This person wanted to purchase an item from a Craigslist ad. Scammer. Wanted to do paypal and then western union. Had many excuses about not being able to call me or speak in person or meet to do the transaction. Texted from this number 443-855-9519 and I tried to call it but it is a text only number. I asked for a number to call since he was having so much "trouble" calling me and the number was 724-427-5813. Beware, this person is a scammer.
This person wanted to purchase an item from a Craigslist ad. Scammer. Wanted to do paypal and then western union. Had many excuses about not being able to call me or speak in person or meet to do the transaction. Texted from this number 443-855-9519 and I tried to call it but it is a text only number. I asked for a number to call since he was having so much "trouble" calling me and the number was 724-427-5813. Beware, this person is a scammer.
Western Union is a CASH wire transfer service. It is NEVER to be used for a business transaction, or any transaction where you do not know the receiver of the money personally.
Yes, it is a scam.
Scammers use Craigslist and other online buy/sell sites to troll for victims.
They will want to "pay" for your item via PayPal or other online money transfer services.
Here is how the "PayPal Scam", or any other online money service money-laundering scam, works:
They say they will buy your item, unseen.
They say they will pay you extra money to cover the shipping charges through their shipping company or agent.
They request your email address linked to your PayPal account.
They instruct you to wire the extra funds they send you to their shipping company or agent.
You receive a invoice from PayPal to your email, stating the funds have been deposited to your PayPal account.
So, you use your money to wire the funds to the shipper.
You then find out the PayPal email was fake, it was sent by the scammer, there were no funds deposited into your PayPal account.
The money you wired, was really picked up by the scammer, it is unrecoverable.
You are out the money you wired.
The same scam is also done with money orders, bank drafts, or cashiers checks.
In these cases, the check you receive, for funds over the amount of your item, is forged, stolen, or counterfeit.
As it may take several weeks for the banks to realize the check is bad, you may not know you have been scammed.
Worst yet, as you passed a bad check, you can be held criminally liable.
You are out the funds you wired, return check charges, and face possible arrest.
See:
http://www.fraudaid.com/
http://www.fraudaid.com/solution_center/solution/draftsoption3/4c.htm