Purchase Scams
Fake online listings that take your payment for goods that never arrive.
Purchase Scams
Purchase scams involve a fraudulent listing for a desirable item, such as electronics, vehicles, designer goods or even pets, advertised on a marketplace or social media platform at an appealing price. Once payment is sent, usually by direct bank transfer, the seller stops responding, sends nothing at all, or ships an empty box or counterfeit item in place of what was advertised.
Warning signs include a price that seems too good to be true, a seller who pushes the conversation off the platform and onto messaging apps or email, insistence on payment by bank transfer rather than a card or a protected payment method, a seller profile that is new or has little history, and pressure to pay quickly before you can view or inspect the item. A tracking number that never updates, or that shows delivery to an address you do not recognise, is a common sign that the purchase was never genuine.
Investigation, tracing, and full legal representation
Our investigations team gathers the listing, communications and payment records connected to your purchase to establish exactly how the fraud took place and where the money went. We work to identify the account and, where possible, the individual or network behind the fraudulent listing, including cases involving repeated small scale sales run from the same operation.
Where sellers or the funds they received are located abroad, we coordinate with Interpol and local law enforcement to support the investigation across borders. Duarte & Finch files your case and provides legal representation through to resolution, pursuing recovery of your payment and accountability for those responsible.
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Other cases we handle
Phishing Scams
A fake email, text or call impersonating a trusted organisation to steal login details and money.
Read more →Romance Fraud
A fraudster builds a fake online relationship over time before asking for money.
Read more →Impersonation Scams
Criminals pose as your bank, police or a government official to trick you into moving money.
Read more →AI Scams
Deepfake calls, cloned voices and AI generated content used to trick victims into paying.
Read more →Report a Case in Confidence
If you suspect fraud, or you are already a victim of one, speak with our investigations team today. Every conversation is confidential, and there is no obligation to proceed.
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