Darknet Market Scams, A Revised List

Scams On The Darknet Markets

This is a guide to both buyer sand vendors on the various cams that occur on the markets. I've been a small time vendor, mostly digital and artsy products, on Silk Road, a brief stint on 2.0, BMR, TMP, SMP, and I've also ran my own vendor site as well.

I've also had experience with several markets as a buyer, more so than I have as a vendor.

So, here is my personal list of the various approaches to scamming, what to spot, and how to prevent it.

Scammer Scam Field Scam Description How To Spot It How To Prevent/Fix It
Vendor Feedback Vendor pay a user to purchase item never delivered and leave feedback to prevent being tracked back to vendor. Multiple feedback that have similar qualities & spelling. Check the forums, reddit, and any vendor review threads for the vendor.
Vendor Feedback Vendor uses an alt/puppet account and vote on their own product. Multiple feedback that have similar qualities & spelling similar to vendor profile. Check the forums, reddit, and any vendor review threads for the vendor.
Vendor Feedback Vendors blackmail clients to leave positive feedback. Multiple feedback that have short, hostile, or confusing reviews. Reported on forums. Check the forums, reddit, and any vendor review threads for the vendor.
Vendor Escrow Send an empty package to buyers ZIP code, give tracking to admins, and win 100% resolution. Feedback indicating package never arrived, vendor reviews Verify the vendor is legitimate and feedback supports all claims. Always ask for tracking.
Vendor Escrow Send empty box to the customer as tracking also indicates it arrives. Photo evidence is not supported as buyer could remove item and take photo. Feedback indicating package never arrived, vendor reviews, vendor rating. Verify the vendor is legitimate and feedback supports all claims. Always ask for tracking.
Vendor Escrow Not send any item and receive 50% to 100%, of which all is profit. Feedback indicating nothing was sent. False/Non-responsive tracking numbers issued. Verify the vendor is legitimate and feedback supports all claims. Always ask for tracking.
Vendor Finalize Early Not send any item and receive 100%, of which all is profit. Feedback indicating nothing was sent. False/Non-responsive tracking numbers issued. Verify the vendor is legitimate and feedback supports all claims. Always ask for tracking.
Buyer Feedback Extort vendor for more items/refund on terms of feedback manipulation. Hostile buyer, demanding products Make sure you know your buyers before you sell to them, and limit firs time sales to small items.
Buyer Feedback Leave negative/bad feedback even when order was successful Buyer messages that seem confused, or buyers that seem unaware of how to fully use the market. Make sure your buyer is intelligent enough and understands that markets native language of the market. Start with small orders.
Buyer Feedback Finalizes Early Buyer makes assertions that they will FE, or that FE will be done as a complement. Simply inform buyers that FE is not required, and state it on your profile several times.
Buyer Escrow Finalizes Early, some markets do not support this. Buyer makes assertions that they will FE, or that FE will be done as a complement. Simply inform buyers that FE is not required, and state it on your profile several times.
Buyer Escrow Buyer claims item did not arrive when tracking indicates it did. Resolution or PM indicating the order did not arrive. Send the tracking number. If it is valid, it can be used to obtain 100% resolution.
Buyer Escrow Buyer claims item did not arrive, no tracking avaiable. Resolution or PM indicating the order did not arrive. Bring it to resolution, and use tracking in the future.
Buyer PM Buyer makes threats over order instead of sending it to resolution Hostile or otherwise self-centered buyer messages. Do not respond in anything less than a professional manner, do not antagonize the or over explain things, and report them immediately to the admins.

This list will be updated as I write more.

If you have any to add, just comment here and I'll add it to the list.
I'll also be modifying it later to include relevant markets, as some markets do not have the features to support some of these scams.

If you have any questions, PM me here


Comments


[18 Points] Gomba1:

You can add fake love letters from customs


[13 Points] btc_recipient_bot:

I will read this list to my children before bedtime.


[8 Points] Gabralkhan:

Whooo, great work, i wasn't expecting something so complete in so little time.

Great post, i hope everyone in the community will look at it.

It should be stickied for some time by a Mod perhaps, it is very usefull.


[3 Points] BananaJellySandwich:

All based on easy to manipulate anonymous posts. Like if nobody has ever tried to manipulate the market, lol. (note: feedback on darknet markets is pseudonymous)


[2 Points] LordAlwood:

Great list! Thanks for putting this together.


[2 Points] facefarmer:

Mind Blown. There is some pretty crafty thinkers out there.


[2 Points] Barkmoon:

How about a scam URL list I know a few who then threaten too post drop sites to LE if you tell anyone


[1 Points] thatguy2234:

There is actually a counter-tactic to the empty box scam. Just film yourself opening the box, showing clearly it was sealed/untouched.

Postal offices most likely won't send damaged or poorly wrapped up packages (in this case, the vendor can't claim it could have been opened before you started filming).

If the guy has half a brain he could've put a replica or something like that, so be sure to have a mean of properly testing/ showing the camera if the item is the real deal or not. Don't include anything that could identify yourself if you want.

Send to escrow if scammed. Any legitimate one will side with you 99%. Trust me, I speak from experience.