Paypal Nigeria scam?? - Page 2

Variol (Farseer) Elmwood · 10-20-2008, 05:14 PM

Here is the email reply I just got:
Oh...but alright i will make the payment via westernunion money transfer becos i want you to know i really want to buy this stuff..ok

What do y'all think?

Firestormalpha · 10-20-2008, 05:37 PM

I think his grammar is deplorable. But then, I'm assuming english as a first language when I make that judgement.

Olorin · 10-20-2008, 06:21 PM

I'd try googling Western Union + scam and variants thereof to see what kind of scams may be possible using it.

I think scams usually go the other way--scammer convinces victim to send $ via WU because it's so hard to trace. Whether there is some way a scammer to fake a WU transfer or reverse charges later, I don't know.

Of course, you could be dealing with a scammer that was hoping to trick you via PayPal, but instead is now going to use a stolen CC to fund a WU transfer--stealing from the CC owner rather than you.

Bungleau · 10-20-2008, 07:08 PM

Take a look here for Western Union's own page alerting you to different scams.

New bottom line: don't send any money until the check has completely cleared the bank. Check with your bank, explain your concern, and ask how long you have to wait to be sure it's valid.

Variol (Farseer) Elmwood · 10-20-2008, 08:09 PM

I'm also thinking of just asking them to call me. At least that way, I can see where they are.

Yorick · 10-20-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variol (Farseer) Elmwood

I'm selling some stuff on Kijiji and got an email saying that someone wants buy the item from me and have it sent to their son in Nigeria who is doing research. He said he would pay for the item and shipping by paypal.

I told him I would get the shipping cost and let him know.

My wife just called and said there have been some scams going on like this with regard to Nigeria. Apparently, when you get the paypal confirmation, it's not the real paypal site.

Does anyone know anymore about this?

I would insist on sending it to a US address, and he can then send it to his son himself.

Firestormalpha · 10-20-2008, 08:14 PM

Be careful about giving anyone your number if you don't know them personally. You could end up on all manner of calling lists. Happened to my mom. She signed up for some online surveys for cash thing (don't ask me why) and she's recieved inumerable spam calls.

Bungleau · 10-20-2008, 08:27 PM

I wouldn't give them your number. You can be traced that way...

Variol (Farseer) Elmwood · 10-20-2008, 09:29 PM

Geez, I started out thinking that I was actually helping someone in need.

Well, maybe I'll ask him/her what their address and phone number is...

Kakero · 10-20-2008, 09:49 PM

Don't bother responding to them. If I were you I'll completely ignore them.

10-20-2008, 05:14 PM	#11
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Jack Burton Join Date: May 16, 2003 Location: Dartmouth, NS Canada Age: 60 Posts: 5,634	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? Here is the email reply I just got: Oh...but alright i will make the payment via westernunion money transfer becos i want you to know i really want to buy this stuff..ok What do y'all think? __________________ A MAN WHO WANTS FOR NOTHING HAS INFINITE WEALTH. (me)

10-20-2008, 05:37 PM	#12
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? I think his grammar is deplorable. But then, I'm assuming english as a first language when I make that judgement. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

10-20-2008, 06:21 PM	#13
Olorin Avatar Join Date: May 27, 2002 Location: Boulder, CO Age: 49 Posts: 544	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? I'd try googling Western Union + scam and variants thereof to see what kind of scams may be possible using it. I think scams usually go the other way--scammer convinces victim to send $ via WU because it's so hard to trace. Whether there is some way a scammer to fake a WU transfer or reverse charges later, I don't know. Of course, you could be dealing with a scammer that was hoping to trick you via PayPal, but instead is now going to use a stolen CC to fund a WU transfer--stealing from the CC owner rather than you. __________________ "Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkun to the Dwarves; Olorin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incanus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not" --The Two Towers

10-20-2008, 07:08 PM	#14
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? Take a look here for Western Union's own page alerting you to different scams. New bottom line: don't send any money until the check has completely cleared the bank. Check with your bank, explain your concern, and ask how long you have to wait to be sure it's valid. __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

10-20-2008, 08:09 PM	#15
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Jack Burton Join Date: May 16, 2003 Location: Dartmouth, NS Canada Age: 60 Posts: 5,634	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? I'm also thinking of just asking them to call me. At least that way, I can see where they are. __________________ A MAN WHO WANTS FOR NOTHING HAS INFINITE WEALTH. (me)

10-20-2008, 08:14 PM	#17
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? Be careful about giving anyone your number if you don't know them personally. You could end up on all manner of calling lists. Happened to my mom. She signed up for some online surveys for cash thing (don't ask me why) and she's recieved inumerable spam calls. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

10-20-2008, 08:27 PM	#18
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? I wouldn't give them your number. You can be traced that way... __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

10-20-2008, 09:29 PM	#19
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Jack Burton Join Date: May 16, 2003 Location: Dartmouth, NS Canada Age: 60 Posts: 5,634	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? Geez, I started out thinking that I was actually helping someone in need. Well, maybe I'll ask him/her what their address and phone number is... __________________ A MAN WHO WANTS FOR NOTHING HAS INFINITE WEALTH. (me)

10-20-2008, 09:49 PM	#20
Kakero 40th Level Warrior Join Date: March 24, 2002 Posts: 10,215	Re: Paypal Nigeria scam?? Don't bother responding to them. If I were you I'll completely ignore them.

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