A purchase scam is a type of fraud where a buyer is tricked into purchasing goods or services that don’t exist, are fake, or are not as advertised. These scams typically occur online, where scammers take advantage of digital marketplaces, classified ads, and payment platforms to deceive victims.
The two most common types of purchase scams are:
1. Fake Sellers – A scammer creates a fake listing for a popular product, often at an unusually low price. Once the victim pays, the seller disappears without delivering the item.
2. Fake Buyers – In some cases, scammers pose as buyers, tricking sellers into shipping items before payment is secured or using fraudulent payment methods.
Purchase scams are particularly prevalent on auction sites, social media marketplaces, and classified ad platforms like eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace.

Fraudsters use a variety of tactics to deceive buyers, depending on the type of purchase.
Some scams are designed to steal money outright, while others involve counterfeit goods, identity theft, or phishing attempts.
The most common purchase scams include:
Fake property sales and rental listings
Fraudulent vehicle sales
Sales of products, like mobile phones and cars
PayPal disputes used for chargeback fraud
Scams on platforms like eBay, Gumtree, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace
Gift card fraud, where victims are tricked into making untraceable payments
Insurance policies, like life insurance
Understanding how each scam works is key to avoiding financial loss. Let’s take a detailed look at each one.