I'll give away ivy that's a little sick (it has aphids, but it can be treated by spraying with a special product, I just don't have time. I'll give it to you for free, I'll wash off the aphids, but they will return, so you will need to treat it
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.