Weird trade on LocalBitcoins.com, is this a type of scam?

[mytey]

http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1v0psy/weird_trade_on_localbitcoinscom_is_this_a_type_of/

https://localbitcoins.com/accounts/profile/uahohc7r/
uahohc7r set up a trade on localbitcoins.com to sell $240 worth of bitcoin for iTunes. In the discussion they are only asking for $200 in iTunes, the other $40 is a tip. Then they immediately released the bitcoin from escrow to me and logged off without verifying that I sent them the gift card.

What's up with this? Did they steal some coin and are now trying to get rid of it? Is this being laundered? Has anyone had this happen before? Are they just dumb? I've worked with plenty of newbies, but have never seen this.

As it stands, I could keep their coin and never send payment since they have released escrow...

Thanks for any advice!

 

EDIT:  They are also asking me to send the code directly to their email... Maybe they are phishing for my email?

[HairyMaclairy]

If you are worried just make a one use email address and send them the code. They already paid you so no need to delay.   If you have confirmations don't see how it could be a double spend just get two confirmations at least.

It's a serious pain in the ass for foreigners to get US iTunes Store credit so that might justify a premium for foreigners.


*edit* key risk to me would be a zero confirmation attack.  

[mytey]

gotcha on the double spend.  As this is going through LBC, it's on them to mitigate that since they have set up the wallet structure.

and thanks for the tip on the throwaway address and the advice on the premium.