Marketplace scams
Would you trust this?
“Payment completed. Click this link to upgrade your seller account before the money can be released.”
Not necessarily. Marketplace scammers often send fake payment confirmations and off-platform links. Check the transaction inside the marketplace itself instead of trusting the message.
Check the link or sender →Good instinct. A request to leave the platform, pay a fee or use an external payment link is a strong marketplace-scam signal.
Check the link or sender →How this scam usually works
A fake buyer can claim that payment is pending and send a link asking the seller to enter card details or pay an upgrade fee. A fake seller can request bank transfer, crypto or another payment method that bypasses platform dispute systems.
More detail
Scammers may also send counterfeit emails that resemble marketplace notifications, or use stolen accounts with good history to appear more credible.
Warning signs
- The other person insists on moving immediately to WhatsApp, SMS or email.
- You receive a payment link instead of seeing the transaction inside the platform.
- You are told to pay money in order to receive money from a buyer.
- The seller refuses protected payment and demands bank transfer, crypto or gift cards.
- The deal becomes urgent because another buyer, courier or supposed support agent is waiting.
How to verify the situation safely
Open the marketplace app or website directly and verify the order, payment and shipping status there. Do not rely on screenshots or emails alone.
If a link claims to be a marketplace payment page, inspect the real domain before entering card information. A lookalike page can copy the platform design while using an unrelated hostname.
Primary prevention references
Continue checking
Received a suspicious message?
Paste its link or sender email address into Can I Share This? before you trust it.