The theme of this international move has been “the big purge”. Room by room, we eliminated things that we do not use. We also set the goal of “no storage” which means leave nothing behind. We are either going to use it in Tokyo, or it goes. The logic being that the boys are heading off to University in 3 and 4 years (scary) so that provides a simplification/downsize opportunity in the very near future.
This is no small feat when we are moving from a traditional big North American home to a place in downtown Tokyo and required a lot bid decisions – primarily around furniture. Over the last 8 weeks we set about selling off a few very big items, like our 10 piece, 100 year old mahogany dining room set.
Which brings me to PayPal and Kijiji. I like classified sites, they are very handy. But when you sell an item worth more than $1K it brings out the pond scum. In this case, the PayPal scammers. Here is how it goes … first they respond to your post with almost the same line every time (I had more than 10 of these):
From: sx1ra-373@yahoo.com
Anything to add or ads say it all?
The first time this happened, I threw in a few more pictures and some additional color. Here is the classic response or in one case, this was the opening email to me:
From: marmith2000-p@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 5:12 AM
Subject: Re: Reply to your “Elte Kitchen/Dining Table only 1 year old – as new – paid $5800.” Ad on Kijiji
I appreciate your reply, I’m very interested and I’m willing to pay $2900, The means of payment will be via PayPal and I’ll pay for any charges that may incur. I just relocated to United Kingdom and I’ll be needing the merchandise here. A shipper will come over for the pick up after you receive the payment.
I await pictures(if available) since I won’t be able to see this in person. What’s your paypal email address so that I can send the funds to you asap.
Mary
Which leads to the scam. They will then go into this elaborate scheme which can be broken down into the following steps:
1. They will send you a fake PayPal confirmation email that they have made a payment to you which you will get when they have received delivery with PayPal holding the money in escrow.
2. You must pay for the shipping to get the funds released, but do not worry because PayPal is holding your money plus the shipping fee.
3. You send the money and the whole PayPal email confirmations turn out to be fraud. You lose your money.
The best way to avoid it is in your online ad put at the end “No PayPal payments accepted”. It stopped all fraudulent emails.
In closing, my responses to the fraudsters:
From: sx1ra-148@yahoo.com
Anything to add or ads say it all?
Response:
That I will not take PayPal or ship to another country you pond scum. You should be ashamed of yourself. Just remember: what comes around goes around.
Share with friends. These people deserve nothing. On the plus side, we sold everything with only one item on Kijiji. Everything else simply through word of mouth, emailing a bunch of friends and letting everyone know. A friend tells a friend ….
UPDATE: Don’t tell the scammer to look at this blog post. Play with them. Mess them up. But don’t warn them.
Thank you for this article. We were just about to sell our dining room suite to a buyer on Kijiji when I decided to google the email address of the individual emailing me as it appeared to be copy and pasted. Your article popped up and saved us and was word for word what you had posted. I can’t believe these scammers are out there and haven’t been caught yet.
Thanks again.
You are welcome. Unfortunately, they continue to thrive. That is one of the reasons why I never give AMEX or Mastercard grief when they lock up my credit card to safety check it. Fraudsters are everywhere.
Thanks for posting this! “Marlyn” from marmith2000-ke@yahoo was just interested in my antique pantry that I am selling on kijii. And, word for word as above was written on my email! Wow, so glad I didn’t set up a paypal account and send it to her in the UK! I can’t believe how dishonest some people are!
Thanks again!!!
Big Thank You… This happened twice in a few hours and we came close to being a victim.
Happened to me this morning. Felt there was something not right, so I googled the email address and up came your link. My email from them was word for word! Thanks for putting this out there.
“Madonna” from marmith2000-ro@yahoo.com emailed me about some furniture as well. Unfortunately this is the THIRD fake scan one I’ve gotten since posting the stuff. For everyones information these are the other email addresses attemping this scam. “Lisa Macedo ” lisamadeira111@gmail.com and “Ashley Baker” ashley(ashley) leon.baker2@gmail.com. They even went so far as to use an email from “PayPal” that I have to say was very well done on their part. It had me going for a second. The first thing that tipped me off was the email domain jan5vivian@gmail.com; on behalf of; service@intl.paypal.com.
So this gmail account is sending an “important” message saying I’m liable and could get in trouble with FBI lol on behalf of a large company like PayPal. and the final email is @emailaccount.com like really lol The wording of the message may have been quality but you can only fake an email address so far. I just wanted to share this so people can help protect themselves from other similar sscams.
The easiest way to stop it is to post right at the beginning of your ad (Or a line in) “Will not accept PayPal payments: cash only”
I did not get a single additional email!
