This post intends to serve as a warning for Qatar Living users against online scams. We advise users not to send any money to sellers online - if you notice that the seller is not in Qatar, then it is probably a scam.

More details on avoiding scams here: A guideline to avoid scams and fraud

Below is a typical example of how a scammer would usually go about asking a buyer for money:

1) I was first contacted via SMS from a number in Macedonian number (+389 5099 5431):

The message said: "A potential buyer is interested in your Ad. Contact him via email at tony.rolheiser@gmail.com with sales info, if still available for purchase. QL-TEAM"

2) I replied with the flowing email:

"Hi,
I received a message that you would like some information about the Harley Davidson.
I'll be in Doha tomorrow and can show it for you".

3)Than he replies as an interested buyer:

"Thanks for the mail,
I am more than glad to read from you directly. I am Anthony by name. I work as a drilling engineer with Trinidad Drilling Ltd. It's my very pleasure to contact you in regards to the Ad. I am very interested in it, but I'm just trying to make sure its in good condition, cos I am pretty new to buying online. I'd like to take a proper look at it by myself, but as due to work frame schedule and current location being offshore, it won't be possible to come for inspection nor make calls due to low network signal on the site.

Here are few things I'd like to know before I proceed with the purchase.
(1) Are you the first owner?
(2) When have you been using it?
(3) Does it has any rust or has been repaired? & hope no mechanical issues?
(4) I'd like to know why you're selling it?
(5) Please confirm the selling price? I will appreciate more close up pics
(6) Lastly, can I be rest assured I won't be disappointed with the purchase?

Looking forward to your swift response.
Anthony C. Rollheiser"

4) I send all the requested information:

"Hi Anthony,

Email is better for me too, I'm a pilot many times my phone is OFF.

I bought this bike new from Harley Davidson Dealer in the beginning of 2010. The model is 2009. At the time I had a few friends riding Harleys and I had fun with them. But they left the country back to Brazil and I was riding just to work and with my wife on days off, now my wife is pregnant and I'm not using the bike at all. I'm selling because I use it very little.

I used it in the beginning mostly to ride with big groups and after my friends left I used it to go to work and some times to skip traffic.

There is no rust in the bike, except for the screws that hold the luggage rack but they are accessories, and I'm sure it will come off with a scrub.

Mechanically it's very good. Since new I replaced the battery 2 times, I replaced the rear tire once, I had 1 fuel leak that resulted in a stain the the gear box in the left side of the bike (you may notice it on the pictures), and I had to replace the rear bearings. All the repairs have been done by Harley Dealer in Qatar.

The selling price is 49,900.00 QAR, I can analyse any offer.

I have also the original exhausts and air filter.

I would prefer if you look and try the bike for yourself, it's a very good machine.

5) He looks interested and wants to buy the bike:

"Thanks so much for the response,
Sounds good. I'm really okay with the price, so I will gladly like you to consider it sold. I will be paying you via the fastest and most secured form of on-line payment(PayPal), if you currently don't have an account, I will advise you to set up an account with PayPal at www.paypal.com, so I can transfer payment directly into your account. I will make arrangement with a pickup company to handle the pickup and paper works with a first class delivery treatment to my residence once payment is confirmed and cleared into your account, so I'd appreciate if you take the ad off internet and consider it sold.

Best Regards
Anthony C. Rollheiser"

 6) I mark the post as sold and inform him:

"Hi Anthony,

I marked it as sold on the website.

I have a paypal account on this email, but I never used to receive payment. Do I have to change it to business account? Is there any fees to receive the payment?

Are you shipping the bike oversea? Do you want me to prepare any documents for that?"

7) Now is the time to ask for money, he ask to transfer some credits via PayPal and I'm supposed to pay the mover via Western Union.

"Hello,
Pls I need you to do me a big favor, I just got a message from the mover that will be coming for the pick-up that I need to pay a total commission of about ($1,200 USD) equivalent to QR4,500 to their co-operate HQ before the pickup can be registered with their company & it should be paid through Western Union, but there is western union store at my present location to send the money over to them. However, I'm a little incapacitated, but I believe with your co-operation & sincerity you can help me out and I think it can be done at any store/bank. So, all I need from you is the permission to include the said charged pick up fee to the payment I will be transferring into your PayPal account, you will need to help me send the extra added fee to the pick up agent's co-operate Int'l HQ via Western Union Money Transfer once you receive payment confirmation through PayPal. I will include a short note to PayPal in the process of making the payment so, they can be aware about this process as well.

I will appreciate your cooperation and understanding
Anthony C. Rollheiser"

8) I received 4 emails spoofed to look like they came from PayPal, but the email IP doesn’t trace back to PayPal and the support email is fundsalert@computermail.net.

"You Have a Payment Pending!

Dear ()

This is to Notify you about the Payment made by '' Anthony C. Rollheiser '' to your PayPal account. The payment has been successfully made, but due to security reasons we have to receive the transfer details (i.e) MTCN confirmation and Text Question and Answer given to you at the WESTERN UNION office before your Funds released ,we just want you to know that the money is on pending for now.

Here is the address for the pick up company, you will need to wire the QR4,500.00 charged for the registration for pick.

Name: Cedric Pace
Address: 500 bobo road
City: Clarksdale
States: Mississippi
Zip code: 38614
Country: USA.

This is a new measure we are taking in order to protect both Sellers and Buyers against fraudulent activities. Once you have sent the money, send the transfer details to PayPal Customer Service Department :fundsalert@computermail.net immediately the MTCN(#) (MONEY TRANSFER CONTROL NUMBER) is CONFIRMED, your account will be credited immediately.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.
Thank you for using PayPal

The PayPal Team

PayPal Email ID PP559.
PayPal and Craigslist Copyright 2002-2011 PayPal. All rights reserved.
PayPal USA(LTD). is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United State of America as an electronic money institution.
PayPal FSA Register Number: 320773

 Official PayPal Seal

The PayPal® Team

PayPal Email ID PP307.

Scott Thompson
President
PayPal Inc."

Of course there is no credits on my PayPal, the scammer just wants 4500 QR transferred to a Western Union account and then disappear.

I already notified PayPal and Western Union about the incident, and stopped replying to the scammer.

Please be aware of the scammers when buying and selling items. Don't send money to any buyers/sellers if you have only spoken to them online.