Large purchase and rental deposit scams
A seller or landlord offers a great deal on a car, home, or high-value item, then asks for a deposit or full payment in crypto before you can see or receive it.
How it works
- 1You find a listing with a price that's noticeably lower than the market.
- 2The seller says they're out of town or in high demand and can't meet in person.
- 3They ask for a deposit, often in Bitcoin or USDC, to "hold" the item.
- 4After you pay, the item never appears, or new costs are added.
A realistic example (fictional)
Ben finds a car listed for half its usual price. The seller says they're overseas and will ship it once a Bitcoin deposit arrives. Ben asks to see the car on video and the seller stops replying.
Warning signs
- A price far below the market
- A seller who can't meet or video call
- Requests for crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers
- Pressure because "someone else is interested"
- Stories about shipping agents or escrow services you can't verify
- A listing that disappears after you ask questions
What to do
Haven't sent anything?
Walk away. See the item in person and use a payment method with buyer protection.
Already sent something?
- Stop sending anything more, including shipping or "release" fees.
- Save the listing, chats, and transaction IDs.
- Contact Support to report it.
- Report to the listing platform and the authorities.
Protect yourself
- Don't pay a deposit for something you haven't seen.
- Never use crypto for a purchase from someone you can't verify.
- Check listings with a reverse image search.
Report it
Tell us first, then the authorities. See all the ways to report.
Authorities: FBI IC3 (ic3.gov) · your local police · your bank or card issuer if you paid that way.