What happened

Scammers copy the wording of protected payments, then send a fake page claiming funds are waiting. The victim is pushed to pay a release fee, disclose card details, or hand over goods.

How it works

The page borrows logos, receipts, and countdowns from real platforms but is not connected to the official payment rail.

Red flags

• The payment page is sent through chat instead of the official app.
• The sender asks for release, insurance, or courier fees.
• You are rushed before confirming payment inside your bank or platform.

What to do now

Open the bank or marketplace app directly, verify the payment status there, save the chat and link, then report the incident through official support and E-Fraud Watch.

What not to do

Do not enter OTPs, card PINs, passwords, or full card details into a link sent by a buyer, seller, or courier.

Evidence notes

• Lookalike domains and shortened links are common in this pattern.
• Screenshots, payment links, and chat timestamps help TrustOps corroborate future reports.

Moderation brief

Collect examples of lookalike wording, release-fee pressure, and courier scripts without publishing personal identifiers.