Selling Items via GumTree

bich.light on 17/06/2013 - 16:41

hello, I need some advice for selling one of my items through Gumtree.
This is the first time that I've been offered to be paid through paypal or bank transfer and I'm not sure how to proceed with this…

I am selling a computer and this is the response I get:
"Thanks a lot.I have actually tried to get this kind of Merchandise here earlier from here but most of the ones I got either have one huge fault or the other and some have even had accidents in the past while some are extremely exorbitant.As to the price, Price is Ok. So if you deem the offer good enough, I will be very glad to make the payment asap through my PayPal account or bank transfer i do have access to my bank account online as I am currently offshore and I won't definitely be able to make it to my bank to make bank wires across to you. As to shipping, I have a private shipping agent here in China that will come for the pick-up of the merchandise after the payment has been sent and you have received it in full. Do get back to me asap with your PayPal Email address and and Full name for PayPal and so that I can remit the payment asap if you want the payment to be made via bank transfer send me your bank name,Account name,bank account, bsb for the payment."

I've heard of scams happening through Gumtree so I generally meet the buyer/seller in person before doing any transactions.

What should I do in this case?
Thanks!

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Comments

  • one man clan on 17/06/2013 - 16:44
    +15

    Sounds like they are planning to do a chargeback after you've handed over the merchandise?

    Why not tell them that you'll accept cash only, if there's an agent picking it up, the agent can give you the cash on delivery.

  • evol on 17/06/2013 - 16:47
    +51

    Anything to do with Gumtree + Paypal/Bank transfers + overseas buyer/seller = your scam alarm should be going off and you should run far, far away.

  • bich.light on 17/06/2013 - 16:53
    +4

    Thanks, I don't know why I didn't bother Googling the email address:
    http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&p=165170

    It says it all right there, the same guy tried scamming another seller on Gumtree.

  • MadMaxBargainRoad on 17/06/2013 - 16:57

    For sure it's a scam. Normally you would expect someone to just give you response in one or two sentence. It's fine to do Paypal/Bank transfers (I have personally done it quite a few times before) but you have to use registered post for shipping and make sure you state what items you are shipping on the box/receipt (as evidence).

    • bich.light on 17/06/2013 - 17:02
      +1

      In this case, they were trying to bypass that through their own "Shipping Agent" in China who will come to pick it up.

  • wharlie on 17/06/2013 - 17:04
    +1

    This is definitely a scam.
    Possibly using hacked PayPal account.

  • ampublic on 17/06/2013 - 17:05
    +2

    Here is what Gumtree suggests:

    Buying & Selling - top tips for staying safe:

    When buying or selling, you should meet in-person to see the item and exchange money. If possible take someone with you, or have someone with you at home if a buyer is coming to your home or workplace. If you're answering a home service ad, ask the poster to produce identity and proof of qualification before inviting them into your home.

    Never send your item before receiving the money. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found on Gumtree.

    Never send or wire money to sellers or buyers. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found on Gumtree. It is our belief that these forms of funds transfer are favoured by fraudsters.

    Gumtree doesn't offer any sort of buyer protection / payment programs. Any emails you receive that talk about such systems should be ignored., even if they may have the Gumtree logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services, please report it to us.

    https://help.gumtree.com.au/knowledgebase.php?article=26

    If you can't transact in person, AVOID.

  • Riceboy on 17/06/2013 - 17:12
    +1

    Scammer alright. I've been emailed this before and been sent text messages even.
    They are never specific to what you are actually selling. Steer clear!

  • slknv on 17/06/2013 - 19:51
    +4

    They don't call it Scumtree for nothing. The great overseas worker/oil rig contractor/submarine technician scam has been going on with Carsales for years, so it's not surprising it's on Scumtree.

    That said, I've occasionally got a great buy on Scumtree, but if you're selling anything, make sure it's in cold hard cash in your hand before you let go of anything!

  • sparkles on 17/06/2013 - 20:01
    +3

    Do not send them anything. I repeat, do not send them anything. In fact, don't even give them your PayPal email address.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/06/2013 - 19:13
      +4

      Do not send them anything. I repeat, do not send them anything. In fact, don't even give them your PayPal email address

      Since stewballs is nowhere to be seen , i've fixed it for u ;p

  • coolsteps on 17/06/2013 - 21:06

    This is definitely a scam.don't even give them your PayPal email address.

