Facebook Marketplace Sending to US Scam

UosdwisRDewoh on 21/05/2021 - 00:39

Hi guys,

I'm selling a Galaxy S21 on Facebook Marketplace and I believe I've run into a scam attempt. Haven't experienced something like this before..

So some guy (seemingly from a stolen account, as it is some British grandfathers account) messages saying he'll pay the $980 for the phone itself and $70 on top of that for me to send the phone to the US as a gift for his cousin. He then asks to see pictures of the phone, and I've just left the guy on read after that as everything felt way too suspicious.

My belief is someone from the US has stolen some innocent looking guys FB account, and is messaging me using that account to try to trick me into sending the phone to his hands in the US. Has anyone experienced similar?

General Discussion

Related Stores

Facebook
Facebook

Comments

  • spackbace on 21/05/2021 - 00:53
    +2

    and $70 on top of that for me to send the phone to the US as a gift for his cousin.

    Block and move on

    Why would this even need a forum post?

    #obviousscamisobvious

    • UosdwisRDewoh on 21/05/2021 - 01:12

      I posted not to see if it was a scam, but rather more to see if anyones had similar experiences selling on Marketplace.
      It felt suspicious immediately with the guy saying he'll pay full price lol, but I've never had to deal with anything like this on Marketplace

      • ThithLord on 21/05/2021 - 08:24
        +4

        Don't listen to Spackbace - it's totally legit. Include your CC details in case the gentleman requires them, too

      • Chandler on 21/05/2021 - 10:10

        I posted not to see if it was a scam, but rather more to see if anyones had similar experiences selling on Marketplace.

        So is this a PSA or are you wanting to to confirm your suspicions?

        If confirm suspicions, #obviousscamisobvious.

        If a PSA, thank you for your service. You will note from our prior "PSA" and "omgigotscammed" posts that it is likely in vain.

      • futureminime on 21/05/2021 - 11:06
        +1

        There was a post on OzB a while ago about some young bloke falling for it, sending his ?S9? over after a fake paypal confirmation screenshot was sent. Maybe through gumtree. It was pointed out that you could get a refurbished model at the time for cheaper in the US at the time. As for stealing the guys account - maybe, or they maybe have just build up/bought burner puppet accounts that look legit.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/552488 — found it.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/475112 —Another one as well

        As far as I could tell last time it seems the scammer was a middleman who didn't pay you, but got paid by the person you send it to. After that they don't care.

      • FireRunner on 21/05/2021 - 11:25
        +1

        I've had a couple of suspicious buyers on eBay contacting me about purchasing a laptop for full price plus express post to the US but wanting to pay outside of eBay. Had some sappy story too iirc. Reported the buyer to eBay

  • Hybroid on 21/05/2021 - 01:11
    +3

    Gumtree = cash on collection.

    • UosdwisRDewoh on 21/05/2021 - 01:18

      I've been using Marketplace more and more instead of Gumtree, I only accept cash and vice versa.
      I only tend to get lowballers/scammers on Gumtree, didn't get a scammer on Marketplace until just now and I've been selling stuff for two years on there

      • SF3 on 21/05/2021 - 09:13
        +4

        I've been selling stuff for two years on there

        You may have been on there for 2 years, but I doubt you have been selling mobile phones/laptops for that time…

        What you sell is what attracts scammers, not how long you've been selling low risk items for.

  • penguincat on 21/05/2021 - 03:26

    If it is the scam that I'm thinking of isn't exactly anything new scam wise though it has been increasing. Also there are a couple of variations of it too.

    Id be willing to bet it's a stolen PayPal account or Credit card and someone "the cousin" in the US that is being tricked/Catfished by the person that you where talking to or a pal of theirs. Normally it's gain trust to the point they are blinded by love and or human contact.

    Anyway scam generally goes:
    The scammer offers to buy an item and send an amount of money for the item with a added price of shipping. Normally It's over the value of what it would be worth buying it new in the country of their "cousin/friend/brother" etc. Targeted items normally include Mobile phones, Laptops and Tablets.
    The seller sends the item happy they sold it. Meanwhile the person who owns the PayPal account or Credit card has the transaction reversed. Seller is now out of a phone and can't really do a lot as the item is on it's way to another country.
    The person who is being tricked/Catfished gets the item and repacks it and sends it on to the scammer or an acquaintance of theirs. Normally out of their own pocket customs fees shipping etc.

    So for anyone else other then the OP because they knew it was fishy. :)
    An example: A S21 5G new in the US goes for $799USD at RRP which if you convert the amount the OP was offered $1050AUD wholesale exchange rate is $815USD. Why would you buy a used phone to save less then $100 that has no warranty? With Mobile phone bands may not even match. If in doubt look up the price of the item where they want to send it cost more block and report the account doing the contacting. It may not stop them but might slow them down. :)

    • UosdwisRDewoh on 21/05/2021 - 11:18

      Thanks, was wondering how this whole thing might work.

  • Quantumcat on 21/05/2021 - 07:24
    +3

    You could try getting him to send the money through Western union

    • FireRunner on 21/05/2021 - 11:27
      +2

      Scammer: You dare you my own spells against me?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join