Non-Delivery Scams via Pix
How fraudulent Brazilian online sellers exploit Pix's instant settlement to collect payment for goods that are never dispatched.
Part of: Non-Delivery Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Non-delivery fraud using Pix is common across Brazilian social-commerce platforms, WhatsApp business accounts, and informal groups. Because Pix settles in seconds and carries no buyer-protection mechanism equivalent to a card chargeback, a fraudulent seller can receive payment and withdraw cash before the buyer has any reason to suspect the sale was fraudulent.
The low cost and high speed of Pix — features designed to facilitate legitimate commerce — remove the friction that would otherwise allow a buyer time to verify the seller.
How this scam works on Pix
A seller — often operating through a WhatsApp business number or Instagram profile — advertises goods at attractive prices and insists on Pix payment before dispatch. The buyer sends the Pix transfer, receives a fabricated tracking number or is told the item is 'waiting for pickup', and discovers weeks later that no delivery is forthcoming.
Some fraudulent operations receive high volumes of orders during a short window — a flash sale framing is used to accelerate the cycle — collect all Pix payments, and then deactivate the seller profile. The Pix key used is typically a CPF or phone number registered to a third-party identity, making tracing difficult.
Common red flags
- Seller insists on full Pix payment before dispatch with no option for cash on delivery
- Price significantly below retail for branded or imported goods
- WhatsApp or Instagram account with a short history and no verifiable business registration
- Tracking number does not appear on any carrier's official system
- Seller becomes unreachable after the Pix confirmation is sent
- Flash sale with a narrow time window creating urgency to pay immediately
How to protect yourself
- Prefer platforms with buyer protection (Mercado Livre, Shopee Brazil) for transactions with unknown sellers
- Always verify tracking numbers on the carrier's official website — not a link provided by the seller
- For items above a modest threshold, insist on meeting in person or use a verified marketplace escrow
- Check the seller's Pix CNPJ key (business) versus CPF key (personal) — business keys imply a higher registration obligation
- Report the Pix key immediately via the MED mechanism in your bank app if goods are not delivered
How to report it
- Activate the MED process through your bank app within 80 days of the fraudulent Pix transfer
- File a Boletim de Ocorrência at the state Delegacia Virtual
- Report the seller to the marketplace or social platform with transaction and communication evidence
Frequently asked questions
How quickly must I report a Pix non-delivery to use the MED mechanism?
Banco Central's MED mechanism allows up to 80 days from the transaction date, but earlier is better. If the recipient account still holds funds, a hold is placed during investigation. Reporting within 24–72 hours gives the best chance of finding balance before withdrawal. After 80 days, the standard MED path closes, though criminal-law channels remain open.