What I think is going on is a new Chinese (or now Vietnam) seller lists an item (usually large ticket item, but not too expensive, they want many buyers to be able to afford item to "rake in" as much money as possible before caught). They ship a small package (not your item) just to obtain a Tracking Number to give to you (you think the tracking number is the item you purchased, but it's not).
Since an item was shipped PayPal/Credit Card releases money to seller. If shipped from overseas it can take 2 to 8 weeks (or more, After buyer complains item delivered to wrong address some scammers will say they will try again and re-ship another, which extends them not having to refund you). Either way, the object is to hold on to your money (plus all other scammed buyers monies) and use it for weeks interest free, for whatever they want.
Imagine doing this on a large organized scale, holding a million dollars in other peoples monies from multiple listed items, giving refunds after 8 weeks (it's OK other monies constantly rolling in to use for another 8 weeks). As long as you refund buyers money, buyer can't leave you negative feedback and the "revolving door of cash" keeps spinning.
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This is where I'm fuzzy, when a buyer request a refund, does eBay go after the scam seller, into their bank account and take your money back to refund to you? OR does eBay reach into their own pockets and refund the funds to you and take it as a loss (which I'm sure WE all eventually pay for in eBay fees), letting the scammer off the hook and keeping the money? If so, then what stops the scammer from making a different account and doing it all over again, since it's profitable with no substantial penalties.
Maybe during a probationary period they shouldn't get paid when the item SHIPS, they should get paid when the item is RECEIVED and approved by the buyer! Maybe during a new sellers probationary period they must place collateral funds with eBay in case of scams and refunds required? This "advertise one item and ship a small item for tracking number scam" also happens on Amazon.
Though the buyer usually gets their money back, what they don't get back is their Time and Energy. They needed their item but get caught up in this waiting game. Buyer having their money tied up for 8 weeks and they dare not buy another same item from a different seller (what if first wasn't a scam and arrives, you'll then have two of the same item).
