Kijiji Scam Information and How to Avoid Being Scammed

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Kijiji Scam Information & How to Avoid Being Scammed

SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE SCAM

Signs of a Possible Kijiji Scam

1. Person of interest is not local. They are currently out of town, or they live across or out of the country which means no actual person to person contact. This also ensures the transaction has to be made through the mail, or online. If the person does not want to meet in person, or has some excuse for not being able to make the transaction in person, be very wary. (It’s a lot harder to scam someone face to face but people still do it, so still be cautious of anyone willing to meet face to face.)

2. Person of interest doesn’t do phonecalls either. Most scammers prefer to work through email only. I call these the lazy scammers. They will do everything they can to avoid having to talk to you in person. I have turned scammers away by insisting I will only complete the transaction if I can talk to them on the phone. This is an easy way to determine quickly if you have a phone-shy scammer on your case.

3. If you find an item on Kijiji that is priced unbelievably low, it might be a sign of a scammer. This is usually done with high-priced, large items that need to be shipped, such as vehicles and RV’s.

4. Don’t trust anyone who wants to buy something like vehicle or a laptop from you without seeing it first. We had a few replies to our ad for our Honda Element saying they wanted to buy it just like that without seeing it. These emails seemed very generic and didn’t even mention anything about the vehicle itself. Scammers playing the role of a buyer mysteriously don't seem too interested in the actual item they are purchasing.

5. Paypal. Paypal. Paypal. Unfortunately for all the honest people out there that use paypal, scammers are giving it a bad name. The majority of kijiji scammers insist on using paypal because it's 'safe and reliable'. They always ask for your paypal email address and your paypal name so they can send you a fake but official looking email from 'Paypal' telling you that you have new funds and have been paid for your item.

6. An overly detailed story is usually a sign of a scammer. Scammers usually try to prey on your empathy but usually don’t realize how stupid they sound.

7. Scammers want things done quickly. Sometimes they give you a big sappy story explaining why they need this transaction done as quickly as possible (gift for my dying aunt…..don’t have much time). The reason for this is because sometimes it takes a few days for a bank or paypal transaction to be declined or processed, and by then the scammer is long gone.

8. I'm sure this will eventually change once the not-so-smart scammers out there figure out we are onto them, but stay away from any replies or ads mentioning the country Nigeria. I am not sure why they like to use this country in all their attempted scams but there are way too many scams using Nigeria and Africa for shipment of items. Read the examples on the bottom of the page and you'll see what I mean.

9. Anyone who requests any personal information from you and insists that it is necessary in order to complete the transaction. Examples of information that has been requested from scammers are your bank account number, your PayPal id…among others.

10. A major red flag is when somebody requires money up front in order to complete the transaction. They always assure you any money you put up front is either being held by a third party company and or will paid back to you with the payment. An example of this is one of the replies to our vehicle ad. This ‘woman’ gave me a big long story about how she lives 3 provinces away and really wants my vehicle and had already been approved for the loan but in order for her bank to release the funds, she must come up with 850 dollars for compulsory insurance, which she wanted me to pay, and then she would add the 850 dollars on top of the total price of the vehicle. Come on, I was born at night but it wasn’t last night! Nice try though.

11. Anyone who mentions using the Ebay Vehicle Purchase Protection Program is usually trying to scam you. Ebay warns of anyone trying to sell vehicles through ‘their’ program unless it is officially through Ebay. This scam has happened to many people I know including my parents who were very close to finalizing a deal for an RV through the 'EVPP' program. Thankfully, they contacted Ebay before closing any deals and Ebay informed them that this was a scam and they have been getting numerous complaints of the exact same thing happening to other people. Ebay's advice was to avoid dealing with anyone trying to sell something using the EVPP program outside of Ebay. People are still being scammed this way because the scammers use fake, official looking emails pretending they are from Ebay.

