Criminal buyers on an online marketplace cannot collect the goods and suggest a courier service instead. They send you a link to explain this supposed service. This service requires the payment to be processed on a payment platform. You will also receive a link for this. Be careful: this is a scam. Do not provide credit card or banking information. Our partners at Watchlist Internet warn and explain this scam.

How does buyer fraud work on an online marketplace?

You advertise a product on an online marketplace such as willhaben, Facebook Marketplace or laendleanzeiger.at. A person gets in touch and wants to buy the product. She asks you for your phone number. You now continue writing on WhatsApp.

After a short exchange, the person explains to you that he cannot pick up the goods. She suggests you make the purchase via a courier service. The fraudulent buyer sends you a link to a website that explains the courier service.

Screenshots of chat histories with fraudulent buyers on an online marketplace, image: Watchlist Internet
Screenshots of chat histories with fraudulent buyers. Image: Watchlist Internet

Fake courier service page

The links lead to a fake post office website. However, other parcel services such as DHL or GLS are also very often abused for this scam. The fake website explains the courier service.

Screenshot: Fake postal website explaining the supposed courier service. Image: Watchlist Internet
Screenshot: Fake postal website explaining the supposed courier service. Image: Watchlist Internet

Fake payment platforms

If you agree to sell via the courier service, you will receive a link again. This time to a fake payment platform. The product, address and purchase price are already created there. All you have to do is click a button to receive your money.

Screenshot: Criminals use a fake payment platform to fake payment of the purchase price. Image: Watchlist Internet
Screenshot: Criminals use a fake payment platform to fake payment of the purchase price. Image: Watchlist Internet

In the screenshot above you can see an example of how the criminals fake payment of the purchase price via a fake post payment platform. the payment platform can also look different . Criminals very often fake PayLivery – the real payment service from Willhaben. Below is an example of a fake PayLivery transaction:

Screenshot: Fake PayLivery payment platform, image: Watchlist internet
Screenshot: Fake PayLivery payment platform, image: Watchlist internet

PayLivery is a legitimate service from the Willhaben online marketplace that is faked by criminals. On the Willhaben website you will find a lot of information on how you can use PayLivery safely. ( HERE )

Moment of truth: Submitting account information

When you click on the button, which may say “Receive Funds” or “Get Funds,” you will be asked to enter your bank or credit card details. These are transmitted to the criminals.

In the background, the criminals then use your bank details to make a transfer in the amount of the purchase price. In order for the transfer to work, you must approve it. The criminals explain to you via WhatsApp or in an integrated chat on the payment platform that you have to approve the payment in order to receive the purchase price. When you release the payment, a transfer is actually made from your account and you lose money.

Have you approved the payment?

  • Contact your credit card issuer or bank. It may be possible to stop or recover the payment.
  • You may need to have your credit card blocked.
  • Make a police report .

Tips for selling safely on an online marketplace

  • Always communicate via the platform’s messaging portal
  • Avoid sales abroad
  • Never transfer money, even if you are supposed to get it back or if it is being managed through a “reputable” intermediary
  • Check payment confirmations carefully and always check incoming payments in your bank account
  • Have the goods picked up and receive money in cash

Conclusion

In an online marketplace, fraudsters are not only found on the seller's side. Customers can also be fraudulent! Check very carefully which pages you are directed to and whether they are reputable. A look at the URL often helps.

Source: Watchlist Internet

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