I had arranged to purchase a used ipad advertised on Craigslist in NY. The seller then said she'd moved to Canada, but she would look for a good, reliable way to ship to me. She got back to me with the information on "Parcel2Go" and gave me a link to their website (a 3rd party middle man that holds the merchandise, handles the shipping, payment, and distribution of funds. She asked me to look at their website and let her know if that would be satisfactory.
After reviewing the website, I told her that looked like a good solution to make the exchange. I then received an invoice from "parcel2go" with a very detailed description of the ipad they claimed to have received from the seller (Lindsey Hinshaw), it's technical specifications, and their expert's evaluation of it's condition. Although the FOUR page detailed invoice looked extremely official (it showed them as being preferred by ebay, etc...)
Several things should have alerted me to question the authenticity.
1.invoice was sent as a google docs attachment to their email letter.
2. They said due to the high incidence of internet fraud my payment could not be made online in any way (ie paypal, credit card, etc...) it had to be made by cash, at an actual Western Union location, as a "money in minutes" payment. Elaborate instructions were given about the "green" money in minutes form and correct submission procedures.
3. I was to make the payment directly to "parcel2go" to the specific agent, "Tatiana Burel".
Fortunately, when I attempted (foolishly) to make the payment, the Western Union agent asked me what I knew about parcels2go. He told me that it could be suspicious and I should check them out.
I did not complete the payment, but contacted the actual parcel2go company that is a legitimate business. They told me, immediately, that this was a scam. They do not conduct business by Western Union. Someone was using their logo and diverting funds elsewhere.
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