How to spot a fake seller on WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok
WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages and TikTok are where a lot of real selling happens in Cameroon. They are also where fake sellers hide best, because anyone can create a page or join a group in a few minutes, copy photos from real shops and start taking orders.
Fake sellers rarely look fake. They use beautiful photos, answer quickly and sound friendly. What gives them away is how they behave around payment. Here is what to look for.
1. The photos are too perfect — or not theirs
Many fake sellers use pictures taken from real online shops, Instagram accounts or international websites. Signs to watch: studio-quality photos with no background from Cameroon, the same picture used by several different "sellers", or watermarks that have been cropped out.
Simple test: ask for a photo of the item with a paper showing your name and today's date, or a 10-second video turning the item around. A real seller with the item in hand can do it in minutes. A fake seller will find excuses.
2. The price is too good to be true
An iPhone, a designer bag or a brand-new wig far below the normal market price is the most common bait. Fake sellers know that a very low price makes people rush and skip their usual checks. If the price is much lower than everywhere else, assume there is a reason.
3. Everything is urgent
Urgency exists to stop you thinking. An honest seller would rather lose one sale than lose their reputation.
- "Only two left, pay now to reserve."
- "The promo ends in one hour."
- "Someone else wants it, I can't hold it for you."
4. The payment story keeps changing
Watch out if the seller asks you to send money to a number in a different name, to split the payment across several numbers, or to pay extra fees after the first payment ("delivery", "customs", "insurance", "release code"). Each new fee is a sign you are being drained step by step.
5. There is no history
Check when the page or account was created, whether older posts exist, and whether real customers have commented or tagged the seller. A page created last week with thousands of likes but no comments is suspicious. Search the seller's phone number and shop name: scam numbers are often reported by other victims.
How a marketplace changes the picture
On Buyam Sellam, sellers can get a verified badge after an automatic ID and live-selfie check, and every order is paid through escrow: the seller only receives the money after you confirm you received your order. Even a seller you don't know can't simply take your money and disappear. That is the difference between trusting a person and trusting a process.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if a seller's photos are real?
Ask for a new photo of the item next to a paper with your name and today's date, or a short video. You can also use a reverse image search to see if the same photo appears on other websites.
What does the verified badge on Buyam Sellam mean?
It means the seller passed an identity check: their ID document was scanned and matched to a live selfie by an independent verification service.