Craiglist / PayPal Scam - More common than you think

If you ever list a relatively expensive item for sale on Craigslist, it's highly likely you'll be the victim of vast web of internet scammers preying on sellers of such items.  First, the "interested party" sends you a short email asking "Is this item still for sale?" They always say "item," never specifically the thing you're actually selling.  If you reply with "Yes," then the scam begins.  You will receive an email that goes something like this (I've seen minor variations, but it's always that the person has an "agent" picking up the item, that they are out to sea, or away on business with limited internet access, and that they will pay you MORE money than you're asking in your Craigslist ad).

Thanks for the swift response...I am willing to buy it from you..But due to the nature of my job and location,phone calls making and visiting of website are restricted but i squeezed out time to check this advert and send you an email regarding it and i will like to know the present condition and the last price..i will not be able to come for inspection,am a very busy type,i work long hours everyday,i have gone through your advertisement and i am satisfied with it.

As for the payment..i will be paying you via the fastest and secure way to pay online(PayPal).

I have a private courier agent that will come for the pick up after the payment have been made ...so no shipping included.You can now send me your PayPal email so i can pay in right away and also include your address and cell number in your reply.

Await your reply asap

If you follow this link, I have compiled the rest of my correspondence with the scammer "Kimberly Lanz" (I knew it was a scam, I was playing along to see how far it would go so I could see what the scam is).   It ends up that she pretends* to send $700 over the agreed amount, then asks that you to send a $700 Western Union wire to her delivery person in N.C. because she is indisposed. Somehow she's sending emails, but whatever.  There are several threads on the PayPal community forum. I am putting my story on as many of them that I can, but you'd be amazed how many people have fallen for it and are out thousands and thousands of dollars.

*the pretend electronic transfer is done through a spoofed PayPal email, as you'll see.