Selling a Phone on Gumtree - Buyer Wants It to Be Sent to Dubai?

AmeJaieXD on 06/08/2019 - 10:07
Last edited 06/08/2019 - 11:04 by 1 other user

Recently selling my sealed Samsung galaxy S10+ on Gumtree, and had a buyer asking if it could be shipped to his daughter in Dubai.

I asked him where he's located, he said that he lives in Perth, but currently is overseas in the US. Thinking it was already a scam, I asked him for any identifying items on him, like a Passport and Driver's licence. But then, he replied to the email I sent him with both passport and Driver's licences. He'd already sent the address for this daughter's building and now I'm wondering he's real or not?

Is this a recent occurring scam or an actual person looking to buy my phone?

General Discussion

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Comments

  • nocure on 06/08/2019 - 10:10
    +10

    Really?… Rule #50 "Always trust your gut"

    • GoldenDragon888 on 06/08/2019 - 10:45

      Unless your says the scenario above is okay.

  • pistachio1 on 06/08/2019 - 10:11
    +4

    I wouldn't risk it. I'm sure someone local will want your phone eventually.

  • z10cvbnm on 06/08/2019 - 10:13
    +3

    Wait let me grab my popcorn.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 10:17

    What's the payment method?

    • AmeJaieXD on 06/08/2019 - 10:19

      I'm guessing payid

      • stirlo on 06/08/2019 - 10:25
        +2

        I'd guess paypal so he can scam you… Did he bother negotiating price with you? If not why?

        • AmeJaieXD on 06/08/2019 - 10:41

          He wanted to pay full price

          • stirlo on 06/08/2019 - 11:10
            +4

            @AmeJaieXD: Which very few people on gumtree do. Yet another scam red flag.

          • Zonty on 06/08/2019 - 11:20
            -1

            @AmeJaieXD: Trust me it's scam because people not buy phone on other country gumtree. He want send to daughter lol when he can buy direct from Amazon or alibaba or eBay and deliver to her.
            Even you will never know details what he sent is also not stolen.
            Also whenever you use gumtree and sell phone always ask money by bank cheque call cashier cheque or cash, do not accept PayPal, even bank transfer. if use bank transfer make sure you money you get is not pending it approved and all chat with buyer should be written by email not SMS, also send items with registered post.

      • ozbjunkie on 07/08/2019 - 22:05

        Are you suggesting payid is a good or bad way to receive funds?

        I thought it was as good as bank transfer, which is almost as good as cash at time of exchange.

  • Quantumcat on 06/08/2019 - 10:20
    +1

    Get him to send you a money order - when you have the cash feel free to send it, surely he can't scam you then?

  • bargainr on 06/08/2019 - 10:25
    +10

    I am worried you had to ask. It's a scam.

    https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/buying-or-sellin…

    It's not hard to photoshop legitimate-looking identity documents…

    • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 13:16

      I'm with you on this one.
      The fact the OP had to even ask…

      The father could buy a phone a hell of a lot cheaper in the USA and ship it. Why does it have to be from Australia?
      Heck, even the daughter in Dubai would be able to buy her own phone, plus if she's in Dubai, it's not like money is an issue.

      So yeah. Why even ask.

  • cuteseal on 06/08/2019 - 10:28
    +3

    Scam… got it once as well, complete with fake drivers license and work ID badge. Supposed to have been working for Channel 7 too!

  • sujiferro on 06/08/2019 - 10:29
    +1

    If you're being paid through PayPal or any chargeback payment methods( eg. Credit card), then you'd be likely scammed.
    If it's an instant bank transfer with funds cleared and in your bank, then you should be fine.
    If the offer is too good/easy to be true, it probably is.
    Save yourself the hassle, and wait for another offer. A new phone like the S10+ is not a hard sell.

    • burningrage on 06/08/2019 - 10:53

      Or pay via Western Union lol

  • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 10:34

    Ask him to videocall.

    Response
    1. No response.
    2. Due to privacy reasons within the facility, he cannot comply.
    3. Does not have equipment or connection capable of video call.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 10:42

    Many dodgy sellers like to masquerade as genuine buyers. They don't actually really want what you are selling for their own personal use but simply want to steal and resell the item to profit financially.

