A new iPhone for a third of retail price? It's a trap.
Facebook ads and fake websites offering iPhones and Samsungs at unbelievable prices. Send the money. The product never arrives.
Every few days, the same pattern appears in a Facebook ad:
"Eid Sale! iPhone 14 Pro for only ₨ 35,000. Only 50 pieces. First come, first served."
A new page. Two thousand followers. Fifty fake comments saying "thanks bhai delivered." When you DM them, they ask for "advance payment" through a mobile wallet or bank transfer.
The moment you send the money, the WhatsApp number is blocked. The page disappears.
Why this scam works
Two reasons:
- The price feels genuinely tempting — and people convince themselves "maybe it's smuggled, or stolen, or just a great deal."
- Facebook and Instagram do not screen ads — targeting Pakistani audiences is easy and cheap for scammers.
One rule: always Cash on Delivery
With Cash on Delivery, you see the product first, then pay. If it's not what was promised, you don't accept it.
If a seller insists on "advance only," be suspicious. If a legitimate seller is asking for advance, confirm first:
- Does the seller have a proper website?
- Search "[seller name] review" on Google.
- Is this same seller listed as an official store on a major, well-known marketplace?
Use verified options
Stick with well-established online marketplaces in your country — the kind that have buyer protection, return policies, and a long track record. Choose Cash on Delivery when it's offered, receive the sealed box, then pay.
If your money is already gone
- Request a chargeback from your bank immediately.
- Report the transaction inside the app you used to pay (mobile wallet or banking app).
- File a complaint with a cybercrime authority in your country.
- Save your bank statements and WhatsApp screenshots as evidence.
Has this happened to you or someone in your family?
Share your story anonymously. We'll publish only the lesson — never your name. It could save someone else's parents.