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Received an offer for your listed item? Beware of clickable links from buyers
In the first two months of 2024, at least 419 victims have fallen prey to fake buyer phishing scams
Sellers take note: Never use clickable links or QR codes provided by unknown persons to make payments or transfers, as these can lead to fake websites that trick you into giving away your banking credentials.
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Kareyst Lin, Content STudio
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Selling stuff on Facebook Marketplace, Carousell and other online marketplaces? Beware the “buyers”.
Those posing as buyers direct sellers to a spoofed website that asks them to key in banking or credit card details to receive payment.
In the first two months of 2024, at least 419 victims have fallen prey to fake buyer phishing scams on Facebook and Carousell, says the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Total losses: More than $1.8 million.
Facebook, Carousell and SMSes were the most common channels used by phishing scammers to contact potential victims, SPF revealed in its Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2023 published in February.
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The signs of a scam are not apparent, as it seems at the outset to be a smooth transaction. Sellers are under the impression that they will be receiving payment for their products; and in some instances, the buyers are making delivery arrangements for the items.
As the scam takes place within the context of a seemingly normal transaction, potential victims could be less alert, says Mr Jeffrey Chin, deputy director of the Scam Public Education Office, Operations Department, SPF.
“Scammers are known to exploit vulnerabilities in human psychology,” he explains. “We tend to fall prey when we are not alert, have a ‘it won’t happen to me’ mindset or do not take sufficient measures to protect ourselves.”
Mr Chin adds: “(Scammers) may also pressure victims to give an urgent response, so victims do not have time to think through the dire consequences of their actions.”
To tackle the increase in fake buyer phishing scams, a Carousell spokesman told The Straits Times that the online marketplace is using data science models to detect “high-risk situations in chats” and quickly block messages or suspend suspicious users.
Users are encouraged to keep their conversations on the app, as the platform has systems in place to detect fraudulent behaviour, the spokesman added.
“They can also use the ‘Buy’ button (for our on-platform secure payment) so that sellers and buyers don’t need to exchange personal or payment information (when transacting).”
This is part of a series titled "Act against scams", in partnership with the Singapore Police Force.