    Genuine buyers prefer to use physical currency in a physical face-to-face transaction locally. You will never go wrong with selling an item that way and something is wrong if you can't do that with a Samsung S10+ assuming the phone you've listed online is actually in the condition you have described it.

    Remember, buyers are genuine and always your honest friend. Sellers are dodgy and seek to scam both genuine buyers and other sellers alike.

    • AmeJaieXD on 06/08/2019 - 10:45

      Just wondering would there be a risk if he payed using pay-id? I mean, I would only give my phone number and when the money is transferred, I can send it to a different account to stop the charge back right?

      • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 10:53
        +2

        They could use a dodgy cheque to make the deposit so a chargeback could still occur then your bank account would show a negative balance.

        just do the right thing and list the phone honestly and sell it cash in hand to a local buyer even if if it ends up being for a little bit cheaper. You can't go wrong that way…

      • xuqi on 06/08/2019 - 13:04
        +1

        It's a SCAM… Forget this clown and move on.

  • pyramid on 06/08/2019 - 10:47
    +1

    Whats selling price for your phone?

  • RockyRaccoon on 06/08/2019 - 10:50
    +4

    Go for it, we know those in Dubai, love buying phones from unknown overseas sellers and are willing to sell their relative to seal the deal.

    Its something Aussies just dont understand. '

    Having a phone that once graced these shores is worth hundereds of thousands of dollars to someone in Dubai.

    Wouldnt you also be proud if you had an imported phone rather than a drab local phone with local support, local warranty and no customs issues.

    We know that Dubai residents get it off having to clear their phone through customs.

    And they also like supporting Australia so we dont have to put these phones in landfill.

    Of course as an understanding and naive seller, we will understand how you could be confused and many would think that these well meaning Dubian's are just trying to scam you….. 🤦🏻‍♀️

  • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 10:56
    +3

    no wonder people get done, come in spinner.

  • ihbh on 06/08/2019 - 11:06

    Op, how old are you?

  • EFC94 on 06/08/2019 - 11:10
    +2

    Don't do it. Sure it might work out and not be a scam, but the risk vs benefit isn't worth it. I sold something to someone in china for $120 on eBay, item "never arrived" and I lost the item and my $120.

    • I Smell Pennies on 11/08/2019 - 22:40

      should always need signature or/and tracking when shipping through eBay. I do this for everything I sell on eBay. Better lose $10 extra than lose $100, eg.

  • Zonty on 06/08/2019 - 11:14
    +1

    Big scammm run buddy.

  • emblurr on 06/08/2019 - 11:16

    Tell him to GAGF

  • John on 06/08/2019 - 11:26

    Lol so much red flags

    1. Communicating on email (not 100% sure why, but they wouldn't make deals over Gumtree messaging app)
    2. Sending to an address, especially overseas or interstate
    3. Paying full price

    They can offer to pay in many forms. Paypal, PayID, Bank Deposit etc etc. What they do is they create a fake "deposit" confirmation and makes you think that payment was made. The same way they send you fake Passport and Driver License. Otherwise they can also do chargeback by claiming item damaged, lost etc

    But this is just the general method. I'm sure they always improvise and improve their method.

    Therefore I recommend you follow Rule #1 for selling on Gumtree… accept CASH ONLY!

  • CyberMurning on 06/08/2019 - 11:51

    Geesus people are so greedy they got blinded by such easy to tell scam. Believe me OP will send the phone because he think he get good price.

  • Seraphin7 on 06/08/2019 - 11:54
    +2

    Scammy McScamface.

  • Skramit on 06/08/2019 - 12:03
    +3

    Scam.

    Avoid.

  • try2bhelpful on 06/08/2019 - 12:31
    +1

    Just wondering if his name sounds slightly Nigerian.

  • Axelstrife on 06/08/2019 - 12:49

    I won't even meet people at the train station due to how often people don't show up and you're asking if someone wanting something posted to dubai is legit.

    Heres what i do.

    eBay = Postage only (exception is large item for pick up only)
    Gumtree/Facebook MarketPlace = Pick up only (no not Meet at Mcdonald's or some dodgy parking lot)

    • Love a bargain on 06/08/2019 - 13:17

      meeting at a public place local to you (and requesting the buyer to contact you while they're on their way) is way better than letting them know where you live

      • Axelstrife on 06/08/2019 - 13:34

        No, not it's not.
        Way too easy for them to run and your stuff gone.

