Medium riskMarketplace

Sneaker Resale Scam

In this scam, a seller advertises sought-after or sold-out sneakers at a good price, takes payment by an irreversible method, and then sends a counterfeit pair or disappears entirely.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Non-delivery / counterfeit (buyer-targeted)
Main red flag
A hyped, sold-out sneaker available cheaply from a seller wanting irreversible payment.
What to do first
Use a platform with buyer protection and avoid paying by gift card or transfer to a stranger.

What to know first

In this scam, a seller advertises sought-after or sold-out sneakers at a good price, takes payment by an irreversible method, and then sends a counterfeit pair or disappears entirely.

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and classified listings. Fraudsters fake payments, send bogus "buyer protection" emails, push deals off-platform, or use overpayment tricks to make you ship goods or send money for nothing.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A hyped, sold-out sneaker available cheaply from a seller wanting irreversible payment. Use a platform with buyer protection and avoid paying by gift card or transfer to a stranger.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Concert Ticket Scam and the Counterfeit Designer Goods Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Marketplace Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top category
online shopping is consistently among the most-reported fraud types to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • A sold-out or hyped release offered well below resale value
  • Pressure that 'others are waiting' to rush your payment
  • Requests for gift cards, e-transfer, or friends-and-family payment
  • Stock photos rather than real photos of the actual pair
  • A new account with no verifiable selling history

Staying safe

  • Buy through reputable platforms that authenticate sneakers or offer buyer protection
  • Ask for original, timestamped photos of the exact pair
  • Compare the price against typical resale value and be cautious of deep discounts
  • Pay with a method you can dispute if something goes wrong

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Got the new drop in your size, sold out everywhere else. $160 instead of resale $400. Pay by e-transfer to lock it in, others are waiting.'

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.

What to notice: A hyped, sold-out sneaker available cheaply from a seller wanting irreversible payment.

Steps if you already acted

  • If the item never arrives or is fake, open a dispute with the platform or payment provider
  • Keep the listing, chat, and any tracking as evidence
  • Report the seller's account to the marketplace
  • Warn others with an honest review where possible

Common mistakes

  • Do not pay by irreversible methods to an unknown seller
  • Do not let 'limited stock' pressure rush your decision
  • Do not accept stock photos as proof the item exists

Scams like this one

Medium risk Marketplace

Concert Ticket Scam

Scammers advertise resale tickets for sold-out or popular events on social media and marketplaces. After you pay, often by a method that is hard to reverse, you receive no valid ticket, or a duplicate that will not scan at the door.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Marketplace

Counterfeit Designer Goods Scam

In this scam, a seller lists counterfeit designer items as authentic at tempting prices, often with stock photos, and ships a fake, a lower-quality copy, or nothing at all.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Electronics Deposit Scam

This scam advertises a cheap phone, games console, or laptop, then asks you to send a deposit to 'hold' or 'reserve' the item before you can meet or before it ships. After you pay, the seller disappears.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Why are hyped sneakers a common scam target?
High demand and limited stock make buyers act fast and accept risky payment methods, which is exactly what scammers rely on.
How can I buy limited releases more safely?
Use reputable resale platforms that authenticate items or offer buyer protection, and avoid paying strangers by methods you cannot dispute.
The seller sent photos. Is that enough?
Ask for original, timestamped photos of the specific pair, since stock or saved images are easy to reuse. Even then, prefer a protected payment method.
I got a counterfeit pair. What now?
Open a dispute with your payment provider or platform, supply your evidence, and report the seller so others are protected.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

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.