I get probably three emails a day with offers to buy my items. But everyone seems to turn out the same way. Much like this:
"My name is Motukumbu, and I would like to buy your Playstation 2 for $$$ plus the cost of shipping. The shipping will actually be going to Nigeria. My daughter lives there, and her birthday is coming up soon. If possible, I would prefer to pay you through paypal. Upon receipt of payment, you could ship it and provide me with a tracking number."
Anyways, thats the jist of it. I have paypal, and I can't really seem to grasp what the scam is here. If they send me money through paypal, then its mine to transfer to my bank account as I please. the only thing i have to give him is my login/email address for paypal so he can transfer his funds. Is this a scam or do a lot of Africans simply want my used PS2?
2007-08-09 05:44:29 · 11 answers · asked by Adam 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
I would say that its a risk. Document everything! Its possible that they are attempting to have you ship the item, then say that they never received it, or that it was broken, or any number of things, then dispute with paypal. make sure you photograph the ps3, including the areas where the serial number are, or anything that is discernible to YOUR ps3. I had a guy try to tell me that a guitar pedal i sold him arrived broken, to turn out he was just trying to replace one that he had broken and then get his money back. It works with walmart, it doesnt work with real people.
Beware, but I would avoid shipping it intl either way.
2007-08-09 05:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by mrjobez 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How much money are we talking about shipping included? I'd be leery too. I don't see where the scam would be with this situation BUT I did just happen to catch the tail end of one of Oprah's shows last week & they mentioned scams coming out of Africa with items purchased using stolen credit cards & paying people using paypal. It was about 6 weeks later that these people who recieved the money in their paypal accounts were then contacted by their bank saying the money isn't there anymore... Hope that helps
2007-08-09 05:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by SuzieBox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they give Paypal a stolen credit card, which is very likely, Paypal might take it originally but would end up billing you back.
I'm sure there are honest people in Nigeria. But your best bet, if you get anything from Nigeria, is to just assume it's some kind of scam - almost all are.
2007-08-09 06:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you watch a magic act ... do you have to know how they did it to enjoy it? No.
When you see a cliff ... do you have to jump off to learn that it will hurt or kill you. No.
When you receive a highly questionable email dealing with money from Nigeria ... the world leader in scams ... do you really have to know how they will do it ... before you avoid it.
Scams rely on greed and ignorance. Don't confuse ignorance with stupidity. As long as you are ignorant of how their "gotcha" works ... and they can play off your greed (desire for money) ... you will get scammed.
2007-08-09 05:55:49 · answer #4 · answered by CPA/PFS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been reports about people in foreign countries (including Nigeria) using internet cafes in order to scam people via craigslist and various other sites.
2007-08-09 05:48:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont touch it, Im sure craigslist give warnings about scams this seems to be the type of thing they advise avoiding.....only sell it to local ppl or put an ad on eBay.....thats my advice
2007-08-09 05:53:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
total scam/ my friend almost got hooked by the same thing on ebay. fortunately, he was skeptical and reported it. they would bid on the items then afterwards try to changethe terms of payment and shipping.
report it to craigslist and whatever you do DO NOT give out any personal info.
2007-08-09 05:54:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If its Nigeria there is a 0.0000000000000001% chance its not a scam
2007-08-09 05:48:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they really want to buy what you have to sell and are willing to pay with PayPal, they can go to the PayPal website and pay. Don't give them any of your information for your PayPal account. They can send money to you without using your account.
2016-04-01 07:41:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds okay to me. I would just double-check customs guidelines to make sure there aren't any extra taxes or fees associated with shipping to Nigeria.
2007-08-09 05:47:33 · answer #10 · answered by CURRIEND 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