How does this eBay/PayPal scam work?

[Rick Lee]

I have an amp on eBay with an $850 Buy It Now and free shipping. Prospective buyer asked if I would split the PayPal invoice into two invoices for $425 each. He could barely write English. I just said no. What scam was this?

[Noah930]

Once the transaction goes through and you've sent the amp, he complains to PayPal or his bank that somehow the transaction got registered twice so they refund him one of the payments?

[Rick Lee]

That makes sense, except that his request was through eBay's messaging system. So it'd be easy for me to refute the claim. And what if I just did it for $420 and $430, so the two invoices could be mistaken for one.

[John Rogers]

I would say it depends on where he is from? See if you can actually call that person and talk to them. When I sold my 914-6 vintage race car to the doctor in Puerto Rico I talked to him several times over the phone and one time actually started the car so he could hear the open exhaust which is what sold him! Anyways, PR has some rule on how many USPS $1000 money orders you can buy in a given time so I said okay with me, send 10, then 10 and then the final 6 and that took 2 1/2 weeks. The credit union took some time to verify they were not bad and the car was sold and shipped.

Like I said, see if you can get them to call or you call them.re's a shot of the trailer getting loaded for the trip to Florida.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I have an amp on eBay with an $850 Buy It Now and free shipping. Prospective buyer asked if I would split the PayPal invoice into two invoices for $425 each. He could barely write English. I just said no. What scam was this?

Maybe he was trying to avoid import tax. Why not ask him?

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Maybe he was trying to avoid import tax. Why not ask him?

My ad states I'll ship only within the lower 48 states. If he's int'l., I'd expect him to first ask if I'll ship int'l.

[sc_rufctr]

I assumed poor english equals international buyer. (not sure why )

EDIT: Either way, If you think it's a scam it probably is.

[LeeH]

What sort of feedback does he have?

I'm currently selling a watch. Should close for around $100 or so. I get a question through eBay, "Why you no sell to Ukraine?"

"Too much fraud. No tracking."

"Please authorize me for this transaction only."

I searched on his random character eBay i.d. to find zero feedback and brand new account. No thanks.

[Rick Lee]

He has a 100% 138, but is from Argentina. I said only domestic shipping in the ad.

[VFR750]

Don't do it

$850.

Don't waste your time.

Or your business honesty. Once you go down the path of helping someone cheat the system. You are a cheater too.

And you'll be screwed for 425, and paypal will likely screw you again when you try to claim the money because you agreed to the double bill.

[Christien]

FWIW, I often message sellers who say "ships to US only" to see if they'll ship internationally. About 50% say yes. So just the fact that's he asking if you will shouldn't automatically trigger red flags.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Christien

So just the fact that's he asking if you will shouldn't automatically trigger red flags.

He didn't ask me if I'll ship int'l. He just assumed I would (despite listing language) and asked for two invoices. This is a red flag to me.

[rwest]

Found this on eBay, it appears like the first payment will make it paid in full in ebay's eyes.

My buyer has asked to pay in two installments; 50%... - The eBay Community

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by rwest

Found this on eBay, it appears like the first payment will make it paid in full in ebay's eyes.

My buyer has asked to pay in two installments; 50%... - The eBay Community

Clever girl!