Scams evolve constantly in detail but rarely in structure. Recognising the shape is more durable than memorising specific stories.
The overpayment
A buyer sends more than the asking price and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment is later reversed as fraudulent; your refund is not. Never refund an overpayment — cancel the transaction entirely.
The off-platform move
An early push to continue by private message, email or an unfamiliar app. Once you leave the platform you lose the record of the conversation and any protection attached to it. Legitimate buyers are content to stay put.
Manufactured urgency
- “I am flying out tonight and need it shipped now”
- “Another buyer is on the way, pay to reserve it”
- “My courier is already booked, just send the code”
Urgency exists to stop you checking. Any pressure to skip a normal step is itself the warning.
The verification code request
Someone asks you to read back a code they have just triggered to your phone. That code is authenticating them into an account in your name. There is no legitimate version of this request.
If something feels wrong
Stop, and check independently. Look up the phone number yourself rather than using the one you were sent. Nothing genuine is lost by a ten-minute pause.
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