Torbay – escrow marketplace – TOR Scam Report (1)
Onion Link: http://torbay5gk5svidjkho47nwkvw2fqgkhjvzygrgr4lewu3jmp3uwnfvqd.onion
Scam Report Date: 2024/09/07
Client Scam Report Breakdown
Original Report Summary:
The client submitted a report stating that they purchased two high-value smartphones—a Samsung Z Fold 5 and an iPhone 14 Pro—from a website but have yet to receive their order. Despite making a payment of $646, they have not been provided with a tracking number or any communication from the seller. The client has attempted to contact the seller for five days without success. They now request assistance in retrieving their funds or resolving the issue.
This summary emphasizes the two key components: the products involved (iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Z Fold 5) and the monetary loss of $646. Both smartphones are high-end devices, which implies a significant financial investment on the part of the buyer. Notably, the seller’s failure to provide a tracking number or respond to communication efforts is an immediate red flag, signaling potential fraud. Such indicators often characterize online scams, particularly when involving high-ticket items.
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Terminology and Context
To better understand the context of this report, it is essential to define several key terms and behaviors often seen in online scams.
- Payment Without Fulfillment: The client made a prepayment for two items but has yet to receive a product or service. This is a common tactic in online scams where sellers request upfront payment and disappear afterward, a practice known as a “non-delivery scam.”
- Tracking Number: A tracking number is provided by a legitimate seller or shipping service, enabling the buyer to monitor the shipment’s progress. The absence of a tracking number raises concerns about whether the items were ever dispatched.
- Ghosting: In the context of online transactions, ghosting refers to a situation where a seller ceases communication after receiving payment. The client notes that their messages have gone unanswered for five days, an unusually long duration for most e-commerce interactions.
- Deep Web Marketplaces: Although not explicitly mentioned in the report, if this transaction occurred on a lesser-known or deep web marketplace (like Cash Cow MarketPlace), this would significantly increase the risk of encountering fraudulent sellers, as many illegal or semi-legal items are sold in such markets with minimal oversight.
Next Steps and Risk Mitigation
Given the details of this report, the likelihood of fraud is high. The client has already waited for five days without any contact from the seller, which is a clear violation of standard online business practices. The next step should be to gather all payment evidence—receipts, screenshots, and communication logs—so the client can file a formal dispute either with their payment provider (e.g., credit card company or digital wallet service) or seek external intervention through consumer protection agencies.
It’s also critical to recognize that this scam involves two of the latest high-demand tech products. This suggests that the scammer might be targeting individuals interested in premium devices, hoping to attract larger sums of money in each scam. Online consumers should be cautious when making payments, especially to new or unverified sellers. Researching a website’s legitimacy, reading reviews, and confirming the presence of secure payment options are all important steps in reducing exposure to online fraud.
Lastly, the report underscores the importance of tracking suspicious behavior early. Had the client been more aware of the red flags—like no tracking number or slow responses—their losses might have been reduced or avoided altogether.
