If someone is selling a stolen bike they are hardly likely to give you the serial number. Who else but the owner or police would be able to do anything with that number? If the ads keep disappearing and then reappearing elsewhere they probably got spooked and re advertised it. Or it could be a legit seller, though like you say they’d probably give you the number even if it’s useless to anyone but an owner or police.
I’d be inclined to either tell the police or go view the bike and not give yourself away as obviously. Ideally at a house so they can be traced not in a park where they can take off rapidly with no way of finding them. Take a good look over the bike, outdoors for better safety, subtly notice the serial number, decline to purchase and then if it matches call the police as soon as you leave the premises. Or buy the bike to be sure you get it asking for a receipt etc. Mark your notes discreetly if you plan to do this. Don’t do anything that could put yourself in any danger or cause a confrontation.