360 + craigslist + good price = probably scammed. Any ideas?

[Capn Stabby]

Hello CAGs, I made a stupid mistake by getting caught up on craigslist and paying $300 (non-cc PP) for a 360 package.
After sending payment, I was told that the person would ship it for sure before they left town nearly a week ago and would either call or email me the tracking information.
Of course, nothing happens.
So I take the person's name and university and run it through Facebook/Myspace and find the person. But, problem is, I can't see the information to confirm that it is the same person I'm dealing with.
You see, this person gave me that information, but the Paypal account is under another person's name. They never really mentioned it, so I figure the best way to figure out if it was a scam or not would be to compare any information I can between the two people and proceed through there...
Problem is, the person goes to a different university (San Diego State) than I do, so I can't see the information.

Does anyone have a better idea?


/edit/ I know that it was a really bad idea, and looking back at the emails, I see a lot of holes...I'll make sure to never get caught up in a craigslist fever again, especially for hot items like this.

[megaseadramon]

If you payed through paypal, you can just do a charge back, also if you bought from craigslist you should know its local and you should have been able to pick it up. Never have something shipped from craigslist, its a breeding ground for scammers.

[Capn Stabby]

Well, I don't think Paypal can go into people's bank accounts anymore for the cash.
Well the person was kind of local, about half an hours drive away but I didn't have the time so I figured shipping would be easier. Shipping has usually gone real well for me on craigslist, well, except for this time :)

[botticus]

Well, I don't think Paypal can go into people's bank accounts anymore for the cash.

Oh yes they can.

[D4rkN1ght]

actually if you paid with paypal all that dude has got to do is send you a box... paypals only merchandise guarantee is through ebay. been there done that

[Capn Stabby]

Oh yes they can.

Hmm, Aika on here screwed me and I won the PP dispute for $12.00 and they could only give me back .70. I guess Aika closed the bank account then...hmmm but for $12. Oh well.
I guess I'll contact Paypal and see what I can do.

[wageslave]

Maybe file a police report? It's also a case of mail / wire fraud.

[Capn Stabby]

I would probably have to file a police report with my city, correct? I don't have any information of this person besides a name which is different from their Paypal account name.
I didn't even know you could do that.

[botticus]

I would probably have to file a police report with my city, correct? I don't have any information of this person besides a name which is different from their Paypal account name.
I didn't even know you could do that.
Well, you have two names. So go for both of them.

[wageslave]

I would probably have to file a police report with my city, correct? I don't have any information of this person besides a name which is different from their Paypal account name.
I didn't even know you could do that.

City sounds like a good place to start. If not they'll redirect you and have good advice (hopefully).

The police may not be able to do anything, but this is another avenue to pursue to get your money back and get them bitch slapped. It may also help you win your chargeback. Also, since the post office / internet was involved this also falls under federal juristiction I believe, and although unlikley in my opinion they might be able to help track the scammers down. Basically doing these things will only take up some of your time and may help you get your $ back or get the scammers in shit. Most people who get scammed like this are too ashamed to admit it and let it go, and that is what the scammers depend on.

[Capn Stabby]

I was pretty ashamed to admit it too...I fell for something on friggin craigslist...arrgh.

I guess i'll drop by the police department and see what's going on. They'll probably look at me funny, but oh well. It's $300.

Is contacting this person through Myspace a bad idea? I want to see if they can confirm their identity, or they'll just ignore me.

[D4rkN1ght]

thats how i got scammed only not on craigslist... if you find his adress and its somewhere in northern cali ill help yah i fucking hate scammers with a passion

[Capn Stabby]

Haha, thanks for the offer. I live in SF and this person claims to be living in Sac so i'll keep you all updated.

Maybe there's still a chance it'll work out...but probably not.

[Capn Stabby]

Well I still haven't had any response and emails to the person have been returned to me, "permanently undeliverable."
I guess that means the person closed down their address.
I've opened up a claim on Paypal, but I've heard from some that Paypal will be able to go into bank accounts to get money, and others that Paypal is no longer able to do this.
Any ideas?

[wubb]

PayPal doesn't go into linked bank accounts any longer. They did at one time but not any longer. Unless botticus has seen this happen in the last year or so? But I really do think they stopped that. And besides if he's a real scammer he probably closed it anyway.

I'd contact your local police ASAP. But the really crappy thing here is the only information you know for certain is correct is his PayPal account, right? Still give them all you have and maybe they'll be able to do something. You never know.

[botticus]

PayPal doesn't go into linked bank accounts any longer. They did at one time but not any longer. Unless botticus has seen this happen in the last year or so? But I really do think they stopped that. And besides if he's a real scammer he probably closed it anyway.

Yeah, you're right, I was mistaken. I thought it was in one of my transactions in the fall, but it was actually in February of 05, so I suppose they could have changed it since then.

[sonicbooom]

I don't trust sellers on craigslist.. it's useful for a lot of things though.

[Capn Stabby]

Thanks for all the help! I'm going to try to grab someone who goes to San Diego State so they can access this person's facebook. A lot of people put up their phone numbers on there, and that'd be great to have. I've filed a claim with Paypal, but the seller has already transferred the money out of the Paypal account anyway. The emails/names between the Paypal and my email correspondence don't match up, for some odd reason. That's why I think all the information I have is from a stolen identity. Maybe that'll spur the police into action. /edit/ Oh, and when this is resolved, I'll post up a list of extra (nothing spectacular) games (PS2/Xbox) I have lying around.

[Capn Stabby]

Update:
The message I sent to the person's Myspace was replied to, saying that I have the wrong person.
I actually believe it, because the names didn't match on the Paypal & the information the scammer told me.
I really wanna put that info out here, but that's probably the wrong way to approach this.

So assuming this person is telling the truth, and I believe she is, then the scammer (whose real name has to be on the Paypal?) used details from this person's life to build a false identity...
Crap.

[lordxixor101]

Honestly, not much you can do. $300 is a lot of money, so file a police report and see what they can do. Also, contact Paypal and see what they can do. It may not be much, but it's worth a try. At the very least, ask them to flag the accounts, to see if the person is dumb enough to use it again. If so, you may be able to find out more about them.

Odds are, your money is gone. It really sucks, but it's a learning experience. The best way to look at it is, at least it's only $300, as opposed to your whole retirement when your older.