So, im selling something on FB and of course i got the usual scam responses. Im posting from Geneva, in English and this lady responded in German. Legitimate suuuuuure.
Anw, she said that she can collect it right now(!), but she cant come herself (obviously) and will sent a UPS person with cash to collect it. Screams scam and i just said no and she left the chat. I was almost disappointed, no attempt to change my mind...
My question is, how does this scam work since apparently im getting cash. I know the money tranfer scam but its the first time i got one with cash. Except the obvious chance of the cash being fake.
Otherwise, if anyone is interested in a nice black leather couch and a really really good air conditioning unit let me know
I've heard of this. The supposed courier/buyer arrives to collect, but brings no cash. It was spent in an unfortunate mishap on the way here. Has a sob-story about how if they leave today without the goods they will be penalised by their boss, have their salary docked, punished by their parents, the goods are needed urgently for the wedding, etc., and tries to persuade the seller to hand over the goods, promising to bring the cash tomorrow. Nevermore.
First of all, the person on the end of the chat is not the person in the photo, usually the profile has been hacked and the hacker/scammer isn't even in the country. Secondly, they want to start a dialogue (they always seem to want to give too much information). Then once you've agreed to sell and that fedex or DPD or whatever courier will arrange a time to collect.
The next day you get an official looking message or email from the courier arranging a time to collect. You start getting comfortable and happy that you've made a sale at the full asking price. Then you get an email from the courier saying you have to pay for the courier charge (but don't worry, the buyer has agreed to pay you that back with extra cash that the courier will bring).
Some people are gullible enough to think that this is legit (they must be or the scammers wouldn't keep on spending their time on these scams) so they make the small payment. Then their account is emptied.
There's variations on this but that seems to be the most common one.
Basically in any scam you are lured into a situation where you think you have a chance of getting something and therefore you keep interacting with them... as long as you keep playing their game they have a chance to find a story that convinces you and you end up paying them, or delivering them goods.
The psicological issue here is that the more time passes, and the more you flex your conditions, the more you feel committed to the transaction and are willing to flex and risk even more.
On top of this, any kind of moving story of personal difficulties, to add a human side to a business transaction.
I wrote a book "The complete guide to how internet scams work and how to protect yourself". Just send me $25 and you'll receive your book within 7 working days.
I just did, but by mistake I sent you $250, I'm so sorry! Would you mind to send me back the $225 in cash together with the book? Normally it would not be an issue but this month I had so many medical expenses, and payday is still two weeks away... thank you!!!!!
In the last few days, I have had several Whatsapp messages along the lines of "you probably do not remember me but we knew each other a long time ago and I would like to get in touch again" and enclosing a photo.
You can't always be certain, sometime you have to walk away if you have suspicions.
It is better to mis a deal (buying or selling) than been scam.
I am personally in a situation that should raise suspicious . I sometime buy something in Paris but I am in Switzerland and send someone else. Sometime I ask people to wait for my next trip in France.