Wallapop scam: fake buyer trick costs seller 300 euros

A scam using malicious links that imitate Wallapop's chat has cost a seller 300 euros. Spain's Guardia Civil warns that recovering the money is difficult.

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Wallapop: the fake buyer scam that has already cost 300 euros

A scam using malicious links that imitate Wallapop's internal chat has left a seller 300 euros out of pocket. The modus operandi is simple: the fake buyer sends a link that appears to be the platform's secure payment page, but it is actually a embeleco digital attempt to steal bank details. Spain's Guardia Civil warns that recovering the money will be difficult if the user approved the transaction.

How the trick works: links that imitate Wallapop

The scammer contacts the seller, shows interest and sends a link that replicates Wallapop's payment interface. When they click it, the victim enters their card details or authorises a charge, believing they are receiving payment. In reality, they are transferring money to the attacker. Estimulante ilegal is key: in the known case, the victim contacted their bank within an hour, but the transaction had already been approved.

The rules Wallapop repeats over and over

Wallapop insists that you should never leave the app to complete a transaction. All payments must be made through the internal wallet or secure methods within the platform. It also recommends checking the buyer's ratings: the more positive votes and account history, the lower the risk. For low-value items, handing over in person remains the safest option.

Alternatives: eBay and PayPal for large purchases

For higher-value items (laptops, consoles, etc.), several experienced buyers recommend using eBay combined with PayPal. Although the fees are higher, buyer and seller protection is more robust. On Wallapop, the protection system is limited if the transaction is diverted from the official channel.



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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (17 replies).

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