Payment with Paypal? Is this a scam?
 

Morning,
I've got my car for sale on autotrader.ca and have this guy emailing me from an @gmail.com account. He says he wants to pay me with paypal, what does the brain trust of PPOT think about this? Scam?
I can't see the harm in giving him my paypal email address, but doing some checking before I do; who else would I ask?
Thanks in advance!

That looks like total classic BS to me.

PayPal is ok to pay with but sucks to receive with because of the large fees. On something as substantial as a car, the fees would be a lot. Most sellers will only accept PP on large amounts if you are willing to pay the extra fees.

That said, this email screams fraud in extremely large letters. All of the language in it, (can't talk on phone/surprise gift for relative/ "pick-up agent"/etc.), is textbook Nigerian 419 scammer talk. There is no such thing as a fking "pick-up agent".

They are trying to get your PP info for some nefarious purpose. Tell him that he must include a very young virgin for this transaction to work for you, see where that goes. Good luck...

I would not do any high dollar transactions on pay pal. Not because of the nature of this guy's request rather than the potential of loosing money to pay pal. Paypal is not a legit financial institution you can trust. They are shady:

PayPal Alternative - Pay Pal Lawsuits, PayPal Complaints & Fraud

Personally I only use them on $200 or less transactions using my credit card now and keep my account cleaned out.

George

wire transfer to a new account set up just for this transaction. Remove money immediately. Close account. If he works he has a bank.

I personally woundn't do it.
most usually pay a deposit only with PP.

scam key words:
"agent"
"advert"
"communicate only by email

Thanks very much, doing some homework and this does look very scary. I've been emailing this guy about the car, so now have replied as such:

We'll see where that goes?
Whatever happened to meeting the guy, test driving and paying cash?

Scam

Move along

Why so nice to the guy? I'd insult him and his religion while I was at it.

Pick up agent? Buying sight unseen without concern of price or ppi? Total BS Scam.....

Go read PayPal Alternative - Pay Pal Lawsuits, PayPal Complaints & Fraud
I've had to fight with paypal due to crooked sellers and IMO they have no interest in seeking the truth but will do whatever is quickest/easiest.
As others have said, this screams SCAM and the fees would be stupid.

You're selling the TT! No!

Scam.

Something eerily similar was posted in the past few months. The offshore rig rrang a bell for me. The other one was worded the same. Sorry, I don't recall if it was in the parts section or cars here.

SCAM!
But I would take it further and see how far you can go.
Waste his time a little.

Since you probably don't know his particular religion, just go ahead and send a message insulting all of them.

By totally wasting your own time...

Forget him.

That works too.

Its a typical scam. Guys who are on oil rigs and such have as good telephone and internet access as we do. After all, how it he emailing you?

Either play with it or move on but do not give the car away to anyone. Even if you have cash in your hand there are ways that PayPal can come back after you even 10 days later and force you to pay the money back.

True true

But hey, if there is one thing I've got plenty of, it's time. (money, I could do with some more :D)

Rob if you are giving the car away I offer a nice warm home in OK... It will be very well loved... I promise.