Marketplace Seller Scams
Fraudulent sellers on classifieds and marketplaces who take payment off-platform and never deliver.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
A marketplace seller scam involves a fake seller on a classifieds or marketplace platform who pressures you to pay off-platform, then disappears without delivering.
How it works
The seller offers an in-demand item at a fair price, then asks you to pay by bank transfer or app outside the platform's protected checkout, often citing urgency. Once paid, they vanish or send nothing.
Common red flags
- Pressure to pay outside the platform
- Refusal to use protected checkout or to meet in person
- Unusually urgent sale
- New account with no reviews
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
I have other buyers — pay by bank transfer now to hold it, then I'll post it.
Payment methods used
- Bank transfer
- Payment apps 'friends & family'
- Gift cards
Who is usually targeted
- Bargain seekers
- Buyers of high-demand items
What to do immediately
- Never pay off-platform; use protected checkout only
- If paid, contact your bank immediately
- Report the seller to the platform
Evidence to preserve
- Listing and chat
- Seller profile
- Payment records
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Why do scammers want off-platform payment?
Platform checkouts often include buyer protection and dispute tools. Moving you to bank transfer or 'friends & family' payments removes those protections, making the money hard to recover.