Am I being scammed?

[hulbs2012]

Hi

I'm a recently separated mother trying desperately to scrape up a deposit for a house.  A few days ago I listed my engagement ring for sale, and received a message from a buyer in South Africa offering a princely figure (via Fedex), and giving their email address for future negotiation.  I emailed them accepting the offer, and suggested using Paypal for the transaction. 

I have since received an email from Paypal saying the transaction has been approved, but as yet the transfer is still showing as "pending". 

Am I about to be ripped off?  I have already placed a stop of my bank account/credit card to cover me.

[kopenhagen5]

This is most likely a scam. Don't click on any further emails or links and don't give any information.

If you log directly into your paypal, paypal.com.au check to see if the transaction appears there.

Most African high end purchases are scams, designed to get you to send the item thinking a payment is waiting clearing.

[kopenhagen5]

BTW, looking at your listing, all the photos are out of focus. If you hope to sell an item worth thousands, I would be revising with better photos.

🙂

[iamanark]

Of course you are being scammed

.

And as it seems you did the transaction"off ebay" you are going to get burnt

[go-tazz]

It is a scam.

Just follow these guidelines to report them,get your fees back and block these scammers.

If an ID with good feedback wins your auction then asks you to post to Nigeria,it means the Nigerian Scammer has hijacked another member's account to place bids.

If this happens, you can report it through Account Security Live Help:

http://contact.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowCUPortal&guest=1
and / or the webform :

Go to buyer and then report a member,

Account Security > Unauthorised Account Activity > Report another user’s ID as stolen

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/contact_us/_base/index_selection.html


When an account is reported as stolen, eBay generally remove the listing,email you and refund your listing fee although you may need to request a final value fee.

Check your Account > Seller Account ( top of page ) in your My eBay.

If the final value fee has not been refunded ,you can request it through
Live Help General Support:

http://contact.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowCUPortal

Go to Buying

Or by email:

Selling and managing your item > Fraud and Transaction Problems >
Getting a final value fee credit when buyer doesn't pay
http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/contact_us/_base/index_selection.html

If a newly registered ( 0 feedback )Nigerian Scammer wins your auction,report it through Live Help:
http://contact.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowCUPortal&guest=1

Go to buying.

And / or the webform :

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/contact_us/_base/index_selection.html

When the member ID is NARU (not a registered user) you can file an Unpaid Item Dispute through your Account > Resolution Centre (top of page) in your my eBay using the reason "buyer is no longer registered".
Your final value fees will be refunded to you immediately.

Put these buyer blocks in place. Go to:

My eBay > Account > Site Preferences > Postage preferences > Show >
Exclude postage locations from your listings from your listings > Edit .......and Select the countries you don’t post to.

Tick … Apply to all current live listings
Click …Apply

And

My eBay > Account > Site Preferences > Buyer Requirements > Show >
Edit .......and tick:

1. Buyers in locations to which I don't post
2. Block buyers who haven't gone through phone verification…
3. Only apply this block to buyers who have a feedback score of 5 or lower(Having a Paypal Account and / or Credit Card details on file overrides this block)

Tick all other blocks of your choice.

Tick …Apply above settings to active and future listings.
Click …Submit

Do not use a BIN (Buy It Now) option when relisting your item.

Beware of spoof/phishing emails you may receive .
Do not open them and do not click on any links.
As a precaution , run all your spyware, keylogging and virus protectionand change your passwords,(something which should be done on a regular basis anyway)

.

[vikingzee]

Hi there I have just had similar result from suposed ebyer with all positive feedback. I listed an item that was bought by this person, who then asked me to post to friend in Nigeria and monies will be held at Nochex UK until I prove the item has left Australia. I have informed Ebay sent through all sus emails to spoof@ebay.com . I have now received an email sus I think saying I will be suspended from Ebay unless I pay. I also received an email from seller saying he would inform the AFP if I did not send item asap. I have always had great sellers and this is the first one that has really taught me a lesson.

vikingzee

[lyndal1838]

Sending emails to spoof@ebay is not the way to go in this case.

I hope you have not corresponded with the scammers in any way.

[kopenhagen5]

gotazz, just so you know, scammer appears to have messaged offer and not bid or purchase. OP then accepted offer in messages or email.

[superscanner4]

hulbs you have set yourself up as a target for this scammer because:

1.  you have low feedback and are new to eBay;

2.  you are selling a very expensive item

3.  you have accepted an offer outside of eBay thus violating eBay policy and demonstrating you have little knowledge of internet safety and the warning signs of scamming in action

if you proceed any further with this you will lose both your ring AND a substantial amount of money.

Please follow the advice about blocking buyers and keep reading and arm yourself with knowledge.  The safest way to sell your ring is through a reputable jeweller who deals with second hand goods.

[edis64]

vikingzee, that's definitely a scam! eBay would not send you an email saying that you're account will be suspended especially given the circumstances. You didn't send the item (I gather) did you? And anyway, the AFP will probably go after THEM rather you! LOL proves how stupid some of these Nigerian (and other nationality) scammers really are!!!