Craigslist Paypal scam?

MKplayer1start

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Okay I listed my MKII for $750 on craigslist and last night I got an offer for $900 from a guy claiming to be a sailor and he wants to pay with paypal. It sounds like the money order scam but he says wants to arrange to pick it up and not ship it. the e-mail has decent english but still looks a little fishy.

How can somebody scam with paypal?

This is a new one for me what do you guys think?
 
Okay I listed my MKII for $750 on craigslist and last night I got an offer for $900 from a guy claiming to be a sailor and he wants to pay with paypal. It sounds like the money order scam but he says wants to arrange to pick it up and not ship it. the e-mail has decent english but still looks a little fishy.

How can somebody scam with paypal?

This is a new one for me what do you guys think?

You'd probably need more details to see how he plans to scam you exactly, but anyone offering MORE than your asking price for something is almost certainly a scammer.

My first guess is that he plans to Paypal you the money, pick up the cab, then claim you never gave him the item and try to get Paypal to refund him.

If he wants to pick it up, tell him you want cash. That way he gets to look at it first, and he can hand over the money right then.
 
Ya it's pretty obvious its a scam but now they're using paypal? I won't fall for the scam but it's interesting theyre using paypal now

Their refund policy is so heavily weighted towards the buyer, there's little reason not to use PayPal if your intent is to scam somebody.
 
actually I bought a car from a sailor once, while he was on the boat out working on the pacific....been 10yrs but I seem to recall the email addy was associated with the boats name....something a smart IP address checker guy could verify I think...also find out what boat he is on they have a main number to call and they can verify if he is on the boat or not.......just a FYI. may or may no be fishy...might be worth checking out. ...I also sold a motor to guy in Iraq a few years ago he was coming home in a month, I just held it for him.
 
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actually I bought a car from a sailor once, while he was on the boat out working on the pacific....been 10yrs but I seem to recall the email addy was associated with the boats name....something a smart IP address checker guy could verify I think...also find out what boat he is on they have a main number to call and they can verify if he is on the boat or not.......just a FYI. may or may no be fishy...might be worth checking out. ...I also sold a motor to guy in Iraq a few years ago he was coming home in a month, I just held it for him.


Sailors, and I assume all US military, are assigned an email account as part of their career development. It will usualy end in a series of suffixes with a final '.mil'. I have never seen something not directly military affiliated using the .mil suffix. Of course, they can have a personal account as well.

It is also wise to remember that the military has its fair share of shady individuals and pulling scams is not unheard of for military personnel...
 
I thought you could only file disputes with paypal if the purchase was through ebay.

No, you can dispute anything that you tell Paypal is a purchase, as long as you are within the 45 day limit. Whether they believe you or not is a separate question.
 
I'm pretty sure the limit has been increased to two years. :eek:

To the OP. Of course it is a scam! :rolleyes: Why on earth would anyone offer more than the asking price??? Seriously. Get his contact information first, demand cash on pickup only and report his stupid ass to paypal to stop his scamming if you want to do a good deed.


No, you can dispute anything that you tell Paypal is a purchase, as long as you are within the 45 day limit. Whether they believe you or not is a separate question.
 
And why is he offering you more? That is odd right there and you should be asking him "its not sold at my price, why are you willing to give me more?".

If he says to hold it for him, "say I'll do that for anyone at my full asking price if someones willing to pay it". But really, more money?

Ask him where he's stationed out of or normally and the ships name, do it out of curiosity, then Google what he tells you. If he dodges the questions, then I would steer clear.

OR

Tell him he can pay in full when he picks up, since he said he would arrange pick up, tell him you don't do PayPal for money and Craigs List items.
 
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