“The courier will bring the money, and you will give him the goods.” This is how scammers rip off sellers

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This caught my attention immediately

This is a common mistake among scammers (or perhaps it’s due to the large number of ads being “handled”?), but it does not lead to disqualification. The first question from a buyer who responded to the sale ad was: “Hi, is the item in the ad still available and what is the price?” I found it strange that someone would ask the price clearly stated in the ad. but no problem. “Yes current.” I define the offer in a few words and the answer comes almost immediately. “Well, I’ll accept it,” Elizabeth writes, “but I’d like (“I want” or rather “I want”?) to come tomorrow, but I’m busy at work now. I’ll send a Chronopost postman to your house to tell you. I give you the money in cash and collect the item.

Chronopost… I don’t know this company, and I quickly checked online if there was such a thing. Yes, it exists, it’s a big company, although I don’t think it works in Poland, at least I haven’t heard of it. I check the profile of Ms. Ellie, who has been on Facebook since 2013 and has 1.4k followers. Followers. The profile inspires confidence, but the whole situation does not.

However, I ask: “What is a chronopost?” The answer comes after just a moment: “Let me explain, a Chronopost agent will come to your house to give you an envelope with your money in it, and once they verify your money, give them the item so they can ship it to my house.” “.

I no longer have any doubt that someone is writing from a stolen Facebook profile, or perhaps one that has been carefully “cultivated” over the years. The deal is for a bike of great value – such things are not delivered to the courier, just like that. Bicycles can be sent, but it’s a bit of a hassle, you need a special box or bag, and you need to prepare it. The word ‘topic’ still appears in the ad – so it’s a pasted, pre-made format. But the conversation progresses: “Are you available tomorrow any time?”

The scammer asks for data, but nothing private

Elizabeth asks me for my name, title, mailing address and also my email address. I provide an approximate address and a “backup” email address. I’m waiting for someone to ask me for some money – there was bait (a promise to buy the equipment at the asking price), there had to be a catch. Here comes the catch:

“Well, the shipping costs are my responsibility, but there is an insurance cost on the envelope that you have to pay, but don’t worry about that, I will add it to the original total, okay?” Of course it’s okay.

Chronopost comes to sacrifice…

“Stay in touch – advises the buyer or buyer – I will contact the service. I will keep you informed, because the email address is used for notifications that the Chronopost Express service will send you for instructions to follow. ” And after a while (how quickly it is): “Check the mailbox Check your email address for spam or unwanted mail, because Chronopost has informed me that it will send you a notification with instructions to follow, right?”

I extend the fun a little, and try to pretend I’m Greek: “I don’t understand anything.”

“Did you receive your CHRONOPOST service invoice via email?” Ella asks – and I say yes, but there is a link to click, but no invoice. There is already a link, but I don’t have the courage to click on it. I don’t want to know if this is a redirect to some payment service or a virus that will wipe out my account.

In general, an email sent by an international company from the address “service chronopost” looks highly unprofessional. “Take a photo of the emails you received!” – demands Ella, who probably feels that the fish almost swallowed the hook, but she hesitates. I send a screenshot and after a while I receive comprehensive information: