"Sketchy" buyer paid but then is no longer registered.

[betawise]

I had a $900 camera lens listed and someone bought it but told me to ship it to a different address. 
He messaged me from 2 different accounts. Here is their messages:

Message 1:
Hello how are you? First of all thank you for thia purchase. I left my dwelling place coz I need treatment. My current location shown on photo below and please use it. For this reason I dont want to cancel this order and let me know. Wish u all best!

Message 2 from a different account:
Hello! I wanted to let you know how excited I am about buying this product; it's for my sibling's birthday present. I've already given you the shipping details. Please ensure the shipping address is correct. Thank you for helping to make this birthday extra special!

His address on ebay is listed at Puerta Rico but the get to know you part says:

Get to know the buyer 
• Located: Calhoun, GA, UnitedStates
• Member since: Apr 12, 2024

So he has became a member the same day he bought the lens.
He paid and the money is in my account but he has been removed.
None of the addresses agree.

I feel like this is some sort of scam but I am not sure what the scam is. 
I am afraid to ship it to any address at this point.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Was either of the userids on the messages the same as your buyer?

Are you saying the actual buyer is now NARU?

[betawise]

Yes the user id from the 2nd message was same as the buyer. Both accounts were registered on April 12 and both are now no longer registered accounts.

[luckythewinner]

I feel like this is some sort of scam but I am not sure what the scam is.

The scam is that he put his address in a picture because he does not want eBay to detect the fact that he is trying to get you to void your seller protection by shipping to a different address.

If he claims that the item did not arrive, eBay will expect you to prove delivery to the address that eBay gave you with the transaction. You will be unable to, because you did not ship to that address and you will be forced to refund the buyer.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Yeah, figured the first one was a scammer because the 'new address' being in a photo.

You can now either cancel the sale or ship it. Up to you.

Have you been notified by ebay not to ship?

[betawise]

Ok, so this is definitely a scam then?
If so, I will report it.

[dbfolks166mt]

     As others mentioned this is a SCAM. Cancel the order using problem with the buyers address. Buyer will be refunded and you will get credited for your fees all but the $.40. 

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Are both IDs now NARU? I suppose it's possible both were from your buyer, using a different ID to try to scam you.

A buyer can't close their account that fast, ebay can only do that.

[betawise]

Wait Wait!!!
Just went back and looked neither of the messages match the ID of the actual buyer.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Ok, so both messages were from scammers.

Is it your ACTUAL buyer who is NARU?

[betawise]

I have not.

[betawise]

Just checked. Actual buyer is still registered. has 105 purchases and appears to buy a lot of photo equipment. I am now wondering if people watch recent sales and jump in stating "this is my correct address (insert photo)" and steal the real buyers stuff

[soh.maryl]

Someone tried to scam you obviously.  Per eBay rules, you are required to ship to the address you saw when the buyer paid.  

Assuming you still have both the lens and the payment, you need to cancel, citing "problem with buyer's address".  The person who actually paid will be refunded.  

[toomuchstuffagain35]

WHY would they cancel the actual buyer who has paid and has NOTHING to do with these bogus messages?

[dryophelia]

I am now wondering if people watch recent sales and jump in stating "this is my correct address (insert photo)" and steal the real buyers stuff

---

@betawise 

Yes. They target new, inexperienced sellers with expensive items for sale. 

When you send this lens, make sure to get signature verified delivery. You will need that because the sale is more than $750. 

About the potential thieves…

In your original post you said “He paid and the money is in my account but he has been removed”.

This needs some clarification because as a new seller, your funds are probably going to be held for at least 14 days. More likely, it’s a 30 day hold.
How were you notified of this payment? Is it actually in your account or was it a screenshot of HIS side of the transaction 

Never list what you can’t afford to give away.