Console Pre-order Marketplace Scam on Facebook Marketplace
Scammers list hard-to-find gaming console pre-orders or bundles on Facebook Marketplace at below-retail prices, collect payment, and never ship anything.
Part of: Console Preorder Marketplace Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Most consoles listed on Facebook Marketplace are real, sold by ordinary people, which is why launch-season hunting there feels reasonable when store shelves are empty. The scam listing rides that shortage: a sealed unit or 'pre-order slot' at a tempting-but-plausible price, a stock photo from the manufacturer's press kit, and a new or repurposed profile padded with unrelated items. The distinction that matters most is whether the console can be seen in person: a scammer always has a reason it cannot, usually 'it's still in the warehouse,' paired with a push toward an irreversible payment app before anything ships.
How this scam works on Facebook Marketplace
A listing appears offering a brand-new, sealed console 'pre-order slot' or launch-day unit, often with a stock photo pulled from the manufacturer's press kit and a price just low enough to look like a deal but not so low it seems fake. The seller's profile is usually new or recently repurposed, with few mutual friends and a short post history padded out with unrelated marketplace items to look established.
Because Marketplace nudges buyers toward Facebook Pay or off-platform payment for 'shipping' items, the scammer insists the console can't be picked up locally 'because it's still in the warehouse' and asks for payment via a money transfer app before promising to ship. Once paid, the seller either stops responding, sends a tracking number for an empty or unrelated package, or claims a delay and requests a second 'customs' or 'restocking' payment before disappearing entirely.
Common red flags
- Seller refuses local, in-person pickup and insists the item must be shipped
- Listing uses manufacturer stock photos instead of the seller's own pictures of the actual unit
- Seller profile was created recently or has no marketplace transaction history
- Price is noticeably below every other listing for the same in-demand console
- Seller pushes you to pay via a peer-to-peer app or bank transfer instead of Facebook Pay's checkout
- Urgency language claiming only one unit is left or the deal expires within the hour
How to protect yourself
- Only complete console purchases through Facebook Marketplace's own checkout and shipping protection, never a side conversation
- Insist on local pickup and meet in a public, well-lit location such as a police station lobby
- Reverse-image search the listing photos to check if they've been lifted from a retailer or another listing
- Check the seller's profile age, mutual friends, and prior sales before messaging
- Never send payment via a friends-and-family transfer for a stranger's item
- If a deal feels too good for launch-week stock, assume it is until proven otherwise
How to report it
- Use Facebook Marketplace's in-listing 'Report' or 'Report seller' option
- Report the seller's profile to Facebook for fraudulent activity
- File a complaint with your national consumer protection or fraud reporting agency
- If you paid via a money transfer app, report the transaction to the app's support team immediately
Frequently asked questions
If I paid through Facebook Marketplace's own checkout, am I automatically covered if the console never ships?
Coverage may depend on how the item was paid for and whether the listing qualifies as a shipped purchase, so check Marketplace's purchase protection policy and open a claim through the app rather than assuming automatic reimbursement. Contact Meta support directly, since protection isn't guaranteed for every transaction.
How do I check whether a Marketplace seller's profile is really new or recycled just for this scam?
Tap into the seller's profile and look at when they joined Facebook, whether you share any mutual friends, and whether their other listings are a random mix of unrelated cheap items posted all at once. A thin, inconsistent, or very recent history is a strong warning sign even if the console listing photos look convincing.
Is it worth asking the seller for a live video of the actual console before paying?
Yes, asking for a quick video call showing the real, physical item in the seller's hands is one of the few ways to confirm a listing photo isn't just lifted from a retailer's website. A genuine seller with real stock will rarely refuse this, so treat excuses or refusal as a reason to walk away.
Is it safe to buy a console pre-order on Facebook Marketplace at all?
It can be, but only if you use Marketplace's built-in checkout and shipping, or meet the seller in person to inspect and pay for the item on the spot. Any request to pay separately before shipping is a major risk signal.
What should I do if I already sent payment for a console that never arrived?
Contact the payment app or bank immediately to report the transaction as fraud, save all chat logs and listing screenshots, and report both the seller and listing to Facebook.