Hey Redditors,

I want to share my recent experience with an online scam attempt while trying to sell a pair of sports shoes on Tutti.ch. It’s a cautionary tale that might help others avoid falling into a scammer's trap.

The Setup

I posted an ad on Tutti to sell my shoes, and not long after, I received a message from a potential "buyer." They seemed legit at first, but things quickly took a strange turn. Instead of asking for more details about the shoes or arranging to meet, they insisted on completing the transaction through a delivery service and directed me to a website:

https://post-ch.schweizer-delivery.live/206597651

The link looked convincing, as if it were related to Swiss Post, but I had a gut feeling something was off.

Why the Link Is Suspicious

Here’s what raised red flags for me:

  1. Fake Domain: The URL mimicked Swiss Post but added unnecessary words (.schweizer-delivery.live). Official Swiss Post websites always use post.ch.

  2. Unusual Process: The buyer claimed I needed to "confirm shipment" or "pay a delivery fee" via this website, which doesn’t make sense for a standard buyer-seller transaction.

  3. Pressure Tactics: They were persistent and tried to rush me into using the site.

How These Scams Work

Here’s how scammers typically exploit sellers:

  1. Fake Payment/Shipping Pages: They create a counterfeit page that looks real and ask you to enter sensitive details, like your credit card or banking info.

  2. Phishing for Personal Data: Even if you don’t pay, entering basic info like your email address could lead to identity theft or further scams.

  3. Malware Risks: Visiting fraudulent websites could expose your device to malware or spyware.

How I Avoided the Scam

Instead of clicking blindly, I inspected the link and did some quick research. Here’s what I recommend:

  1. Verify URLs: Always double-check web links. A secure site will use an official domain (e.g., post.ch) and start with "https."

  2. Use Safe Browsing Tools: Websites like VirusTotal or URLVoid can scan suspicious links for threats without exposing your device.

  3. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Genuine buyers rarely push for complicated processes.

Reporting the Scammer

After recognizing it was a scam, I reported the user on Tutti and flagged the website as phishing through Google Safe Browsing. I also reached out to Swiss Post to let them know scammers were misusing their brand.

Key Takeaways

If you’re selling online, here’s how to stay safe:

Stick to Cash or Trusted Platforms: Meet in person or use secure payment platforms like PayPal Goods & Services.

Be Skeptical of Links: Legitimate buyers won’t ask you to visit third-party sites to complete a sale.

Protect Your Info: Never share sensitive data unless you’re 100% sure of the platform’s legitimacy.

Final Thoughts

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but staying vigilant can save you from a lot of trouble. If you’ve encountered similar scams, feel free to share your story here—together, we can spread awareness and make these platforms safer for everyone!

Stay safe out there,

by Then-Reply-9489

5 comments

  1. Never trust anyone, who wants you to visit their url, when he/she needs to pay you. Either you are paid by a bank transaction, TWINT, or cash when picking up. If someone sends me a link, for sending me money, I consider this as a massive red flag. And mind your gut feeling. If it is fishy, it definitely is. It’s basic common sense.

  2. What does this have to do with Switzerland?  It only happens here?

  3. Its very nice of you to make a long post on an attempted phish, but if people still fall for phishing attempts in todays age, they need to rethink how they interact with the world.

    This post should have ended at post-ch.

  4. If people fall for that link, there’s nothing we can do to save them. It’s really horrible, but people will learn by experience at some point. No matter how thorough you are by teaching them, they will fall for one eventually because it looks legit.

    As this link looked legit to you at first, I would never have trusted it. I’ve seen my fair share of URL, and this one isn’t even making an effort to hide the scam.

  5. I just watched an episode of “Falò”, a Swiss Italian TV show about consumer.

    The nr. of scammers on Facebook Marketplace, Ricardo and Tutti is astonishing. Out of 10 products 8 were scam, fake products or some other sort of ripoff.

    And Falò show that Cantonal Police in Ticino “has no authority” to intervene…

Comments are closed.