I just lost ₱14,000 trying to buy a second-hand iPad on Facebook Marketplace, and I’m posting this so no one else goes through the same thing. I’m a 3rd year civil engineering student, and that iPad was supposed to help me with my studies and board exam review. I saved that money from part-time jobs, so losing it like this hits even harder.
The seller seemed completely legit at first. She sent multiple videos showing the iPad working perfectly, and nothing felt suspicious during our conversation. She even arranged the delivery through Lalamove and provided full rider details, including a name, ID, plate number, and even a video of the rider checking the item before delivery.
Because everything looked so convincing, I sent the payment through bank transfer. After that, she told me the delivery fee was already paid and asked me to reimburse it, which I also did. Then after about one to two hours, everything suddenly stopped. The rider became unreachable and the seller’s Facebook account could no longer be contacted. That’s when it hit me that the entire setup was a scam.
Looking back, I realize I trusted the situation too much just because it looked smooth and organized. The videos, the rider details, and the delivery setup made it feel real, but all of it can be faked or staged. If you’re buying online, don’t ever send full payment upfront to someone you don’t personally know. Don’t let the seller control the delivery process, and don’t rely on videos alone as proof. If you can’t meet up or do cash on delivery, it’s simply not worth the risk.
These scammers know exactly what they’re doing, and they’re getting better at making everything look legitimate. Please be more careful than I was. I really do hope they get what they deserve. Karma please do your thing.