This article is submitted by Tim Lasiuta of Red Deer

Kijiji, navigating scam buyers

It all started with what seemed to be a good idea.

I needed to sell a few items and other than eBay, Kijiji was the next best option.  After all, I had success on precious occasions selling other items and services to help make ends meet in a tough Alberta economy.

Comic books in hand, my ad seemed pretty simple.

“Collectors comics for sale, $1000 in value. Asking $500.  Contact Tim at….”

Not that I expected people to come running out of the electronic bushes to fight over my well cared for comic books and anthologies, but I did not expect what happened over the next 3 days.

I had included my cell phone number so I could at least talk to people about what they might want.  However, with the advent of the global marketplace sellers are exposed to international buyers.

Shortly after posting my ad, I received a response via text asking what seemed to be a legitimate response.

“I want to buy my son a birthday present.  This is a surprise.  What is your firm price?  Why are you selling?  What is your phone number?  What is your paypal account?  What is your address so we can pick them up?”

That all seemed good once I answered the questions and sent pictures of all 70 comic books and 30 hardcovers.

Within a few minutes, I received the following response:

“Okay, sound good.  I will pay you through PayPal, you can easily get money in your PayPal and transfer it into your bank account.  Let me know if you accept my method of payment and I will also contact the shipping company that will come down to your location for pick up after the payment clears to your account.”

It still sounded okay, but not quite normal.  After all, I had sold much through paypal and people just transfer funds as required.

That did not prepare me for what was next though.

I received what seemed to be a PayPal notice for $850 usd.  However, I wanted $500.  And the note included a shipping agent contact stating I had to send $300 to the agent to release the $850!

By this time, I was very suspicious and knew that was a scam.

I continued with the conversation and was assured this was not a scam and the funds really were on hold.  They did want them.

By this point, I gave up on this particular scammer and waited for a legitimate local buyer.

The end was not near however, as 3 more individuals contacted me over the next 2 days to offer the same thing!  All were out of country phone numbers, Colorado, Nevada and Indiana.

Looking back on the transaction, I researched their methods and discovered that the pay to release funds is not new and was based in Nigeria originally.  Now, it seems to come from the United States.

Their pattern can be summed up in four steps.

1. Contact you saying they cannot come to see the asset in person and ask you questions.
2. They agree to the price, no matter how large.
3. They theoretically send you more than you ask for, demanding an advance payment to release the funds.
4. You will never receive the rest, your paypal account is zero with no option to recover.

The buyers, as it were, hide beneath foreign cell phone numbers and redirected email addresses.  Once you engage them with the $300, you can no longer fight the battle.  Report these individuals IF you can identify them, but otherwise run!I write this cautionary tale so other sellers can be aware of those who prey on potential sellers, no matter where you live.

By the way, there is no happy ending to this story yet.  My comic books are still for sale and I still need to post items to make rent this month.

May you all find real buyers.

Tim Lasiuta

403-396-1773