Non-genuine marketplace adverts are designed to look like great opportunities—but their purpose is to take your money and disappear. These scams most often target high-demand, fast-moving items where buyers don’t want to miss out.
While our internal trust and safety team and our automated systems remove many of these adverts before they make it on the site, some adverts can make it through for a short period of time.
Understanding how they work makes them much easier to spot.
Step 1: A new account posts a popular item
A scammer sets up a new DoneDeal account and quickly posts an advert for a sought-after item, such as:
Concert or sporting event tickets
Phones, laptops or gaming consoles
Golf clubs or sports equipment
Designer clothing or accessories
Toys or Lego
The ad often looks genuine and may include convincing photos or descriptions.
Step 2: The price looks tempting
The item is sometimes priced:
Slightly below market value
Low enough to feel like a bargain
“Fair” but urgent
This creates pressure—buyers don’t want to miss out and may act quickly.
🚩 If the price feels unusually good for a high-demand item, pause before proceeding.
Step 3: Buyers are encouraged to pay up front
Once buyers make contact, the seller pushes for immediate payment.
They usually ask for money to be sent via:
Revolut
PayPal Family & Friends
Bank transfer
They may say:
The item will be posted immediately
Other buyers are waiting
Payment is needed to “secure” the item
Step 4: The payment offers no protection
Payment methods like Revolut transfers or PayPal Family & Friends are not designed for buying goods.
Once the money is sent:
It’s very difficult—or impossible—to recover
There’s no buyer protection
The seller doesn’t need to deliver anything
This is why scammers insist on these payment types.
Step 5: The seller disappears
After payment is made:
Messages stop
The ad may be removed
The account becomes inactive or blocked
The item never arrives.
How to protect yourself
Be cautious with brand-new accounts
A newly created profile selling high-value or high-demand items is a common scam pattern. Take extra precautions.
Avoid paying upfront
Where possible:
Meet in person
Inspect the item
Pay on collection
This is especially important for tickets and electronics.
Never use PayPal Family & Friends for purchases
It’s meant for sending money to people you know—not buying goods from strangers.
Watch for pressure tactics
Scammers rely on urgency:
“Lots of interest”
“First to pay gets it”
“Need payment now”
A genuine seller won’t rush you.
Keep communication on DoneDeal
Staying in the DoneDeal message centre helps protect you and makes it easier for us to step in if needed.
If something doesn’t feel right
Stop the transaction and don’t send money.
Report the ad or message so we can investigate.
A good deal should feel straightforward—not risky.
Taking a moment to check can save a lot of hassle later.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions or would like to chat, please reach out to our Customer Support team.