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.
Does Expedia actually give refunds? Expedia also offers a general 24-hour refund policy, +1-888-829-1470 or +1-844-987-7100 and 800-number available 24 hours a day/seven days a week. meaning you can cancel most bookings within 24 hours and receive a full refund, +1-800-651-8918 or +44-203-376-3406[UK] and 800-number available 24 hours a day/seven days a week...