Claim Details
Company: | Gumtree |
Type: | Advertising |
Country: | United Kingdom |
City: | London |
Postcode: | |
Address: |
Claim title: | Fraud/Internet scam involving gumtree and paypal |
Claim value: | £100 |
Incident Date: | 20th June 2012 |
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On 19th June 2012, I registered with gumtree because I wanted to advertise an item for sale. I received an enquiry from a man called ROBERT WASDIN. We exchanged a couple of e-mails through the website but because it wouldn�t allow me to upload some photographs, we exchanged personal e-mails and I sent the pics to his private e-mail. He then decided he wanted to purchase the item and said he would like to pay by paypal as it was a secure payment method! I gave him my paypal e-mail. He asked for my postcode as he said that he needed to arrange shipping and then he informed me that he was including the shipping payment as I was required to make this payment. I assumed this was when they came to collect the item. A short time later, I received an e-mail from paypal informing me that my account had been credited and that it included £120 to cover the cost of shipping. They then sent me further e-mails about their change of policy and that it was now the responsibility of the seller to pay the shipping cost and that once done the whole amount would be made available to my once I had provided paypal with the MTCN number. They advised that I use western union to make the payment. I immediately contacted gumtree to see if they had any knowledge of this sort of thing and whether ROBERT WASDIN was known to them�..and I didn�t receive a response. So I responded to the paypal e-mail and said that I was slightly concerned about this as I hadn�t been able to find the funds in my paypal account. They assured me that the funds wouldn�t be visible until the MTCN number had been received. After several e-mails to and from paypal I decided to go and make the payment of £109. Within minutes, I received another e-mail from ROBERT WASDIN stating that the shipping company was now requesting that the item was insured and that I needed to pay a further payment of £200 and that he had credited that to my paypal account! I immediately called paypal and spoke to them and they informed me that they had no record of this or the correspondence and that there were other fraudulent companies now operating using their logo�s! I called my bank and spoke to the fraud department. They informed me that the payment was still pending but that they weren�t able to stop it as western union were the only ones who could stop it. So I called western union and they informed me that the bank had to do this. So��I called the bank back and by this time the payment had been made � so I intend to attempt to claim this back through the bank because they could have stopped the payment! Western union have taken the details of the person I made the payment to and open a fraud account and they informed me that they will hold any future payments made to that company/name. The real bug bear for me���I went onto gumtree and edited my advertisement to include all the names and e-mail addresses for all of these people. Then gumtree contacted me and told me that my advert no longer fits their criteria so they have removed it. I have sent 4 e-mails since to gumtree who have refused to respond. So I have just e-mailed them to inform them that I intend to take them to the trading standards tomorrow. I registered my complaint with the police and the saw the e-mails and said that they were very good quality. The police have informed me that their main complaints regarding internet scam/fraud is from GUMTREE! I have also logged my complaint with the Fraud department.
So if gumtree won�t let me name and shame then maybe this site will let me.
The name of the false buyer is: ROBERT WASDIN
His e-mail is: brotherx004@gmail.com
His address (albeit probably false) is: 44 Beechwood Avenue, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7DZ
The names of the paypal scammers are: OWEN OLAS AND RICHARD WILSON
The e-mails are: owen.olas@googlemail.com and pp201@mail2consultant.com
The name of the company is: 1ST MOVE INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS COMPANY
Contact name is: AMOS OLUSHOLA
E-mails are: rose.floria@gmail.com and goodsdelivery@tx.am
MESSAGE FROM THE REAL PAYPAL: IF THEY EVER CONTACT YOU, THEY WILL ALWAYS ADDRESS YOU BY YOUR FULL NAME, ie: Mr. Johnny Depp. YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WILL NEVER BE USED TO IDENTIFY YOU AND THIS IS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THEIR CORRESPONDENCE.
If you know someone who has been ripped off, please log in and send a message
Comments
[21/06/2012] Denni Smith: Can you believe that I am still getting e-mails from ROBERT WASDIN and the fraudulant PAYPAL company asking me to make more payments to their account through western union! I am biting my tongue so much when what I really want to do is tell them to f**k off the bunch of robbing w*****s!
[06/07/2012] Bob: I have had exactly the same problem as the people above with catherinecole99@gmail.com they are scamming motherfuckers. I was selling some furniture and within less than an hour of putting it up I got a response from this email address. They were asking me how much it was I said between 550-600 they were willing to pay top price. I thought excellent! As I was speaking to her about payment ect.. all she kept asking was for my paypal address.. I kept asking her questions as I wanted to know all of the facts before selling. I thought it was a bit strange that she didnt want to come and take a look at it first as I could of been selling anything! I received an email from the 'courier company' she was using. I goggled the company nothing came up. I then took a look at the company signature they were using there was no company details no address and no telephone number... this is strange as most companies put these details on there. I then emailed her back saying I want her details and the courier company details, but she completely ignored my questions and kept asking for my paypal address I told her to fuck off! I googled her email address and luckily this site came up, if it wasnt for people like the above putting these things on the internet warning people they would be taking more money off people. Thank god I was cautious and I did my research first! I had my suspions and they were confirmed by the above.