  • May4th on 17/06/2013 - 21:21

    be wary indeed but i did sell a computer on gumtree, got paid via paypal and mailed the laptop out and had no problems.

    if they are sending you funds via paypal, and not though a website as a payment, then they can't charge back because it is a fund transfer and not a purchase, and won't be subject to buyer protection as such. the usual proof of postage receipt + tracking helps too.

    • wukachuka on 17/06/2013 - 23:04

      Thats how you know it's not a chargeback scam, it's an account stealing scam.
      Do NOT give these people any details of any accounts.

      • May4th on 17/06/2013 - 23:27

        my account is still mine last i checked, the item was also posted to a regional home address :) definitely be on the wary side, but not everyone is out to get you.

        • schwinn on 18/06/2013 - 23:42

          Your account is fine, but they will pay with a stolen account, and PayPal will have to reverse the payment and you are out of pocket and out of item.

        • May4th on 19/06/2013 - 11:50
          +1

          and how are they to benefit from that when the item is posted to the paypal address? the paypal address must be verified

  • gimme on 18/06/2013 - 09:17
    +1

    SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!

    I hate Gumtree anyway. It attracts the bottom of the barrel population. You advertise something for $100 and some scum always offers $30. Ebay is far better but sadly their selling fees have become exorbitant.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2013 - 10:34

      I hate Gumtree anyway. It attracts the bottom of the barrel population.

      Oh I don't know… If an item is the right price it will sell. The same cheapskates/deal hunters are on ebay too. It's just that you don't hear from them once they're outbid. (Just look at the bid history and you'll see clowns increasing their bid - manually - by $1 over a dozen times.)

      I've only ever given stuff away for free on gumtree, but I've seen plenty of overpriced items while browsing (that fully deserved to have the price beaten down because no-one would ever pay it). Better the seller gets a reality check than stuck with an item they don't want because they have an unrealistic expectation of what it's worth.

    • imnotgoingtopayrrp on 18/06/2013 - 23:30
      +1

      I can proudly say that i'm a member of the Scum alumni. You do know this is OzBargain not Ozrecomendedretailpriceplease. That said, i'm always polite when i negotiate. I think if you don't try for a better deal, then you should be buying your things instore, and giving your items you want to sell to Salvo's or Vinnie's, that way you boost the economy and help the less fortunate.

  • goosegog on 18/06/2013 - 17:51

    DO NOT RESPOND -it is a scam attempt.GUMTREE seems to be good from all their advertising but in reality is a site that attracts the lowest of the low who will then try to scam you for whatever they can get. Keep away & advertise with a reputable company

  • ssx on 19/06/2013 - 08:40
    +3

    Definitely a scam. As soon as they say they are overseas/off shore/not here, it's a scammity-scam.

    I get these all the time. Even on eBay.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/06/2013 - 13:50
      +2

      Hey, I even got scam text messages when I listed the FREE items on gumtree.

      "FREE - Kitchen Sideboard"

      Incoming SMS: "I'm very interest [sic] in purchase ur item." Um… Whatever.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/06/2013 - 14:10

    I love scams - for me each one is a living breathing joke.

    Having succumbed to the OB impulse on quite a few occasions when not appropriate, i have some stuff that either doesn't fit me or i don't want. Usually i would just leave it with the local Vinnies so the poor people have something ill-fitting to wear, but some of this stuff cost real $$$. I've never used GumTree, but plan to try it out. Any words of wisdom apart from the obvious? Not interested in eBay as they'll probably want me to prove who i am…

  • Dr Techno on 19/06/2013 - 14:42

    Looks like they are phishing for possible identity theft as well. A good way to build up a profile of you. With the Paypal details they are 1/2 way there, just need a password and bingo. Perhaps they might be hoping for cached password on your laptop..

    "PayPal Email address and and Full name for PayPal and so that I can remit the payment asap if you want the payment to be made via bank transfer send me your bank name,Account name,bank account, bsb for the payment."

    Gumtree = Cash in person or no way. No matter what the story. I even have friends that don't meet people at their own house and prefer to do the transaction at a shopping centre, etc.

  • shinichiduy on 19/06/2013 - 15:54
    +10

    Hey, it is 100% scam. I once advertised my car for sell on gumtree, got the email exactly like you and here is what happened next:

    1/ After you gave them your paypal account, they will say that their agent in China demand money from them first before the agent can go and pick up your item.
    2/ They then tell you that they will transfer money to your paypal account plus the additional shipping amount, which they will then ask you to transfer that amount to their agent via western union service (they will provide you with the details)
    3/ You will then receive the email from paypal saying that the money has gone through your account but you cannot use it as you have to transfer the money first. Here is the trick: the email will look exactly like one from paypal (format, subject, font). However, the address where it is from is not from paypal (paypal.com.au or something), it is from a completely different address and there you go, the scam has been revealed. If you notice, you could have spot the inconsistency earlier on since paypal will never ever place such a restriction on your money like that.

