pending payments for sold item - private sale

[claudia11]

Hello, Ive just sold my first item privately and the buyer requested that payment be made via paypal to which i agreed. I sent a money request to the buyer for the total amount. Its showing in paypal as pending. I received an email advising me that the payment is on hold and that i need to send an email to a certain address with the tracking number before the payment will be cleared into my account. Its an expensive item and im starting to think its a dodgy buyer but since its my first sale im unsure. I dont want to post the item and then realise that im never going to see a cent for it. Can anyone help me please? Thanks

[kernowlass]

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and often ask you to send the item as a gift to a relative somewhere often Nigeria.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.

It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

They also threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send trackable, they advise it for seller protection etc but it is not compulsory.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.