Scam trying to buy car using PayPal

[Rgn1]

I got the email this email today from <removed> OK, I'm interested in an immediate purchase. I'll be glad if you kindly accept me as the rightful buyer. I'm buying for daughter as a surprise birthday gift asap. Also, to assist her with the new job she's starting soon. Pls have got some few questions to ask before proceeding 1) What's your final price? 2) What's the reason for selling? 3) Is there any mechanical fault? 4) Can I've the VIN/Registration Number? 5) Do you accept Paypal payment? IT IS A SCAM

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Rgn1 

Yep been ongoing for at least the 10 years I have been helping on here and i post the below about 6 times a day, glad you were not caught out...........

SCAM.

They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment. 
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails 'may' go into your junk/spam folders.

They don't quibble on cost and may also say they can't view the item but are buying it as a gift / disabled or working abroad but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect it.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't actually have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

The 'fake' paypal email will tell you that the buyer has paid for the item + shipping costs but you must send those shipping costs to the courier/ shipping agent via anther payment processor than Paypal OR via providing some vouchers or tokens before the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the car, they just want that couriers/shipping funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.


Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram or Western Union etc.
Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any type of motor vehicle.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[Ray1231]

Me too. Email from Wolfe <removed>

[robbie37]

Almost word for word as Rgn1 said!  Sounded too good to be true, so checked what people said about using Paypal for car sale.

[Sonnydill]

I got this email today. OK, I'm interested in an immediate purchase in the car. I'll be glad if you kindly accept me as the rightful buyer. I'm buying for daughter as a surprise birthday gift asap. Also, to assist her with the new job she's starting soon. Pls have got some few questions to ask before proceeding 1) What's your final price? 2) What's the reason for selling? 3) Is there any mechanical fault? 4) Can I've the VIN/Registration Number? 5) Do you accept Paypal payment? Please kindly get back to me with full information about the vehicle as I'm ready to buy immediately. Regards, Wolfe..