Three way scam - wh...
 

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[Closed] Three way scam - who should lose out? (And a PSA)

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My son sold some reasonably expensive trainers on depop. Buyer (appeared to be a sneaker dealer) messaged him on instagram chat to say don't post to the paypal address, post to this address instead.

Payment received from a personal paypal account, son posts trainers. all seemingly fine.

Week later, dispute raised by the paypal account - "where's my (completely different) shoes? Seller hasn't responded to my comms", screenshots attached showing instagram conversation with someone different (but similar name!). Payment is now in suspense

"Buyer" has now deleted accounts, address posted to is on a North London estate that a young lad probably doesn't want to be visiting, and probably not where the "dealer" lives

The upshot obviously is that son has lost his shoes and the unsuspecting "real" paypal buyer is down a chunk of cash and claiming son should pay him back all the money. Lessons learned and he's obviously had the chat about selling off platform to save a few quid in fees. They've both been scammed but who should lose out here?


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 3:30 pm
 ctk
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Your son didn't post to the correct paypal address so he will be the one who loses out.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 3:37 pm
 ctk
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I wouldn't rule out the buyer being in on the scam


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 3:37 pm
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I wouldn’t rule out the buyer being in on the scam

This


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 3:51 pm
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I wouldn’t rule out the buyer being in on the scam

Definitely. This rings a bell from my son selling something a while back - but yeah, as per your title it's a 3-way scam.

Your son didn’t post to the correct paypal address so he will be the one who loses out

Spoken like a true victim-blaming scammer there. Well done.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 3:55 pm
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Spoken like a true victim-blaming scammer there. Well done.

That's not victim blaming - it's stating who will lose out due to PayPal's T&C's, not who should lose out.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:00 pm
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Spoken like a true victim-blaming scammer there. Well done.

Not at all, he’s just stated fact. You post to the address on PayPal or you lose cover. It’s a harsh lesson to learn


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:02 pm
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Pah!


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:05 pm
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Who should lose out - the scammers.

Who will lose out - your son.

Problem here is the cash is traceable but the shoes are not, going by the wording of the Paypal agreement you don't have a leg to stand on. If you can convince Paypal it's a scam then at best you keep the money and they keep the trainers, but I fear the scammers will end up with both.

Whoever lives at the address you sent them to will deny everything, the person who sent the cash will also do the same. They are, however, likely to either be in it together or the same person.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:06 pm
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My son sold some reasonably expensive trainers on depop. Buyer (appeared to be a sneaker dealer) messaged him on instagram chat

OK, I appreciate this is probably down to my being old but why, if he sold it on depop, did he take any notice of a message on IG? Or is depop IG market place?


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:14 pm
 Drac
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If it’s not your same guy or the same trainers why does he simply not point that out to PayPal.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:48 pm
 csb
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I'm naive but had a similar question, how did the conversation morph to Instagram from the selling site? I'd be telling the buyer that all the comms are being sent to the Police and see if that has an effect.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:53 pm
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I’d be telling the buyer that all the comms are being sent to the Police and see if that has an effect.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 4:57 pm
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Yep, that's probably the exact effect @stumpyjon


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 5:00 pm
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I wouldn’t rule out the buyer being in on the scam

Had crossed my mind

how did the conversation morph to Instagram from the selling site?

fake buyer suggested it to save on fees - as mentioned, lesson learned, we've had that chat!

If it’s not your same guy or the same trainers why does he simply not point that out to PayPal.

he has done but as others have pointed out, looks like the fact he didn't post to the paypal address means he loses out 🙁


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 5:04 pm
 csb
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I should clarify, I wouldn't actually bother sending it to the police, but I'd have to try something rather than simply suvk it up. Might just be a kid trying it on.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 5:04 pm
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how did the conversation morph to Instagram from the selling site

Because that's the scam..outside remit.


 
Posted : 07/04/2022 9:05 pm
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I’m naive but had a similar question, how did the conversation morph to Instagram from the selling site? I’d be telling the buyer that all the comms are being sent to the Police and see if that has an effect.

The scammer will have been talking to the other victim too, promises to sell him some trainers, gets him to send the money, OP sends the scammer the trainer's, scammer then disappears. Buyer then gets their money back, and the OP is the only remaining victim.

It doesn't actually matter to the scammer if you used goods and services or friends and family as it was never their money and getting the money wasn't their intent.


 
Posted : 08/04/2022 9:39 am
 csb
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I'm still not clear how the conversation moved to instagram or how the parties connected.


 
Posted : 08/04/2022 12:22 pm
 ctk
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desperatebicycle
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Spoken like a true victim-blaming scammer there. Well done.

🤦🤦🤦


 
Posted : 08/04/2022 8:24 pm
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I’d be telling the buyer that all the comms are being sent to the Police and see if that has an effect.

Don't tell the buyer anything - they're not listening, they don't care and the account they've been using will be long gone.

"the police" - as in your local cop shop - aren't going to be able to do much (but if you need a crime number to claim on your insurance it'll achieve that)  but you can report it to Action Fraud. The scammer will have been busy scamming - your son will be one of many victims (and countless more attempts) and while they'll have thrown up enough of a smoke screen to prevent you / your son tracing them if your report and others help build a picture then who knows - might achieve something.


 
Posted : 08/04/2022 10:50 pm

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