Getting scammed has very little to do with intelligence. In fact, some of the most common victims are educated, experienced, and otherwise careful people. Here are some of the reasons why people continue to fall for scams on online classifieds platforms:
1. Emotion Overrides Logic
Scammers know how to trigger emotions — urgency, excitement, fear of missing out, or even sympathy. For example:
“First come, first served!”
“I’m moving tomorrow and need to sell this now!” These tactics push people to act quickly before they think things through.
2. The Illusion of Trust
People tend to trust others who seem “normal” — especially if they communicate well, have a decent profile picture, or write in a friendly tone. Scammers often mirror behaviour or pretend to be local, which lowers suspicion.
3. Desperation or Greed
If someone’s hunting for a bargain, especially on a tight budget, they might ignore red flags to secure a “deal.” Similarly, sellers who are desperate to make money may be more willing to take risks with a buyer who “promises” quick payment.
4. Platform Limitations
Most classifieds platforms (like Facebook Marketplace etc…) don’t offer built-in buyer/seller protections or verified payment systems. That means users are left to trust each other and handle transactions manually — which scammers exploit.
5. Social Engineering
Scammers are very good at manipulating people. They research how people behave and tailor their messages to sound credible. This psychological manipulation isn’t about tricking “dumb” people — it’s about outmanoeuvring normal people in a vulnerable moment.
6. Lack of Awareness
A lot of people just don’t know what to watch for. Scams evolve fast, and even someone who’s cautious may not be up-to-date with the latest tactics (like fake payment confirmations or impersonating delivery services).
7. Overconfidence
Ironically, thinking you’re too smart to get scammed makes you more vulnerable. People let their guard down when they assume they’re immune — and that’s when mistakes happen.