I had a cherylsmoot@gmail.com reply to my ad in a very similar fashion as mentioned in the above posts. ‘Cheryl’ responded to my ad 15 minutes after it was posted. “interested in your ad, is there anything else to add?”. The second email “ok i just wanted to make sure nothing was left out. Happy to purchase at your asking price and do you have a pay pal account, as i will be paying the with paypal and have pick up done from your location as i am away at the moment, so email communication would do best for me now as well. In the meantime, can you send me some pictures? Regards
Thanks for posting about this folks! It sure makes it easier to know that other people have experienced similar stories of crooked potential buyers.
I am extremely happy that I found this article, and that someone else received an email from cherylsmoot@gmail.com. I was just about send an e-mail for payment via paypal when I had a gut feeling to get the e-mail on google. I had the same exact experience as Jennifer above. I evan asked if she was ok with purchasing the furniture piece without seeing it in person, which of course they were…. Wow! I can’t believe these people exist. Trust Your Gut! If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Now whatever you do don’t tell them you know. Just say cash only.
That way other people can search google and find the fake email. Otherwise they will just change emails
Yes, we had cherylsmoot@gmail.com reply to our car add. We didn’t want to use paypal because of the fees. She made an excuse that she is in Malaysia. It seemed a little fishy from the start so we didn’t fall for it.
cherylsmoot@gmail.com just replied to my car ad. Thanks for posting! I will ignore this one and not carry it further. Word for word with what Jennifr experienced.
Cheryl Smoot at cherylsmoot@gmail.com just replied to my car add with the same crap.
Had this happen to me as well and knew that something was up. Thanks for posting this on the net since it proved to me that my gut is usually right.
Me too, cherylsmoot@gmail.com just responded to my ad as well, asking for more pictures! Thanks for sharing! Warren
Same thing happened to me today, with a car on Kijiji. On the first email reply from Kijiji, there is a response link that you can report them. There is a link that says “If this reply is offensive, inappropriate, suspicious or spam, you can REPORT THE USER “. I did do that, but I’d LOVE to scam them back: “Just a $100.00 deposit will hold the item while we get set up.” I think I will play along and see if I can have some fun with it!
The same thing happened to me. I knew it was a scam of some sort…. sentences all run together etc. etc. I emailed them back, I do not have paypal, but will accept a certified cheque (which I won’t— not from them) and suggested they call me. Just trouble.
Yup, same exact scam attempt, November 6th, 2012
Pond scum lives!
they are not pond scum,they dwell way further below that. sitting at a computer all day probably making a decent “wage” off the people they scam.we just need to get more information out to people so it doesnt work.
We had the exact same thing happen when selling our piano. The thing that stopped us was the request to forward $1100. to Western Union to pay for shipping costs. Of course they generously added the $1100 to the amount deducted from Mr. Baker’s PayPal account (which was held pending verification by PayPal). We immediately called PayPal and were informed this was a scam, and even though we told the fraudsters we knew is was a scam, they continued to send e-mails threatening legal action. I told them ‘go ahead’, PayPal and Western Union have been advised of this fraud and I didn’t get another e-mail from them.
PayPal assured us they NEVER ask for $$$ to be sent to a third party and certainly never ask you to forward funds to someone for shipping. Seller beware – If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
I did a search on ip adresses and who owns these accounts (leon.baker2@gmail.com) and the “internet” tells me its a Sharonda Feagin from Rochester NY.
marmith2000-zb@yahoo.com had me going for a few days,but the second reply had me thinking……who would buy a used 3 ton truck and have it shipped to the philipines without looking at it? One thing for sure,they cant be too bright, the stories they tell are lame.Im sure they could do better than that. I asked for information to put on the bill of sale, name drivers licence,phone number etc , they sent me an address from london, it was some fashion shop i found out when i googled it…..too funny….anyway i sent them a nice farewell note
same thing here today,thru kijji…leon ashley baker2…. would pay asking price by pay pal and even cover the charges.. and would send someone to pick it up…needs the guitar asap…. I figured something was wrong,, so i answered with send your friend with cash, but i did tAKe the time to send additional pics,, lol,,asking price,, everybody haggles on kijji… the line that got me was,,,“interested in your ad, is there anything else to add?”. lol..nice try
Hope this helped!
Michael, its Morrey here. We came in to see you when you were still at Bell Canada. Just wanted to thank you for this warning. Almost got fooled by this and you have, at least saved us much time, distraction and aggravation. Thank you
You are welcome!
To whom ever it conserice
Today someone tried to scam me on kijiji.ca and offered to buy my bedroom set and here is a copy of the email which I got from the pay pal ( or what should be an email from the pay pal)
You have received a PayPal Payment of $2,600.00 CAD from Ashley Baker (leon.baker2@gmail.com).
A temporary hold has been placed on this transaction!
As mentioned in the receipt of Payment and as per New PayPal Payment policy, we have fully debited the total amount (above) from the buyer’s account which includes the buyer’s shipper’s pick up fees.