DO NOT GIVE ANY DETAILS, IGNORE EMAILS FROM CATHERINE COLE AS THEY ARE SCAMMING MOTHER FUCKERS!!!!! BE WARNED!!!!!
[12/07/2012] Edd: Hi I am in an email conversation with Robert wasdin now and it\\\'s true to the form, trying to scam me with paypal etc..... Thanks for putting this info on as it has saved me from scam, also I\\\'m a bit worried as I did give him an email address.
[25/07/2012] Denni: I am so pleased that I have managed to save others from getting scammed. Just change your password on your e-mail address. That is what paypal - the real paypal, advised me to do.
The funny thing is, I started to get "legal" correspondance from the fake paypal but that soon stopped when I told them to fuck off!
I have since plucked up the courage to buy online through paypal and been happy with my purchases although it took some doing to start with.
It is about time that someone put a stop to this kind of crap though. We work hard enough for our money only to find assholes trying to rob us.
Glad I was of some help peeps! Safe shopping xxx
[25/07/2012] Chrissy: Hi all I hope you can help. I really need some advice!
I advertised on gumtree and have had same issues as this thread but luckily I found you!
I have obviously found thread so know its a scam. They have my PayPal address and full name. However I have not given them my actual address. The email I received from them is;
Hello,
The Payment has been made successfully, I'm sure you must have received the payment notification message from PayPal regarding this transaction. The pick up company wanted £130 for the pick up and delivery also they will be inspecting it on my behalf, so i have included the fee in the payment i made, also the shipping company has been informed about this, I'm sure they would have contact you regarding the details you will used to send the money. Please make sure you send the money to them on time to arrange the pick up time/date.
Here is the agent information to send the fund to via Western Union Money Transfer.
Ope Ara
22, Ososami Street.
Ibadan
Oyo State, 23402
Nigeria
Waitimg for your anticipated responce
Happy Sale
Regards
Please could you confirm if there is anything I can do to ensure they can not get money from my account? As I have only given personal email address and my name (which they get from my email replies anyway) I should be ok?
Kind regards
Chrissy
[01/08/2012] bob: I have reported mine to Gumtree and they have advised me to report it to the police. I know they wont do much or anything, but at least they have to investigate it. You guys should all do the same!
[01/08/2012] bob: Chrissy- I dont think they can take the money from your account. The people that scammed me had my full name and address. Just keep checking on your account to make sure nothing has been taken out and if it looks suss then check it out.
In the mean time tell them to f*** off.
[12/08/2012] Emmet: i have catherine cole emailing me as wee speak i give her my email, then my full address, then she asked for my paypal email, so i googled her and found this. what can i do about this.
[22/08/2012] Emma: I have had the exact same experience.
Emails from 'Catherine Cole', Paypal messages from 'Richard Wilson' and requests for money transfer via Western Union from the pick up company.
It all seemed a bit weird right from the beginning. Oddly phrased and at times v short emails from Catherine Cole. She wanted to pay via Paypal when we had asked for cash on collection. She said she'd arrange the pick up but then we received an email from the shipping company asking us to pay through Western Union and the payment address was for somewhere in Nigeria. She said she'd paid and 'Paypal' emails confirmed this but nothing was in our account.
I've reported the address catherinecole99@gmail.com to Google as 'phishing' which should flag up the address and then any future contact should go straight to people's spam folder. I have also reported the issue to Gumtree.
Obviously it's not great to hear than other people have had the same experience but I feel better now having my suspicions confirmed.
Thanks to everyone for posting your comments and I hope other people read them and don't get scammed.
[07/09/2012] Melanie: I've just had a narrow escape from the same people. I was selling some furniture on Gumtree and, just like the rest of hose on here, was sent a few messages from miriamberma002@gmail.com telling me she is deaf and doesn't use a phone. We swapped emails and agreed on a price. I opened a paypal account and found it suspicious that she wouldn't give me her contact details. She finally gave me the address (44 Beechwood Avenue, Thornton Heath Surrey CR7 7DZ), so I googled it and it led me here. I have been in touch with Paypal and have sent a very scathing email to her (or him .. or whoever!). I'm glad I followed my instincts and thanks to everyone here for confirming my doubts.
