They do that to set you up since they probably don't speak English. Cash only and you meet in a secure location. many police depts will allow you to use their stations for those transactions.
Craigslist Scam:
The scam works like this. They think your item as described is perfect. They might ask a few questions about it, and then will pay your asking price, sight unseen, because they are never around close by to come look at it (they use the stationed somewhere in the military a whole lot). They will give you an extra $40 or $50 to old it for them. Then they tell you they will send a cashier’s check or money order for that amount plus extra for the “shipper”. They ask you to wire that extra money by untraceable means such as Western Union or Moneygram. The check or money order turns out to be bogus and you end up out the money you sent plus the bank fees. Also, if the check is big enough you may end up being charged criminally. Take the check and the envelope it came in to the post office and have them forward it to the postal inspectors.
In the case of them using PayPal, the same thing happens. They send a fake email looking like it came from PayPal, get you to pay the shipper, and then find out that the e mail was fake and no money is available.
Craigslist Rental Scam:
The scam works like this. They advertise a property for rent, sometime (many times) at a rate lower than what would be normal. They are always out of town, either deployed, going to be deployed, working, living, moving, going to be a missionary, etc. They ask a few random question. And then decide that you are “perfect”. So they tell you to send a security deposit and a month’s rent to them by untraceable means (Western union, Moneygram, etc.) and they will send you the keys, etc. They don’t own the property, the property might not exist or if it does, it might not even be habitable. You are then out the cash you sent them. Always deal with someone local, who will meet you and show the property, who can prove they own the property (all property tax records are open to the public, most are on line), or deal with a reputable real estate agent from the area.
http://dc.curbed.com/2016/1/4/10850342/rental ... e-washington-dc