If you’ve ever scrolled through Facebook Marketplace searching for a bargain, you’re not alone. It’s become the digital garage sale of choice for everything from vintage furniture to the latest gadgets.
But as the old saying goes, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is—and a new wave of scams is making it more challenging than ever to spot the fakes.
Recently, a Victorian shopper thought they’d struck gold: an iPhone 16 Pro, supposedly brand new, complete with a receipt from an Apple store in Queensland.
The seller even provided a photo of the proof of purchase, which at first glance looked legitimate.
The details matched up—store location, purchase date, serial and IMEI numbers, and a hefty price tag of $2,849. But a closer look revealed some subtle, yet crucial, red flags.
The first warning sign? The GST. GST on a $2,521.50 phone should be $252.15 (10 per cent for those playing at home).
But the receipt listed $327.80—a mathematical impossibility. Then there was the payment line: ‘Paid Visa commonwealth banking’.
Not only is that a clumsy way to reference Commonwealth Bank, but Apple receipts typically list the payment type, not the bank, and certainly not in such odd phrasing.
Eagle-eyed social media users quickly chimed in when the would-be buyer posted the receipt for advice. ‘Don’t buy an iPhone off Marketplace! Especially if they tell you it’s sealed or they provide a receipt! 9/10 times it is a fake,’ warned one.
Another pointed out the absence of an ABN (Australian Business Number) and a suspiciously redacted terminal ID. Someone even checked the IMEI number and found it registered to a person in Ireland—a dead giveaway that something was amiss.
The rise of AI-generated fakes
What’s making these scams even trickier to spot is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Tools like ChatGPT can now whip up convincing receipts and documents in seconds.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has already flagged concerns about AI-generated fakes for online shopping and fraudulent tax deductions.
The ATO has systems to cross-check suspicious claims, including requesting bank records to verify purchases.
I came across this phone in marketplace, and the person send me the receipt. Is it real or fake?
by u/Dense_Improvement937 in Geelong
Marketplace mayhem
Meta, the company behind Facebook, has seen scams targeting buyers and sellers. Here are some of the most common tricks:
- Fake payment screenshots: Scammers send doctored images showing payment has been made, urging you to send the item before you’ve received any money.
- Overpayment scams: The buyer claims to have accidentally paid too much and asks for a refund of the difference, but the original payment never arrives.
- Too-good-to-be-true deals: If an item is listed well below market value, it’s often bait to lure unsuspecting buyers.
- Gift card requests: Any seller asking for payment via gift cards is almost certainly a scammer.
- Refund requests without payment: Some buyers request a refund before any money has changed hands.
Meta urges users to be vigilant: ‘Scams come in different forms, so it’s important to know what scams are and how to recognise them when buying and selling on Marketplace.’
They recommend never paying in advance, always confirming payments in your account, and being wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
We know many of our readers are seasoned Marketplace veterans, but even the savviest shopper can be caught off guard by a clever scam. Have you had a close call or spotted a suspicious listing? Share your story in the comments below.
Also read: This dangerous new fake Facebook AI video ad could trick millions! Are you at risk?
