If I sell something to someone via Twitter direct messages, what are the laws?

[tallbomb976]

Somebody purchased something off me and sent money to my PayPal and I have the money, I now no longer have the item, are there any laws that would incriminate me of I do not send him back the money?


Yes I know it's morally and ethically unjust and wrong but, I desperately need the money.

[Flatpaw]

The fact that it was over Twitter is not relevant. If you don't provide the money but keep the item, you can be sued or arrested or both.

Give the money back or you'll have bigger problems than not having money.

[tanitha]

If you don't send the money back, that's theft
You can easily be traced through a Paypal account - so it makes sense to pay the money back immediately before the other person realises what's going on and calls the police.

You would have a hard time proving that this was not a deliberate attempt to defraud - and so could end up being charged with fraud - which is much more serious than ordinary theft.

The fact that the sale took place on Twitter doesn't matter