What is Advance Fee Fraud? How to Avoid & Report It on Facebook Marketplace

Advance Fee Fraud in the context of Facebook Marketplace involves a scam where either a buyer or a seller requests an upfront payment for various additional costs like shipping, handling, taxes, or customs fees.

This scam is characterized by the scammer disappearing or cutting off communication once the advance fee is paid, leaving the victim without the promised goods or services.

How Does Advance Fee Fraud? Happen?

1. Initial Engagement
   The scam typically starts with a seemingly legitimate transaction on Facebook Marketplace. This could involve either buying or selling an item.
2. Introduction of Additional Fees
   At some point during the transaction, the scammer introduces unexpected additional fees. For a buyer, this might be in the form of a request from the seller for extra costs to cover shipping or processing. For a seller, a scammer posing as a buyer might ask them to pay for customs or insurance costs, promising to reimburse them later.
3. Urgent Payment Request
   The scammer often emphasizes the urgency of these payments to expedite the transaction process, applying pressure to the victim to pay quickly.
4. Payment and Disappearance
   Once the advance fee is paid, typically through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards, the scammer disappears. The buyer never receives the item, or the seller never receives the reimbursement or the promised higher payment.

Why is Advance Fee Fraud? Effective

• Trust in the Transaction
  Victims often believe in the legitimacy of the initial transaction, which makes them more susceptible to paying additional fees.
• Lack of Experience
  Inexperienced users might not recognize these requests as unusual or suspicious, especially if they’re new to online marketplaces.
• Urgency and Pressure
  The scammer’s use of pressure tactics and urgency can prompt victims to act without due diligence.

How to Avoid Advance Fee Fraud

1. Be Wary of Additional Fees
   Be skeptical of any requests for additional payments beyond the agreed-upon price, especially if they come up unexpectedly after an agreement has been made.
2. Verify the Request
   Research and verify whether such fees are standard practice for the type of transaction you are engaged in.
3. Use Secure Payment Methods
   Stick to secure payment methods recommended by Facebook Marketplace and avoid non-traceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
4. Refuse to Pay Upfront Fees
   Politely refuse to pay any fees that weren’t part of the original agreement, especially if they’re requested via an insecure method.
5. Communicate Through Marketplace
   Keep all communications within the Facebook Marketplace platform to ensure there’s a record of all interactions.

What to Do If You Encounter Advance Fee Fraud

• Stop further communication with the scammer.
• Report the scam to Facebook Marketplace, including all details and communication records.
• If you have already made a payment, contact your bank or financial institution immediately to report fraud and seek advice on any possible recourse.
• Warn others by sharing your experience within your network to prevent them from falling victim to similar scams.
• Consider reporting the incident to local law enforcement or consumer protection agencies, especially if a significant amount of money was involved.

See Also:

What is the Broken Item Scam on Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace Messages Not Showing on Messenger [Fix]

What are Phishing Scams on Facebook Marketplace?

Fastest Way to Delete Facebook Marketplace Messages