Torbuy – TOR Scam Report (1)
Onion Link: http://torbuy4iw7eghmdkpllz2tjvphtsey6a47mn2mjsmcii4vlv3wr2csqd.onion
Scam Report Date: 2023/12/19
Client Scam Report Breakdown
Original Report Summary:
The scam report revolves around TorBuy, an escrow-based dark web marketplace that advertises various illegal goods and services, including carding, electronics, gift cards, hacking services, counterfeit money, and money transfers. The claim that TorBuy is a “trusted escrow marketplace” is central to its marketing. However, the report reveals deceptive practices, fraudulent activities, and potential scamming mechanisms. Specifically, the vendors PURPLE+, WEBSTERN, PayPal Mania, and Oliver FOX are mentioned as prime examples of sellers engaging in suspicious behaviors. The report raises concerns over the authenticity of these vendors and their products, casting doubt on the legitimacy of TorBuy’s offerings. This report is aimed at highlighting how users of the marketplace are being scammed, particularly in the “money transfers” and “gift cards” categories.
The structure of TorBuy is based on what is termed as an escrow system, a setup where funds are held by a third party until the buyer confirms the transaction. In theory, escrow systems are designed to protect both parties in a transaction. However, this scam report suggests that TorBuy’s escrow system may be unreliable or manipulated, allowing for fraudulent vendors to deceive customers. For instance, the marketplace offers categories like carding, counterfeits, and money transfers, which are common on deep web platforms where illicit financial services are traded. Carding refers to the illegal use of stolen credit card details to make unauthorized purchases. In addition to carding, counterfeit money and fraudulent money transfer services such as Webmoney, Qiwi, and Yoomoney are also part of the offerings. Such services are often associated with high levels of fraud, where customers receive subpar or non-existent goods in return for their funds.
Vendor Analysis and Terminology Clarification: The scam report makes specific references to vendors, many of whom have large followings based on the site’s metrics. PURPLE+, who sells in the “carding” category, and WEBSTERN and Oliver FOX, involved in “money transfers,” are listed as sellers with suspicious behaviors. One common scam tactic reported is inflating their sales numbers and positive reviews to give the illusion of trustworthiness. Terms like “online selling” and “verified sellers” are used throughout the site but are vague in their application. Verified sellers, in legitimate contexts, would mean vendors who have been reviewed and vetted to ensure their credibility. On TorBuy, however, the process for vendor verification is unclear, raising the question of whether these sellers have been subject to any genuine scrutiny.
The money transfers section, with vendors like PayPal Mania and WEBSTERN, seems particularly problematic. The scam report suggests that many of these vendors offer money laundering services disguised as legitimate transfers, which are then never completed after payment. The vendor FAST.GIFT, specializing in gift cards, was also highlighted as being involved in fraudulent activity, where users reported either receiving invalid codes or nothing at all. The term Bitcoin mixer, which appears in the “HOT SALE” section of the site, refers to a service that mixes potentially identifiable cryptocurrency with others, obscuring its origin and making it harder to trace. While this service is marketed as providing anonymity, in the context of a scam, it could be a tool for bad actors to cover their tracks.
Scam Patterns and Conclusion: The recurring themes in the TorBuy scam report include falsified reviews, non-delivery of goods, and manipulation of escrow services. Although the marketplace claims to provide a secure environment with 24×7 support and trusted vendors, the report indicates that these assurances are likely false. Many customers report being defrauded, particularly in categories involving money transfers and gift cards, both of which are inherently risky on such platforms. The report exposes how scammers take advantage of the escrow system by falsely marking transactions as completed, even when no goods are exchanged, or they delay the process to frustrate buyers into abandoning their claims.
Additionally, vendors like CASSANDRA in the carding category and TonceHack in hacking services were noted as being offline or unresponsive, further validating concerns about vendor reliability. These vendors often use brand logos and inflated sales numbers to lure in unsuspecting buyers. Meanwhile, the site’s marketing of features like traffic encryption and real reviews aims to create a veneer of legitimacy, while many of these reviews may be fabricated to support scam operations. The report concludes by urging potential buyers to avoid TorBuy, as the platform’s lack of genuine oversight and prevalence of fraudulent vendors poses significant risks to users.
Ultimately, the report serves as a clear warning about the dangers of interacting with TorBuy and similar marketplaces, where the promise of escrow protection and “verified sellers” is a facade hiding rampant fraud and deception.
