If you've scrolled through Facebook Marketplace lately, chances are you've spotted a suspiciously good deal on a used car perhaps a low-mileage SUV or a pristine pickup listed well below market value. The post comes from someone you vaguely recognize, maybe a friend of a friend, with a heartbreaking backstory: a family member in hospital, a sudden move, or a loved one passing away forcing a quick sale. The seller can't meet in person right now, but they'll happily hold the vehicle for you with a small, "fully refundable" deposit via Zelle or Cash App.
This is one of the most pervasive scams plaguing Facebook users worldwide, and it's been running rampant for over a year with Meta doing precious little to stop it.
The modus operandi is brutally effective. Scammers hack into legitimate Facebook accounts often those with established friend lists and real photos for added credibility then post fake listings for vehicles (and sometimes bundles of other high-value items like ATVs or appliances). The emotional hook lowers your guard: "My uncle is moving into care and we need to downsize quickly" or "Lost my job after an accident, must sell fast." Detailed descriptions and stolen photos from real ads make it look legit.
Interested buyers message the "seller," only to be told the car is garnering tons of interest. To secure it, send a deposit usually a few hundred dollars and it's yours when the seller returns to town. Calls or in-person viewings? Impossible, due to "hospital rules" or "poor reception." Once the money hits an irreversible app, the scammer vanishes, the post lingers, and the real account owner is often still locked out, helplessly watching the fraud unfold.
Victims aren't just losing deposits; they're out hundreds or even thousands, with no recourse. One recent case saw a hacked account used to solicit deposits for non-existent vehicles, raking in cash from multiple trusting buyers before anyone caught on. And it's global: reports from the US, UK, and beyond show the same playbook, often targeting Marketplace where car deals feel everyday normal.
Why does this work so well? Hacked accounts lend instant trust it's not a burner profile with zero friends, but your mate's cousin or an old school pal suddenly in dire straits. Meta's response? Slow at best. Account recoveries can take weeks, scam posts stay live, and enforcement seems reactive rather than proactive. Critics point out that Marketplace activity boosts engagement metrics, but at what cost to users?
Spotting the Scam: Your Red Flags Checklist
- Emotional backstory + urgency: Sob stories about illness, death, or relocation paired with "lots of interest."
- Deposit demanded upfront: Especially "refundable" via Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, or gift cards – never traceable.
- No in-person viewing: Excuses why you can't see or test-drive the car.
- Hacked account signs: Check the profile for unusual recent posts or ask the "seller" a personal question only the real owner would know.
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing: Bargains that defy market rates.
The golden rule for buying a car online: Never send money without seeing the vehicle in person, verifying the title, and confirming the seller's identity. Meet at a police station or DMV if possible, pay with traceable methods only after handover, and run a VIN check.
Facebook Marketplace can still yield great finds, but this scam preys on kindness and the urgency to snap up that 'too good to be true' deal.
