Craigslist/Paypal scam maybe??? Please help!

Hi! I am selling a few items off of Craigslist and have never done so before. I was contacted about my diamond ring and am pasting all of the emails below. Do you think that if I do the following, I will be covered by paypal's seller protection?

- send them a paypal invoice (with very clear item description and pictures to further describe item-which are already on craigslist)
- only use the official paypal account to verify payment
- transfer the money from paypal to my bank account as soon as it comes into paypal
- wait 2 days after I receive the money in my paypal account to send the item
- send the item with signature delivery confirmation
- package the item at the post office with a friend to verify I did ship the item

Here are the emails...

weganmary9 [email protected] via craigslist.org
5:25 PM (17 hours ago)

--
Is your Jewelry on Craigslist still up for sale?
Happy New Year.

Mary Wegan
9:11 PM (13 hours ago)

to me
I am truly interested in purchasing this item for someone and I am
fine with the price but I will appreciate it if you can please answer
the few questions below on this Jewelry.

(1) Though i have already read about your item on craigslist but i
still want you to tell me the true condition of this item again?
(2)Do you have a PayPal account because it is the only mode of my
payment because pay pal guarantee more safety for both the sellers and
the buyers in all online transaction?
(3)Can you handle the shipment to Raleigh, North Carolina at my own expenses?

Please let me know as soon as possible.

Best regards,
Mary

Mary Wegan
1:56 AM (9 hours ago)

to me
Thanks for the response. Let me know the Next day (Overnight) shipping
cost via USPS or FedEx Express to the address below so i can add it to
the price of the item, then give me your PayPal email address and your
name that is associated to it Or send PayPal money request invoice to
my this same email address so i can proceed with the payment.

Address: 601 quarry St,
City : Raleigh
State: North Carolina
Postal code : 27601
Country : USA.

I wish to hear back from you ASAP.

admin note: removed poster's response emails, as we only need the scammer's emails to show what is going on.

It's not obviously a scam at this stage and, though I couldn't find any flags for the e-mail, I did find this link to someone using the same name.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=144656491&page=1

The address mentioned comes up as a very small property.

If it's a scam at least you'll know from this how it will develop.

Proceed with caution.

It's definitely a scam.

Notice the errors in English. These are not typos--they are definite errors that are typical of someone whose first language is not English. The specific mistakes made are typical of an African author. The English alone would tell me it is a scam.

Notice the use of the word "item." The most specific term used is "Jewelry" (including the inappropriate capitalization.) This is typical of a scammer, who is sending the same response to many ads and doesn't want to have to take the time to customize his emails for each specific item. A real buyer would be more specific about what he/she is buying, and the question(s) would be more specific. He has sent a response that can be used for everything from a necklace to a watch.

The scammer is going to try to send you a fake paypal email, basically claiming that payment has been made, but won't be credited to your account until proof of shipping has been provided. This is all lies--paypal does not do this at all. His goal is to convince you to ship the ring before you realize payment has not been made.

The person in the US is most likely a mule, possibly someone who thinks he/she has a legitimate job as a reshipper.

I have the same email. I to am trying to sell a ring on craigslist. I will probaly contact police and report this address. However I may just lead this person on for awhile. I for one will not mail my diamond ring to anyone but rather sell in person. If I do mail this fool anything it wil be a cherry flavored sucker from the local candy store...lol.

My advice..report the addres to the police and keep your diamond ring!