[email protected] - [email protected]

Got this email while advertising my caravan yesterday. My friend advised me against giving my bank account details so I gave him a Paypal request instead. Not deterred by this he proceeded to ask for a post office money transfer. This sent alarm signals to me so I sent the email through to Paypal, along with the accompanying email apparently from Paypal, but not.

Please Read from the bottom up.

This was the final email received from [email protected]

Dear Xxxxxxxxx,

We hereby want to assure you once again that the total sum of $4,150.00 AUD will be credited into your account as soon as you provide us with the complete details of the western union money transfer used to send the additional fund of $950.00 AUD meant for the item pick up to the buyer's pick up agent. We also want you to know that your money has already been deducted from the buyer's account and it cannot be returned back to him which means that it is secure with us but has been put on hold and will not be credited into your account until we receive the necessary details from you. The western union money transfer information's needed are the MTCN and the sender's name and address used to send the money. This information's will be given to you by western union after the money transfer has been done. The western union transfer can be done at western union section at your post office.

We are sorry for any inconveniences this might have caused and we want you to know that the total sum of $4,150.00 AUD is ready and available to be credited into your account as soon as the necessary step is taken by you.

Lenons last reply was:

All you need do is get to post office with the cash,fill out the form and hand it over to the person in charge,MTCN will be on the receipt issued to you after sending the money so you will need to send the details to paypal by replying to any of their mails and your acct will be credited shortly after doing that.

I wrote:
Ok so you want me to email PayPal with Wu Shang's details, is that correct, and who do I contact at PayPal?

On 17/08/2016 4:27 am, "L ennon Lewis " < [email protected] > wrote:
I have just completed the payment and i expected PayPal to have notified you to this effect.check your mail folders(inbox,spam and junk mail) i sent $4,150 in all.i added $1,050 but $950 will be sent to my agent in China through western union at post office,the extra $100 is to cover the western union fee. PayPal said they will not release the fund until you email them the western union details for verification,and also to enable my pick up agent to come for pick up and inspection.Here is the agent's details where the money will be sent.

Name: WU SHANG
Address: 23 First world Plaza
Hong Li Road
Tian District
Shenzhen China

Please get the necessary details sent to PayPal (Money Transfer Control Number)MTCN and senders name and address used to send the $950 so that they can release the whole fund into your account.Please get back to me once done.

Thanks.

No payment was received then I got this email.

On Tue, Aug 16, 2016 at 8:02 PM, Lennon Lewis <l [email protected] > wrote:
I was just about to pay when i had this problem with the pick up, my pick up agent says i will need to pay for the pick up before they can
schedule a pick up time, they charged me $950 for pick up and delivery and payments for pick up made through them is made to their
corporate international headquarters which is in china and the payments is made through western union money transfer, i will add the $950 to the money i will send as soon as i have made the payments, i will email you and let you know and please i will need you to help me send the money to my pick up agent HQ in china through western union money transfer,this can be done at any post office,there is always western union money transfer section in most post offices,I will appreciate your help here and thanks for your understanding.

He then answered:

On 16 Aug 2016, at 12:05 pm, Lennon Lewis <[email protected]> wrote:

i will let you know when the payment has been made in couple of hours and also contact my pick up agent,he will be signing the necessary paper work on my behalf.Please tell others it's sold and remove the advert as i will like it delivered to my before my arrival and attached is a copy of my license in case you need my details.

I replied:
Please send me the courier details, and please give him my phone number so I can coordinate pick up. I will have paperwork ready


This is "Lenon's" first email after replying to my add on Gumtree.

On 16/08/2016 11:21 am, "Lennon Lewis" <[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks for getting back,i'm pleased with the price and the condition as described on the advert,I work on a remote mine site, Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) Darwin NT.We do not have access to phone at the moment and that's why I contacted you with internet messaging facility,Does it have any history I should be aware of and why are you selling?

Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my westpac bank account,please get back to me with your BSB,Acct name & Number so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your PayPal payment details as i can also pay into your Paypal acct.
I've contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.
Await your reply

In this scam the scammer is NOT interested in your vehicle. He wants to steal your money. No one will ever come to pick up the trailer. It is all a scam with the scammer playing all roles.

The scammer wanted to send you a fake Paypal payment. He has a fake Paypal address from a free email provider spoofing Paypal. The payment would look real. Its a screen shot of a fake payment. He then will instruct you to pay a mover, shipper or agent. The fake Paypal email from the scammer would say that your Paypal funds will be released when you send the scammer (mover,agent or shipper) money via Western Union or Money Gram. In reality Paypal would never hold your funds.

Log into Paypal directly without any links to check for monies received or call Paypal directly from the number on their site.

If you are selling electronics, Cell phones or computers then the scammer is trying to steal your "item". Your fake funds will be released when you send the scammer a scan copy of a receipt showing you mailed your item.

This same scam works with fake check and money orders. You and your bank will think they are real. After you cash the fake check. Days or weeks later your bank will inform you of the fraud. Your bank will have you repay the monies. Possibly close your account for fraud and report you to Law Enforcement.

The best thing to do is to sell in person face to face in a public place.