I was selling a laptop on Craigslist and Mr. Adam Jacka contacted me, posing as an American businessman who was on business in Poland who was interested in buying my laptop from me.
He told me that his international client in Nigeria was interested in it, and that that would be where my laptop was to be sent. (Anyone catching the red flag yet?). I agreed to it, and we both agreed on an amount that was $200 above what I priced my laptop at on Craigslist. "To cover shipping costs".
He told me that he had given the shipping address to PayPal, and when I sent the request for payment, he would pay me and then PayPal would release the shipping details to me via e-mail. I sent him a request for payment, and I recieved an e-mail claiming to be from paypal saying that because of the amount of the payment from Mr. Jacka, they had placed a hold on my money until the buyer recieves the item.
Later, I recieved another e-mail claiming to be from PayPal saying that they had the shipment details for me. The address was one located in Nigeria. I had my doubts, but I cross - referenced Mr. Jacka's name, as well as Mr. Fowowe's name, and it returned no history of fraud. I assumed it was legit.
I kept in contact with Mr. Jacka for the next week, I had gone ahead and shipped my laptop to Nigeria, and I continued reciving different e-mails claiming to be from PayPal. One of the e-mails request shipping tracking numbers, so I sent them to the address provided, and then I recieved another e-mail after that one saying that they had verified the tracking numbers and I would recieve my payment in 72 hours.
Two days later, I recieved another e-mail claiming to be from PayPal saying that I needed to scan a copy of my reciepts from the shipment, as well as the custom's form, and as soon as PayPal recieved that, I would be paid. I did this, and never heard any more from PayPal.
The 72 hour mark came and went, and I didn't have my money in my PayPal account, so I called PayPal's 1-800 number. The operator I spoke with informed me that none of those e-mails I recieved were indeed from PayPal, the buyer had indeed never paid me, and the buyer didn't even have a valid PayPal account. I couldn't belive my ears.
I spoke with a Supervisor, and she told me the same thing. I thanked her, hung up the phone, and then attempted to make contact with the buyer. No response. I decided at this point that PayPal was right. I downloaded software onto my computer that verifies if an e-mail is legit or not, and it verified all of my PayPal e-mails, except for the 7 regarding the sale. I was horrified.
I called PayPal back, and spoke to 2 more people to confirm what had happened. I was in disbelief. How could I let this happen to me?
I went to the Post Office as soon as they opened the next mornnig to try to get the Shipment recalled. Unfortunately, the day before, the Shipment had already gone to Nigeria. There was nothing they could do.
I called the Police and filed a report. They referred me to the FBI. I have been in contact with them, but I don't know yet if there's anything they can do either.
I just hope nobody else has to go through what I am. That's why I'm posting this. I was a victim of fraud solely because I didn't see the red flags. Nobody else had done what I am doing, therefore I assumed these people to be legit.
I've learned my lesson. From now on, I'm only selling locally and it's cash-only for me.
0 comments