How Am I about to Be Scammed? (Selling My MacBook Pro on Facebook Marketplace)

Griefbringer on 09/04/2021 - 12:50
Last edited 09/04/2021 - 15:47 by 1 other user

Update: User's account has now been deleted
I reviewed the messages from 2 others who were insistent on buying it 'same day', from my location, with cash. Thanks for the input, it seems like a strategy to offload fake cash quickly for high value goods that can then be sold for real money.

TL;DR - I have an expensive MacBook for sale on Facebook Marketplace, and have been contacted by a scammer, but I can't work out HOW the scam works?
(Mainly asking for education purposes to myself and the community)

So:
I'm selling my MacBook Pro on Facebook Marketplace for $2,400.
I was contacted by a 'new' profile, an hour old, with 2 friends, who offered $2,500 if I would 'drop off' for him. Didn't ask any further details on the item etc.

Even at this point it was pretty obvious it was a scam, but I decided to push it.

I asked for his address, which he gave a physical address about 30 minutes away from me, but still relatively Metro. I then insisted that we meet at a local Petrol Station (I normally do this - public spot, can't enter without having car on camera etc), and he gave me an address of a local United without issue.

At this point he asked for my bank details (obvious scam at this point) - I declined and stated cash only, and he agreed without complaint.

I then asked for him to show proof of the cash (send a photo) which he did, without complaint. The cash photo matched up to the payment amount, and while it could be faked it appeared real. Reverse image search of it didn't give a result.

I THEN asked for a photo of his licence, explaining I was happy to continue with the sale, but I was concerned he didn't have a 'real' Facebook profile. At this point he started accusing me that I was worried he was going to rob me, and that 'we're both adults here, let's just do it'.

I can't work out how the scam works - I turn up to a public place with my item, he turns up +/- with cash and then what happens?

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• 

  deme on 09/04/2021 - 12:57

  Did you report the user?

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  SgtBatten on 09/04/2021 - 12:58

  Can't scam you if he pays with real cash. So it's either a real buyer, fake money or he's gonna beat you up and steal it.

  If the money is stolen from someone else i'm not sure that would impact you unless the funds are traced when you eventually deposit it and it gets confiscated. No idea what this process is, just speculating.

  • 

    Griefbringer on 09/04/2021 - 13:10

    I think you're right in that it's fake money. That's why he's happy to proceed with the transaction, but doesn't want it to be traced to a real profile or anything.

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  coffeeinmyveins on 09/04/2021 - 12:58

  There's a non zero percent chance that this isn't a scam and he just really wanted the macbook.

  I can't work out how the scam works - I turn up to a public place with my item, he turns up +/- with cash and then what happens?

  The only thing I can think of is:

  1) He just outright steals the laptop from you in broad daylight
  2) The cash is fake

  • 

    Griefbringer on 09/04/2021 - 13:02

    I think you're right - the cash must be fake.

    I had 2 other profiles contact me in the previous 48 hours asking to "buy it this afternoon" and when I said tomorrow, haven't heard back. This may imply stolen cash, or laundering fake money for real goods, that can then be sold for real cash.

    • 

      coffeeinmyveins on 09/04/2021 - 13:28

      Cash is king. Stolen cash can't be traced unless it was stolen from a bank with known serial numbers etc, so likely that it would be fake

• 

  SBOB on 09/04/2021 - 12:59

  +3

  Its fine being overly cautious, but you're selling on facebook…
  Someone offers you some extra bucks to go out of your way to deliver it them, agrees to all your location/cash demands… and you're still assuming scam?

  Unless the person mugs you and steals it (in which case, dont sell via face to face sales avenues), I'm not seeing the 'scam' angle

  • 

    Griefbringer on 09/04/2021 - 13:01

    I am being overly cautious, you're right. The way I see it is the implication that Facebook can be safe(r)? comes from authentic profiles - this is the primary issue that I have?

    I'm not so worried about being mugged given the broad public filmed nature of the space he agreed to.

• 

  SF3 on 09/04/2021 - 13:27

  How is much your macbook pro if/when bought new?… just want to get an idea how much the buyer is saving? does it still have warranty?

  • 

    Griefbringer on 09/04/2021 - 13:29

    +2

    Good point. It's brand new value is $3,000, it's 12 months old.

    It's over-listed at 2,400, I'm expecting to sell at $2,000.

    • 

      SF3 on 09/04/2021 - 13:31

      +1

      Yeah, I would feel suspicious too…

• 

  thatonethere on 09/04/2021 - 13:42

  +1

  Seems odd they would bid up the price. If you do go ahead I would bring some friends for support. But I would not go.

  However my suspicion is that it is a run off scam. Where they just run away with the laptop.

  They would easily have a picture of the cash from the other stuff they have stolen…

  • 

    stirlo on 09/04/2021 - 15:52

    +1

    Yeah having a picture of cash is kinda weird. I wouldn't do that or expect that from someone who I was dealing with.

• 

  stirlo on 09/04/2021 - 15:51

  Interesting scam, First time I've seen it so I appreciate you efforts in investigating. Would have been awesome to attend the pickup with an empty box and see if they grab it.

  You'd think "fake cash" would be difficult to use. Especially as for gumtree you always count it out and the texture of Australian notes is difficult to get right.

  Personally I think it's more likely to be a snatch and run or threaten and run scam.

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  Autonomic on 09/04/2021 - 16:07

  Doesn't sound like a scam to me. Bring a mate or two just in case?

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  thatonethere on 09/04/2021 - 16:18

  The other option would be "my mum will transfer the money via EFT" but they do it via cheque, money "appears in your account" and it bounces out later after you have handed over macbook.

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  Drakesy on 09/04/2021 - 16:27

  Public places are the number one place to offload stolen goods/scam, no physical address to track back to.
  Yes they don't get your address and it's more 'secure' but i'd seriously reconsider meeting up in public.

  If he rocks up with cash and it's real then well done, could also be money laundering (but then again anything with cash could be)

• 

  Ryanek on 09/04/2021 - 16:28

  He met all your demands, what more does he have to do!

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  MS Paint on 09/04/2021 - 17:03

  Probably legit.

  Friend on FB advised him if item.

  Created a FB account so friend wasn't hassled.

  Proceeded with you to negotiate the deal and meetup etc.

  Got pi$$ed off with so many questions.

  Retracted from deal, got disheartened by FBM and closed account.

  • 

    stirlo on 10/04/2021 - 12:52

    +2

    No one offers $100 extra at the start.

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  iamherenow on 10/04/2021 - 08:06

  So anyone who wants to buy has fake cash?

  Your requests sound unreasonable. Id laugh if someone requested a pic of money. Then to ask for a licence…

  Meet up and sell it. Not everyone is trying to scam you.

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  popcornready on 10/04/2021 - 14:39

  +3

  If you are nervous, ask to meet at a bank branch for future exchanges.

  That way he can deposit cash into your account and then you hand over the laptop