Craigslist Paypal Scammers to Avoid

BEWARE the ongoing Craigslist Paypal scam that has been reported here before: I am adding to this discussion with a new name & bad email address to AVOID engaging at all costs: Victoria Bradsley [email protected]

I recently posted an item for sale on Craigslist & got this response: DO NOT ENGAGE THIS SCAMMER:

Good to hear back from you. I'm okay with the price and the condition.
Presently, I am always busy at work and do not
have much time around me to make or answer calls. Moreover, I would have loved
to call but our satellite server has been down in recent days which
restricts our calls. I will be paying you through PayPal as it is the
only Medium at which i can send Payment at the Moment.
I would appreciate if you email me with more pictures (if available) too
since i won't be be able to see this in person. And if you don't have a
PayPal account, It's pretty easy to set up a PayPal account at
http://www.paypal.com . it's just a few minutes away from signing up. it's
safe and secure for both Parties and i have been using PayPal to buy
and sell for years now without problems. Please get back to me with
your PayPal email so i
can proceed with the payment and contact the Pick up Agent who will
come for the Pick up of the item.
I will need these following details so i can proceed with the payment right away


1:Your PayPal e-Mail Address
2: Home Address


As soon as you get back to me with your PayPal email, I'll proceed
with full Payment. I look forward to reading from you soon.

Regards
Victoria

SHE WILL THEN SEND THE FOLLOWING EMAIL, & YOU WILL GET A FAKE PAYPAL PAYMENT CONFIRMATION:

I have just completed the payment and i am sure PayPal would have sent
you a Confirmation email . Please, check all your mail
folders(inbox,spam and junk mail). I sent a total Payment of $1,600. i
added $800 but $700 will be sent to my Pick Up Agent via Western
Union. The extra $100 is to cover the western union fee and PayPal
charges. PayPal will not release the funds 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: VALERIE WELLS

ADDRESS: 1314 W Gore Blvd # 3,
Lawton, OK 73501.
USA.

Please get the necessary details sent to PayPal (Money Transfer Control
Number)MTCN and Sender's Name and Address used to send the $700.00USD
so that they can release the whole funds into your account. Please get
back to me once it's done.

Regards

This is confirmed whomever that is also tried to scam me. But failed.

OMG, I'M SELLING A GRANDFATHERS CLOCK ON CRAIGSLIST AND I GOT THE EXACT SAME EMAIL FROM THIS PERSON. I MEAN RIGHT DOWN TO THE LAST PERIOD. I FELL FOR IT, HOOK LINE AND SINKER, TOLD HER THAT I WOULD BE SELLING THIS CLOCK TO HER, GAVE HER MY PAYPAL ACCOUNT NUMBER AND THEN SOMETHING TOLD ME TO JUST GOOGLE HER NAME AND WHAM!!!! I ABOUT FELL OFF MY CHAIR. WHAT A SUCKER I AM. THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE, BUT I WOLD HAVE SMELT A DIRTY RAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO CHANGE UP THE PAYMENTS AND WOULD HAVE TOLD HER TO GO GET F^$#*@!!!! AMAZING! THANKS TO YOU GUYS FOR SAVING ME FROM WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN HELL. I HAVE A BULLET WITH HER NAME ON IT.

Hello and welcome tedster1956,

Not to be rude. But, please do not type in all caps. It signals "yelling" and it hurts the eyes on people like me.

Thank you for posting. Please post all the email addresses used to contact you. In most cases the thief / scammer will have two email addresses used. You may have to check the header depending on your mail client.

Bryon

Ok, no yelling. I just got hit again, this time by Julie Jacobson. Same format, I even got ithe fake letter from PayPal telling me my money was on hold. I forwarded the fake emails to PayPal at their request to: [email protected]. Her email was: [email protected] and her fake shipping agent was named, Efren Navarro of El Paso, Tx. The phony PayPal email was: [email protected]. What a racket!

Here was the opening line from Julie Jacobson:

Hi, I have sent Your payment and I expect You to have an email from
PayPal for confirmation, I will suggest you check your PayPal email
in-box or Spam email folder for their emails.I want you to know that i
added an extra fee of $900 to the total payment which I need you to
send to the agent coming for the pick up and it needs to be sent via
Western Union or Money Gram as that's the only way My pick up agent
can get it.I am sorry i should have informed You but I only got the
urgent message from the pick up agent that They will need the funds
before.They can come and pick up when I was about making the payment.I have
notified PayPal of the procedures so there will be no problem.I also
added $100 for the Western Union or Money Gram charges. Please help Me
to send the pickup agent fee to My pickup agent and get back to me if there's
anything You need to know more so I will need your home address for
the pickup of the item.Below is the pickup agent information...