    You can try to go further to see the fun, just pretend to do whatever they required and see how it becomes. I highly recommend that if you have time.

    Enjoy!!!

  • danield on 19/06/2013 - 18:18
    +1

    SCAM

    Any mention of "offshore", "private shipping agent" and "bank wires" (who actually wires from a bank).
    Usually you'll find any combination of the above 3 terms, usually all 3.

    And the whole explantion is so over cooked.
    "I have actually tried to get this kind of Merchandise here earlier from here but most of the ones I got either have one huge fault or the other and some have even had accidents in the past while some are extremely exorbitant"
    blah blah who gives a toss mate!! you wanna buy or not..

    Gumtree isnt so bad, you just need to ignore the scamming crap, its really not that hard to identify genuine buyers…. there won't be any hoops to jump through, simple transactions…. Meet ->exchange goods&cash-> DONE! Anymore trouble than that and they ain't serious.

    • Ughhh on 19/06/2013 - 18:21

      its really not that hard to identify genuine buyers…

      Some buyers appear 'genuine', till they dont show up and you realise they're just another time-wasting scumbag who couldn't be bothered to contact you.

      • danield on 20/06/2013 - 15:54

        Yeah but they aren't scammers…..
        But your 100% spot on, lots of A-holes that dont have the courtesy to show up or send a message or dont even return calls/messages etc…
        However this is not just Gumtree, Carsales attracts these types too.

  • hahaboy on 19/06/2013 - 18:42

    I don't know how this would work. So, he would send over money on Paypal, and until you receive it as per the mail he will not come and pick it up. What is wrong with that?
    Even if he tries to get a chargeback, won't paypal have to be in touch with you? You would be able to defend? and if he has done this before on paypal, won't they be suspicious?

    Can someone explain how this is a scam?

    • Ughhh on 19/06/2013 - 18:53

      Just google 'gumtree paypal scam' or search it in Whirlpool and read other peoples experiences.

      • May4th on 19/06/2013 - 22:35

        they all seem to involve either pick ups and a faked email.

        seems easy to avoid as long as you deliver via trackable postage and actually log into your paypal account to check whether a payment has been made

    • Ughhh on 20/06/2013 - 06:02

      I believe the chargeback feature is with the credit card company , not PayPal, I don't think PayPal stop it.

      Also, the chance of the buyer (although usually foreign buyers) actually paying you, but with a stolen CC or PayPal account.

      Hmm I think you should search a bit more xbai, I only knew about these scams from reading on whirlpool, so if I can find it, I'm sure you can too.

      • May4th on 21/06/2013 - 21:51

        i'm not going to look up every single thread in WP about it but all the scams seem to hinge on either those two points. i'd appreciate it if someone could explain if and how you can still scam someone when the money does arrive in your paypal account and you post with tracking to the confirmed paypal address - paypal has no grounds for charging you back if they claim anything because the address if verified

  • OBone on 19/06/2013 - 20:37

    Yes, SCAM for sure.

    I had someone try this on me when I sold a laptop on ebay some years ago.
    They were even willing to pay me more than it was worth … yeah right!

  • 1bug on 20/06/2013 - 01:14

    Here's an example of a scam, where the 'overseas' scammer paid by bank transfer (from a stolen bank account). Even though the payment cleared, the seller's account was frozen about a week later and the account had to be closed…

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2010645&p…

    • keverns on 20/06/2013 - 14:20

      i remember following the post back when it happened… too funny to be true.

    • OBone on 20/06/2013 - 22:23

      Priceless!

  • algy on 20/06/2013 - 10:34

    I've seen this scam many times on gumtree, it's really common. Don't fall for it.

  • huntress_love on 20/06/2013 - 13:16

    or you can get them to depsit money into one of those none use commbank accounts lately, transfer the money out and not send the item. So the trick is on them for trying to screw you! Just sayiny….but I dealt you'll see any money!

