If you are fond of online shopping, you might have come across eBay. eBay is an e-commerce company that operates an online shopping platform where users can shop and sell a vast range of new and used goods.
But eBay has been popular for providing the cheapest deals to its users. So, before purchasing anything, you must be aware of eBay scam sellers.
In this article, we will discuss how they work, what the red flags to watch for are, and how recent news stories prove the scammer problem is real.
eBay Scam Seller Review
While browsing eBay, you may come across unbelievable deals, brand-new phones, gaming consoles, or high-end designer items listed at prices far lower than anywhere else.
Imagine seeing a new iPhone for ₹20,000 when every legitimate website lists it for ₹50,000–₹60,000.
These listings look tempting, and that is exactly how scammers lure buyers in.
Scam sellers often advertise hard-to-find products, limited-stock items, or new releases at unrealistically low prices.
They create urgency by using short-term auctions or aggressive “Buy It Now” offers, pushing buyers to act quickly before the deal “expires.”
To make their listings look authentic, they frequently use real product photos, usually stolen from other sellers or websites.
A closer look often reveals the truth. These sellers typically have little to no genuine feedback.
Some build a small amount of positive history by selling cheap, low-risk items, then suddenly switch to selling expensive electronics or luxury goods.
That abrupt behavior change is one of the biggest red flags indicating a potential scam.
How do eBay Sellers operate Scams?
Sellers involved in scamming often think ahead of others. So, when their old tactics to scam the customers fail, they keep inventing new moves to earn money by scamming others.
Some of the scams involve:
- They post their goods for a few hours with an unbeatable bargain price, but by the time one realizes that it is a scam, they have vanished.
- Scammers usually ask for payment or communication on the platform. They generally use WhatsApp, Telegram, or a direct PayPal transfer. Once you do the payment outside, you lose all your protection.
- They sent proofs like fake tracking numbers, or sometimes, even an empty box to the given address. eBay’s system shows that it has been delivered, but it is just an empty box, and you never get your stuff.
- The scam sellers use hacked or dormant accounts. They take payments outside the app, even though the real account owner has no clue.
- Sellers sometimes use emotional stories, such as selling for my sick family member or an urgent move abroad to get the buyers to act fast, gain sympathy, and reduce suspicion.
EBay Scam Seller Complaints
As the popularity of the brand grows, there has been a surge in scam seller stories that have even made it to the headlines.
A user was invited to join as a seller through the fabricated website.
The platform displayed fake order listings and guided her to make purchases to complete assigned “tasks.”
At first, everything appeared genuine, with a professional-looking dashboard and regular communication.
When the user later asked to close her store account, the platform informed her that a penalty fee had to be paid for closure.
Trusting the explanation, she transferred ₹6,33,000 to the bank accounts and UPI IDs provided by the operators.
Once the payment was made, the platform stopped responding, messages went unanswered, and the website activity appeared frozen.
Shortly after, another platform named E-Commerce Seller System (ESS) contacted her, falsely claiming association with eBay.
They initially allowed small withdrawals to gain trust, but later froze her account balance, demanding additional payments to unlock it. This resulted in an additional loss of ₹5,00,000.
Across both cases, the total financial loss reached ₹11,33,00,0 which is huge! While both platforms looked professional, they used deceptive tactics like fake dashboards, penalty threats, and short-term trust-building.
eBay Seller Scam Check
Here are some warning signs that can protect you from getting trapped in any such scam:
- Very low prices for goods that are of high value, especially if the seller is new.
- Listing items for a very short time.
- Listings from sellers whose feedback keeps changing or suddenly changes from negative to positive.
- Request for payments outside the eBay platform.
- A seller with lots of feedback for items sold at low value, but now selling expensive stuff.
- Descriptions or emails with wrong spelling, weird grammar, or copy-paste errors.
eBay Seller Scam Protection
If you have also used eBay and have encountered any scam or seen a suspicious seller, you need to follow the following steps to protect yourself and others from getting scammed:
- You can use the “report this item” feature on the listing.
- You can save screenshot messages, transactions, ID, email, and any tracking number associated with the item.
- If you have already paid through eBay, you can jump on the money-back guarantee process. The sooner you act, the better your chances.
- If you have paid outside of eBay, you can contact your bank or payment provider as soon as possible.
- You can share your story on forums or social media platforms so that it helps in warning others and might even trigger eBay or media action.
How to Complaint Online Shopping Frauds?
If you have been a victim of such a scam, you can follow the steps below:
- File a Cyber Crime Complaint
- Lodge an FIR
- Report to consumer forums.
Need Help?
We understand that it becomes very frustrating when all our hard-earned money just vanishes in seconds. In case you are confused about how to report such fraud online, register with us now.
We will guide you with the process and help you in filing your complaint online.
Conclusion
EBay has been constantly providing support to the affected users and cracking down on the freezing scammer accounts and holding funds, and suspicious transactions.
eBay has been asking for more proof for expensive or high-risk listings, so that scam selling can be regulated.
But scamming is a never-ending battle. Scammers keep themselves updated and find new ways to achieve their target.
The best way to protect yourself is by being vigilant. Don’t let deals, good looks, or rushing sellers cloud your judgment.
When you face a doubt, skip the listing and buy from a long-time and well-reviewed seller. Your money and your peace of mind are worth more than any other deal.
