Is this a scam? I feel really suspicious

[horch_70]

I was going to sell my used laptop and this buyer tells me that it's for his family's birthday gift and wants me to buy a gift card and add that into my package. So I received this email and I felt really suspicious because of the email address. However, I am not sure if this is a scam or not. Also, his e bay account says he's from Washington state and the number is from Los Angeles. I need help to determine whether this is a scam or not. Also, the email address was "baypaymentcustomerverified@gmail.com" and said, "You've Got Money". In the email, I need to buy a gift card for them and send that to their "customer service" to get verified and until I verify, I can not receive my money. 

[reallynicestamps]

SCAM!!

[reallynicestamps · Accepted solution]

this buyer tells me that it's for his family's birthday gift

Why would a seller want or need to know that? SCAM!

wants me to buy a gift card and add that into my package.

He can buy his own dang card. He doesn't need your help to do that.

his e bay account says he's from Washington state and the number is from Los Angeles.

He has hijacked an abandoned account. Look at the Feedback.

Has the account left any feedback in the past year or so? Or received any?

the email address ...said, "You've Got Money".

Lies lies and lies.

Do not communicate with this person.

In four days, since there will be no payment, you can cancel the transaction, if you did not already opt for the newish automatic Cancellation for non-payment by eBay.

Are you signed up for Managed Payments?

[horch_70]

Thank you, I just canceled the order. You really helped 

[reallynicestamps]

Laptops are not a good choice for a first, or even 10th, listing on eBay.

Better sold locally for cash.

Posters usually advise newbies to do some buying before selling and to make early listings stuff you can mess up and still not take a hard hit to the pocketbook.

[reallynicestamps]

Okay-- now.

Was this an auction or a Fixed Price listing?

If it was an auction, you should also Block the buyer so he doesn't bid again.

If this was a Fixed Price listing what reason did you use?
If it was Problem with Address or Buyer Request, no problem.

If it was Out of Stock/Not Available, you accidentally earned a Defect.

Bad news.

Go to the Facebook customer reps.

Explain what happened- basically that a scammer made the purchase, made a fake claim of payment and wanted you to add gift cards to the shipment.

Ask that any defect be removed.

If the rep needs more information, your original post here is very clear, just cut and paste it.