How to Avoid Being Scammed on Kijiji

Scammers don’t just prey on buyers anymore. These crooks are finding more and more ways to scam the unassuming seller, especially those who are looking to sell their items quickly. As a seller trying to get rid of something quickly, it’s hard not to be interested in a reply offering you your full asking price the first day you put your ad up. Remember that the "If it's too Good to be True" saying also applies to the seller.

This should be an obvious one but still needs to be reminded to everyone. Never ever give out any personal information such as bank account numbers, user ids, passwords.

Most people would swear they know to never do this but sometimes your excitement for an item you are wanting to buy or sell can alter your normal common sense. Scammers know this and will use this to their advantage. If there is a rare item you are looking for and after searching and waiting, you finally find someone selling that exact item for an unbelievable price…your brain might be telling you no, but every other part of you is telling you not to pass this opportunity up for anything. Sometimes being harassed by scammers can be an emotional rollercoaster. As much as I hate to say it, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Don’t trust emails just because they appear official and have a KIJIJI or EBAY logo. These can all be easily faked and scammers use this technique all the time. As mentioned above, a prime example is using a fake Paypal email and notifying you that you payment was received and the money is safely in your paypal account. Another one is a fake email from your bank telling you they had some sort of system problem and you must provide your banking info and password in order to unfreeze your account. These are only some of the ways scammers are using fake emails to trick you. One way to tell if the email is fake is if the email address does not end with the companyname.com and instead uses a free email service. For example, an official email reply from ebay would look like this 'accounts@ebay.com' but a fake one, made in minutes using a free email provider might look like this: ebay@usa.com or ebaypayment@google.com.

Always verify everything! If you get an email from your bank, or from paypal and you are unsure, CALL and verify in person that this information did indeed come from them and is correct.

No matter how bad you want it, and how good of a deal it is, never, ever pay for something until you have received it exactly how it was advertised.

Most of all, use common sense and don`t let your emotions or excitement cloud your judgement. The more aware we all become, the closer we are to putting these scumbags out of business.

Real Examples of Kijiji Scams

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer wanting the item shipped overseas.

i want to buy this item as a gift for my Husband sister

who is currently working on her project in Africa.

I want you to use Canada Post Air Shipping OR FedEx Express Mail

Service For Delivery. due to the matter of urgency as i want the

package to get there very fast and reliable.I'll offer you $900.00

CAD for item plus the shipping fees. send me your paypal money

request for the payment and your full name.

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer using a third party 'shipping agent'.

I'm very serious and honest buying from you and am willing to turn

down this transaction with you for good and fast........Let me know

your asking price excluding shipping......... ...Payment will be

mailed out By Money Order OR bank of Montreal check or certified

check.So about the shipment i will like to handle it myself since i

have shipping agent who as been handling my shipment for me right

from time so they are the one who is going to come for the pickup

of the item at your place once you get my payment okay

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer insisting on using Paypal because he was 'screwed' before.

I am currently in Military Camp Out of the State but I will also like to speed up this transaction because my Cousin birthday is at hand and I want the item reach it's destination as a gift. My Cosine is currently study abroad, Due to high cost of shipment through Canada Post (1-2weeks post) to Lagos - Nigeria, I will offer you $390 to cover both item and shipping expenses. Moreso, since I was screwed before I prefer payment terms to go through PayPal so as to protect both buyer and seller. Get back to me with your PAYPAL email for immediate payment and if you are not PayPal user, you can set up one in few minute through PayPal website.

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer requesting your Paypal info and offering to pay for shipment of the item overseas.

Hello, i want to let you know that i have interest on your posting item, i receive a mail from my customer in oversea that she need this item urgently and i want to know if you can ship it for me, i will offer you $150 including the shipping charges via CANADA POST PARCEL MAIL, you can cancel the posting on the ad and get back to me with your PAYPAL email or MONEY ORDER details to make the payment

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer wanting to use PayPal and again using the country Nigeria.