EFREN NAVARRO
401 EAST FRANKLIN AVENUE, SUITE 440
EL PASO, TEXAS 79901.
U.S.A.

Then the very next email is from "PayPal" This looked pretty good until you see the actual email address:

Hello [email protected],

A temporary hold has been place on your fund,follow the verification procedure below so we can release the fund to your account

The payment has been deducted from the buyer's account but will not show up in your account balance due to the temporary hold placed on it.The total fund is been held at our fund verification team desk for verification due to the large amount of money involved.Below is the verification procedure you are to follow before we can release the total sum of $3,750.00 USD which is on hold to your account.

Fund Verification Procedure
1:You are to send the added shipping fee upfront to the shipping agent's name and address below via Western Union at any of their offices or go to http://www.westernunion.com and click send money if you want to send it online with your debit or credit card without stress.

2:Forward the Western Union money transfer confirmation copy to us at [email protected]


,after sending the shipping fee online or the scanned copy of the Western Union receipt if the shipping fee was sent at a Western Union office so we can proceed in our verification process and release the total fund to your account few minutes after we get the requirement from you.


Note:The Buyer will not be permitted to reverse the fund before or after you have sent the shipping fee of $900.00 USD to the shipping agent's name and address below via Western Union.This means that you are also safe and secure by sending the shipping fee upfront to complete this transaction.

Name:

Address:

EFREN NAVARRO

401 EAST FRANKLIN AVENUE, SUITE 440
EL PASO, TEXAS 79901.
U.S.A.


Fund Verification Team are to verify all transactions and make sure both the buyer and seller are safe and secure.Contact us through ([email protected])

************************************************************************************************************************************
I called paypal to ask them if they had somewhere I could foward these scams to and they gave me their scam address: [email protected] I immediately fowarded them these 2 emails. The guy on paypal said if I had sent the money vis Western Union, It would be my baby as I did it on my own free will, all they could do would be to foward the information to the FBI but I would be out the money.

I can't thank this website enough. I mean something told me the first time to just google that first buyers name and it was like a bolt of lightning. I was pissed because I really thought I had made a sale. I was amazed that first: I had 5 buyers all wanting my clock.

Second, they all had no problem paying what I was asking. And last, all 5 buyers were scammers. I mean really? I sold an excersize machine a few weeks ago and it was a very pleseant experience. I had great communications and even helped them load it up in their van.

Then my Grandfathers clock experience from Hell. I guess it was the high asking price $2,750.00 that brought out the scam dogs. I'm more than ready for the next round and have changed up my listing dramatically. Cash Only!! No PayPal, No cashiers checks, no money orders no scams!

I will live and die by this web site from now on, I am a fan for life.... Thanks to Everyone, except the scam trash- may they get theirs someday.

Please beware of these email addresses also:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Hi all

I am adding a new name to the list of scammers:

Bill Warren email address: [email protected]

This guy tried to purchase a bicycle from me and wants to pay only by Paypal. He says he will pay an additional $300 that he asks me to pay back to his "mover" who will come and pick the bike up. Of course, the mover only accepts Western Union or Money Gram.

So the typical scam here. Dont be fooled, folks.

Bastien

Here is another BS scam that is going on as of today Jan. 19 2013. Nigeria loser responded to my Craigslist ad. He emailed pretending to be Paypal and wanted me to send tracking info on iPhone that he "bought" and the email said funds would be available to me once tracking info was verified. I knew this was a scam to start and hope this loser gets busted. Here is his phone number used to text me: +1 (571) 882-2487, here are the text messages:

Him:(1/3)yes Hi thanks for the quick response. what is the present condition of your item because am buying this item for a friend and l will
Him:(2/3)pay your asking price and l will also include the shipping cost l will be paying via paypal so kindly send me a paypal money request to
Him: (3/3)[email protected] or your paypal email so l can pay asap. so kindly get back to me with your paypal thanks

Me: I asked of he was trying to scam me swing how he sent the above three messages three times.

Him:(1/3)
No am not a scam is for my son who live abroad i have been buy blackberry to him before so i know how much it will cost me to send it
Him: (2/3)to him all you have to do it to get back with your paypal account for payment and once the payment is made you can help get the item
Him: (3/3)him

Me: He then asked for paypal email which I gave him just to see where he would take the scam.


