There might be a valid reason, but you will never know for sure. It’s the internet. Unless you know the guy personally, the reason could be as much of a lie as the initial thread. Anonymity is nice, but when it comes to changing money it can be a real bad thing.
I've been bitten once or twice this way. Once for $500 and I only got about $45 back. That was the old PayPal. Ever since ebay took it over, you get all of it back even if the seller does not have the money. That's how the last one worked anyhow. The seller had no money, but paypal (ebay) refunded me the whole amount out of their pocket.
This isn't ebay, but you should still file a dispute. You might get your money back and more importantly, that person will not be able to use paypal again (untill they go and make a new user name that is).
Unfortunately theft is rampant and the net is a great place for it.
Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."
It's hard for me not to compare my own experiences with forum members. A couple of times, members have sent me their lights for review, including troop. That trust is extremely valuable to me. I've exchanged money, lights, parts . . . the half dozen or so guys I've done business with here, developed a relationship with . . . what it's all about.
Unfortunately, the bigger we get, the law of averages will have its way eventually.
I had a similar problem in Oz. Sent a bloke $250 worth of goods after he told me he had paid me. A few weeks later no money. A few txts and promises. Nothing. This bloke lived 1000k's away. I had a rather large tattooed bikie friend pay him a visit and I got the money. Sort it out because you never know who might knock on your door.
Just to put in my 2cents here (not 20$) dont do anything drastic like send people over to the guys house, things can escalate you dont want problems for 20$.
that just reminded me of the time we got stopped by the cops because we were driving around town, at about midnight, w/ my big spotlight, and shining it in the windows of random houses (which obviously illuminated the entire room)
we actually talked our way out of any trouble
before you judge...that was in high school, nearly 20 years ago