High riskMarketplace Scams

Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam

A fake buyer claims to have paid through an email service and asks you to confirm a fee or send the 'difference' before any real money arrives.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Fake buyer overpayment scam
Main red flag
An emailed 'payment confirmation' that asks you to send a fee or refund before money is in your account.
What to do first
Ignore the email. Only treat a sale as paid when funds clear in your own bank or platform account.

What this scam usually looks like

A fake buyer claims to have paid through an email service and asks you to confirm a fee or send the 'difference' before any real money arrives.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'PayPal has received the buyer's payment of $650. To release it, the seller must first send a $50 shipping insurance fee and reply with the receipt.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • A buyer who insists on paying by email service instead of the platform
  • An emailed 'confirmation' you cannot see in your real account
  • A request to pay a shipping, insurance, or release fee first
  • Overpayment with a request to refund the difference
  • Pressure to ship quickly before the money clears

What to do

  • Keep the conversation and payment inside the platform where possible
  • Confirm money has actually cleared in your own account before shipping
  • Decline requests to pay any upfront fee to 'release' funds
  • Report the buyer and block them

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not log in on any page linked from the email
  • Change your password if you entered login details
  • Contact your bank if you sent any money or shared card details
  • Report the scam to the platform

What not to do

  • Do not send any fee to release a payment
  • Do not refund an 'overpayment' you never actually received
  • Do not move the deal to email or text to bypass platform protections

Similar scams

High risk Bank & Payment

PayPal Payment Pending Scam

This scam shows a fake 'payment on hold' message claiming funds will be released once you ship an item or confirm details, but no real payment exists.
High risk Bank & Payment

Fake E-Transfer Scam

This scam sends a fake e-transfer notification linking to a phishing page that imitates your bank's login to steal your online banking details.
Medium risk Text Message

Wrong Number Text Scam

This scam starts with a friendly 'wrong number' text, builds a casual conversation over time, and eventually steers you toward a fake investment.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the buyer want to use email instead of the app?
Moving off-platform removes reporting tools and protections and lets the scammer send fake 'confirmation' emails that look official but are not tied to any real payment.
The email looks like it is from PayPal. Is it genuine?
Scammers forge these emails. Verify by logging in to your real account. If the money is not there, no payment has been made.
Is overpayment ever legitimate?
Genuine buyers rarely overpay and then ask for a refund of the difference. This is a classic scam designed to get you to send real money against a fake payment.
How can I sell more safely on Marketplace?
Prefer local pickup with cash in a safe public place, keep payments on-platform, and never send a fee to release funds.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.