[Tea~for~two]

Hi - I'm a bit embarrassed about this:

I posted an item to sell on gum tree, and the buyer sent through a payment receipt and then PayPal sent me a notice saying I have to pay the freight company $500 before they transfer the money into my account. I queried what this is all about and this is what they sent me:

"Get back to us with the western union information for verification as we have noted in our previous message. Once you do this the total amount of $1,700.00 AUD shall be credited into your account. We advise you to get back to us with the western union details so we can credit your bank account. You have our 100% assurance on this, please note this payment cannot be reversed or cancelled because it is a PayPal to bank payment. We believe you have a bidding agreement before you gave your bank details out, failure to comply with what we have instructed will lead to legal action and blockage of your account."

I told the buyer I don't have $500 so the deal is off but he said that Paypal 'can't' refund his money and that they will take legal action against me.

What the??? Is this for real, or am being scammed?

I know I know, I should have been more careful, but I've never sold anything online before so I had no idea what I was doing.

Thanks

[emnut]

the words "western union" would have me running a mile - I'd be reporting them

[bakesgirls]

Once I read the words 'western union' I would have said they can take whatever action they want, but the transaction is cancelled.

WU is notorious for being used to scam people.

[-*meh*-]

SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM, SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM...

SPAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Get*busy*livin]

scam scam scam scam scam scam scam.


Please DO NOT send any money via western union. Delete the buyers emails and if they contact you again then mark the emails as spam and your inbox should send them straight to junk.

[lamarque]

Sounds like a scam to me.

[Jaxxie1]

Scam

[Get*busy*livin]

I agree, the very mention of "western union' by any buyers screams scam.

[kez71]

that doesn't sound like paypal wording..especially mentioning western union and saying " get back to us" and " you have our 100% assurance" /. it doesn't sound right.
id go to www.paypal.com.au and ring them to see what they say. they will most likley want you to send the email to them. do not pay $500 whatever you do!

This post has been edited by kez71: 29/11/2012, 09:37 PM

[I*Love*Christmas]

I think it is a scam. It doesn't sound like it was really paypal that sent you the email. I would contact Aus paypal right away. There are a lot of fake paypal emails that circulate.

Did the buyer pay you via paypal or via your bank account?