Despite the Middle Ages also being known as the Dark Ages, a time following the fall of the Roman Empire linked with a general decline, some lovely artefacts, like medieval castles, have endured through the ages. These medieval castles are timeless.
Never pay down a deposit in a bank account until you have met the seller, seen signed a purchase agreement.
No serious private advertisers ask for a down payment before you meet.
Receiving an email with an in-scanned ID does not mean that you have identified the sender. You do this on the spot, when you sign a purchase agreement.