i found a home i like but the owner says i cant go by to look at the house because he doesnt want me to scare the neighbors. He says he's in west africa. could this be a scam?

The owner wants me to western union him my deposit and when he gets reciept of the deposit he will fedex me the keys to the property. He says he's in West Africa on business and the home has been vacant only a couple of months. He has telephoned me a few times from a number that appears on his emails to me.