Marketplace Global Medium risk
Marketplace Buyer Reversal
A "buyer" sends you a payment request instead of paying, and you end up paying them.
- Who scammers target
- Private sellers on classifieds and social marketplaces
- Typical reported loss
- $100 – $2,000 per case
- Why people fall for this
- The screenshot of a payment looks like proof, and sellers feel rude asking a buyer to wait.
How it works
- 1You list an item on a classifieds site, Facebook Marketplace or a social app.
- 2A keen buyer says they've paid and shares a screenshot of a fake success message.
- 3They then send you a payment request or QR code to "confirm you received it".
- 4Approving it sends the sale amount from you to them.
Real-world example
Faiz sells a phone for the equivalent of $150. The buyer sends a QR code and says "scan this to receive payment". Faiz scans, approves, and the money leaves his account. The buyer disappears.
- The buyer refuses to pay first and pushes a QR code or request at you.
- A payment-success screenshot arrives before any money reaches your account.
- The buyer insists on overpaying and asks for the difference back.
- Never scan a QR code or approve a request in order to receive money.
- Check your own bank statement or app balance, never the buyer's screenshot.
- Meet in a public place and prefer cash or a confirmed credit before handing over goods.
- Keep the conversation on the platform so there is a record.
What it looks like
Unknown contact
"Scan this QR to receive your payment"
Wait, why do I need to scan?