In recent years, Facebook Marketplace has become one of the most common ways to buy and sell products online. But in addition to the convenience it offers, this platform has also become a space where fraud often occurs.
According to recent analysis by cybersecurity company Guard.io, Marketplace fraud is no longer isolated cases, but a growing phenomenon that is emerging in many countries around the world.
Why is this platform dangerous?
One of the main reasons is related to the way Marketplace works. Unlike classic online sales platforms, it does not offer an integrated payment system or protection for buyers.
Transactions are usually made directly between users, without intermediaries. This means that everything is based on trust, and this is exactly what fraudsters exploit.
They can easily create fake profiles, publish products that look real, and disappear once they get the money.
How do scams work in practice?
According to Guard.io, most scams follow a similar pattern:
- Products are placed at prices much lower than the market
- A sense of urgency is created (“urgent sale”)
- The buyer is encouraged to make an advance payment.
- Communication goes off-platform, to apps like WhatsApp, and after payment, the seller disappears and the product is never delivered.
Why is this phenomenon growing?
The increase in fraud is related to several factors, such as the widespread use of social networks for commerce, the ease of opening fake accounts, and the use of new technologies that make fraudsters more convincing.
These make it increasingly difficult to distinguish between a real offer and a scam.
What does this mean for users in Kosovo?
Although these are global analyses, the way Marketplace works is the same everywhere. This means that users in Kosovo may also face the same risks.
Since the platform is often used for buying and selling everyday products, the possibility of encountering fraud is real.
How to be safer?
To avoid scams:
- Don't make advance payments without seeing the product.
- Beware of offers that seem “too good to be true”
- Don't move communication off-platform without reason
- Check the seller's profile and activity