OLX/Marketplace Fraud
Pause, verify the request through an official channel and never act under pressure.
What is this fraud?
A buyer or seller on a classified marketplace manipulates the other party into sending money or revealing payment credentials.
How does it happen?
Fake buyers send QR codes/collect requests; fake sellers demand booking advances; some claim military/government identity to create trust.
Warning signs
Refusal to meet/inspect; urgency; QR code to receive payment; excess-payment story; transport/booking fee; communication moved outside the platform.
How to stay safe
Meet safely, inspect goods, keep communication/payment on the platform and confirm actual receipt in your own account before handing over goods.
If you are a victim
Notify the platform and bank, call 1930, report online and preserve listing ID, profile, chats, UPI/account details and transaction reference.
Evidence to preserve
Keep transaction IDs or UTRs, bank messages, screenshots, chats, emails, phone numbers, profiles, URLs, app details, and the exact date and time. Preserve original files without editing or deleting them.
Official reporting
For financial cyber fraud, call 1930 immediately, notify your bank or payment provider, and file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ↗. General technical advisories are available from CERT-In ↗.