Scam but how does it work?

[leclairon]

Having a sort out so selling a few items online. Deleted many messages from people who want to send a courier with the cash to pick up the item. I know it's a scam and shut them down immediately, but don't know how it works. I can't imagine a courier company would deliver an envelope in cash and pick up the item ?? I am just interested to see how they scam the money from you, if you were to say OK?

[niemeyjt]

Normally it is a cheque - for too much - you give "change" to the courier - then the cheque bounces.

[leclairon]

Thanks for that- the one person actually said it would be cash in an envelope but it could only be a bad cheque.
I was just curious and couldn't imagine a courier company being involved in something like that.
I must have had at least six responses like that, naming different courier companies.

[Sparkle]

@leclairon thanks for posting and to the replies as I had no idea about this not that I'm likely to be selling anything but I can pass this on to friends to be aware.

[Hotrodder]

I would never dream of doing business in that way. Best to take cash money when you can see the whites of the buyer's eyes. Buying sight unseen even if its for cash, leaves the door open for repercussions later when the buyer tries to scam you saying the item was faulty, or not as described.

The scams will keep coming. Rising cost of living (wherever you live) will be behind some of them. And stupidity being on the increase will provide the opportunities.

[leclairon]

Agreed. I don't deviate from the buyer coming with the cash and then handing over the item.
However, have just been talking to a friend who was selling an item. The 'buyer' who lives relatively near (1 hour drive) asked if she would send the item and the buyer would cover the postage - again, presume bad cheque would be sent first? Anyway, our lovely friend offered to deliver the item as it wasn't that far away if she would cover the 15 euros for petrol. She never heard anything further from the 'buyer'.
She normally puts 'cash only, buyer to collect' but this one sounded genuine and wasn't that far away, so was prepared to make an exception.

[A.N.Other]

Thanks for that- the one person actually said it would be cash in an envelope but it could only be a bad cheque.

Couriers cannot know what's in an envelope but if a buyer promise that then why not accept the deal, when the envelope arrives open it and check for the money prior to releasing the goods.

If it's a cheque then refuse to accept it and send the courier away empty handed.

Couriers won't appreciate being held up while you do that but it's your right to do so.

You can also use Friends & Family on PayPal for money transfers as those are not reversible.

[Bayleaf]

Cash notes could be fake though?

[A.N.Other]

If you're that paranoid then there is simply no hope!