Thanks for getting back to me. I will like to know if you can ship the item to my friend in Nigeria and i will pay $120 for the shipping cost through Canadian Post Service. I will like you to provide me your best offer for the item. I will like to make the payment to you through PayPal as fastest means of payment. So i will like you to provide below information 1) Your PayPal Full Name 2) PayPal Full Email Address 3) Kijiji Item Number 4) Item Cost So that i can quickly make the payment through PayPal as soon as possible and once you confirm the payment you will be able to ship the item as soon as possible

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer needing the item shipped to Africa and insisting on using Paypal as it is the most reliable form of payment.

Hello there, Thanks for response , i will like to let you know that picking it up and paying you in cash was my plan but i am presently in Spain for a conference right now and i am buying this item for my husband that is presently working in Africa now on a proposed Oil exploitation that he just discovered, So i will be sending you an instant payment for the item via PayPal Auction payment as it is the most reliable form of online payment, so do get back to me with the final cost plus International shipping to the following Name: Gbenga Campbel no 20 Modulore Avenue,Ijapo Estate , Akure Ondo State 23434 nigeria, via Post office parcel Air mail international and also send me your paypal email id so that i can transfer the funds for you, you can also send me a payment request to [email]campbel1807@gmail.com, I await your response as soon as possible, Thanks Best Regards campbel My husband's number +2348038189730

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer wanting to use PayPal and again using the country Nigeria.

Hello there , i am happy to see your response, i am buying this item for my Husband that went on a research to Nigeria and i will be paying you via PayPal instant auction Payment, so do get back to me with the final cost plus shipping via Canada Post Parcel Air Mail International to number 25 Modilore Ijapo street , City:Akure, State: Ondo, 23434 Nigeria, so do get back to me with the final cost plus shipping and also send me your Paypal email id or you send me a payment request to adex.payun001@gmail.com[/email], so that i can transfer the full funds for you as soon as possible I await your response asap, Thanks Best Regards

Scammer is playing the role of a Seller who is conveniently out of town and would like to use the Ebay Vehicle Protection program to sell his car.

The car is in a warehouse of the shipping company, in Calgary, AB, ready for delivery because I'm not in Canada for the moment and the pick it up option is not available. There is nothing wrong with it ... I sell it at this price because i recently moved from Canada to Spain with my wife who is from Barcelona, and we intend to buy a house here. I sold my house in Canada and everything owned by me and the only thing left to sell is this car. The transaction will be made under eBay's Vehicle Protection program for our safety because i'm a verified member and i have a purchase protection account of CAD 20,000. The car will arrive to you with all the original documents, including owner's manual, clear title, bill of sale on your name and if it won't match with my description, you will have 5 days to return it and i will pay for the shipping back. So ...i will need your full name, shipping address, and a phone #, to prepare the shipping and contact eBay to start this transaction. They will give you further instructions on how to complete this deal. reply soon "

Scammer is playing the role of a Seller on a business trip but offers to arrange delivery of his car on his expense through Ebay.

Hi, This is a charity sale, I will donate money to a children's foundation so that business will be done through eBay, because they organize a lot of work to this end. Right now I'm in a business trip and can not meet to show you the car, but I can send you more pictures and details. I hope it's good for you. I can arrange the delivery on my expense. If you want to buy the car send me your full name and address of delivery and eBay will contact you with all the details of this transaction (invoices and payment details). If you agree with my price and terms I'm ready to reserve the car for you. The vehicle has a clean title and is not under leasing or bank liabilities. The paint is in perfect shape. There are no dings, scratches, damage or rust on the body. This vehicle has been very well maintained and kept both smoke and accident free. I will expect your e-mail. Thank you

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer again requesting your Paypal email address and wanting to ship to Africa.

I'm Interested in buying the item and i really need this item sent to my Friend. i will like to offer $5100 for the item and $200 for the shipping cost to Africa via FedEx or DHL and i will also like you to get back to me with your Full Name and pay pal email Address for payment. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks

Scammer is playing the role of a Seller with a Harley Davidson Softail for an unbelievable price using the Ebay Vehicle Purchase Program.

