Be careful if you have posted an ad on Leboncoin! Scammers do not hesitate to develop very sophisticated schemes to scam sellers. The proof is in this new, well-crafted technique.
The various sales platforms between individuals, such as Leboncoin, Vinted or the Facebook marketplace, are very practical for publishing, selling or buying products at low prices, while making a responsible and ecological gesture when it comes to articles of ‘occasion. But like everywhere on the Internet, scammers are on the lookout on these sites and apps, constantly finding new techniques to trap their victims. And if buyers are sometimes victims of scams, merchants can also be targeted by criminals. So be careful!
Cybersecurity expert Julien Métayer warned his LinkedIn network about a scam that is currently rampant. And suffice to say that the procedure is worth the detour! Scammers start by spotting ads selling goods at a high price – here, a laptop for 1,800 euros – before contacting the seller, pretending to be interested. Very quickly, they make an offer on the product – but be careful, they don’t actually buy it! – and offer to continue the exchange by SMS. So far, nothing too unusual.
Subsequently, the scammers try to obtain their victim’s email address in order to send them a fraudulent email pretending to be Leboncoin, announcing that the payment has been made, that the money can only be received ‘once the package has been sent, and its sending is now obligatory under penalty of legal action. This involves playing on fear and the feeling of urgency to cloud the victim’s judgment and prevent them from taking a step back. A second, more reassuring electronic message then arrives, explaining that the buyer “has opted for a delivery service other than those of the partners [de Leboncoin] (Collissimo and Mondial Relay) for home delivery with insurance via Chronopost”. The email obviously contains a corrupted link leading to a false site asking to confirm the sending of the package.
HAS At this stage, Julien Métayer lets them know that he has understood their little game and that he will not send his computer. Far from giving up, the scammers accuse him of trying to defraud them and announce to file a complaint, going so far as to send a link to a site copying that of the police to make believe that they brought the case in justice – but the process is too rapid to be honest, let’s not overestimate the effectiveness of the French police!
So keep in mind, if you carry out transactions on Leboncoin, that the bigger it is, the more likely it is to go through! In the event of a transaction, it is imperative to go through the payment systems associated with the platform, which benefit from specific security and insurance. You should never leave the platforms’ secure messaging systems and never click on any link provided by email or SMS. You have been warned!