This is very common scam. AFAIK it’s a way to create a new Google Voice account (linked to your phone number) with the goal of using that account for other scams so that they can’t be tracked.
I fell for it, but since I already had a Google Voice account linked to that phone number, it didn’t work for the scammer. But he didn’t realize what it didn’t work.
I quickly realized that something wasn’t right (and Googled the mechanics of the scam) and then was able to waste his time for another 30min.
The reason I fell for it was because they use a text message from Google in some African language, so I didn’t immediately realize what was going on. Still dumb to not pay more attention…
But it taught me to not list my phone number in the open on Craigslist.
I fell for it, but since I already had a Google Voice account linked to that phone number, it didn’t work for the scammer. But he didn’t realize what it didn’t work.
I quickly realized that something wasn’t right (and Googled the mechanics of the scam) and then was able to waste his time for another 30min.
The reason I fell for it was because they use a text message from Google in some African language, so I didn’t immediately realize what was going on. Still dumb to not pay more attention…
But it taught me to not list my phone number in the open on Craigslist.