If there is something you want from a direct seller and you don't feel comfortable banking money into his account one way is to tell him to register online as a seller in Lazada or Shopee, post the product and send you the link. You get protection as the platform will only pay the seller after you receive the goods. If he refuses move on.

It's better to pay 2% more than to take a 50% risk of being scammed.

Nothing complicated about registering as a seller on an online platform. I've done it just to sell one item. Why shy away from giving IC details if you are a genuine trader? If you are willing to pay the platform commission and seller don't want to do it can he be trusted?

If the seller was fine with COD why didn't you pick COD? Some sellers say they are fine with COD just to give you confidence but will find some excuse to back out of doing COD later. Did you get caught like this?

Buying from direct seller by banking into his account first isn't worth the risk. I would say 50% chance of being scammed. Would you go out if you have a 50% chance of getting into an accident on that day?