[09/09/2012] Heather Smith: The exact same thing has happened to me through trying to sell something on Gumtree the following emails tell the story :
I have made the payment now, im sure you must have received the payment notification message from PayPal regarding the payment. The pick up company wanted £100 for the pick up and delivery, so i have included it in the payment i made. I have also informed the pick up company, im sure they will contact you regarding the details you will used to send the money. Please make sure you send the money to them on time and arrange pick up time and date.
Thanks and hope to hear back from you asap.
Then this email:
The payment has been made to your paypal account successfully and paypal have deducted the money from my paypal account and it has been credited to your account but it will not display on your account for spending because of the security measure of paypal,so all you need to do now is that you will need to go and send the money to the shipping company through western union and send the Western union confirmation number to paypal for verification so that they can complete the transaction with you by showing the amount in your account and release the money for spending,paypal are doing this in order to protect both of us from online fraud.Thanks and get back to me as soon as you done with this.
When I started to realise this was a scam or not right I kept quiet and received this email:
Hey,what is going on over there i have made the payment for the item and i haven't hear anything back from you concerning the Western Union Money Transfer Please i will like to know what is going on because i am taking the step to contact the Authorities for there investigation on this transaction because i am getting worried,and i hope i have not gotten scam by you i will not accept this and PayPal and the Authority will be aware of this if you fail to get back to me now to know what is going on,i will urge you to go and made the transfer now so the transaction can be completed.waiting for your urgent reply..
Then another one today :
Dear smithhl@hotmail.com,
We received complaint over the Money you were asked to send by "Success" We have Rigorously cross checked the Money sent to you, it is confirmed and intact but Pending with us. We need to verify and be sure that you have sent the £100.00 GBP to the Address given to you by PayPal before we could credit your Pending funds to your Bank account which is £220.00.00 GBP.
The buyer has been worried and ready to sue PayPal, So we want you to try all your possible best and make sure you send the shipping fee of £100.00 GBP out today and email us with the Western Union Information for verification and confirmation so that we could CREDIT your Pending funds to your Bank account which the buyer transfer to your Bank account.
We would like you to abide by all PayPal rules as regards this Payment. We want you to send out the shipping fee of £100.00 GBP as soon as you see this email from PayPal and get back to us with the Western Union Information, so that we could verify it and credit your Pending funds to your Bank account with immediate effect.
Here is the buyer's address below you will send the Money Transfer to today,
Adeniji Olalekan
80 Bourke Street
Sunny Side
Pretoria
0002
South África.
Our Record shows that you are a Verified User, so we need to proof beyond all reasonable doubts that you are legitimate and that's why we need you to send us a proof of sending the fee, so as to secure the both the seller and buyer from Fraud.
Note: Failure to comply and send the shipping agent fee out today might lead to permanent suspension of your account and even take Legal Action on you as we have the right to protect out numerous customer from fraud seller.
We shall be looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for using PayPal!!
My name is Richard Wilson. I'm a PayPal representative in charge of your transaction with Miriam Berma (miriamberma002@gmail.com).
Regarding your question, You have to understand the fact that the money has been credited to your account, But it will neither be displayed nor be available for spending. We have placed a temporary hold on the funds until the Transfer verification is complete. You will have to reply to this message with the MTCN number and the scanned copy receipt given to you at western union office the transfer of the money can be made at any western union office.
You are encouraged to complete this transaction by going to Western Union and send the money to the shipping company in your hand and get back to us with scanned copy receipt given to you so we can confirm it and your money will be released into your account.
We thank you for being an asset to PayPal and we hope to serve you better in the nearest future.
PayPal Account Team.
Dear Smithhl@hotmail.com,
The transaction is in order and legal. You will receive the said amount as soon as you send the transfer number to us. This transaction is not fraudulent and you are assured of quality service. We encourage you to send the money out immediately (due to PayPal's policy) as your payment has been confirmed by us. Security is of critical importance with PayPal.
We use proprietary technology - and constantly innovate - to help ensure your transactions are safe. In addition, PayPal has over 1000 people worldwide dedicated to keeping PayPal accounts safe, and stopping online criminals. And we work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) worldwide to shut off fraudulent websites as soon as possible.
PayPal's Fraud Investigation Team is highly experienced in fraud prevention. Several members of the team are former law enforcement officials with extensive experience in fighting online fraud. PayPal's fraud investigation team focuses on: Identifying and preventing fraud before it occurs, Detecting fraud in process, Mitigating loss, if fraud does occur, Delivering information to law enforcement around the world to help stop those committing online fraud.
PayPal Customer Protection.
