Facebook Marketplace Fraud: The 'Overpayment' and 'Courier' Scam Explained

It started with a friendly message. Margaret, a 68-year-old retired nurse from Leeds, had listed her late husband's fishing rod on Facebook Marketplace for £45. Within an hour, she received a message from a buyer named "David" who seemed genuinely interested. He asked if the item was still available, sent a quick "lovely, I'll take it," and then everything went wrong. Two days later, Margaret had lost £800 of her own money — and the fishing rod was never collected.

Margaret's story is not unique. According to the FTC's 2024 Consumer Sentinel report, online marketplace scams like those on Facebook Marketplace have increased by over 40% since 2022, with victims losing an average of £320 each. The "overpayment" scam — where fraudsters pretend to pay too much and ask you to refund the difference — is now one of the most common tricks targeting everyday sellers, especially older adults who trust that online platforms are safe.

This article explains exactly how this scam works, what to watch for, and what to do if a scammer contacts you. By the end, you'll know exactly how to protect yourself and your money.

How This Scam Works

The overpayment and courier scam unfolds in stages. Understanding each step helps you recognise the danger before it's too late.

Stage 1: The Interested Buyer

The scammer contacts you shortly after you list an item. They seem enthusiastic but not pushy. They rarely ask questions about the product itself. Instead, they quickly agree to buy it at your asking price — sometimes even offering to pay more.

Common opening messages include:

"Hi, is this still available? I can pay right away."

"Perfect, I'll take it. Let me sort the payment now."

Stage 2: The Fake Payment Confirmation

After agreeing to buy, the scammer sends you what looks like an official payment confirmation. This might come through Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or email. The message includes a logo from PayPal, your bank, or another payment service. It states that money has been sent — often more than the asking price.

The scammer then explains they've "overpaid" by mistake. Perhaps they meant to send £200 for an item costing £50. They're very apologetic — but they have a solution.

Stage 3: The Courier Request

The scammer says they've arranged a courier to collect the item. However, because they overpaid, they need you to pay the courier the difference in cash. They might say:

"The courier only has £150 on him. Can you give him £100 when he arrives? I'll transfer that to you right now."

Or they might ask you to refund the "extra" money directly to them through a different method — bank transfer, gift cards, or cash apps.

Stage 4: The Disappearance

Once you send money — whether to the "courier" or directly to the scammer — they vanish. The payment confirmation was fake. The courier never arrives. And when you try to contact the buyer, your messages go unanswered or you're blocked.

The victim is left without their item, without their money, and often feeling embarrassed that they fell for it.

The Warning Signs

Red flags appear early in this scam. Watch for these warning signs in every Facebook Marketplace interaction:

The buyer never wants to meet in person. They always have an excuse — they're busy, they're away, or they've arranged a courier.
They offer to pay more than your asking price. Legitimate buyers rarely overpay. This is a major red flag.
Payment confirmation arrives before you've given any bank details. Scammers generate fake screenshots or emails to appear legitimate.
They insist on using a specific payment method. If they push for PayPal "Friends and Family," bank transfer, or cash apps, be very careful.
The message contains spelling mistakes or strange phrasing. Many scam messages come from overseas operations.
They create urgency. Phrases like "I need this sorted today" or "the courier is waiting" pressure you to act fast without thinking.
They avoid answering simple questions. Ask when they can collect the item. A scammer will always redirect back to payment arrangements.

A Real Victim's Story

Sandra, a 62-year-old from Manchester, listed a vintage lamp on Facebook Marketplace for £30. Within an hour, she received a message from someone called "James."

James was friendly. He said he lived in London but was sending a courier. He would pay £30 for the lamp plus £20 for "packaging and delivery." That meant £50 total.

The next morning, Sandra received an email that looked like it came from PayPal. It confirmed a payment of £50 had been processed. James then messaged her:

"Hi Sandra, I've sent £50 but the courier needs £20 for fuel. Can you give him £20 when he arrives? I've already paid you, so it's just giving him the change. Thanks!"

