Help me beat this con artist...

[gobigone2011]

I have a dining suite listed and I received the usual email outside eBay asking my " last price " and usual story about a relative in Russia and if I provide my PP they will make payment and get pick up arranged.

Generally i just ignore these scam attempts however I am wondering if I can beat these fools at their own game.

PayPal is not an option on my listings due to me accepting Credit Card so the scammer wont be able to buy it via eBay so I can end the listing now and email the scammer with my PP email right.

Then surely I can provide the address for pick up.

How can the scammer get his money back from PayPal this way? I guess if they are using a stolen credit card can they get their money back that way?

[the-kazbar]

Just ignore them.

[putney32]

no DO NOT attempt to 'trick' them, they are not after your dining suite, they are farming information

every time somone answers them they have another piece of info. like they get your name when they ''buy'' and your email address linked to your paypal account, and if you email them, your real email address.. they can get your telephone number once they have bought, and yes, they can use a c/card and if its fake or stolen the real owner has up to 12months to get the money back from you via a Chargeback !!!

ignoring is the best and only way... the farming of info is compiled into lists sold around the world to other scammers, each one with a little bit more information about YOU......

[gobigone2011]

Oh thats the reply I was looking for, thanks Putney, much appreciated. I will comply with your advice 🙂

Now for everyone at home here are the emails, look and learn everyone. LOOK AND LEARN...

Email number 1...

Hi Do you still have your item for sale?How much is your last asking price???

I emailed them back with my lowest price and then received this email...

Thanks for getting back to me and i appreciate your prompt reply..I am
presently out of town now but i am buying this for my Daughter Who
live in Russia and i will like to make the payment for this via Paypal
and also my mover will come for the pick-up...So kindly send me your
Paypal account ID and i will send the Payment for this item instantly
and once the money clears in your account ,my mover will come for the
pick-up.if you don't have a PayPal account yet,
cant take you less than 3mins to do that, i will be expecting your
PayPal email so l can pay and also get back to me with your best price
on this. I will be waiting.


-- 
You will be waiting alright you mongrel hahahahahahaha.

[wendyric11]

Hi, I know it is tempting to try to beat these scammers, please don't respond to them. By doing so not only do you give them more information, but  by confronting these scammers you alert them to the fact that you are aware of what there doing so they then tweak their spiel and it goes on and on.

What you should do is report these people to Scamwatch http://www.scamwatch.gov.au. this is run by the Australia government

Cheers Wendy

[*mrgrizz*]

who buys a dining suite in australia for use in russia.

do they have a shortage of used dining suites in russia?

[gobigone2011]

dont worry i never respond to these scammers ( well i did respond initially however I wasnt aware it was a scammer ( mind you the last line of the initial email was an alarm bell ( " what is your last price " ).

I will report this to scam watch, thanks.

Generally these types of scams would come through as an sms with the usual " please sms me back with your last asking price bla bla bla I will pay with PayPal and get our contact to pick it up as we are in Madrid or some bla bla place " and if you try calling the number its not a valid number or something and uncontactable.