Is this the precursor to a scam?

[mahatmagandi03]

Just wondering if a message such as this that I received rings alarm bells of a scam (my redactions ***). I am in Australia.

"Hello, I am interested in your *******. I wondered if I win the auction if I could have you ship it to a friend of mine in Australia? I am in Hawaii and he is coming here in a couple months and could bring it with him. His PO Box is in Coolangatta and his home address is in Bilambil Heights, NSW, about 15 minutes from Coolangatta. Are you able to ship to a PO Box, or do you need the street address? Thank you,
*****  "

Does this sound like thge precursor to a PayPal scam?

Thanks 

Peter

[enigmabear]

I'd say almost certainly a scam

[digital*ghost]

I often get sales from people overseas who have the package shipped to a friend here who then take it over, so that alone doesn't scream scam. Most people don't even enquire, though, as there is usually nothing stopping them from just buying and having it shipped to an Australian address.

The major warning signs are things like offering more money, the mention of an agent, sons or other relatives out at sea and escrow services.

[kopenhagen5]

I would accept it going to a PO box provided they pay signed for registered mail so you have proof of postage and delivery.

However this story does sound suspicious and I would be concerned someone receives the item then does a chargeback because they used a credit card through Paypal.

As well, camera equip seems to be favoured by scammers.

[digital*ghost]

---

@kopenhagen5 wrote:

However this story does sound suspicious and I would be concerned someone receives the item then does a chargeback because they used a credit card through Paypal.

As well, camera equip seems to be favoured by scammers.

---

True about camera gear being a common target, but realistically, what possible scam could this buyer pull that anyone else buying and having the item shipped to an Australian address can't? 

There's quite literally nothing different - if buyer buys, pays via PayPal, seller ships to an Australian address, and can avail themselves of seller protection - for camera equiment, it's always advisable to protect yourself against other kinds of fraudulent claims as well (like received something different, or some other kind of not as described scam, which involves the seller taking down / photographing serial numbers, other identifying info, and if you want to go to the nth degree, a credible witness who can verify what was packed in the parcel). 

You don't generally hear of scammers asking like this, and if they do, it's usually to pull a different kind of scam, their language is commonly vague "for example 'dear seller (or friend), I am interested in your eBay item (doesn't actually identify the item)," and so on. 

Caution is always good, but suspicion isn't, JMHO. 

[jellybirddesigns]

Assuming it's NOT a scam, my first thought was - 

He needs to add that address into his own payal account and then when he checks out, that will be the address you send it to. At least you will then be covered by PP. It's no good to just tell you the address in an email. For your own safety, it needs to be recorded.

[lyndal1838]

It does not immediately ring alarm bells for me.

It is not as though he is an overseas buyer and you do not ship overseas.

Just take all the precautions that you normally would for any reasonable pricey transaction.....tracking, signature etc. and make sure that the address the item is to be sent to is entered in checkout so it will show in the paypal advice.

I can't see any more danger in this transaction than in any local transaction except that it is being paid for by an overseas buyer.  You will not have any problems with slow overseas shipping and hold ups in Customs.

[phorum_junkie*]

Adding the address in Paypal will achieve nothing, the address needs to be added to ebay delivery addresses and if the seller only posts to Australia then it needs to be checked as the primary delivery address before buying.

If the buyer had already done that then the seller would have no idea the buyer was overseas so I am pretty sure there is no scamming involved.

I have brought many things over with me from the UK which Aussie buyers have purchased using my UK address when I am over there.

[*tippy*toes*]

It's not screaming scam, but I would take photos of any serial numbers and keep them in a safe place just in case. You don't want someone doing the old switcharoo on you.

[4green2000]

here we go again..scam scam scam...