Buyer is claiming they received an empty box after using a reship service

[nbrandner44]

Important bits:

Recently sold an 800 item with full insurance, signature required, and a receipt from when I dropped it off at the post office.  (Also some pictures of me packing the item, one of which shows it on a scale)  The item arrived to the buyer yesterday, and today I've got a return request alleging I sent an empty box. All I've done so far is message the buyer apologizing, assuring I sent the item, asked for pictures to open a possible USPS case of needed (no response yet). What should my next action be?

More info from my research:

Since this morning I've been doom scrolling through countless people who have dealt with empty box claims. I've looked up the address, and it looks pretty clear that it's a reshipping service which some people have said might void their buyers protection.  

There's also a disagreement in almost every chain on whether a seller should wait and do nothing until allowed to deny it and dispute the return request, or approve the return and require the buyer to ship back an empty box, then open up a case after receiving the return. Both sides claim is you do the opposite, the buyer will win. Anyone know which of these is actually better for protecting myself? Also, any other tips from people on what else to do? I'll happily open up mail fraud cases, and police reports if it helps my case, but not sure if I should do that now, or wait a bit longer until the waiting period is over.

[dbfolks166mt]

Do not click the "Accept Return" button that will only further complicate the matter. If you had "returns accepted" as part of your listing you would be better off refusing the return and providing the information in the refusal regarding the item being delivered to a FF, the buyers registered address and the shipping information showing the delivery to the FF as having been completed. The issues between the FF and the buyer are theirs to resolve.

[skeletonstore]

I've had it happen and I was out. I even made a video of it the customer wearing the item he stole. I just looked on his facebook page and there he was wearing the stolen merchandise(Halloween mask). I'll let others guide you here.  in the mean time I'm gonna go list some empty boxes for sale and see if anyone opens a case against me alleging there was something in the box when they received it. I'm actually not kidding.  

[nbrandner44]

Problem is I still need either the buyer or someone at this FF company to admit to forwarding the package.  I got some response from the Facebook page, and they've put a 10 day hold on the return process while they require the buyer to sign an affidavit.  However they also mentioned that if I get some proof that the package was forwarded, then they can close the case in my favor.  Without that, if the buyer signs this affidavit, I'm likely out of luck.  Trying to argue that because the buyer specifically has said empty box, that it's impossible for the package to have weighed over 2.5 lbs like my origination receipt says, but hope is low.