another scam thread: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

March 18, 2009 4:46 p.m. sector7 New Reader

i recieved this email today from an ebay member.. .thoughts.. opinions..

Ok i will send payment through paypal.I will need you to do me a favour, i also want to send my Nephew some money for his exam fees and tuition, if you dont mind i want to add it to the $270 and when you receive the money, you can send it to him through westernunion, that is when you have received your money.I have been very busy with research work and can't have time so get back to me if you can help me with that, so i can send payment, thats why i havent sent the payment all the while,Heres my phone number if you need to call and if you give me your number i can call you.Get back to me soon so i can send payment.
March 18, 2009 5:24 p.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

Western union= big red flag I have paypal but don't have time to send my nephew money = big red flag
March 18, 2009 5:26 p.m. aircooled Dork

What are you selling, a money forwarding service?

If not, tell him to send his own damn money! Does he want you to go down to the store and get him some beer also?

Not sure what the protections for not getting screwed as a seller on eBay, but this would seem to be a prime candidate for it.
March 18, 2009 5:29 p.m. Stargazer HalfDork

I can't figure out how this one even works...If he sends you money via paypal, once you transfer it to your bank account, it's yours.
March 18, 2009 5:44 p.m. ignorant PowerDork

Here would be my response...

"Dear sir,

My wife is pregnant and I am in need of some "companionship". If you could please fly yourself fro Nigeria to my location and pay me in cash, we could go back to my place Bouncy, Bouncy. Do you like candid photography?

Sincerely,

Ignorant.
March 18, 2009 5:45 p.m. Datsun1500 HalfDork

Stargazer wrote:

I can't figure out how this one even works...If he sends you money via paypal, once you transfer it to your bank account, it's yours.

Hijacked Paypal acount. You think it's yours until Paypal takes it back.....
March 18, 2009 6:21 p.m. SVreX UberDork

How does one hijack a PayPal account?
March 18, 2009 7:02 p.m. P71 Dork

It's a PayPal account, it's already hijacked by PayPal! The "buyer" files a PP complaint at which point PP refunds their money and deducts it from your PP. If you already transferred the money PP then pulls it's infamous hostage of your real bank account that's connected to it. Now you can't get your real money and your real bank won't un-freeze it.
March 18, 2009 7:07 p.m. SVreX UberDork

So, PayPal refunds money immediately to a whining buyer, with no investigation or consideration?
March 18, 2009 7:48 p.m. oldopelguy HalfDork

Pretty much. Or worse yet, they pull it back from you, charge a $40 fee from it, and then wait months and months before releasing it back to the buyer. Then no-one has the $.

My suggestion:

"Sorry, I don't have access to a Western Union locally, but I can send your nephew this $2000 money order I just got if he agrees to send me back the extra $1500 in cash..."