In order to complete this transaction and get the funds approved in your account. You are to send $900.00 CAD to the shipping company through a Western Union Outlet, and notify our customer care service with a scanned copy of the western union receipt (It should be sent in JPG format).
NOTE: This is important as a security measure to ensure safety of this transaction.Also an additional fees of $100.00.CAD has been added for the Western Union Charges by Ashley Baker.
Please, find below the name and address of the shipping company’s agent whom you are to send the funds would be sent via Western Union Money Transfer.
Click Here Locate Nearest Western Union Office
Transport Company “Freight Forwarder”
Name:Mohammed abdullahi rahaman
Address:1 sentul condominium,
State: Kuala Lumpur
City: jalan sentul pasar,
zip code: 5110
Country: Malaysia
Address Status: Confirmed https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=p/pop/confirmed_address
https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=KZAL42RVE3MQS
Your Account will be credited accordingly upon the receipt of details requested. It should be sent in JPG format or send type details as:
(1) Sender’s Name;
(2) Receiver’s Name;
(3) MTCN;
(4) Amount Sent;
(5) Western Union Receipt
You may Click Here or reply to this message directly using the reply button in your email to submit the required information or to contact the PayPal Customer Verification Department and include either transaction ID or reference number (PP307) quick recognition of this transaction.
Sincerely,
PayPal.
when I read (You are to send $900.00 CAD) I knew right away it is a scam
be careful people this world is being full of bad guys these days
I posted an ad on Kijiji late last night to sell my cello. The minute I finished posting, I received an email asking “whats your final price?”. I responded right the way and went to bed. When I opened my email this morning, I saw the email replied by the same person at 4:04am. I was wondering where on earth this person is. I sent him/her email again and I haven’t received any reply yet. I am not optimistic.
Then, I received an email from another person early this morning asking “Anything to add or ads say it all?”. Isn’t it familiar? Yes, it is from leon.baker2@gmail.com. At first, he used different email address on kijiji. After my first respond email to him, he replied with leon.baker2@gmail.com. He used a lady’s name “ashley(ashley)”, though. He did exactly what other people described earlier in this forum. He offered paying me in full for the cello. Here is the email that he sent me after I gave him a little more description of the cello:
“Hi,i just want to make sure the ad complete and nothing to repair,i will purchase at your listed price,Payment will be sent using PayPal and i will handle the PayPal surcharge as well.I will arrange with someone to have this picked up from your location once i have paid as i am out of town at the moment.pls send me more pictures (if available) since i won’t be be able to see this in person,what’s the PayPal email to send funds to in order for me to pay you ASAP.”
He kept on sending me emails asking me for my PayPal account. At last, I exposed his bad intention in my last email. He stopped.
All scammers have something in common:
1. They use camouflage – usually use lady’s name to make you feel comfortable, lower your defense and will eventually earn your trust
2. They are not in town – make you mail the item or they arrange someone to pick up the item
3. They do not bargain – pay in full to make you want to make the deal asap
4. They pay through PayPal – push you very hard to let them send you payment immediately
5. They make use of human’s greed and laziness – offer full payment and sometimes offer more; you just have to sit back and everything will be well taken care of
There is no way to stop those online thieves. Avoiding them is the best way. My experience is – be very careful when you see things too good to be true. Be patient, take your time to do some smart research online before committing anything. Make sure you do not send out or let your stuff get out of your door before the payment is securely locked up.
also beware of a new scammer,,, mrsmorrekristy@yahoo.ca trying to scam me for a guitar I am selling…
hey i think this same person mrsmorrekrisky@yahoo.ca is trying to scam me, what did she do to you , she wants me to do a money gram and ad it to the pice but i think shes a scammer
Read the comments or post. You are being scammed.
and yet again… 3 scammers all going after me for the same item…. put this on the beware list as well.. some new email addresses popping up… sx1rb-c213@yahoo.com
I posted an expensive item on kijiji.ca and leon baker ashley responded with exact responses posted here. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was that someone wanted to pay $14,500.00 immediatly for my item.. I googled the email address and found all you people! Thanks, people! So I sent back a reply: “You should ‘google’ your email address…you’re famous! A famous asshole, that is…” Thanks, again, everyone…
Greg
You shouldn’t have done that. Now he will just change his email address .. And keep doing it
I totally agree. I have been on Kijiji for a few months and had really very good experiences so far. But as of recently I am selling a pair of rather expensive pre-owned boots and someone from a far away province contacted me, wants them right away for the wife and after a few mails I smelled the fishy aroma
…same story…too good to be true.
So I simply told him, if he wants the boots, only through eBay, that way both parties are safe during the transaction. Haven’t heard from him since…Bloody lazy creatures. If they would invest half the time they spend on scheming, actually working, they would be richer. But I guess a criminal mind is a condition….a way of life.