        • dcep on 06/08/2019 - 16:17
          +2

          meet inside your local police beat

        • Love a bargain on 08/08/2019 - 12:46
          -1

          & you think they can't make a runner from your house?

          That's always an inherent risk of doing a face to face trade - possible mitigations for high value goods include:
          - trading at a public place with CCTV & other people around (think banks, busy shopping centres, train stations etc)
          - asking for them to hand you the money before you hand the item over for inspection
          - take a picture of the person as you approach if you're ultra worry

  • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 13:47

    haha i sold the father inlaws mobility scooter today on gumtree, wasn't going to ride it to the closest macas, with phones i have done both, come to my home and have met places or their house. Never had a problem, i dont live in a big city though.

  • crentist on 06/08/2019 - 13:53

    clearly legit. samsung phones are rare, people will buy them anywhere they can

  • entercoolusername on 06/08/2019 - 13:57
    +1

    I wonder if these scammers are posting and reading comments on how people respond, just to learn new tricks.

  • 1bug on 06/08/2019 - 14:19
    +3

    Is it a Scam?

    If it's listed on Gumtree and you're not sure if it's a scam, it's a scam.

    If the buyer is out of state/country (eg. stationed overseas, on business trip) and wants the item shipped overseas, it's a scam.

    If the buyer offers MORE than the asking price for any reason, it's a scam.

    If the buyer wants to involve an agent or third party for transportation or insurance, it's a scam.

    If the buyer makes an overpayment and then asks you to refund the excess amount, it's a scam.

    If the buyer asks you to remove/close the listing, it's a scam.

    Inspired by this Reddit post.

  • BertieBrown on 06/08/2019 - 20:14
    +4

    With this sort of stuff, you have to always ask why?

    Why would someone in Perth, be sending a phone to his daughter in Dubai when he’s currently in the US?

    If you were living/travelling/working in the US, would you really hop onto Gumtree in Australia and look for a second hand phone to send to your daughter living in Dubai? Or, would you just send her some money towards buying a phone herself in country?

    The risk-reward ratio with the above is just nuts, let alone the run around, before even thinking about postage costs.

    No, it’s almost certainly a scam in my mind, and not a very good one I’d add because it’s all just so far fetched.

    But, don’t be too hard on yourself, there’s a reason that scammers keep scamming, they’re making money doing it. I’m sure other people have unfortunately fell for it.

  • vikvance on 07/08/2019 - 06:58
    +3

    It's ironic that the buyer wants to have the phone shipped to Dubai, of all places, because Samsungs are much cheaper in Dubai & Kogan will often buy their grey imports from Dubai & ship them to Australia.

    • GoldenDragon888 on 07/08/2019 - 09:44
      +1

      Yeah but are the Samsung’s free in Dubai? Obviously not. So if you can get someone to post you one for free that’s a better deal.

      Probably found this deal on NigerianBargain or OilrigworkerBargain.

  • Lastchancetosee on 07/08/2019 - 08:20

    It's a scam. Same one they use for cars. Report the em.

  • lovepub on 07/08/2019 - 08:27
    +2

    Raise your price by 100 dollars. Tell him someone offered u higher price and if he is happy to match….u will send it.
    Then if he agrees, run .

    • GoldenDragon888 on 07/08/2019 - 09:50

      He should have run when someone offered him his asking price. I suspect even an increase in what’s being offered wouldn’t increase this guys scepticism or lack there off.

  • katz on 07/08/2019 - 08:37

    If you have the time. Wait till money to land and let it clear for 30 days.

  • mikekiwimike on 07/08/2019 - 08:42

    A phone can not be sent overseas via Airmail either because it has a lithium battery and the sea mail route is very expensive (when I tried to send one to New Zealand it was going to be over $100). Help him out by explaining this and see whether he still wants it …… if so you have a clear indicator of a scammer.

  • ozbjunkie on 07/08/2019 - 22:07

    Lol no.

    I vote scam. Will bet you 1500 bucks.

  • grog on 07/08/2019 - 22:09

    Saul bullshett

  • twdnewh on 07/08/2019 - 22:12
    +2

    I'm from the UAE and can tell you that this is highly doubtful given that phones (and electronics in general) cost less there than in Oz, and that's not even considering shipping.

    Also, most people would be very reluctant to share passport copies and ID.

    Scam for sure

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