Michel Marine 0 Posted March 22, 2010 Just so you guys know... and in case it's a kind of "organized fraud"... I recently put an ad in a french classifieds site (Les PAC). A Montreal located site I did business with many many times... Anyway, I proposed my Aquatica housing (for Nikon D80) with a macro-port and a Ikelite strobe (DS125). I had a proposition by a certain Paul Preston (fake name, of course). The guy offered me $2000. And asked me to proceed with Paypal. At the time, I didnt really know about Paypal. And thats exactly why I was the perfect victim! So, I registered to Paypal. I was aware that I couldnt access to the buyer's money before I sent Paypal the tracking number of Postes Canada. Of course, I had many "fake paypal e-mails" assuring me that I would get access to the $2000 the minute I gave them that tracking number. So I made a complete idiot ofmyself and, well, gave away my stuff to these guys in Nigeria!!!! So, if someone from Nigeria offer you a Aquatica housing OR a Ikelite strobe, PLEASE, let me know! The UW photographers is, after all, a relatively small community. But I could be wrong. After all, I'm a complete idiot in so many ways! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gbrandon 0 Posted March 23, 2010 Just so you guys know... and in case it's a kind of "organized fraud"... I recently put an ad in a french classifieds site (Les PAC). A Montreal located site I did business with many many times... Anyway, I proposed my Aquatica housing (for Nikon D80) with a macro-port and a Ikelite strobe (DS125). I had a proposition by a certain Paul Preston (fake name, of course). The guy offered me $2000. And asked me to proceed with Paypal. At the time, I didnt really know about Paypal. And thats exactly why I was the perfect victim! So, I registered to Paypal. I was aware that I couldnt access to the buyer's money before I sent Paypal the tracking number of Postes Canada. Of course, I had many "fake paypal e-mails" assuring me that I would get access to the $2000 the minute I gave them that tracking number. So I made a complete idiot ofmyself and, well, gave away my stuff to these guys in Nigeria!!!! So, if someone from Nigeria offer you a Aquatica housing OR a Ikelite strobe, PLEASE, let me know! The UW photographers is, after all, a relatively small community. But I could be wrong. After all, I'm a complete idiot in so many ways! Wow, nothing I can add to ease your pain, except I assume you know its a expensive lesson. I got the same email and forwarded it to paypal to the fraud department. ANYTHING in Nigeria is suspect, as is someone sending emails pressuring you to send it right away, or offering you more money than your asking. Live and learn I guess. Sorry to hear about your loss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diver dave1 23 Posted March 23, 2010 I was aware that I couldnt access to the buyer's money before I sent Paypal the tracking number of Postes Canada. I have never had this issue but perhaps its different in the US? I have sold many things on ebay using Paypal in the past. I always move the money from Paypal to my bank account then check with the bank for confirmation of the transfer being complete...THEN I ship the product. I state in the ebay sale page that this procedure will be used and it might cause a day or two delay in shipment. Never had a complaint about using this method. A good way to help avoid email fraud related to Paypal, log into Paypal and ALWAYS ALWAYS type PAYPAL yourself for the address. Never use a link or dropdown. Once you are logged into Paypal this way, you can determine what is there and what is not. I have had several fake paypal emails over the yrs and always sent them to paypal for whatever they can do related to it. Very sorry to hear of your loss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deep6 7 Posted March 23, 2010 Dear Michel, Please accept my condolences for your loss. We can not be too careful these days. Dave has pointed out the proper procedure. In addition, I would keep a photo of the equipment and the serial numbers. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted March 23, 2010 I've very sorry to hear of your loss. If the camera was actually shipped to Nigeria I think you're out of luck. If it was shipped to a confirmed Paypal mailing address you may have redress through Paypal. I think Paypal and Ebay have recently changed their policies. I recently sold a G9 through Ebay. The buyer paid with Paypal, but Paypal held the money and wouldn't deposit it into my account until 1) the buyer gave me positive feedback or 2) something like 15 days had to pass, or 3) I provided confirmation it was received at a confirmed Paypal mailing address. Needless to say, I was on pins and needles and neither 1) or 3) happened. I finally got the money after just waiting! James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gbrandon 0 Posted March 23, 2010 I've very sorry to hear of your loss. If the camera was actually shipped to Nigeria I think you're out of luck. If it was shipped to a confirmed Paypal mailing address you may have redress through Paypal. I think Paypal and Ebay have recently changed their policies. I recently sold a G9 through Ebay. The buyer paid with Paypal, but Paypal held the money and wouldn't deposit it into my account until 1) the buyer gave me positive feedback or 2) something like 15 days had to pass, or 3) I provided confirmation it was received at a confirmed Paypal mailing address. Needless to say, I was on pins and needles and neither 1) or 3) happened. I finally got the money after just waiting! James Yea, thats paypal's standard procedure nowadays. Its supposed to be for the safety of both the buyer and seller, but its quite a pain in the ass if the buyer decides not to leave feedback and you have to wait the whole 15 (or is it 21) days.. As for the OP, someone asked if it was different in the us vs other parts of the world. The problem was the OP used a LINK from the email, which is a fake site. If you actually log into paypal on your own from a web browser, and then look under transactions, you will NOT see the money being sent at all from the supposed buyer. Its only if you click the link in the email it spoofs paypal and tells you the money has been sent and is in your account. Hope this helps.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
