Fraud on classified ad platforms

We are currently hearing an increasing number of reports that sellers on classified ad platforms (e.g. Facebook Marketplace, tutti.ch, ricardo.ch etc.) are falling victim to a mean scam.

And this is how it works:

• Fraudsters pretend to be interested in an item offered on a classified ad site. They contact the seller and want to process the payment via the classified ad platform, for which they need the seller's telephone number.
• The crooks then send the provider a text that appears to come from the sales platform saying that the advertised item has been sold and the seller should click on the link to receive the money.
• However, this link leads to a fake website that looks deceptively similar to the real one and even shows the supposed sales advert.
• An input mask appears after clicking on the "Receive money" button. The seller is now asked to enter their credit card details so that the money can be transferred directly to the card. If the seller does this, the fraudsters can use the credit card details and make fraudulent purchases with the card.
• Since the seller assumes that he or she will receive a payment, they are not surprised that a request for 2-factor authentication now appears on the mobile phone. The seller therefore confirms this. In actual fact, they have just authorised a purchase by the crooks.

So #watchout and be sceptical if a buyer on a classified ads platform suggests an unusual payment method.

And #watchout: NEVER confirm a push message for payment of an item if you have not ordered it yourself.