Got scammed - sharing what happened so others do not
Vendor-controlled review sections are meaningless. Only forum reviews from real community members count.
This is exactly why the research step cannot be skipped. Sorry this happened to you.
Yeah, I got burned too — tbh I want to echo everything this post is saying. The exact same script was used on me: a vendor that looked legit, had decent reviews on a few forums, and was super responsive at first. I'm gonna break down the red flags I missed so you don't make the same mistake.
Red flag #1: They push you off-platform immediately. The moment they say "let's take this to Telegram / Signal / Wickr" before you've even confirmed an order — that's a major warning honestly. Real vendors will usually keep convo on the forum or use encrypted email, not hop to a chat app where there's zero traceability.
Red flag #2: The payment method was too convenient. They insisted on a specific crypto wallet — not one of the well-known exchanges, but a personal wallet address that changed between orders. First payment went through fine (that's how they hook you), then on the re-order they asked for a larger amount with a sob story about "customs issues" or "reshipping fees." Classic bait-and-switch.
Red flag #3: No real proof of product. They'd send me pics of IDs but the photos were clearly from other vendors' listings — the backgrounds and angles didn't match what they supposedly produced. I should have reverse-image searched those from the start.
How to protect yourself: Always use escrow if the platform offers it — if they refuse, just walk away. Check the vendor's post history, not just their review count; look for detailed reports, not one-liners. Start with a super small test order to verify reliability before sending any real money. Never trust a vendor who has "excuses" for delays before you've even sent funds — they're setting up the story. And use a dedicated email and a prepaid card or burner wallet for these purchases — don't use your main crypto wallet.
The scam pattern is almost always the same: fast initial communication, a cheap first order that "works", then an excuse to get you to send more money for an upgrade or a reship. Once that payment hits, they vanish. If you see any of these signs, just close the conversation and save yourself the headache. The details in the original post are spot-on — I wish I'd read something like this before I sent my BTC.
Lost money to a fake vendor. Site looked professional, claimed to have been operating for years, had what appeared to be reviews. Payment went through, communication stopped. Lessons: verify reviews on this forum specifically, not on sites the vendor controls. Going direct without forum verification is how this happens.