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Filed under: Consumers

Is this marketplace seller who wants to move off-platform a scam?

Treat it as high-risk. When a seller (or buyer) pushes you off the marketplace to WhatsApp and asks for a bank transfer, gift card, or a "deposit to hold the item", you lose every buyer protection. That's the point.

Part of our guide: How to avoid online shopping scams →

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The exhibit
EXHIBIT · CHECK BEFORE YOU ENTER YOUR PASSWORD.
Received via: WhatsApp EN
Hi, the item is still available! I have other buyers, so verify your details and send a 20% deposit within 24 hours to hold it: market-hold.examplenot Whatsapp's real domain (whatsapp.com). We can continue on WhatsApp.

Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.

How to verify it yourself

  • Keep the whole deal inside the platform, chat, payment, everything.
  • Never pay a deposit by bank transfer or gift card to a stranger.
  • "Other buyers, act now" urgency is a pressure tactic.
  • Reverse-image-search the listing photos, scam listings reuse stock images.

More scams like this

Source: FTC, How To Avoid a Scam