is this a scam

[Vagrant]

I am a computer dummy and have only bought with pay pal a couple of times. I'm trying to sell a bike on cycle trader and got this back from a buyer. Twice! bells are going off in my head.
your opinion.
Thanks for getting back to me...I hope it is in good condition? and there wont be any cause of disappointment if i purchase it from you? I want to buy it for my dad and I am ready to pay the asking price. I'm a Marine Engineer and am currently on sea right now which is strictly no calls. My Mode of payment is PayPal because i don't have access to my bank account online, but i have it attached to my PayPal account. Since I'm requesting this transaction to be done via PayPal, I will be responsible for all the PayPal fees/charges on this transaction, if you don't have an account with PayPal, it's pretty easy, safe and secure to open one. Just log on to www.paypal.com I hope we can make this transaction as fast as possible. Less I forgot, I have a Mover that will come for the pick up once payment is cleared in your PayPal account and they will be handling the everything for me, as I look forward to hearing from you with your PayPal information as requested below.




Your PayPal e-Mail Address :

Full name:

Firm Price:

Address for pick up:

[oldbike54]

 Uh , yes , that is a scam , and not a very creative one at that .

 Dusty

[Kev m]

Classic scheme.

Common elements:

* Buying it sight unseen cause I'm out of the country/area/whatever
* Buying it for someone else
* Has a mover
* Instructs you how to open Paypal account
* Sounds too good to be true (I'll be responsible for fees, I'll handle everything bla bla bla)

[jackson]

As others have posted; SCAM! (and it's a very old one that I thought the scammers would have stopped using by now)

[Vagrant]

Thanks guys. as always instant response and knowledge.

[drlapo]

Is the scammer from Baltimore?
Seems that a number of Nigerian princes live there.
I've received the same offer

[dguzzi]

I'll gladly pay you on Tuesday for a hamburger today.

[cj750]

Classic scheme.

Common elements:

* Buying it sight unseen cause I'm out of the country/area/whatever
* Buying it for someone else
* Has a mover
* Instructs you how to open Paypal account
* Sounds too good to be true (I'll be responsible for fees, I'll handle everything bla bla bla)

A couple other typical elements:
* Uses only generic terms like "it" or "your item" rather than "1972 Buick" or "Suzuki water pump."
* Odd phrases and grammar: "am currently on sea," "Less I forget." 

[Kev m]

A couple other typical elements:
* Uses only generic terms like "it" or "your item" rather than "1972 Buick" or "Suzuki water pump."
* Odd phrases and grammar: "am currently on sea," "Less I forget."

 

[Vagrant]

Is the scammer from Baltimore?
Seems that a number of Nigerian princes live there.
I've received the same offer

what happened to the good old days when they stuck a gun in your face and took your money?
yep, 857 and I think 917. never thought to look it up on line.

[cj750]

The OP content is most likely a scam but...

Most banks can be accessed online just as ones Paypal account can be.

If someone was in the situation of the first post, opened a new bank account, linked that to a 'new Paypal account, the funds from said buyer were deposited then withdrawn in Cash and the bank account closed then what ?????
The Nigerian Police come knocking on you door (haha yeah right)

My understanding (I'm not an expert) is that the scammer will generate fake e-mails appearing to be from PayPal confirming the transfer. In reality, they never put any money into your account.
A cautious seller can verify the transfer by logging into his or her PayPal account and checking the balance, but relatively few do. Especially if they are previously unfamiliar with PayPal (notice the scammer is particularly targeting such people) they may not know how, or understand why this is something they should do.

[rodekyll]

If you are already a paypal user, his form letter captures your full name, paypal account, and street address.  That's one thing he's after.

If you're not a paypal user, he provides the link to set you up.  Where does the link go?  When you fill out the "paypal" application and give them your vital stats, bank account number, passcodes and permission to set you up, where did the information go?  That's another goal.

The third prong of the attack is what's already been said -- going through with the transaction will result in bogus deposits to your account and a rape of your bank accounts, but a very real separation of you from your bike.

As old and tired as this scam is, it's a $4BILLION/year industry.

[Fuzzy]

With CL you got to be "cash only"

[Cool Runnings]

So the guy wants to send you the money by paypal, yeah, so.............

You're covered

When transactions need only a login and password, you don’t expose bank details or card numbers. It’s an added layer of protection for your financial information.

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

[Cool Runnings]

Classic scheme.

Common elements:

* Buying it sight unseen cause I'm out of the country/area/whatever
* Buying it for someone else
* Has a mover
* Instructs you how to open Paypal account
* Sounds too good to be true (I'll be responsible for fees, I'll handle everything bla bla bla)

My brother sold a Yamaha 650 (70's vintage) to a guy in Sweden using Ebay. He lives in Minnesota.

[Tom]

Y'ep scam.  To confirm ask for his email address, phone number and address when he's home.  See what kind of answer you get.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Yes it is a scam.  Pay pal has been used and a money transfer agency for a great many scams of various sorts.  They were involved in an Identity theft attack on me about two years ago.  My own credit union
 helped empower them to do it in spite of terms of a contract that expressly forbid them to honor overdraft
draws on my account.

[PJPR01]

and above all, don't click on ANY of the links he might provide in any of his correspondence...

[canuguzzi]

Two lines into it...scam.