8 Red Flags to Watch For When Buying Online
Online classifieds scams are not sophisticated. They rely on urgency, greed, and inattention. Here's what to watch for.
Red Flag 1: Price is dramatically below market
If a MacBook Pro M3 is listed for PKR 40,000 when market is PKR 220,000, it's either stolen or fake. There is no honest explanation for a 80% discount from a random seller.
Red Flag 2: Seller won't meet in person
"I'm out of town but I can ship" is the most common line in classifieds fraud. Always meet in person for items above PKR 5,000. No exceptions.
Red Flag 3: Payment before inspection
Never pay fully before you've seen and tested the item. A 10-20% advance on high-value items with a confirmed meeting is standard. 100% payment upfront to a stranger is not.
Red Flag 4: Pushes you to communicate off-platform
Moving to WhatsApp quickly is normal. Moving to an unfamiliar payment app or a link you've never heard of is not.
Red Flag 5: Vague photos
Stock photos, photos with watermarks, photos that don't match the description (wrong color, wrong model) โ all indicate the seller doesn't actually have the item.
Red Flag 6: Urgency pressure
"Another buyer is coming this evening, decide now." This is pressure to skip due diligence. Real sellers have patience. Scammers have deadlines.
Red Flag 7: Over-information
Scammers sometimes overwhelm you with details to seem credible โ long backstory, lots of documents, multiple photos that look professional. Authentic sellers usually give you the basics and answer questions directly.
Red Flag 8: Won't allow a friend to come along
Always okay to bring someone. A seller who objects to this has something to hide.
Meeting in a public place during daylight, testing the item before full payment, and trusting your instincts covers 95% of scam prevention.