obvious ebay scam but what's the catch?

**POD** · 13th July 2015, 01:10 PM

I had 2 electric motors for sale on the bay, the same buyer- with a zero feedback rating- has bought them both. Never a quick selling item, they were both close to closing with no bids. One went for the 'buy now' and the other was a single bid close to auction finish. The 'buyer' has contacted me and he is in Ghana. I'll copy and paste his ebay messages :

1; Pls sir.i will the item to be shipped to ghana for me and I will be very glad if you can get me about 50 pieces with same price thank u and will be patiently wait for you response.

2; Pls sir I will be glad if you can get me more of the used motors cau it is the business I do in Ghana and will also be glad if you can make arrangements and send dem to me in Ghana. .I'd don't mine if you have more with different kw am so much interested.

3; And if I may no how and wat are the procedures for payment.

Now I don't consider myself racist but this is obviously going to be some kind of scam attempt; however I don't know what the hook will be. Most ebay scams I read of seem to be for high-value electronics where the scammer gets the iPad and the seller gets nothing, however it seems unlikely that this guy will be rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of getting an old 3-phase motor for his efforts.
What is in it for the scammer here?

**winaje** · 13th July 2015, 01:17 PM

Will probably "send" extra money "accidentally" when "paying" via Paypal, and then ask you to return the "extra" via Western Union. You then find that the Paypal "payment" is cancelled because it's from a stolen credit card. Best to simply cancel the bids, and report to eBay, including the suspect communications.

And if you want to have a laugh and see what lengths some will go to, have a read here:

https://www.thescambaiter.com/forum/index.php?/

**POD** · 13th July 2015, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by winaje

Will probably "send" extra money "accidentally" when "paying" via Paypal, and then ask you to return the "extra" via Western Union. You then find that the Paypal "payment" is cancelled because it's from a stolen credit card. Best to simply cancel the bids, and report to eBay, including the suspect communications.

And if you want to have a laugh and see what lengths some will go to, have a read here:

https://www.thescambaiter.com/forum/index.php?/

Ciouldn't get onto that site without registering. I had a good read with the 'powpowpowerbook' sting a couple of months back. I was tempted to string this guy along for a bit, thus:

Me: Hello, I was not planning to be shipping this item which is why it was listed for local pickup, however I'm sure I could get it to you in Ghana one way or another. Best quote I can give is US$780.00 for surface freight, so total cost would be US$830.00. If that is okay I am sure I could find a few more motors for you at similar cost, probably not as many as 50 though. If you are able to get a better quote for shipping please let me know. I would of course need cleared payment prior to shipping as per standard business practice, I would accept a postal money order via Australia Post unless you have someone local who can make the payment for you in cash.
Can you give me a street address in Ghana to start the shipping arrangements please.
Regards

Him: I would have been very happy for that..but your price is too much. ...did you mean $780 us for one 3 kw motor. .pls come again hear cus I don't get you..I don't need new one's I need used ones am also coming to sell hear..so pls do the checks well and get back to me...and I don't want u to send it by air cus is very expensive so if it could be shipped by sea I be greatful as well. ..for the payment too it could be done through money transfer so that one wouldn't be a problem at all.the most important thing import the good and the quantity I need..in also don't mind if you could get different hp also well. .like 5hp ....10hp. ....also send 15hp. .if promise dis wouldn't be the only business would love would love I'll do..in ft in ft my business into prefer doing so let's do business. .thank you

Thought he might not flinch at my ridiculous shipping quote if he wasn't going to be paying me any money anyway. Not sure I can be bothered playing games any further.

**MR LR** · 13th July 2015, 05:31 PM

There's every chance it could be genuine... Old electrical equipment regularly gets shipped to countries like Ghana.

If he sends a direct transfer then why not sell to him?

*yes I can see how it seems dodgy...*

**POD** · 13th July 2015, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by MR LR

There's every chance it could be genuine... Old electrical equipment regularly gets shipped to countries like Ghana.

If he sends a direct transfer then why not sell to him?

*yes I can see how it seems dodgy...*

Yes that has been in my mind also, don't want to be rude to the poor bloke just because he's from Ghana! I really don't want to be stuffing around with international shipping arrangements for a $50 ebay sale, have plenty of other things claiming my time. I have suggested he get a shipping quote and get back to me. Will see what happens.

**stealth** · 13th July 2015, 07:00 PM

Think about it POD. A $50 motor that he will pay several hundred to freight! Africa is a damn sight bigger than Oz and you can't tell me that there isn't plenty of that sort of thing available of a similar nature over there. Or out of Europe for much cheaper prices. I've traded on eBay for years and will deal anywhere as long as it's payment first. That usually sorts out the scammers. Any over payment via PayPal as mentioned above I would rectify before I sent anything.

**loanrangie** · 13th July 2015, 07:29 PM

Not always Jack , my dad who's been in the auto business nearly 60 years told md about his mate that is sending complete motors any condition he can get is shipping to Africa as quick as he can get them.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

Pateyw · 13th July 2015, 07:37 PM

Over paying for an item and having the over payment sent back is another scam of cleaning dirty money .

**POD** · 13th July 2015, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by stealth

Think about it POD. A $50 motor that he will pay several hundred to freight!

Yeah interestingly he has baulked at my shipping quote, I have invited him to seek a shipping quote himself and get back to me.
Even if he is legit I have not got the time nor the inclination to go into the electric motor exporting business.

**Toxic_Avenger** · 13th July 2015, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Not always Jack , my dad who's been in the auto business nearly 60 years told md about his mate that is sending complete motors any condition he can get is shipping to Africa as quick as he can get them.

A friends Peugeot 504 was sent straight to Egypt for it's second (third, fourth or fifth) life.
Even as a clapped out bomb it was paid for in full (asking price) and all shipping arranged without any scam becoming of it.

Most people are inherently trustworthy... the trick is knowing when someone is trying to screw you before its too late.

As for not wanting to export, I probably wouldn't be bothered going to those lengths unless it's economical for you. Screwing around with the paperwork, and everything else would be a huge mind****, whereas the other option is take it to the closest scrappies for the copper value and put the cash in the skyrocket straight away with minimal fuss.

Thread: obvious ebay scam but what's the catch?

Thread Tools

obvious ebay scam but what's the catch?

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions