A call to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line has revealed a new twist to an old scam aimed at swindling online marketplace sellers by generating fake payment confirmations while posing as PayPal. For online sellers of merchandise who use PayPal to transfer funds from the buyer to the seller; this scam is one that the public needs to give serious attention.

Recently, a resident advertised a vehicle for sale on two popular websites, and shortly thereafter received an e-mail from a potential buyer who wanted to buy the automobile but could only make a payment through PayPal. The “buyer/scammer” instructed the seller to open an account with PayPal and then forward the registered e-mail address to them.

The “seller” preferred to have the cash transferred directly into their bank account and asked to speak to the “buyer/scammer” over the phone, but was of course told that the “buyer/scammer” was out of the state and unable to use a phone.

The “seller” of the vehicle opened a PayPal account and forwarded the account information and final price of $24,000 to the “buyer/scammer.” Later, the “seller” received a receipt and confirmation from what looked to be an authentic PayPal notification stating that $25,000 had been deposited into his account.

The “seller” also received an e-mail from “The PayPal Team” that in order to have the funds released and credited to his account, a transfer of $900 would have to be made via Western Union to cover “agent” costs. It was at this time that the “seller” realized he was about to be scammed; Big Time!

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reminds you that this scam could cost unsuspecting sellers of online merchandise thousands of dollars; and urges you to remain ever vigilant when using the Internet. For assistance call the Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line: 239-477-1242.

-Stacey Payne is with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.