Marketplace scam guide
Marketplace seller fraud
Marketplace seller fraud happens on classifieds, social commerce, resale platforms, or independent stores. Common tactics include advance booking, fake courier receipts, and unrealistic discounts.
Risk signal
Fake seller
Severity
medium
Group
Marketplace
Common identifiers
Add identifiers that can be matched safely across reports, profiles, payments, and evidence without exposing unnecessary private data.
Seller profile
Use the exact seller profile shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.
Phone number
Use the exact phone number 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.
Listing URL
Use the exact listing url 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.
Listing screenshots
Capture listing screenshots with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.
Chat
Capture chat with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.
Payment proof
Capture payment proof with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.
Courier details
Capture courier details 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 platform escrow when possible
Do this early: use platform escrow when possible helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.
Report seller profile
Do this early: report seller profile helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.
Preserve listing URL
Do this early: preserve listing url 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 buyer
Marketplace buyer fraud
Fake buyers using QR tricks, courier pickup claims, chargebacks, or overpayment traps.
Refund trap
E-commerce refund scam
Fake refund or order support links that steal payment credentials or trigger transfers.
Vehicle listing
Vehicle sale scam
Fake vehicle listings, army officer claims, transport fees, booking deposits, or RC misuse.