Sandra agreed. She gave the courier £20 when he arrived. But when she checked her bank account later, the £50 had never arrived. The "PayPal email" was fake. The courier was part of the scam — or didn't exist at all.

Sandra lost £20 and her lamp. She felt foolish and didn't tell anyone for weeks.

"I thought I was being helpful," she told us. "I didn't want to believe someone would do that."

If this story sounds familiar, please know: you are not foolish. These scammers are professionals. They study how to sound trustworthy. The shame belongs to them — not to you.

What Scammers Say Word for Word

Scammers use scripts. Knowing their exact language helps you recognise the trick. Here are real examples from reported cases:

The "Overpayment" Message:

"Hi, I've transferred £85 to your account. The item costs £35, so there's £50 extra for your trouble. My driver will collect it tomorrow. Can you give him £50 cash when he arrives? Thanks!"

The Fake PayPal Email:

"Dear Customer, we have received a payment of £120.00 GBP from buyer. This payment is on hold until you ship the item and provide tracking number. To release the funds, please confirm your shipping address. Note: You must ship within 24 hours."

The Urgency Pressure:

"The courier is outside your address now. Please have the money ready. He's only staying 10 minutes."

The Refund Request:

"I've accidentally sent £200 instead of £100. Please send £100 back to this account: 12345678. I'll transfer the rest to you once I get the item."

If you receive any message like this, stop all communication immediately. Do not send money. Do not give any personal details.

What to Do If You're Targeted

If a scammer contacts you or you've already sent money, take these steps right now:

1. Stop all communication. Do not reply to further messages. Block the user on Facebook Marketplace and any other platform they contacted you through.

2. Check your bank accounts immediately. Look for any unauthorized transactions. If you've sent money, contact your bank immediately. Explain you've been scammed and ask if they can freeze the transaction or recover the funds.

3. Do not send any more money. Scammers often come back with new excuses. They may pose as "the bank" or "courier company" offering to help you. This is a second scam. Do not engage.

4. Keep all evidence. Take screenshots of messages, payment confirmations, and the user's profile. This helps when reporting the scam.

5. Contact the real platforms. If you sent money through PayPal, report it to PayPal's fraud team. If you used your bank, report it to your bank's fraud department. Facebook has a reporting tool for Marketplace scams — use it.

How to Report It

Reporting helps stop scammers and protects others. Here's where to report:

Facebook Marketplace: Use the "Report" option on the user's profile or the listing. Go to the three dots (⋯) next to their name and select "Find support or report."
Action Fraud (UK): Report scams at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. This is the UK's national fraud reporting centre.
Your local police: If you've lost money, report it to your local police non-emergency number.
Your bank or payment provider: They need to know about fraudulent transactions. Call the number on the back of your card or your bank statement.
Scam-Watch.org: We track scams and can offer support. Email our team at support@scam-watch.org with details. We're here to help.

Reporting feels like extra work when you're already upset. But every report builds a picture that helps authorities catch these criminals.

Action Steps: 5 Specific Steps to Take Now

Turn on two-factor authentication for your Facebook account. This prevents scammers from hijacking your profile to target others. Go to Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication.
Never accept payment above your asking price. This is the single biggest warning sign. If a buyer offers more, decline politely and end the conversation.
Always meet in person for local sales. Choose a busy, public location like a supermarket car park during daylight hours. If the buyer won't meet, don't proceed.
Verify payments yourself. Log into your actual bank app or PayPal account — don't rely on screenshots or emails the buyer sends you. If the money isn't in your real account, no payment has been made.
Share this article with someone you love. Scammers rely on people not talking about their experiences. A quick conversation with a family member or friend could stop them from becoming the next victim.

Facebook Marketplace is a brilliant way to buy and sell locally. Millions of genuine transactions happen safely every day. But scammers are always looking for easy targets — and they specifically prey on people who are kind, helpful, and trusting.

You are not naive for wanting to help a buyer or complete a sale. You're a decent person. The scammers are the ones doing something wrong — not you.

Stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember: if something feels wrong, it probably is. You've got this.