Any known Singapore/BidPay Scams

[mleeincanada]

I've just been sent a message from a fellow in Singapore, saying that he will be paying for my item shortly, via BidPay. He had clicked on the "Buy it Now" button on my auction, even though my listing stated that I only ship to US and Canada.

He claims that he will pay for all shipping on his FedEx account, and wants to know if I would ship the item upon confirmation of payment.

I am aware of BidPay payments being cancelled, so I have told him I would only ship upon receipt of payment.

This is a pretty big ticket item (+$5,700), so I just want to take every precaution I can, before shipping.

Anyone out there with any experience in this sort of thing? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.


Mike

[zarzuella]

I believe there have been a number of recent Money Order scams, for example:

a) The buyer asks that the item be shipped on notification of pending payment by Bidpay/Western Union. The seller then receives a fake notification email supposedly from Bidpay, ships, and never receives payment.

b) The buyer sends a dummy money order, which your bank will bounce in a few days.

There are also problems with using another person's Fedex account - If the buyer refuses to pay the charges, they could rebound on you. Can you imagine shipping based on a spoof MO notification email, THEN having the Fedex bill charged back to you ......

I think I'd pass on this one.

Ann

[jiggy0568]

I wouldnt ship the item until you have confirmed the money is in the account and i was stung by shipping through one buyers ups account when he refused to pay the bill they chased me for the $110 so check with fedex that the bill is paid in advance
Take care on this one

Mark

[laplaya29]

It sounds like a scam to me. I received a similar worded e-mail a few days ago, but it seemed to be asking if I had more of something and would I sell everyting to him and he asked that i use Fedex to ship the items.. I smelt scam and never replied.

[pierrelebel]

It is a scam since BidPay has a US$700 limit per transaction.

[shoplineca]

WOW!!! and WHOAH!!

I just read this post as I felt I didnt have anything to add or contribute with respect to Singapore / Bidpay scams.

This reads scam all over it. Limitations on what Bidpay will issue Money Orders is a good example but the BIGGEST indication to me is that they want to you ship immediately upon receipt of confirmation of funds being deposited to pay you from BidPay (Western Union).

This isnt like a new heart needed for transplant surgery, its a piece of office equipment that can be purchased anywhere (I'm not knocking the item you are selling, I would love one).

Out of curiosity have you gone onto the FEDEX site and seen what the cost would be to ship this to Singapore?

I did a quick calculation assuming packaged weight will be 250 lbs and came up with $1,863 for freight shipping. ... and that is without the drums and toner cartridges.

Add that to your selling price and they can purchase a new one locally with local warranty and servicing.

If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it probably is a duck.

Malcolm

[gem-n-i-gemstonz]

Even if he finds a way to send a money order...I would wait until it CLEARS. I dont know about your bank, but mine treats money orders like cheques. But I agree, it sounds like a scam. If he seems to come across with the money, just wait until it clears completely before shipping.

Jaqui