Fake Sellers and Stores Operating Through Reddit
Scammers operate within Reddit's buy-sell-trade subreddits (r/Knife_Swap, r/GunAccessoriesForSale, r/photomarket, r/Flipping) using aged accounts with fabricated trade histories to sell counterfeit, non-existent, or misrepresented goods.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Reddit's specialised trading subreddits create tight communities built around shared interests — knife collectors, photographers, sneakerheads, electronics traders. Scammers target these communities because the shared interest context lowers guard: a buyer in a knife trading subreddit may assume all sellers share genuine enthusiasm for the hobby.
Reddit flairs and community-maintained 'scammer lists' provide some protection, but determined fraudsters create aged accounts, accumulate karma, and in some cases purchase old accounts with established trade histories specifically to use for fraud.
How this scam works on Reddit
A seller posts a well-photographed listing for a desirable item — a mechanical keyboard, a camera lens, a limited-edition sneaker — with a competitive price and a reasonable account history. The seller's comment history looks genuine due to consistent hobby-related posting.
Buyers who enquire are directed to the seller's DMs. Payment is requested via Venmo or Cash App 'friends and family' mode, which offers no buyer protection. After payment, the seller either ships nothing, ships a significantly inferior item, or ships a counterfeit.
Some operations specifically target rare or collectible items where the buyer cannot easily verify authenticity before purchase — limited-edition merchandise, vintage audio equipment, or hard-to-find components.
Common red flags
- Seller asking for payment via Venmo or Cash App friends and family rather than goods-and-services mode
- Account with a reasonable karma score but trade history that cannot be independently verified through linked trade references
- Price slightly below market for a desirable item — just enough to attract interest without triggering immediate suspicion
- Seller who cannot or will not do a live video showing of the item prior to purchase
- Listing that is not cross-posted or referenced against the subreddit's official scammer list
How to protect yourself
- Always pay via PayPal goods and services, which offers buyer protection, rather than friends and family mode
- Check the subreddit's scammer list and the seller's trade history links before purchasing
- Request a live video of the specific item — not just photos — before sending payment for high-value goods
- Search the seller's username in the subreddit's scammer database or r/hardwareswap
- Report suspicious sellers to subreddit moderators before completing any transaction
How to report it
- Report to subreddit moderators using the report post/message function
- Submit a report to r/scams or the subreddit's dedicated scammer reporting thread
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov if significant funds were lost
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PayPal friends and family versus goods and services?
PayPal Goods and Services charges a small fee to the seller but provides buyer protection — you can file a dispute if goods are not received or are significantly different from described. Friends and Family is free but explicitly excludes buyer protection and cannot be disputed for goods purchases. Scammers always request Friends and Family to eliminate your recourse.