it should have been obvious from the email. but its set up to look so real, even linking back to the real paypal site.
i was selling some camera stuff on craigslist, and this guy sent me an email. ill post the emails here:
---
Thanks for your reply, i am located in Remsenburg city in NY, i really need to buy this and send to my son schooling outside the state as a Christmas gift.I have been trying to buy this on ebay but its so very stressful buying on ebay.I will offer you $250 so as to close the auction as soon as possible.I will be paying through PAYPAL because i have a verified account with paypal.So kindly get back with your paypal email address so i can make payment into your paypal account.Once payment clears, shipment will be handled by me through my personal fedex account, so you dont have to pay for shipment.Get back to me if my approval is granted.I would like to see the pictures please.
Thanks
---
Hello

I have just made out the payment online now.Go and check the mail you
used in opening your paypal account the confirmation mail have been
sent there check the inbox or the spam message you should see it
there... I will also like you to know that i am having some
little problems with my fedex account as i checked it online now and i
was asked to reactivate it so i cant do that now as i have to sort one
or two thing out with them.So i am sorry as i wont be handling
shipment through my fedex account again.So, pls get the postage cost
to the following address via post office(USPS EXPRESS MAIL) and ship
out the item via post office(USPS) asap cos i have told my son to be
expecting it.I have also included $100 extra for the shipping.i think
that should be enough for you to ship

Name: Olubowale Gbenga
Address: No 4 Ijeja Street,
City: Abeokuta
State: Ogun State
Postal Code: 23439
Country: Nigeria

Let me know how much it costs you to ship.After you ship get back to
me with the amount you used to ship. .I am really sorry for the
inconveniences
---
you know what you have to do, you have to get it ship and email paypal about it now through the confirmation they send to you, and tell them about it, but there is nothing bad in it just send the item to my son and once you get back to them with what they required from you they will release your funds ok..so you dont have to be confused..ok
---
yeah the address is Nigeria thats where my son is study art and craft..and i want it to get to him asap, , so make sure you help me ship it via..post office USPS(EXPRESS MAIL)thanks
---
ok i understand you so kindly help me ship it first thing tomorrow morning so my son can have it asap thanks and i will be waiting for your reply asap.its nice doing business with you
---


i had a feeling from the start that this was a scam, but i was eager to sell it and almost fell for it. the fake paypal emails said that they were doing a new security precaution, saying that the money is on hold in my account until i give them the tracking number. i called paypal because it made no sense, and sure enough i was right.

it seems to me that this is either the same guy or just the same trick as a lot of people here on this forum have encountered. always thanking for the fast reply, always "buying for a friend or relative" and always overseas.

not a week later and a girl is trying to scam me. saying paypal takes 1-3 days to receive payment.

the first guy's name is kelvin brookz and the girl is Lorient Pires