The golden rules
Meet in a public place
Choose a busy public place in daylight, such as a shopping centre or café, and bring someone you trust if you can. Do not invite strangers to your home or go to isolated places.
Never pay in advance
Do not send a deposit or the price before you have seen the item, and do not transfer money to strangers through money transfers, mobile wallets or transfer companies. DamaSell never asks you to pay to secure a deal between users.
Inspect before you pay
Examine and test the item before paying. For electronics, check that the device works and that its serial number (IMEI) matches and has not been reported, and ask for the purchase receipt if there is one.
Never share codes or passwords
The DamaSell team will never ask for your password or a verification code. Do not share any code you receive by text message, or your mobile-wallet or bank details, with anyone.
Vehicles, property and jobs
- Vehicles: ask to see the original ownership papers, and check at the relevant Transport Directorate, before paying, that the chassis and engine numbers match the papers and that the vehicle is free of any seizure or lien. Complete the transfer of ownership officially with the competent authority.
- Real estate: check the title deed (tabu), court ruling or sale contract at the Real Estate Directorate or the competent authority, and confirm the owner’s identity or valid power of attorney before paying anything. Use a lawyer for large deals.
- Renting: do not pay anything before you have visited the property in person and signed a proper rental contract.
- Jobs: a real employer never charges a fee for hiring, training or “opening a file”. Be wary of jobs abroad that ask for money or your original documents.
Common scam warning signs
Beware of fake payment receipts
A scammer may send you a photo of a transfer receipt or a screenshot of a forged payment message. Do not hand over the item until you have checked yourself that the money has arrived in your account or wallet.
- A price far below the market price, with pressure to decide quickly.
- A seller who will not meet or let you inspect the item because they are “travelling” or “abroad”, and offers to ship it after payment.
- Asking to move the conversation off the platform straight away, or sending links “to pay” or “to receive the money”.
- A buyer who pays more than the asking price and then asks you to send back the difference.
- Asking for the verification code you received by text message “to check you are serious” — this is an attempt to steal your account.
Report suspicious users
- Stop the conversation immediately and do not send any money or information.
- Press “Report” on the ad page or the user’s profile, choose a reason and briefly describe what happened.
- Keep the messages, receipts and phone numbers as evidence.
- If you have been defrauded or threatened, file a complaint with the police or the authority that handles cybercrime. Read how reporting works.