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.
When they figure it out, I receive threats ranging from reporting me to the authorities all the way up to killing me and raping my family.
I then point out exactly how their scam works, and that they are either criminals directly or working for them as patsies. At this point, they usually stop responding.
If they don’t, then I take the chance to vent some of my own vitriol at them. It’s usually therapeutic, but it’s always fun.
I have accumulated a lot of hobbies over the years, and I count this among them.
Those "3rd line specialists" can get really angry when they realize the unsecure but rich old man they are talking to is far beyond them in tech and have been having fun and recording them ;-)
The attacker was probably trying to create a new Google Voice account forwarding to OP's phone number. They could then use the new GV account as its own "legitimate" phone number in order to engage in other scams.
(Alternatively, OP's password might have already been compromised, and this was the last stage of a targeted attack by someone trying to get into their account.)
They want to link a new GV account to a real phone number that is not theirs, so that they can use the GV number for other scams.
It only works when your phone number doesn’t already have a GV linked to it.
Just a quick safety precaution to make sure: I'm going to text you a code, can you just send it back to me to confirm?
Thanks!