I agree that it sounds bogus but I buy stuff long distance with Paypal occasionally. I bought the car I'm driving by convincing an older lady up in NorCal to open a PP account while we were on the phone and I PP'ed her the full amount for the car before we hung up. She could not believe it but it was a smoking deal on a great old car that would have been gone when the first local buyer showed up with cash. I snarkled that thing.
I agreed to buy a MC today that is in Indiana. I offered to PP a deposit until I can fly out and get it but the guy doesn't have a PP account and says that he'll simply hold it for me on my word over the phone until I get there. I believe him 100%, I have amazingly good luck on CL.