I tried to buy a used phone on Facebook Marketplace because my phone battery was running out. The battery status decreased rapidly while I was driving. I was stunned because I didn’t know that place, and I needed a Google map.
I was sure I needed to change my phone or battery. So, I searched the marketplace and found a stunning post like that below.
It was in nice condition and of nice quality. Usually, the Galaxy 23’s price is double that of this post. But I thought maybe it was cheap because of the little crack. I didn’t have much money for a phone, and this post was so attractive to me. It was the start of a scam.
I sent a message to the seller and then asked about quality and price.
He asked for a deposit of $100 and then full payment because his partner wanted to buy a new phone. The reason was reasonable, but I said paying full money was risky and nonsense before I got the phone. So, I said I would put a deposit of only $100 to hold this phone.
I asked PayID, but he said I could send money only to his bank account. It was weird, but I sent it because I really needed a phone.(Yea, I was stupid.)
In Australia, if you send money, it takes 24 hours to prevent scams. I sent money around 4 pm, So I wanted to go before 4 p.m. the next day. But he said we could meet at 8 p.m. and he gave me the address. I searched that address, and it seems fine. So I went there at 8 p.m. Then waited for him. But when I arrived, he blocked me and deleted his account(Lol)
I wasted my money and time. If I had invested full money, I would have lost big money. But I lost a little money and learned the lesson.
- Never put money before meeting the person.
- Check the seller’s history and profile. He doesn’t post anything on his Facebook and doesn’t have a trade history.
- Never believe if the price is too low without reason.
- Go to shop rather than trade in the Facebook marketplace.