  • Soybeanus on 20/06/2013 - 16:17

    Most obvious scam, ever, basically. A quick Google search usually brings these things up. First responses usually involve asking whether the item is still available and a specific question about the item. Here it's just been copied and pasted and can apply to any item listed on any ad as it is not specific. Note how the guy is 'overseas'. Riiiiightio!

  • PleasureMe on 20/06/2013 - 16:23

    You can always tell a scammer by the bad punctuation (e.g. no spaces after full stops and capital letters on words mid-sentence), they obviously don't have a high regard for English grammar in Nigeria.

    It's good that these scams are made more public so that more awareness can be raised. I went through a similar experience when trying to sell my car on Firesport a few years ago. See below for a transcript of the conversation I had with the scammer:

    From: tim cole <[email protected]>
    Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:14:31 +0100

    Hello Seller,
    Am Tim,is your lovely vehicle still unsold?kindly get back to me asap..

    From: mdippa
    Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:10:45

    Hi Tim,

    Yes the car is still available. You're welcome to inspect it at any time.

    From: tim cole <[email protected]>
    Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:46:43 +0100

    Hi Mate,

    Pretty good to hear back from you.i want to make it straight to you that am interested in buying this your Vehicle, i would have love to have a proper look but am presently off the east coast of
    Brisbane sailing.{am a marine engineer} please mate, my method of payment for the item will be through my paypal account cos that is the only method of payment i can have access to here on the ship, concerning the pickup i think you dont have to bother your self, i have contacted my pickup company. they will be the one to come for the pickup at your desired pickup location after i have transfer the funds into your paypal account. kindly get back to me with a payment request or your paypal email id so as to transfer the funds asap thanks and God bless while i await your response. thanks and God bless..

    Regards
    Tim Cole

    From: mdippa
    Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:15:43

    Hi Tim,

    Thanks for your interest. Please provide your telephone number so we can discuss.

    From: tim cole <[email protected]>
    Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:37:19 +0100

    Hi mate,thanks for the response am presently off for work and we can only have the access to call out with the aid of the satellite work here ok?you can get back to me with your number so as to call you …is this email the same as your paypal id?kindly get back to me asap..thanks and God bless…

    Tim C…

    From: mdippa
    To: tim cole <[email protected]>
    Sent: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:26:36 +1000

    Hi Tim (if that is your real name)

    I don't believe you. You don't sound like an Australian. You're English is
    bad which makes me think you are probably from Nigeria or somewhere else in
    Africa. I also don't believe that you're an engineer, because if you were,
    then you would be much smarter.

    Sorry Tim, but you will need to stick herding goats because you won't be
    making any money out of me.

    Regards and God bless,
    mdippa.

    • clubpony1181 on 20/06/2013 - 19:47
      +1

      OMG!! It is so funny! specially : You don't sound like an Australian!

      lol

      Well done, mate!

    • May4th on 20/06/2013 - 21:21
      +6

      it's funny how everyone think they talk 'australian' just by sticking in mate in a few choice places

    • ZippyRoo on 20/06/2013 - 22:45

      We had a similar scam happen to us not that long ago. We were trying to sell our old couch and this person offered extra instead of trying to bargain the price down. We were so excited but after I got the email from the person about being offshore and needing us to pay an agent pickup fee, I was extremely suspicious. I told my husband but he didn't believe that there was scam like this out there. After he read this person's long email, and seeing the fake Paypal money transfer in my junk inbox, he was furious and sent a really long email back to this person and telling him how upsetting it is to know that he is destroying some people's lives. :) I thought it was unnecessary but he insisted that this email needs to be sent. Anyway, as you can imagine, this person never replied.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2013 - 16:51

    This might be of interest.

  • J6 on 20/06/2013 - 22:21
    +1

    just go along with it and send an computer box full of cement to him.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2013 - 23:12

    Do not reply to the e-mail or accept any offer or complete the transaction. This will be a scam originating in Nigeria.

  • 1bug on 21/06/2013 - 12:15
    +3

    Scams do not all originate in Nigeria. Some originate in Russia, Romania, Indonesia, Australia, etc, etc.

    The first wave 'Nigerian 419' scams (get rewarded for helping someone transfer money out of their country) came from Nigeria, but scamming techniques have progressed in leaps and bounds.

  • JSQUARED on 21/06/2013 - 22:05

    .

  • JSQUARED on 21/06/2013 - 22:06

    Some idiot Nigerian scammer faked a Paypal invoice and sent it to my spam email address with a fake name registered to it (email wasn't even registered to PayPal). Also sent another email saying tracking details must be sent to Paypal for verification. He probably thinks I was born yesterday or something. Articles were posted in 2005, and obviously I've sold many other items and know the process, obviously undergoing shipment verification crap.

