Auction platforms and classifieds portals have established themselves in recent years as important marketplaces for buying and selling all kinds of goods. They offer an easy and quick way to sell used or new items and find bargains. Unfortunately, such platforms often attract fraudsters who try to scam unsuspecting users out of their money. In this article we would like to introduce you to a particularly perfidious scam that is currently circulating on auction platforms and classifieds portals and that involves a lot of money.

The fraud takes place in several steps on auction platforms and classifieds portals:


  1. The fraudster poses as a reputable seller and posts an attractive offer on the auction platform or classifieds portal. These are often sought-after items such as smartphones, laptops or designer fashion that are offered at what appears to be a bargain price.
  2. Interested parties who become aware of the offer contact the alleged seller to obtain further information about the item or to complete the purchase. The fraudster uses various communication channels such as email, telephone or messenger services.
  3. Once contact is made, the scammer attempts to gain the prospect's trust. He pretends to urgently need money for personal reasons or refers to an upcoming vacation trip to justify the quick sale.
  4. The fraudster then asks the interested party to transfer the purchase price in advance in order to reserve the item or arrange for shipping. Supposedly secure payment methods such as PayPal or transfers with buyer protection are often faked.
  5. After the interested party has transferred the money, the fraudster breaks off contact and can no longer be reached. Of course, the purchased item is not delivered and the money is lost.

Protective measures and precautions:


To protect themselves from such fraud, users of auction platforms and classifieds portals should take the following precautionary measures:

  • Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true.
  • Check the integrity of the seller by looking for reviews or testimonials from other buyers.
  • Contact the seller and ask specific questions about the item and the reason for the sale.
  • Use secure payment methods, such as PayPal with buyer protection, and never transfer money in advance without seeing or receiving the item.
  • If possible, arrange to hand over the item in person to get to know the seller and the product and to choose a secure payment method.
  • Verify the seller's contact information, such as address and phone number, and provide proof of identification.
  • Learn about common scams to be aware and prepared.
  • Report suspicious offers or users of the auction platform or classifieds portal to protect others from fraud.

The current cases of fraud on auction platforms and classifieds portals show how important it is to be vigilant when trading online and to protect yourself from dubious offers and sellers. By following the above precautions and listening to your gut feeling, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to such scams and thereby protect your hard-earned money. Stay alert and informed to trade safely and successfully on auction platforms and classifieds portals.


Related to the topic: eBay classifieds: Beware of scammers!


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