HELP! Scam?

[Former_Member]

Hello I got a letter from a man who immediately delete your account. I was concerned. He writes in a strange language, but I do not know English very well !
Maybe it's SCAM? I have heard of the alleged fraud through Paypal

This is the text of the letter:

"Listing: www.etsy.com/listing/108702986/peace-of-mind-sea-under-sun-rays

Hi Seller,Am Lori Gray,Am contacting you regarding your item posted and am purchasing this item directly from you with no delay,but i will be paying only through paypal.How is the condition of the item?What is your asking price? Get back to me directly to my personal email below(lorigray1414@yahoo.com) so i can proceed with the payment immediately. Thanks."

[GeminaeCo]

It's very suspicious to me. I would keep any contact with him on etsy only if you choose to write him back.

[Former_Member]

Scam, I've heard about it a lot.

[Former_Member]

There was another question/seller who had the exact same email premise... he wanted to buy her product but only wanted to do it through paypal, not on etsy. I think it is a scam. Maybe you could ask Etsy Help?

[Former_Member]

Certainly looks like a scam to me, I hate to say.

[DesigningParrotJewel]

Scam...since the buyer can go thru Etsy and use Paypal...why want to "buy direct".....

[OriginalCopyDesigns]

Why doesn't he just purchase it directly if you accept PayPal? Why wouldn't someone want to set up an Etsy account? No way would I get involved with this, especially after the ridiculous questions. Maybe he is trying to get a better price by dealing with you directly. Uh Oh, I smell a rat!

[DesigningParrotJewel]

Well said Terry! Totally agree

[TOMgirlApparel]

Yes, many have posted almost the exact same email, always with an art piece. If the person wanted to buy through Paypal, then they could have just done it without contacting you. I would report it to Etsy.

[Former_Member]

Thank you all for your advice!
Sister suspected something was wrong. She knows the language.
And now I see that you are right. Why bother when you can buy directly from Etsy.

[Former_Member]

I do not know well the system Paypal, but you're right, and writing clever.

[Former_Member]

Yes, and the scammers like to to target newer sellers with little fewer sales because they know they are hungry for that sale and more likely to fall for the scam. Sad but true.

[Former_Member]

Hi Team,

I'm really sorry to hear about this potential scam. It seems as though the team has offered some helpful advice, however, I need to close this thread because it goes against Etsy community dos and don'ts on these points:

*Specific transactions and/or feedback should not be discussed in public community spaces. Instead, contact Support privately if you need help with a transaction.
*Do not publicly post another person's private information without their explicit consent (for example: email, Conversations, letters, phone numbers, addresses, full names or business transactions).

You can read the full dos and dont's here: www.etsy.com/help/article/483.

I highly recommend that you contact support for assistance with this conov and include the details you've provided here at support@etsy.com.

Best,
Sara