No, there’s nothing suspicious about this request
I’m selling off a bunch of my old computer stuff on ebay, including some fairly ancient laptops that have been put through the wringer and are good for not much more than parts. Most of them end up selling for pocket change (plus shipping) and I’m always happy when I can pocket a dollar or so while sending hardware to a place that can actually use it.
So, imagine my surprise when I get, in regards to an ancient p233 laptop that I’m trying to sell for US$.99, the following mail request:
Hello Seller
I will like you to consider me in selling your item for me , I will like to offer you the sum total of (900USD.00)both the buying and Shipping of the item, i will be waiting to read from you that you have consider me in selling your eBay item for me and i will like you to end the listing of the item for me, and i promise not to let you down in the process of the transaction,Thanks waiting to read from you,I will like you to get the item ship via (EMS) Global Express Mail 3-5 Days and i will .like to pay you via pay pal,and this is my PayPal email (xxxxxx@live.com), so i will like you to get back to me…
Waiting to read from you.
Sooo, they want me to pull the auction and then they’ll pay me US$900.00 for this laptop? For a laptop that I’m selling for US$.99, which has two hours left on the auction, and which has a “buy it now” price of US$29.99.
… no, I can’t see that there’d be anything that would seem suspicious here. After all, doesn’t everyone want to pay US$900.00 for a laptop that they can buy for US$29.99 + shipping? Perhaps I’ll open a bank account and deposit this promised US$900.00 alongside the US$20,000,000 that those nice nigerian bankers which to share with me.