Hello! This bike engine runs very, very smooth... No damages, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects,never been involved in accidents. This 2000 Harley-Davidson Softail has 5,000 Kilometres and Engine size:1550 cc. It's in an exceptional shape. This is a very reliable vehicle that has never given me any problems. A great bike that will not disappoint. I just moved to Montreal Quebec because my wife is from here and she wanted to be closer to his parents as they are old and very ill.Besides, there are lot of things which have priority now, so, this bike has to go. We are expecting a baby in a few weeks and I really want to improve the old house we bought when we moved in time for the baby.The bike is ready for the shipping in the shipping company warehouse.As you probably noticed, the price is $5,100 for you if you will buy it today or tomorrow.Due to the fact I am very busy with my work and I don't stay too much at home, the bike is already to the shipping company and will be delivered from there very fast, shipping cost is included in price.The transaction will be made undere Bay Vehicle Purchase Protection for our safety. So, please reply back with your full name , shipping address if you are really interested in purchasing this bike so we can start the arrangements ! My best wishes.

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer with a heartwrenching overly-detailed story and insisting on using Paypal for an immediate transaction.

Thanks for your quick response to my request I am currently in Military Camp Out of the State but I will like to speed up this transaction before am back because my wife just came back from the hospital after she suffer severe injury from car accident in the month of June and i will love to give her what she love most to make her get stronger so i will make an offer of $4,200 which will cover the shipping expenses to the UNITED STATES but I will prefer the payment to go through PayPal so as to protect both buyer and seller. if that is fine with you Get back to me with your PAYPAL email for immediate payment i will wait to hear from you as soon as possible thanks.

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer yet again insisting on using Paypal to ship an item to yet again, Nigeria.

Hello,

Thanks for getting back to me,Actually I live in Ontario but I'm presently out of town now to complete a business in UK and I wont be back until 4months and I want to purchase this item for my Fiancee working at Canadian Embassy in Nigeria,Shipping the Item to Nigeria is $190.00 CAD via Canada Post Parcel Airmail cos I have once sent him such an item mid last year before it got spoilt,My form of payment would be via PayPal cos its easy and safe two parties in transaction so I want you to send me your PayPal money request or simply get back to me with thew total cost of the item plus postage cost and your PayPal email ID so that I can transfer the fund for you effectively..I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thanks,

Scammer is playing the role of a Buyer again requesting your Paypal email address and wanting to ship to Africa.

Scammer is playing the role of a Seller who wants to ship an item overseas using Ebay, probably using fake Ebay email addresses.

I'm from Romania and in my country PayPal service is not available yet. We can use eBay Exchange Package. I'll send the product via eBay Courier 3 days Air. After that you will receive the instructions for payment via email and you will send the money via Western Union to an eBay agent. eBay will inspect the goods and will confirm the payment and will make the exchange.

1) You send me your shipping information (your full name and address)

2) I will go to eBay to leave the product on their custody on your name as the intended receiver.

3) eBay Shipping will verify the content of the package left in their custody, to see if everything is OK with it, and also the legal papers that will come along with the product.

4) Once the inspection will be complete, eBay Shipping will send you a delivery notification in which you will be told that they have the product in their custody and the product are ready to be shipped.

5) At this point, you will have to make a money transfer via Western Union on the eBay COD officer name for the amount we agreed on and send the money transfer information linked to it(MTCN, sender's name and address and receiver's name and address) to eBay.

6) eBay Shipping will verify the money transfer, and if everything will be OK, they will ship the product to your shipping address.

7) After you will receive the product, you will have 2 days to check it and see if everything is as you expected.

8) If you will like the product, you will instruct eBay Shipping to release the money transfer information to me, so I can collect the money. If you will find out that the product are not exactly like I told you that it will be, or that is something wrong with it, or that is something wrong with the legal papers, or you simply don't like them, you will return it to eBay Shipping.

You will then go back to the Western Union Location were you made the money transfer and take back your money. I will pay the shipping fee and you will have to pay the Western Union fee I use this method, because I have found that this is the fastest and safest way to sell my products online.

If you have any examples of possible Kijiji Scams, please send them to inbox@skywedge.com

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