Criminals repeatedly draw attention to themselves with perfidious scams on platforms such as eBay or Kleinanzeigen.de. The so-called SMS trick is particularly treacherous, in which supposedly interested buyers use professionally worded messages to gain the trust of their victims – and thus steal sensitive data or even money.
Deceptively real news
What at first glance seems like a harmless purchase request often turns out to be a sophisticated trap upon closer inspection. Criminals pose as interested buyers in messages and lure their victims with the question: “Hello, is your item still available?” and then request to be contacted via SMS. The intention behind it: to shift the communication channel from the secure platform to a private channel where fraudsters can operate more easily.
Manipulation through alleged security procedures
In the next phase, perpetrators often claim that they completed the purchase using an official payment system on the platform. Victims then receive a deceptively realistic email or SMS that suggests that all they have to do is enter their own IBAN to receive the amount. However, as the dpa explains, these links do not lead to a legitimate payment service, but to professionally recreated phishing pages. Anyone who gives out their data there gives criminals access to their own account or even enables unwanted payments. Accordingly, fraudsters sometimes pretend to be particularly polite and serious in order to build trust. For example, they claim to be from abroad or currently abroad, which supposedly prevents direct collection or cash payment. It is precisely this narrative style that is intended to persuade victims to use the fake payment service – a classic social engineering trick.
Classifieds platforms are reacting
The operators of the affected platforms are alarmed by the growing number of frauds. Kleinanzeigen.de now actively warns against such methods. Users are requested never to pass on sensitive data outside the platform and, above all, not to click on links contained in SMS or emails.
What those affected can do
If a message appears suspicious, the consumer advice center recommends breaking off contact immediately and reporting the communication via the platform. Anyone who has already disclosed data should contact their bank immediately and report it to the police. It is also important not to feel ashamed – because the stitches are often so well made that even experienced users can fall into the trap.
Editorial team finanzen.net