A new iPhone for a third of retail price? It's a trap.
Facebook ads and fake websites offering iPhones and Samsungs at unbelievable prices. Send the money. The product never arrives.
Every few days, the same pattern appears in a Facebook ad:
"Eid Sale! iPhone 14 Pro for only ₨ 35,000. Only 50 pieces. First come, first served."
A new page. Two thousand followers. Fifty fake comments saying "thanks bhai delivered." When you DM them, they ask for "advance payment" through a mobile wallet or bank transfer.
The moment you send the money, the WhatsApp number is blocked. The page disappears.
Why this scam works
Two reasons:
- The price feels genuinely tempting — and people convince themselves "maybe it's smuggled, or stolen, or just a great deal."
- Facebook and Instagram do not screen ads — targeting Pakistani audiences is easy and cheap for scammers.
One rule: always Cash on Delivery
With Cash on Delivery, you see the product first, then pay. If it's not what was promised, you don't accept it.
If a seller insists on "advance only," be suspicious. If a legitimate seller is asking for advance, confirm first:
- Does the seller have a proper website?
- Search "[seller name] review" on Google.
- Is this same seller listed as an official store on a major, well-known marketplace?
Use verified options
Stick with well-established online marketplaces in your country — the kind that have buyer protection, clear return rules, and a long track record. Choose Cash on Delivery when it's offered, receive the sealed box, then pay.
If your money is already gone
- Request a chargeback from your bank immediately — a chargeback means asking your bank to reverse the payment because you never received what you paid for.
- Report the transaction inside the app you used to pay (mobile wallet or banking app).
- File a complaint with a cybercrime authority in your country.
- Save your bank statements and WhatsApp screenshots as evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Why do these sellers refuse Cash on Delivery?
Because there is nothing to deliver. Cash on Delivery means you see the product before you pay, so the scam cannot work. Insisting on advance payment is not a business preference — it is the only way this seller gets your money. Treat a refusal of Cash on Delivery as the answer itself.
The page had hundreds of followers and good comments. Doesn't that prove it's real?
No. Followers and comments can be bought for very little money. Scam pages are often filled with fake accounts posting 'thanks bhai, delivered.' Check how old the page is, whether it has ordinary posts from months ago, and whether the same seller exists on a major, well-known marketplace.
What is a chargeback, and can I get one?
A chargeback is when you ask your bank to reverse a card payment because you never received what you paid for. Ask your bank as soon as you realise, and bring your screenshots and receipts. It works best with card payments. Money sent through a mobile wallet transfer is much harder to recover.
How can I check a website before I pay?
Look at the address carefully. Scam sites copy a well-known name and add something to it, like daraz-pk.shop or humraz-store.online. Search the seller's name plus the word 'review' on Google. If the site has no proper contact address, no return policy, and no order history, do not pay in advance.
I already sent the money. What should I do first?
Ask your bank for a chargeback immediately, and report the transaction inside the app you paid with. Save every screenshot — the ad, the chat, the payment receipt, the page itself. Then file a complaint with a cybercrime authority in your country. Acting the same day matters far more than acting perfectly.
Has this happened to you or someone in your family?
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