Fake carriers online: how to spot scammers and avoid losing money

Searching for transport via messengers and online platforms has become the standard for many. However, behind simple ads, criminals often hide, exploiting citizens' trust for their own benefit.

The mechanism of the scam

Scammers set up fake profiles, impersonating private carriers or large logistics firms. To appear reliable, they copy photos of real buses and trucks, logos of well-known brands, and other people's reviews.

The scheme of action is usually as follows:

• Attractive offer: a low price for a ticket or cargo transport.
• Creating artificial scarcity: pressuring the client with "last seats" or demanding urgent advance payment for booking.
• Full advance payment: when transporting cargo, they demand funds be sent to a personal account of an individual.
• Disappearance: after receiving the money, the "carrier" blocks communication, and the page is deleted.
• Additional payments: sometimes, after the first transfer, demands appear to pay for "insurance", "customs clearance", or other fabricated services.

Payment links pose a particular danger. Often, these are phishing sites that mimic banking services with the aim of stealing card data.

Red flags: signs of fraud

Several key signals should raise alarm:

• The price is significantly lower than the market rate.
• Urgent demands to make an advance payment quickly.
• Communication only via messenger without the possibility to identify the company.
• A new page with no history of activity.
• Evasion of providing details about the route, transport, or contract terms.
• The appearance of new costs after the start of cooperation.

How to protect your funds

Before transferring money, verify the counterparty. Search for the company name, phone number, and reviews in independent sources.

Do not succumb to psychological pressure. If you are rushed to pay, it is better to pause and check everything.

Do not disclose bank card details, CVV codes, passwords, and SMS confirmation codes to third parties. Do not follow suspicious links for booking.

Up-to-date information on new fraud schemes can be found on the StopFraud platform.

What to do if it has already happened

If you have become a victim of scammers:

1. Save all evidence: correspondence, screenshots of ads, payment receipts.
2. If you have shared banking data, contact your bank immediately.
3. Report the incident to the Cyber Police via the online form or call 102 or 112.

Remember: a few minutes spent verifying a carrier are better than any attempts to recover lost funds.