Stranger requesting to send a Steam gift only to have it sent back. Scam, phish, or what?

I guess it is a way to get your email address.

I can't think of how they could scam, etc, you with that, but I agree that it seems totally sketchy .

If something does not make sense, I always assume it is a scam. If there was some legit intent to sending a game and having it sent back, I'd have a friend switch the games with me versus a random stranger who might keep my game.

Did you ask if they ere a Nigerian Prince? :)

Might be an attempt to clean an illegally purchased (bought with stolen credit card or the like) game's purchase history? Pretty sure Valve can track the original buyer no matter how many hands a gift passes through though. Might be a bait and switch...they offer you one thing but take something out of your inventory and hope you don't notice...not so easy these days if you have the Steam authenticator active... Very odd.

Prolly a way to get your email address.
Does not sound like the guy has clean intentions

Clearly a scam. Don't do it.

That's really weird, I'd have asked them why they wanna do that... and after getting an answer I'd proceed to block all communications with that person. First satisfy my curiosity and then slam the door on their face, and I wonder why people think I'm rude.

I can't think of any legitimate reason for such a request. I can't think of a specific scheme that could be at work either, though the whole thing does reek of some sort of scheme. I agree with the general consensus of don't do it.

Thanks for the responses, all! Wasn't going to go ahead with it, any way. But, wanted to see that it wasn't just me that got red flags.

It's just a poor attempt at knowing your e-mail address.

It's most definitely sketch. Especially since multiple strangers are adding you, it could be some kind of attempt to get something from you, but I really couldn't tell you what. It's a weird way to scam someone, the theory of getting your email is probably the best theory. They get your email, hack into it, and finally use your email to hack into your steam account. Maybe. Just don't do it, it's super shady

Smiley face.

Could possibly be trying to get their steam community badge which includes making a trade or some such. Maybe has no close friends on steam.

just reject them.

i got added by a lv80 today, instantly rejected :3
no time to deal with random people. and since they can't even write a comment in the profile, i assume it's to scam or bother me (visible email for example).