Scammers? What do they get out of it?

[Frownette]

I'm trying to sell a minor item for not very much. I can't give it away for free because I'm doing it for someone else.

So we hear from Andy. He wants it so, so much. Tells me to take down the advert. He's recovering from surgery so can't pick it up in person. Courier needs to.

Then he hasn't got a bank account. Then he wants to pay me a few hundred extra. Then he says he lives in Scotland, few hundred miles away.

I said "can't you get something closer to home?" But this is for his cousin, right? Who lives in Derby. It's obviously a load of rubbish but what on earth did he expect from this.

It was like a pantomime, the money is in your account oh no it's not oh yes it is.

He only has my email address so no harm done aside from mystification about what the hell he was on about. What's the scam?

There's a lot of variations on this one. It usually involves a pushchair or other popular item often sold second hand.

The courier is in on it, and when they come, somehow you have to give the courier the item and a load of cash to pay their costs.

But they normally pay by paypal and later recall the payment, after you've given their mate your item and a bundle of cash.

Ahhh that makes sense, 'Andy' was quite adamant about a courier and paypal. I don't know what on earth goes through their heads. I'll report him. Thanks!

They keep your item and the money. Don't engage with them!

Money! And presumably no sleepless nights, since they don’t possess even a rudimentary conscience.