if any of the rest of us contacted paypal customer servic but I did.  I also intend to inform craigslist.com. Is the name always Tracy Grubbs and the moving company E Cargo Express?

[anh1pitt]

The exact same thing happened to me. same name, tracy grubbs, same wording- everything. such a shame there are people like that out there.

[myharley]

It is not always Tracy  - I was just about scammed on the purchase of a car.  Same thing - send a western union payment for shipping costs - fake email from paypal, etc.  This time it was Sandra - and they used 2 different email address when they replied to us.  And she signed one of the emails as "Debby".  Must have forgot who she was!  I'm glad I investigated further.  Said she was a marine chef on a boat - didn't even want to see pictures of the car. Said it was a surprise gift for her son.

[marius1123]

 Hello  (name)

You have received a PayPal payment of £1,560.00 GBP sent from Removed

Transaction ID:

Status : Pending      98% complete  (AWAITING MONEYGRAM PAYMENT)

                         Description                                                     Quantity Unit Price    Amount      Honda 1 £1,200.00 £1,200.00

Shipping/handling £320.00 MoneyGram Charges £40.00 Total £1,560.00 GBP

PayPal Policy

The total sum of £1,560.00 GBP has been deducted from the buyer's account and has been "APPROVED" but it will not be credited into your account (for security purpose) until you send the requested sum of £320.00 GBP via MoneyGram.

See below for the information on how to send the funds via MoneyGram.

                             Information On How To Complete Your Transaction

      As mentioned in the payment receipt and as per the new PayPal payment policy, we have fully deducted the total sum of £1,560.00 GBP from the buyer's account and it cannot be refunded to her due to the terms and conditions for this transaction. Your money is safe and secure with us but it has been put on hold for security purpose and will not be credited into your account until we receive the necessary details from you.

   What do I need to do?

        Kindly go to the nearest MoneyGram shop/your Local Post office with cash and ask for the MoneyGram section, fill in the transfer form with the appropriate details.

    Send the sum of £320.00 GBP (cash) to the details below:

    Name : xxxxxxx

    City: Paris

    Zip Code: 75000

    Country : France

   A Reference Number would be given to you by MoneyGram. Kindly send the below information to us as soon as you have completed the MoneyGram transfer so that we can credit your account instantly:

     - Sender's Name and Address

     - Reference Number

     - Telephone number

     - Total Amount Sent

     - Test question and Answer (if applicable)

 example

Hello again,

I am glad to inform you that i have made the payment! PayPal said that they have sent you a confirmation email so kindly check the inbox of your email. ............

I had a little problem with the agent they said they can only schedule the pick up date and time after they receive their pick up fee in their head office via moneygram,but due to my hearing loss and I'm just recovering from heart surgery so I'm home-bound i'm unable to get to a moneygram shop to send it. I added the £360 they charged for the pick up and £40 for the moneygram charges,you will receive the total sum of £1,560. 

You'll send £320 cash to them via moneygram today and here is the details needed for the transfer below:

Name :xxxxxxxx

City: Paris      

Zip Code: 75000

Country : France

[minty1]

Hey marius1123

Its a scam the link explains why

https://www.paypal.com/selfhelp/help/article/FAQ2061/1

[Mollymax]

Hi, I've just had an email from the same person asking to buy my car which they've never seen or interested to come and have a look before they pay for it via PayPal. Mmmm strange. I'm sorry to say but I think this is a scam.