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Cybercriminals are using a new form of fraud to scam shoppers. The trap is to use Mercado Libre as a vehicle so that customers get off their platform and get, supposedly, the cheapest products.
An example of the way criminals operate was released by Blu Radio, which did the simulation of the purchase of a cell phone: the user enters Mercado Libre, you see a phone that you like and in the comments at the bottom of the article page (used for questions and seller comments) there are offers that end up being a scam.
One such comment notes:
“Hello, I am the seller, if you want this cheaper phone, contact me at this WhatsApp number.”
Faced with the bargain, the user can easily fall, contact via WhatsApp the alleged seller, who ends up being a thief. Said offender send a link that looks exactly like the page that appeared before with the cell phone, shows them the cheapest item and then asks users to pay.
Mercado Libre: new scam through its platform
According to Blu Radio, the trap is that the user is removed from Mercado Libre and then ‘sweetened’ to buy a cheaper item that ends up being a scam. According to that medium, What is surprising in this type of theft is that the address to which the user is redirected It ends up being very similar to what the e-commerce company offers.
Given the scam, Mercado Libre is obviously not at fault and does not respond to users for the stolen money.
Pulzo contacted the company to explain this type of scam in which the Mercado Libre platform is used as a vehicle and the response was:
“With the aim of generating a satisfactory shopping experience for the consumer and accompanying him in that process on the platform, Mercado Libre constantly provides information of value oriented to guide people and avoid situations that may end in fraud.
In that order of ideas, we want to reiterate some recommendations to take into account to check that it is a safe purchase, such as the following:
- For no reason to make transactions outside the platform: cases have been identified in which the alleged seller leads users to carry out the operation outside the Marketplace, promising lower prices on the product. The official channel for carrying out the operation is the Mercado Libre Marketplace. Any transaction that is made outside of this, goes outside the parameters established by the company to protect the purchase. Avoid at all costs to get out of this frame.
- Review the URL in detail: sometimes impersonations are carried out and alternative platforms are created with an interface similar to the official one. In this type of situation, it is essential to review the URL in detail and compare it with the official Mercado Libre page, since there you can check the subtle changes made to deceive the user.
- Verify the buyer’s qualification: review the security systems implemented by the page in order to ensure that your transaction will be carried out under the necessary standards to avoid inconveniences. In the case of Mercado Libre, the platform constantly verifies the reputation of both the seller and the buyer, their transaction history, the experience they provide, as well as the data that corroborates the veracity of the person. In this way, the user will be able to know the general opinion that different clients have expressed about it and its reliability.
- Consult previous buyers’ opinions: One way to know if the product will fully meet your expectations is to carefully read the comments of other buyers. In this way, you can find out what other people’s experience with the seller was like. Likewise, in the event that negative comments are greater than positive ones, it is advisable to withdraw from the purchase and find another business to carry out the transaction ”.
