Before you make a deal make sure it does not look like a common fraudulent scheme:
Pets
A fraudster may offer a pet: a cat, dog, birds, and even large animals such as a horse. Usually a buyer is attracted by a low price.
The fraudster starts telling different stories that he is moving, is very busy at work, or is reselling on behalf of other persons.
The fraudster will ask for money for transportation (even if the animal is offered for free) or for prepayment of the offered goods.
Vehicles
The sale item is a vehicle from abroad. The cost of the vehicle and its model do not matter.
The fraudster will ask for prepayment to import the car or to pay customs duties.
Cheap electronics
These may be any goods, but currently the most risky goods are phones, laptops, video game consoles, and digital cameras. Fraudsters attract buyers through very low prices compared to the average market price.
The fraudster will say he “would gladly meet you”, but “unfortunately” he lives “far away”, so he will suggest making the deal via post.
The fraudster will ask the buyer to transfer 50% (or 100%) of the cost of goods.
okidoki recommends that users do not accept copies of receipts from a postal service confirming that the goods were sent as guaranteed. Having paid for the goods, you may receive a parcel with old magazines or other items that have nothing to do with your purchase. Don’t forget that the post does not check the parcel's contents when it is sent.
Treat this method as the most difficult for detecting potential fraud and do your best to buy goods during a personal meeting.
Buyers from distant countries
The fraudster will gladly buy your goods. He may even pay more and will ask you to send the goods by post to a distant country.
The fraudster will send you a fake letter from PayPal or “the bank” showing that money has been transferred to you. But you must send the goods for the money to be available to you. In reality, no money will be transferred to your account.
Even if the fraudster sends a bank check, it will always be fake. Banks will never transfer the money for a forged check.