Marketplace scam guide
E-commerce refund scam
Refund scams impersonate shopping platforms or sellers and ask victims to fill forms, install apps, scan QR codes, or share OTPs for refund processing.
Risk signal
Refund trap
Severity
high
Group
Marketplace
Common identifiers
Add identifiers that can be matched safely across reports, profiles, payments, and evidence without exposing unnecessary private data.
Order ID
Use the exact order id shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.
Support number
Use the exact support number shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.
Refund link
Use the exact refund link shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.
UPI ID
Use the exact upi id shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.
Evidence to preserve
Keep proof in original form where possible. Screenshots help, but transaction IDs, URLs, timestamps, and chat context make moderation stronger.
Refund message
Capture refund message with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.
Fake form URL
Capture fake form url with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.
Caller details
Capture caller details with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.
Transaction proof
Capture transaction proof with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.
First response
These steps reduce further loss and keep your report useful for review, banking escalation, platform reporting, and official complaints.
Use official app order support
Do this early: use official app order support helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.
Do not share OTP/PIN
Do this early: do not share otp/pin helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.
Report fake support contact
Do this early: report fake support contact helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.
Urgent money loss
If money was recently transferred, call 1930 first and raise a bank or payment-app dispute. Speed matters for fund-freeze attempts.
Privacy boundary
Do not upload OTPs, passwords, full card numbers, full Aadhaar, private documents, or unrelated intimate media. Use masked, relevant evidence whenever possible.
Related categories
Similar fraud patterns
Store clone
Instagram store scam
Fake Instagram shops collecting advance payments for products that never arrive.
Fake seller
Marketplace seller fraud
Sellers who take advance payment, ship fake goods, or disappear after order confirmation.
Fake buyer
Marketplace buyer fraud
Fake buyers using QR tricks, courier pickup claims, chargebacks, or overpayment traps.
Vehicle listing
Vehicle sale scam
Fake vehicle listings, army officer claims, transport fees, booking deposits, or RC misuse.