What legal action can be taken against a scammer on Paypal?

Question

Recently, I posted my Wii for $300 on craigslist Delaware. It was my first venture into craigslist and probably my last. Me, unknowing of anything about online sale of items, accepted a request from a person in California asking for me to send the Wii to their fiance in Nigeria for $430 including shipping fees. The payment method they wished to use was Paypal, and I obliged.

So, after I talked to them about the package, they "sent" the payment to me and I received an email from "Paypal" saying that the payment would be verified once I gave them the tracking number for the package. So, as it turns out, after they said I would get the money in 1-2 days after I give them the tracking number, I've been waiting for 3 days, and still have not received any word...

So, as to say that this is a scam, what legal action can be taken? Is there any possible way to either get my package back, or call them out on it and get my money for it?

Answer 1

The e-mail, as you probably know by now, was not from PayPal.  Unfortunately, this is a very common scam.  You can contact your state attorney general or other law enforcement agency and report it.  But there is virtually no chance of getting your Wii or money back.  

This scam isn't limited to craigslist.  It also happens on eBay and many other web sale sites.