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Original poster

To think someone is trying to scam me.. photo attached

162 replies

Aaahhhelp · 13/02/2019 09:32

Hi everyone,

I put my wedding dress that I no longer want on gumtree yesterday. Last night I had someone asking do I still have the wedding dress. I replied yes and would they like to come and see it and got this reply this morning... as it said I would have the funds before sending I did think it was genuine, however a part of me thinks it sounds like a scam!

What do you think? And should I reply?

To think someone is trying to scam me.. photo attached
OP posts:
cheesenpickles · 13/02/2019 15:19

That read like a scam. Who surprises their cousin with a wedding dress without looking at it.

Gladtobemyself · 13/02/2019 15:25

Sounds like a scam to me. Ignore!

Gumtree is notorious for attracting scammers, so beware.

Cheetahssitonfajitas · 13/02/2019 15:29

Don't ignore them! Engage them in some convoluted back and forth that makes them squirm for excuses and then call them out on it! I've done this several times. It's often entertaining seeing the shit they come up with and deeply satisfying.

pelirocco123 · 13/02/2019 15:31

You can tell my the way they write/ talk thats its a scam

Cheetahssitonfajitas · 13/02/2019 15:31

...channel Joe Lycett.

SubisYodrethwhenLarping · 13/02/2019 15:32

Yes deffo channel Joe GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

Bellasorellaa · 13/02/2019 15:35

yep scam
they will claim to paypal goods havent been sent and you have no evidence if they come to get it
these people are so fucking sad i swear

badgerread · 13/02/2019 15:35

Definite scam, I had exactly the same last year..

CuriousaboutSamphire · 13/02/2019 15:36

Ah! Yes, Joe Lycett ad the parking ticket!

That's who inspired DSis Grin

ladybranstonpickle · 13/02/2019 15:49

Also worth watching!

In case you ever wondered what it would be like to engage with the Nigerian scam people....

www.ted.com/talks/james_veitch_this_is_what_happens_when_you_reply_to_spam_email?language=en

WarpedGalaxy · 13/02/2019 15:56

Many are saying why do they even send these emails when it's so obviously a con? Well, witness the number of posters on this thread who would have fallen for it; they know they don't have to convince everyone. As long as they can convince a few someones daily they're golden, so they send out these emails by the thousand and if only a handful are 'hits' then that's enough for them to make quite a nice little earner out of it.

MrsPinkCock · 13/02/2019 15:57

@Cheetahssitonfajitas

My first thought. I love him Grin

DoYouLikeHueyLewisandTheNews · 13/02/2019 15:57

That's pretty much word for word what my work colleague received only yesterday for a motorbike he put on gumtree. Definitely dodgy.

zeeboo · 13/02/2019 16:00

Scam! And I'm shocked that some people on this thread are questioning whether it is or not. As soon as they have the dress they will do a paypal chargeback. When you contest this with PayPal they will ask you to provide proof of postage/delivery and as it was collected, you won't be able to give any proof.

Cheetahssitonfajitas · 13/02/2019 16:05

Got any spare material knocking about? Scam the scammer!

To think someone is trying to scam me.. photo attached
Bluelonerose · 13/02/2019 16:06

Ide message back

"Do you know your message is almost IDENTICAL to scammers message going around. Unfortunately due to people being robbing little shits. I can only accept cash on collection. If you let me know which day your coming to collect I'll gladly mark item as sold."

hastingsmua1 · 13/02/2019 16:08

It’s virtually a scam email template - they just changed the details involved to make them seem more trustworthy. Eg cousin vs friend or unavailable due to ‘bed bound/hearing loss’ vs ‘I’m in Nigeria’

Also they slipped up at the end by mentioning a courier agent. I thought their cousin was picking it up?

For what it’s worth, I don’t think it seems like a wider scam (like people that target iPhone ads) but a single individual trying it on.

Patchworkpatty · 13/02/2019 16:25

Last week someone messaged me almost the same nonsense then sent me a 'pending' PayPal payment for £500 more than the sale price. I had to western union them the £500 back as a 'verification ' that my PayPal was legit ... then my payment would be released... hmmm thankfully I am blessed with working brain cells ..

tomhazard · 13/02/2019 16:29

I've had almost this exact scam when trying to sell more expensive items on gumtree

reallyanotherone · 13/02/2019 16:35

Aside from all the other red flags, why would hearing loss (or even total deafness) prevent you from being able to collect something in person?!

Presumably so you can’t phone them either? All contact via email only...

Coffeeisnecessary · 13/02/2019 16:55

I've had almost the exact same message when trying to sell a pushchair, even when I told them it's cash on collection only they kept pushing telling me how safe PayPal is etc. I have a business and PayPal is NOT fully safe, they can chargeback the money and you are left with nothing! I hate scammers! (but love Joe lycett)

SubisYodrethwhenLarping · 13/02/2019 17:05

What is the completely safe way to sell something worth about £55,000 please?

Is it personal bank transfer?

Obviously not PayPal but what is a safe way?

Ellapaella · 13/02/2019 17:10

Why not just message back and say you will send via your own courier with tracking once you have received the money? They surely just won't reply if it's a scam.

ScreamingValenta · 13/02/2019 17:13

What is the completely safe way to sell something worth about £55,000 please?

What is it? For 'completely safe' you usually need a reputable dealer or auction house, or a known contact in a niche market (such as collectables or antiques).

JaffacakesAreCakesNotBiscuits · 13/02/2019 17:14

I had this with a car I was selling.. Something about a son at uni and he'd get someone to collect should he email directly.. I was young and stupid and had just had an operation the night before, wasn't with it. I have ONLY my email address.. Within 5.mins I had 2000 emails in my junk folder and they were flooding through by the hour.
I then got one asking for my address..
I closed my gumtree account. Logged out of my email and set up a new one. And learned.. Could of been worse!
Now I'm too suspicious of everything and everyone

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