Him: ok i have seen the email i will proceed with the payment
Him: can u send it through western union

Him: ok am about to make the payment asap
Him: oh i was very soor am about to make the payment asap now
Him: PAYMENT SENT; CHECK YOUR MAIL FOR THE PAYMENT CONFIRMATION FROM PAYPAL
Him: (1/3)u can check your paypal email now for the payment notification ..and follow paypal instruction in order to complete the transaction
Him: (2/3)today check inside your paypal check inside your inbox or spam box email for the confirmation of payment and follow there instruction
Him: (3/3) ok

Sent the above messages twice

Him: what is going on ??

Email to me was very suspicious and did not even have me thinking it could be real.

Email address supposedly from paypal:
[email protected]®
[email protected] (under other info)

Fake Email sent: (obviously fake based on language used)

Dear,(Me)


This message is originated from PayPal company.We have received an order from one of our client Paul smith ([email protected]) regarding the payment made to your PayPal account.The payment has been successfully made but due to security reason we have to receive the shipment tracking number before the next 2-8Hours for the processing of your order.

This a new measure we are taking to protect both our Seller's and Buyer's against fraudulent customers.Once you have shipped the item send us the shipment tracking number for verification after the tracking number has been verify your account will be credited instantly.

PayPal Authority is using this opportunity to tell you that the total amount of ($325.00 USD) will be transferred into your PayPal account immediately the shipment have been verified....The status of your fund is in PENDING MODE !!!



This PayPal® payment has been deducted from the Buyer's account and has been " APPROVED" but will not be credited to your account until the shipment reference/tracking number is sent to us for shipment verification so as to secure both the Buyer's and the Seller's. Below are the necessary information requested before your account will be credited.Send tracking number to us or email us through this mail ([email protected])


The Buyer's shipping address has been confirmed by PayPal authority.


Name: Chris Oluwafemi,
Address: #10, Adeoluwa street, Sapon
City: Abeokuta,
State: Ogun State,
Country: Nigeria,
Zip/ Postal Code :234039.


Buyer's Shipping Options:


============================== ============================== =======================

*** ATTENTION***
The order has been APPROVED , you can now ship the item to the Buyer's shipping address.You are expected to make the shipment and get back to our Costumer/Technical Dept with the tracking number for verification of shipment for a verification of your fund into your account.

The tracking number will be used to confirm and verify shipment.The tracking number should be mailed to our customer care center [email protected]




The Transaction Approved.



David Marcus
President
PayPal, Inc

I've attached all the threads that I got from a possible SCAMMMER and wanted to include this guy's email and sends me a text from an OHIO # but is at SEA... HMMM his email is attached so be weary folks




Sorry Friend, I just did alittle bit more research on your situation and have gotten hundreds of feedback on this and knew it was to good to be true. You should google what they say about SCAMS on selling to people who are at SEA! not cool dude!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2013 08:09:34 -0800
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: 2002 Honda Civic Coupe SI-G
To:




Ok no problem it ok by my dad so send me your paypal payment information.and also send me your address so that i can give it to the pick up company as well.




--- On Sun, 1/20/13, maria c <


From: maria c
Subject: RE: 2002 Honda Civic Coupe SI-G
To: [email protected]
Date: Sunday, January 20, 2013, 7:45 AM




January 31/2013




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2013 06:50:45 -0800
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: 2002 Honda Civic Coupe SI-G
To:




Give me the date so that i can talk to my dad and the agent if it ok by them so send me your paypal payment info.




--- On Sun, 1/20/13, maria c wrote:


From: maria c
Subject: Re: 2002 Honda Civic Coupe SI-G
To: "Daniel Alberto" <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, January 20, 2013, 6:17 AM




Ok Daniel, like I said in my previous email I can't give the vehicle up till end of January. If your father and you can wait I will forward my info and pull my ad. Please advise






Maria C







On 2013-01-20, at 2:54 AM, "Daniel Alberto" <[email protected]> wrote:







There is nothing complicated about it because this is not the first time am buying stuff for my dad if am away for work and th shipping agent always handle it for me so i have no issue or problem about it.if you still want to sell it for me then send me your paypal so that i can make the payment.



