A provider asked me over email whether I wanted to pay cash or PayPal. She has two reviews in May 2016 and two in February 2017. She’s on p411. None of her reviewers responded when I messaged them. Is this a red flag? Or am I just paranoid since I’m a newbie.

How many Providers have each of her Clients reviewed?  If at least couple of ‘em have posted multiple reviews - especially over the course of a few years - then they’re almost certainly not LE, which means she probably isn’t either.

 
As to PayPal... well... it /is/ a record of transaction that could be subpoenaed if you ever were unfortunate enough to be at the mercy of a DA.  It could be that the Provider in question is kind of Newbie herself and therefore doesn’t realize this.  

 
PayPal is /not/ Bitcoin.  Pay cash.

Yes I am planning on paying cash. I just worry because a provider is discussing money over email. I would understand if she’s new, but her reviews date back to 2016.

Another thing about Pay Pal, providers and anyone involved in any "sin" industry like sex or gambling should NEVER use Pay Pal as Pay Pal has a very deserved reputation of freezing accounts of anyone they believe is involved in illegal or even immoral activities. Once they freeze the account, all the money in it is almost always gone forever.

 
I agree, Pay cash. and do it only in person. Unless you are asking the provider to block out a large amount of time for you, or you are asking her to spend money out of pocket in advance of your session, almost all experienced mongers (and even most providers) will tell you DO NOT SEND MONEY IN ADVANCE. Yes, some providers will try to give you pushback on this and try to claim your money is safe, but it's undeniable that "some" unscrupulous providers will simply take your deposit and run. It's simply not worth the risk with so many other providers to choose from

So u think it’s probably a scam and not le?  Should I respond with “I prefer cash?” I’m worried that its le so don’t want to respond with anything related to money.

Stating that you do NOT do something is not the same as admitting you do something else. lol

 
My advice is that if she has decent and recent reviews, I wouldn't be worried about her being LE, or a scam for that matter, but I still won't send payment in advance, and neither should you.

 
Now if she to pin you down in conversation that you agree to "pay xxx, for yyy" I would probably cut off communications with her, even if she is not LE,  most likely she is going to be too mercenary for me, I know it's all about the money for these ladies, but they are supposed to be selling the "illusion" at least that it's not really "all about the money" Plus, it's always been my experience that when a provider keeps dwelling on the money, the session itself tends to be underwhelming.

While the whole pay in advance thing occurred to me once I’d logged off, I knew /nothing/ about PayPal freezing accounts due to “moral turpitude”.

 
So yeah; PayPal for P4P = Super Bad Idea.