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
The seller offered a "flash sale" with a narrow time window — why is that a red flag?
Urgency and scarcity framing is designed to make you pay before you have time to research the seller or notice inconsistencies in the listing. A short countdown offering a deep discount, especially from a seller with little history, should slow you down rather than speed you up.
How do I check if a tracking number a seller gave me is real?
Enter it directly on the carrier's official website rather than clicking any link the seller sent, and confirm the carrier actually recognises the number and shows movement consistent with your order. A number that returns no result, or that stalls indefinitely at a regional hub, is a strong sign of fraud.
Is a CNPJ (business) Pix key safer to pay than a CPF (personal) key?
Somewhat — a CNPJ key indicates the recipient registered as a business entity, which creates a slightly higher accountability trail than an individual CPF key. It's not a guarantee against fraud, but a seller who insists on a personal CPF key for what's presented as a business sale is a signal worth noting.
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.