Nefarious types and previously banned sellers have figured out it's nearly impossible to open "stealth" seller accounts - under fake names and credentials. Hackers have figured out extracting money from a hijacked Etsy shop is extremely limited - taking the sale off platform. They can't just swap in their own name and bank details on an account. Bank account, credit/debit card, government issued ID and photo ID scans must all be in the same matching name - the original seller. Etsy has never allowed shops to be sold or transferred.
I lurked in a banned seller forum for a paper I was writing at the time. I've seen them struggle with Etsy's tight seller security. I've seen desperate people offer thousands for a verified, aged seller account. There were no takers. Why? Because no one wants their real identity on a business they don't control. The original seller will be paying tax on the shop's revenue - not those "renting" the shop. They also have legal and debt liability for that shop. The people offering to pay you for use of your shop will probably sell prohibited or illegal items, run up a massive advertising bill, getting the account shut down, and the owner's ID, permanently banned. Debt collectors will also coming after them. They could also be reselling the shop rental for a lot more money they are offering the seller.
Don't be tempted by these messages. If they were a real legitimate business, you have to ask why can't they open up their own shop?
