Fake Paypal [email protected]

MOD Note: Started new thread. MW

Hi Everyone this is a scam i came across same MO

Thanks for your response, I am sorry I am not available to view due to the nature of my job, I am in the United States Army and serve as a CBRN Specialist (74D). I want to buy this for future use. I am currently deployed wont be back till December. We are not allowed to make or receive calls frequently for security reasons but we have internet access and that is our major means of communication to the outside world. I am OK with your asking price and if you don't mind, I can only pay through PayPal at the moment because its the most secure way to make or receive payment online this is why I'll prefer using PayPal to pay you, all I need is your PayPal email to make the payment and if you don't have a PayPal account, its pretty easy to set up at http://www.paypal.com. I also have a few questions for you.

Whats its condition, any damages? Can I see a few closely taken pictures? Are you the original owner and what is your reason for selling?and last asking price?

I hope you consider my offer. I am ready to buy, so you can take the add off Craigslist. I'll have a courier person come for pick up and storage after I make payment and money is in your hand. Thanks for understanding, hope to read from you soon.


the email came from [email protected]

This email shows how the scam works. He will send a spoofed email pretending to be PayPal and claim the money is being held for some reason. Total nonsense as PayPal does not act as an escrow service.

My apologies R i just came back from an OPS ,i gat your paypal info but I had this Problem with the Shipper Agent, the pick up agent said they won't come for the pick up of the item that i will need to pay for the pick up before they can arrange a pick up time, they charged me $800,USD for pick up and delivery this is what i will do ,i will add $900,USD to the money i will be sending you via PayPal...Money Gram Charges Which Is $100,USD Then i just need you to help me send $800,USD to the pick up agent as i will add the money to your $7,550.00USD so the Total Cost will be $7.6500.00USD i would have done it myself but as i didn't bring my credit card aboard,i am a little incapacitated.....I will appreciate your help here. As soon as i made the payment to your PayPal account ,i will tell you how to go about it. Am very sorry for any inconveniences .Hope you understand please get back to me so i can proceed with the payment now thanks. Hope to hear from you soon
SGT SEAN BRANDON

Spoofed email. While it appears to have been sent by PayPal®Service.com

The email actually originated from [email protected]

PayPal will NEVER ask for a payment from a competing money transfer service.

Dear <email address> ,

This is to inform to you that we have received your payment of $8.450.00 USD from Sean Brandon for the Merchandise He bought from you and the money will only reflect in your account after you must have followed procedure.

You need to provide the Reference #(8 Digit Number), Sender's Name and Address used to make the transfer of the $800.00 USD to her Pickup Agent to complete this transaction. We Advise you to send the said amount meant for her pick up agent so that we can credit your account. Kindly provide the Reference #(8 Digit Number) so all procedures in checking the correctness of funds into your account can be completed. We are working with Money Gram on this transaction.

The money has now been deducted from the buyer's account and is ready to be deposited into your PayPal® account. Please reply this email directly with the Information needed from you. While funds are pending, the money belongs to you but is not available to spend or withdraw.

This procedure is due to new policies at PayPal® to protect both the buyer and the seller and to erase the growing number of fraudulent activities perpetrated via the internet. When some sellers receive payments, we may hold the money in a pending balance for up to 24 hours to help make sure that there are funds in the seller's account to cover potential refunds or claims. The funds may be released early if PayPal determines that the transaction has been fulfilled and customers are satisfied.

Your payment is intact. You are advised to complete this transaction. If you have questions about this payment for your sold Merchandise or service, please contact PayPal® directly by replying to this email. Your inquiry will be answered promptly.

Here at PayPal® you can be assured that your security and safety is our topmost concern.

We hope to read from you soon.

Thank you for using PayPal® !
The PayPal® Team

Second spoofed email. From fake PayPal

Dear <email address> ,

We Hereby told you that Sean Brandon has deposited $8.450.00 USD to your account, and he said Both of you has already Discuss about the Transaction and you are to send $800.00 USD to the provided information in the previous emails.

So we want you to know that the money has been deducted from his account and will not be released to your account until you send the Money, and Failure to do that Will attract Legal Action, which will be severe. And you have the next 12 hours to send the money. We also want you to know that calls are not allowed during this transaction, this are part of our new procedure, and There is nothing wrong with your Account, you're fully protected with Us, You have Our Word.

Once this requirement is met in the next 12 hours, the fund will be released into your account instantly.

Please understand that we are taking this measure to safeguard both parties
Thank you for using PayPal
PayPal makes it easy to send/receive money for your auctions.

Email from the scammer

Hi ,
I was about to made the payment when i had a little problem with the mover they said they can only schedule the pick up date and time when they receive their money for the pick up via Money Gram transfer in there head office in Indiana. So i included $800 for their pre-pick up fee and $100 for the Money Gram charges to the payment i sent to your bank account and PayPal will instruct you on how to get the money sent to my shipping agent. The payment has been made and the money has been deducted from my account...Kindly get the shipping fee sent to the name and address below and send the details to PayPal account funds review section for your total funds to be credited. I believe that since payment has been made, the advert should be taken off the site and please do let me know the location's address including your free date and time so that i can give it to my mover to use it to register the date and time they will be coming for the pick up in your location. PS: If you Didn't receive the PayPal payment receipt in your email? kindly check your email spam/junk folder because that was where i found my receipt.


Transporter's Details:
Name:Katrina G<removed>
Address:537 Enterprise Center, 225 Water Street,
City:Jacksonville.
State:Florida
Zipcode:32210
Country:USA

JenFelix, I just received the exact same reply about an item for sale on craigslist. Thanks for post with mike wilson on this activity, I owe it to investigating through this site to reveal what could have been a messy situation.