Is a cash deposit request from an online seller a scam?
Asking for a cash deposit — especially into a random bank account — is a major warning sign. Legitimate sellers on established platforms use the platform's payment system.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Fraudulent online sellers, particularly those listing high-value goods such as vehicles, electronics, or concert tickets, frequently ask buyers to make a direct bank transfer or cash deposit to 'hold' the item. Once the deposit is paid, the seller disappears, the listing vanishes, and the goods never arrive. Cash deposits offer you no buyer protection: unlike card payments or platform-managed checkout, there is no chargeback mechanism. Scammers prefer direct deposits precisely because they are hard to reverse. Legitimate individual sellers may sometimes request bank transfer, but you should insist on viewing the item in person first and only paying at the point of safe handover.
Common red flags
- Seller insists on cash deposit or direct bank transfer before you see the item
- Price is unusually low to attract quick payment
- Seller is 'abroad' or 'deployed' and cannot meet in person
- Urgency: another buyer is waiting, act now
- Communication moves off the marketplace platform to email or WhatsApp
What to do now
- Never pay a deposit before viewing the item in person
- Use only the payment system provided by the platform
- If you have already paid, report to your bank and the marketplace
- File a report with your national fraud or consumer protection body
Frequently asked questions
What if the seller sends me a 'proof of ownership' document?
Documents are easy to forge. A convincing-looking document does not verify that the seller actually owns the item or that it exists.