Paypal Nigeria scam??

[Sever]

If i may, what item is it that you are selling? Is it something that probably couldn't be obtained easily in Nigeria? Or is it something that Dad could buy for Son in any shop?

[SpiritWarrior]

Aye, dont bother. I know a bite may be tempting, but move on and wait for someone else.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

Originally Posted by Sever If i may, what item is it that you are selling? Is it something that probably couldn't be obtained easily in Nigeria? Or is it something that Dad could buy for Son in any shop?

It's a digital camera with a docking station, memory card, manuals and cables. I'm only asking $55 for the lot, so I'm not desperate to sell it.

I'm not sure if that sort of thing is easy to get there.

This is the shipping address I was given:

22 Olisaro qrts Ijapo Estate
City;Akure
State:Ondo
zip:23434
Country:Nigeria

[Bungleau]

Hmmm... Google maps comes up with Akure, Nigeria, but nothing by that address. I'll confess to not being exactly up to date on Nigerian address syntax, but my skepticism runs high...

[Harkoliar]

Originally Posted by SpiritWarrior Nigeria would raise alarms in my head any day of the week. Be very careful. Most of the internet scams and fraud come out of this country - simple fact. Now, if it is a scam, here is why they want to pay via Paypal. Because you can pull any payment you make via Paypal up to three months later. That means, you spend the money he pays you and he can pull it back a month later, leaving you negative that amount he paid and also with a free gift that you sent him. I would not accept paypal at all if you have an inkling of doubt. Paypal do not ask questions alot of the time, all he has to do is dispute a payment, say it was paid without his permission, or that he never recieved your item, and they will refund him from your account.

okay im confused regarding this instance. I thought paypal was suppose to be secure. How can the seller be protected here if paypal can just withdraw your a/c? How can it be a free gift when there is an actual transaction and reciept? unless of course you wish to not declare it in customs for duty and taxes purposes (then again, second hand items, not sure how that process works)

[Unglaublich Verwustung]

Variol, this is easy. Don't do it, don't 'sell' it to them, don't send it.

Virtually all of the 'send to Nigeria' scams are based around the story that they are buying for a son/daughter/colleague who is in Nigeria. They can't accept delivery in the US/Canada/UK for some almost plausible reason. They will cheerfully 'pay' up to the value of the item, or more, in postage and insurance - of course they will, if you're not really paying, what does it matter how much you don't pay?

If this is that rare (think unicorn rare) genuine and legitimate Nigerian customer then that is unfortunate, but not actually your problem.

[Harkoliar]

Originally Posted by Bungleau Probably not worth your time, unless you really want to get involved on it. Think MMOG-level involvement... ya gotta be passionate about it Here's a link to some Nigerian paypal fraud discussions, along with several other useful links in the thread. Bottom line: I wouldn't ship to him unless I didn't care if I got paid or saw the product again. If you want to push it, tell him you won't send it to Nigeria, but you'll gladly send it to a Canadian (or maybe US-based) address upon payment via certified check, and that you'll complete shipment once the check has completely cleared your bank. Apologize for the runaround, but explain that it's the prevalence of low-life pond scum ruining the reputation of Nigerians everywhere by perpetuating numerous scams. After all, if he's legit, he'll understand. And if not, can he really object to being called low-life pond scum?

While no offense to Variol and we all know he is trustworthy as a seller (or is he kidding), seriously, this kind of thing, what about the buyers protection regarding this instance? Wait till the cheque is cleared, and cant the seller just run off with the money and not send anything? Im curious on how this process would work to give alittle protection for the buyer?.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

Originally Posted by Harkoliar While no offense to Variol and we all know he is trustworthy as a seller (or is he kidding), seriously, this kind of thing, what about the buyers protection regarding this instance? Wait till the cheque is cleared, and cant the seller just run off with the money and not send anything? Im curious on how this process would work to give alittle protection for the buyer?.

Thanks H,
That's actually exactly what I have been thinking as well. I could mail them a bunch of rocks and then what?

Maybe that's why Paypal has that clause in there?

[Bungleau]

Fair question, Harks... I think it comes down to the fact that transacting business is based on trust. I trust that companies with physical stores (other than the temporary Halloween and Christmas ones) will be there in the future, should I have a problem. I trust that sites like Tigerdirect and Sam's Club are safe on the web because they have physical stores, and the web is an extension of that. I trust sites like Amazon and iTunes because they've built up a reputation.

eBay itself has a reputation, and that makes it trustworthy. I suspect Kijijijjijijijij (or whatever it is ) is the same, and like eBay, allows buyers and sellers to be ranked. That allows you to build on the trust from other buyers and sellers.

And frankly, Nigeria has built a reputation as well... of untrustworthiness! That link I had there included some posts from someone in Nigeria, trying to do legit business... unfortunately, his countrymen's actions make it nigh on impossible for anyone to trust him unless they know him personally on some level.

The way I've usually done it, you win an auction, pay for it, and the seller ships. Some do indicate that they're going to withhold the shipment until payment clears. Others just indicate that they won't ship out of their country, or not into specific countries.

So... protection for the buyer? It's there with eBay and others in the feedback mechanisms, along with their dispute resolution approaches. Sadly, anyone from Nigeria is on the low, low end of trust in this area.

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by Harkoliar okay im confused regarding this instance. I thought paypal was suppose to be secure. How can the seller be protected here if paypal can just withdraw your a/c? How can it be a free gift when there is an actual transaction and reciept? unless of course you wish to not declare it in customs for duty and taxes purposes (then again, second hand items, not sure how that process works)

Buyers are protected more than sellers. This is because the original scams all started as scam sellers on Ebay. Remember, Ebay was instrumental in paypal's success, so it tried to cater to it's customers needs with this added protection. After about 3 months, your payment cannot be
retracted, so basically, if you get a buyer, and ship him the stuff in a week, you have 3 months to wait before you can actually spend the money without worrying. And, if it does happen, then all your stuff has been sent to some pickup warehouse in Nigeria anyway and good luck trying to get it back and the payment they pulled from you.