This happens daily and not just on eBay - it's everywhere across all platforms. The thing to always spot right away in this case is the fact that whenever you receive PayPal emails informing you've got funds it's always in HTML. That email like many others are just typed up by some Nigerian in an internet cafe in Lagos. That's not to say someone might not get more advanced and create ⊗⊗⊗⊗ emails with HTML images, many do for phishing scams.
Another thing that happens is on Amazon they send you a message saying "Wow what a good price, I don't see any pictures..." or "Can you ship this right away to my relative" "Email me on ..." and then they send you the ⊗⊗⊗⊗. It's not difficult and if they hit 10,000 people and one of them complies then it was successful. I just recognise the phony enquiries instantly these days and don't even bother replying.
Here is a 419 scam that turned up in my spam folder as I was reading this thread:
Dear Beneficiary,
PAYMENT VIA ATM CARD 2010
This is to officially inform you that your contract file presently on my desk has been verified and has clearly stated that you have not received your payment due to your lack of co-operation by not fulfilling the obligations giving to you in respect to your contract payment. Secondly,you are hereby advised to stop dealing with some non-officials portray themselfs bank officials and governemnt officlas as well,as this is an illegal act and you are adviced to stop if you so wish to receive your payment immediately.
After the Board of director's meeting held in Abuja, we have resolved in finding a solution to this problem. We have arranged your payment through our SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE in Europe, America, Africa and Asia Pacific; this is part of the mandate passed by the Senate in respect to overseas contract payment and debt re-scheduling. And also the Nigerian Government is using this mean to rewards all the citizens of the United states and all part of Europe including Asia, Australia, South America, Canada, Antarctica e.t.c and all those who have lost their funds in either scam, or an uncompleted business, or otherwise, You should know that if you are interested to receive your ATM card which will be credited with $5,000,000.00 united states dollars before it is been sent to you direct to your doorstep through the UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, you will have to respond to me with your full information’s, After your response you will be directed to the UNITED PARCEL SERVICE representative whose name is Mr.JOhn Anderson.
He will send you your ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw your money via ATM MACHINE in any part of the world, and the maximum daily limit is Fifteen Thousand United States dollars ($15,000.00). And also note that the Nigerian Government has taken care of the shipping fee of your ATM card, so if Mr. John Anderson is requesting for another shipping fee, you will have to report him to me immediately. When you receive your ATM card, you have to alert me so that we can give you process of how to activate and make use of your ATM CARD.
If you like to receive your fund this way, kindly contact me with the following information’s below.
(1) Your Full Name
(2) Full residential address
(3) Phone and Fax Number
(4) Occupation.
(5) Personal Identification. Driver’s license or International Passport.
(7) Age
(8) Marital Status
(9) Sex
This message is supported by the Nigerian Government.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Respectively
Dr. Braide Akingbola
Minister, Federal Ministry of Finance
| 
aying-status.tracker@consultant.com 
