Unfortunately, this discussion is no longer valid
Posted 30 October 2023

Facebook Marketplace Scam

During a conversation with a FB seller regarding items they have for sale, they mentioned transferring money prior to collecting the items - I replied that I would prefer to pay cash on collection.

Even though I now suspected a scam, I carried on the conversation to see where it would lead and arranged to collect the items but subsequently made an excuse and didn't go.

The items were building materials which the seller said were on a site they were working on down the road from where they live and that they would meet me at the site.

Obviously a scam but why did the seller carry on the pretense and arrange to meet up - the only things I can think of was to potentially mug me or sell me items that weren't theirs - are there any other reasons that I could be missing?
Community Updates
New Comment

13 Comments

sorted by
's avatar
  1. RealOldMonk's avatar
    Mugging is real, my neighbour got mugged after agreeing to drop a bike at location agreed with buyer on FB.

    It was not even a dodgy spot, just a secluded spot 10 meters from high street.
  2. Willy_Wonka's avatar
    "Facebook marketplace? You will be inundated with the same scammers wanting you to either: Post it, send a friend/brother around to collect or arrange a courier, take paypal etc etc. NONE of which you should do under any circumstances. You will get dozens of them."


    Rinse & Repeat
    HappyShopper's avatar
    Author
    Honestly, I think FBM has reduced my life expectancy.
  3. devshib's avatar
    Scammers as as bad as the phone call, scammers all scum of the earth, I've had money taken off me, never saw the item, or got money back. People like that have no place on this planet.
    RealOldMonk's avatar
    I can understand, same happened to me, it was not even a ‘too good to be true’ kind of price and no red signs either, seller had feedback from previous sales.
  4. darlodge's avatar
    Facebook marketplace is fine if you trust your Spidey senses. If it seems a scam walk away, if it's too good to be true walk away.

    I've picked up some bargains before, building materials that should have been £100 a sheet for £15 each. Lego at ridiculous prices for my son. Sports equipment (bike etc.).

    I've sold plenty of items as well, only had a few annoying issues like people going AWOL after discussing an item.

    It has a place and it isn't all doom and gloom.
  5. deleted2862047's avatar
    Seller sells building materials from a site he has found and will ask you to go down after hours where you will indeed purchase building materials but they are not his to sell as he doesn’t work at the site and is just a chancer. (edited)
    professorEX's avatar
    this, and you unknowingly do the 'stealing'
  6. tardytortoise's avatar
    IMHO the only thing risky with FB is using it.
  7. AndyRoyd's avatar
    Usually reckless to even consider purchasing anything via FarceBook MarkupPlace.
    Justintime12's avatar
    Nothing wrong with cash on collection from the sellers address. Picked up a few bargains such as

    Trek hybrid bike. New £470 but got it for £25 and only needed a clean as hardly ever used.

    Panasonic microwave. New £230 but got it for £45 and like new.

    17l halogen oven. Never used. £10

    2 x h2o steam cleaners. New £75 each. Paid £40 for both. (edited)
's avatar