I don't know if this is a scam but it sure looks like it. after going back and forth via text, I googled the email address the "buyer" was providing and I found this page. after that I just started messing around with the so called buyer. please continue reading for details.
the texts came from #281-829-8304, which turns out to be a google voice#..I called and got no answer.
I contacted Paypal and the paypal customer service rep stated that the email address
[email protected] is registered in New York.
in my opinion he/she( the alleged scammer) would claim that the money has been sent and have you ship the item, or that he/she might actually fund his/her paypal using stolen credit or debit card numbers.
Here is a transcript of my text conversation:
11/14/2012
2818298304-Hello, did you still have your(used Iphone) forsale, do let me know ASAP
me-I do
2818298304-(1/3)Thank you for getting back to me,Please assure me that it's in good condition and that i will not be disappointed with it.I'm ready to pay your asking
2818298304-(2/3)price and to be honest, i wanted to buy this for my son who live oversea as gift and i will offer you $290 plus an extra $100 for the cost of shipping the
2818298304-(3/3)item via USPS Express Mail Service to my Son. So i want you to get back to me with your PayPal email address or send me PayPal money request to my email
me-Whats your email?
me-*******@***.com
me-I can ship it but if I dont use the full $100 I can send you the difference in a postal money order.
correction- my email is ****3@***.com
2818298304-Ok, you can send the paypal money request to my paypal as well,
[email protected], and let me know when you send it, so i can proceed with the payment asap
Me-Done
2818298304-(1/2)Got the request, and i will proceed with the payment asap, once you receive the confirmation of my payment, do ship the phone as soon as possible,and
2818298304-(2/2)will let you know once the payment is made
2818298304-(1/3)I will like to tell you that i just made the payment now on PayPal and you must have get the payment confirmation from PayPal by now, So do go to a USPS
2818298304-(2/3)(Express Mail Service Flat Rate (EMS) (3-5) business day)office near you now and ship the phone through USPS Express Mail Service due to that it is safe
2818298304-(3/3)and cheap. So do that and get back to me with the shipment tracking number.the tracking number most start with EI,EG or EH and end with US
2818298304-(1/2)And Here is the shipping address of my Son:Name:Tokunbo Ramsey Address: No 7, Adeniyi street, Liberty City: Ibadan, State: Oyo State, Country: Nigeria,
2818298304-(2/2)Zip/ Postal Code :23402
me-I already sent it
me-you should get it in two days
me-I also sent u two extra memory chips
me-and a bag of potato chips
me-Now go f#$ yourself!!
2818298304-You mean, you have mail the phone through USPS, cos i dont understand what you are talking about
me-oh stop it your scam did not work this time
2818298304-WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, I HAVE ALREADY MADE THE PAYMENT, AND THE MONEY HAS BEEN DEDUCTED IN MY ACCOUNT, SO DO LET ME KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON
me-Yeah sure
me-lol
2818298304-WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON, AND I THINK YOU ARE TRYING TO RIP ME OFF