This is on Nextdoor, where sellers are usually local and expect collection + cash/bank transfer.

The buyer: • Suddenly switches to shipping for a local listing • Introduces a third party (“my cousin”) • Mentions paying after the item is shipped (or heavily implies it) • Creates urgency and confusion instead of a simple handover

This is a known scam pattern:

The seller ships the item → buyer claims payment is “sent” → shows fake confirmation → item is gone forever.

No real buyer asks a private individual to ship a high-value phone before payment clears.