Scammers are a fact of internet marketplace life. And while we take the best precautions we can, monitoring private messages and offering advice about common scams, the scammers are always going to try. It’s what they do.

The Shipping Scam:

After posting a Buy & Sell listing, pretty much all our users get contacted by someone — usually through email — saying they are interested in the product, but currently out of town, and offering to transfer the amount by bank. Then, they then present fake payment receipts. This is a SCAM! Do not fall for this.

It is basically impossible to stop these scam emails but it is 100% possible for you not to fall for them! NEVER ship a product to anyone if you haven’t been able to confirm that the payment has arrived on your WeChat, Alipay, or Bank Account.

What Can You Do?

First off, yes, it’s not as convenient as WeChat, but we STRONGLY suggest that when prompted by the SmartShanghai Buy & Sell listing page, choose to communicate via private message and do not give out your personal contact details. Once you take the transaction off the site, it’s easier for the scammer to manipulate you with no oversight on our part.

Second, be aware that this is happening.

If a prospective buyer asks you to send items to another city, take it as a red flag and be very, very skeptical. Almost — you know what, fuck it, just don’t do it.

If a prospective buyer offers you bank “evidence” but your own bank has not recorded an incoming transfer, do not send them anything.

If anyone asks you to send them something ANYWHERE (including in Shanghai) without paying you in a normal, uncomplicated fashion, don’t do it.

The Pet Scam

A less common scam preys on pet lovers. SmartShanghai only offers animals for adoption — we do not support commercial transactions for animal friends — but that is not enough to eliminate scammers. Often, they will post pictures and listings of uncommonly cute and adorable kittens, puppies, cats and dogs up for adoption, with one catch: they are not in Shanghai. No problem!, they say. They’ll ship the animal to you, they say. But then the scam kicks in. You pay for shipping, but the product (the animal), which probably didn’t exist in the first place, is never sent. You are out the shipping fee.

What Can You Do?

Like with other scams, try to communicate via the SmartShanghai message function so that we have oversight of the transaction. If you must move it to WeChat, then DON’T GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO HAVEN’T GIVEN YOU WHAT YOU WANT. Basically, trust is an integral and fundamental part of human existence and without we would all be selfish animals tearing and growling at each other but… BUT… be extra careful of who you trust when you involve cash and money in new internet-based relationships.