--- On Sat, 1/19/13, maria c wrote:


From: maria c
Subject: RE: 2002 Honda Civic Coupe SI-G
To: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, January 19, 2013, 3:17 PM




Hi Daniel,

This sounds a little to complicated for me as far as how the transaction needs to happen, I have no problem with signing over ownership to you once I receive funds and your agent picking up the vehicle there after and also cant give up car till the end of January. If you would like to have an agent contact me to explain it more thoroughly please do so.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:29:04 -0800
From: [email protected]
Subject: 2002 Honda Civic Coupe SI-G
To:




I have a private courier agent that will come for the pick up to my Dad house after the payment have been made ...so no shipping included and With the issue of my details,transferring the name of ownership and signing of all paperwork will be done by the courier services company agent so you don't have to worry about that,i will like to add the sum of $530 to the $2999 amount we agreed on and i will like to know if you would help me to transfer it to my shipping agent via western union money transfer here in Usa.I would ve love to do this myself but currently i am very busy on ocean because i am a sailor and there is no where on the sea i could send the money and the only payment method the shipping agent accepted is western union.I would be very happy if you would help me and i want you to get back to me with your reply so i can transfer everything together and get back to you as soon as POSSIBLE i will also pay all the paypal charges,so send me your
paypal payment details.

Hello everyone.

I just a very similar scam! I posted my ibook (apple laptop) for sale on Craigslist.
I received a text message from on out if area phone number 6465804231.

He offered to pay $150 extra of my asking price for me to ship the item to his nephew.
Told me he'll pay me via PayPal in the morning before he goes to work.
Me being naive said okay I gave him my email address.

Just now I received a fake Paypal email saying I just made a sale and for me to ship the item immediately so my funds become available after tracking information has been provided.

Right after that email the person texted me they already paid.
When I re-read the email from PayPal it looked suspicious to me. I looked at one of my other PayPal emails and sure enough it was different.

I kindly responded the item was sold. Forwarded the fake email to [email protected]
Don't fall for these scammers. Thank goodness I researched and found this website!
Thank you all for taking time to alert others.
I was about to actually ship my laptop to his supposed nephew in Nigeria and pay outta my pocket.
Cannot thank this website enough

I posted some furniture for sale last night and early this morning received a response as follows:

Sent By: [email protected]
On: Jan 01/23/13 2:13 AM
To: [email protected]
Reply to: [email protected]

Get back to me on this i am interested.

I e-mailed back to the "reply to" address asking what the person wanted to know and got the same "Good to hear back from you" reply from Victoria Bradsley at [email protected]. Several things made me suspicious. First, 3 different e-mail addresses. Second, so anxious to buy items sight unseen. So, I ran "Victoria Bradsley" through Google and up came this site. Thanks for the heads-up. Be on the look-out for e-mails from the other e-mail addresses as well. I have reported all of this to the paypal "police."

Here are some more email addresses:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Once you see the first scam, it is pretty easy to detect. Not very smart people though, these are responses to ads that no one would buy sight unseen - house full of furniture and a motorcycle.

RE: Victoria Bradsley Feb. 6 2013

She's struck again, or tried to. Posted an ad on Craigslist, and got this response:

from: [email protected] via craigslist.org
reply-to: [email protected]
to: [email protected]
date: Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Get back to me on this i am interested.

Regards.
-----------
I was already wary having encountered the same symptoms when I posted back in October on Craigslist. I posed a question if they were in the metro area where I live...the response?

Victoria Bradsley <[email protected]>
9:47 AM (49 minutes ago)

to me
Good to hear back from you. I'm okay with the price and the condition.
Presently, I am always busy at work and do not
have much time around me to make or answer calls. Moreover, I would have loved
to call but our satellite server has been down in recent days which
restricts our calls. I will be paying you through PayPal as it is the
only Medium at which i can send Payment at the Moment.
I would appreciate if you email me with more pictures (if available) too
since i won't be be able to see this in person. And if you don't have a
PayPal account, It's pretty easy to set up a PayPal account at
www.paypal.com . it's just a few minutes away from signing up. it's
safe and secure for both Parties and i have been using PayPal to buy
and sell for years now without problems. Please get back to me with
your PayPal email so i
can proceed with the payment and contact the Pick up Agent who will
come for the Pick up of the item.
I will need these following details so i can proceed with the payment right away


1:Your PayPal e-Mail Address
2: Home Address


As soon as you get back to me with your PayPal email, I'll proceed
with full Payment. I look forward to reading from you soon.

Regards
-----------------------
So, I responded back with:
"Unacceptable. Failure to respond to a specific question has flagged this correspondence as a scam attempt. Do not contact further."

And we'll see if they strike again...and yes, I forwarded everything to Craigslist. You gotta admire determination...but not really.

thank you very mch for this information.
I live in So. Cal. but my dad died in upstate NY [long story].
So im here in NY trying to take care of business which involves me using CraigsList for the first time and sure enough, trying to sell a 1,500$ item and i start getting those type emails.
Im just glad for site like THIS one AND, Google.
and thankfully i was smart enough to check when things started getting weird.

-Howie