Note: that the money has been credited to your account, but it will neither be displayed nor be available for spending. We have placed a temporary hold on the funds until the transfer verification is completed.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAYMENT WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE "PENDING" TAB IN YOUR ACCOUNT UNTIL YOU SEND THE MTCN CONTROL NUMBER TO US.
This is due to new policies at PayPal to protect both the buyer and the seller in the face of the growing number of fraudulent activities perpetrated via the internet. Your payment is intact. You are encouraged to complete this transaction.
We thank you for being an asset to PayPal and we hope to serve you better in the nearest future.
Sincerely,
PayPal Inc.
International Shipping Company.
Overseas Shipping of your personal effects, furniture and household goods.
Weekly shipping to over 5000 destinations. Daily collection from anywhere in the World.
Quality International Overseas Moving Services from 1st Move International Removals Company. As full members of BIFA we pride ourselves in bringing safe, secure, cost saving services to our customers.
We specialize in looking after you belongings by securely
packing them with our unique export packing system, offering
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We also use our buying power to get the best shipping rates
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We have daily collections from most of the UK and weekly sailings toover 5000 different destinations worldwide.
Our experienced members of staff are here to make your international move as quick, smooth and hassle free as possible. They will be on hand to answer any questions or queries that you
may have about your move.
Dear HEATHER SMITH ,
We have successfully calculated the pick up cost according to the delivery address given to us by your purchaser and your own pick up address. The total pick up cost is £100.00 GBP However, we have been asked to expect the pick up cost from you through Western Union Money Transfer. You will send the pick up cost to our agent who will come for the pick up. Below is the details you will need to send the money:
Adeniji Olalekan
80 Bourke Street
Sunny Side
Pretoria
0002
South África.
You will need to send the money through Western Union Money Transfer, you can easily do that by going to any nearest Western Union office, You will need to send the following information as soon as you have sent the money:
Sender's name and full address
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN)
You will use the following security question and answer while you are sending the money:
Security Question: What is it for?
Answer: Pick Up
We will be looking forward to read from you so as to know when we should expect the money and to arrange for the pick up date and time.
Still not convinced, get back to us through our Customer Care Email Desk @ (GoodsDelivery@tx.am) For customers feedback.....................
1st Move International Removals Home Page Online Forms Moving Tips
Dear smithhl@hotmail.com,
My name is Richard Wilson. I'm a PayPal representative in charge of your transaction with Miriam Berma (miriamberma002@gmail.com).
Kindly reply to this message if you have any question regarding this transaction and I will be happy to help you.
We thank you for being an asset to PayPal and we hope to serve you better in the nearest future.
We do not appreciate any calls due to attending to many customer, We advice you to get back to us via this email to get full details of this transaction.
Be informed that this transaction is only available and can only be tracked and traced via email, So do reply back to us if you have any question about the transaction and not via phone call.
Questions? email us at: pp201@mail2world.com
Please do reply to this email. This mailbox is monitored and you will receive a response. For assistance, always reply to this email as is use to monitor this transaction between you and Success.
Thanks for using PayPal.
Watch out this don't be fooled :
Dear (smithhl@hotmail.com)
You have received a PayPal Payment of £220.00 GBP from Success (Success@gmail.com).
A temporary hold has been placed on this transaction!
As mentioned in the receipt of Payment and as per New PayPal Payment policy, we have fully debited the total amount (above) from the buyer's account which includes the buyer's shipper's pick up fees.
In order to complete this transaction and get the funds approved in your account. We advice you go to nearest Western Union Office, and send the £100.00GBP to the Agent and send us a Scanned Copy/Photograph of your Western Union Transaction Receipt (in .JPG Format).
NOTE: This is important as a security measure to ensure safety of this transaction.
Please, find below the name and address of the Transport Agent where the Funds would be sent via Western Union Money Transfer.
Click Here Locate Nearest Western Union Office
PICK-UP AGENT DETAILS:
Address:
Adeniji Olalekan
80 Bourke Street
Sunny Side
Pretoria
0002
South África
Address Status:
Confirmed
Your Account will be credited accordingly upon the receipt of details requested. It should either be sent in JPG format or send type details as:
Sender's Name; Receiver's Name; MTCN; Amount Sent;
You may contact the PayPal Customer Verification Department and Quote the Above Transaction ID for quick recognition of this transaction at: pp201@mail2world.com
Copyright © 1999-2011 PayPal. All rights reserved.
PayPal Email ID PP155
After all these emails and me finally deciding to google the Surrey address it brought me to this site, thank you so much to the people who post comments and information in here to stop people getting scammed and loosing there hard earned money to these selfish, lieing greedy thieves!!!
The following names are not to be trusted or dealt with at all and try it on through Gumtree and Paypal.
miriam berma
Robert Wilson
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