I think I am being scammed, but not sure what the scam is

[swd847]

I just sold my Alienware laptop on ebay, and a buyer in the states bought it and offered me an extra $150 to post it to the states.

I just checked and the same laptop is about $500 cheaper on ebay.com (my buy it now price was a bit unrealistic), and he could actually get the newest version direct from alienware for less than what he has offered me, as they are much cheaper in the USA. When I questioned him about it he just offered some vauge answer about being out of the country and needing a good laptop for a friend. 

He has also said he wishes to pay by bank transfer, and asked for my bank account details.

I'm pretty sure this is a scam, but not really sure what the scam is. All I can think of is that possibly the money I will be paid with is dirty money from some other scam.

Am I just being paranoid here?

[fred_fred_2004]

MIght be transfering from a credit card and then doing a charge back ??

[nonny_muss]

I would be suspicious too.  But if your buyer doesn't pay via Paypal neither of you are really protected.  All sorts of things could go wrong and it could get very messy!  Insist on Paypal, explaining that it is for the seller's protection as well.  If they don't want to pay via Paypal then that would be a red flag for me and I would cancel the transaction.

[just_kits]

Ugh I see this all the time.

Whatever you do.. DO NOT make the transaction unless it's through PayPal. SIMPLE.

If memory serves... Generally what happens next is that he claims the money is "pending" from bank to bank and that YOU will need to pay some rubbish fee to release the money..

Something like that anyway.

[silversterio2]

swd847

You're dealing with a Nigerian Scammer.

You'll be sent a fake email and  told that the money has been paid and is being held securely for you and that it will be released to you when a tracking number is given for postage of the laptop.

All a Scam.

Have no further contact with the Scammer.

Read the thread in this link and follow all the directions in #3 step by step:

http://community.ebay.com.au/question/Selling-Ebay/Getting-Fake-Buyers/600153023?#msg604961582

[swd847]

I am definitly not sending him my laptop.

I can see how people fall for these scams, even though logically I know it has to be a scam, there was still a part of me that wanted to belive it was legit.

My only real concern now is getting back the $100 seller fee, I have emailed support so hopefully they can sort it out. 

[***super_nova***]

My only real concern now is getting back the $100 seller fee, I have emailed support so hopefully they can sort it out. 

You need to call ebay (or go to live help)  and report the account as being hijacked, which it is.  You will get your FVF back.  Your email will only get generic response.

[shypansy]

You will probably find the buyer won`t hang around for long, and move on in search of another victim. 

You can open a dispute for non payment if ebay don`t take immediate action on your behalf.

But contrary to what has been said,  I would not wish to be paid by paypal in this instance,  even if they did pay, (which is very unlikely)  and you took precautions to send it registered and insured,  the payment would probably be funded by a stolen credit card, and a charge back would occur once the genuine account owner discovers what has happened, 

[putney32]

swd, the other part of this scam (and it is a scam), is that they are 'farming' information, which is onsold around the world to other scammers.

they start with just your ebay ID, if they ''buy' the item then then have your real name, and perhaps yr address / phone number /   and the email address linked to your paypal

(much easier to trick you down the line if they know yr real name).

each time you respond to their emails they have a little more info from you, your home email, ISP, whatever.... and of course they asked for your bank details... more info.

all that is compiled into a file on YOU and sold to Nigeria, Roumania, .... anywhere that scammers can work without too much official interference.

be careful, very careful of every email you receive for the next few years.

[phorum_junkie*]

Even if it were legitimate how would you send it as you are not allowed to post anything with lithium batteries overseas using Aus Post.

Even if posting domestically you should post regular parcel with a road only sticker on it.