    We write to confirm the receipt of your payment from the buyer of your eBay item .We wish to inform you of the security enhancements. If you clicked the BBC News links in our payment confirmation to you, you will understand these security measures taken. You can also copy and paste it in your browser to view.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4386952.stm
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4385956.stm

    You will hereby be required to ship out the item to the specified address in Nigeria and send us the shipment receipt for verification of shipment. Upon completion of the shipment verification process, your account will be credited instantly.

    Understand that after you must have shipped the item, you must not send the shipment reference number to the buyer but to us until we have completed the verification process and credited your account. You can call the representative that handle this transaction on  + XXXXXXXXXXXX

    When someone requests for your PayPal email, they don't need your full name. It already shows your full name if they actually do send they money. In this case they ask for a full name so they can use it to address you in the email and make it seem real. Why not play around with them with a spam email address with a fake name and see what they send you?

  • diondai1 on 21/06/2013 - 23:15
    +3

    I've been in contact with many scammers trying to buy phones and etc all with the fake paypal email.
    I picked that fairly easily. About a month ago, i was trying to buy fags online, yes bad habit but nonetheless, I had been offered extremely cheap cartons and was being contacted by email Monique Hover<[email protected]>. Quick google showed she was selling dogs online in California… soo soo dodgy. In a hope that i could actually get cheap fags, i persisted. She claimed she was from Melbourne and that they would be sent from Melbourne. Being extremely suspicious I decided there was no better way of proving her location than putting an html ip tracker in the header of my next email. The minute "she" opened the email i got my answer, Cameroon. Enough said. So i decided i would create a mock western union receipt just for the hell of it. They were not happy being denied their payment as i got some nice threatening emails back.
    SO, what do you get out of my story?
    IP TRACKER.

    ps. google search of her email shows she's currently selling dogs on a czech trading site.. my god ahaha

    • A3Australia on 22/06/2013 - 14:42
      +1

      Quick google showed she was selling dogs online in California…

      Strange, my search's top result was that 'she' is selling her hair.

      https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=300700180030860&st…

      $500 Golden Honey natural highlights — virgin hair

      Description

      Gorgeous naturally highlighted hair, glitters like gold in the sun. Unique color, light brown with blond, gold, and red highlighting. The majority of this hair was grown while pregnant (taking prenatal vitamins for at least 2 years) and is very healthy and well cared for. Washed 1-2 times per week with high quality shampoo and conditioner, and I never use a blow dryer, curling iron, or other hair products. Willing to sell up to 12-14 inches, but not willing to shave head. This hair is priced to sell, I want to cut it off soon, so first come first serve. contact:[email protected] for information and pictures

    • bich.light on 22/06/2013 - 18:16

      Woah! Wait how did you do that html IP tracker thingy? haha that's kinda cool!

      • diondai1 on 25/06/2013 - 22:28

        I used a html widget called http://tracemyip.org/
        The way i put html code into my email was to put it into the header of my email.
        Then they have a portal where, once you create an account, you can see the ip and location of everyone who opens that email.
        It was time consuming but i reckon worth it.

        • bich.light on 26/06/2013 - 11:53

          Cool, thank you :)

  • kyteflyer on 24/06/2013 - 10:51

    I sell on gumtree because I hate the feebay fees. BUT I will NEVER sell outside my own locality. I am currently selling some lenses. The scammers hit you pretty much right away. I've managed to avoid that so far by puttin an NB or a warning at the beginning of the advert that I will not post items, and I will only accept cash payments after they have inspected the item themselves. What this does is keep it local, or limited to people prepared to travel a bit to get things if they want them. I sold a vintage guitar yesterday, got the price I wanted and am happy, even though I probably would have got more on ebay. I just basically distrust anyone who won't front up to inspect and buy.

  • shaybisc on 27/07/2013 - 12:00

    I have a friend of a friend who got scammed on the supposed sale of all his furniture (he was going home to Italy), involving supposed shipping of that furniture overseas. Use your common sense- nobody buys firniture or second hand computers from overseas.

  • Associatedlarryqq @ Gumtree on 07/04/2015 - 17:36

    There is a list of scams on the Gumtree scams security centre and advice to refer to: http://www.gumtree.com.au/scam-security-centre/. Best to avoid any bank account details sharing and meeting the person face to face.

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