MEPX
Chapter 4 of 10All chapters
  1. 1The anatomy of a scam
  2. 2How pressure is manufactured
  3. 3Impersonation scams
  4. 4Buying and selling
  5. 5Romance and friendship scams
  6. 6Investment and money scams
  7. 7Texts, emails and calls
  8. 8What AI changed
  9. 9Protecting other people
  10. 10If it happens

Chapter 4 of 10

Buying and selling

Marketplaces and fake shops.

Fake shops

Prices far below market, a new domain, no company details, and payment by bank transfer only. Search the shop name with the word scam before buying.

  • Card payments carry chargeback rights; transfers do not.
  • Reviews on the seller's own site prove nothing.

Marketplace tricks

Overpayment with a request to refund the difference, couriers who need a fee first, and links to fake payment pages. Keep the conversation and the payment inside the platform.