Marketplace Scam: You Paid, but the Item Never Arrived
“I just wanted a stroller. I sent the money in advance. Then the seller disappeared.”
Lucka was expecting a baby and trying to save money. She found a great-looking stroller on Facebook Marketplace—normally CZK 15,000, but this one was offered for nine. The seller was polite, the conversation looked real.
After Lucka sent the money, everything went quiet. The account number belonged to someone else. The item never arrived. The police told her there are dozens of cases like this every day—but most victims give up before they even write anything.
Scams involving fake ads on Marketplace, classifieds, or second-hand platforms are among the most common types of online fraud in the Czech Republic. The scammer posts a convincing ad, chats kindly, asks for advance payment—and then disappears. Many victims believe they “just made a mistake.” But this is a criminal offense: fraud under Section 209 of the Czech Criminal Code. And it’s worth filing a complaint—especially if the criminal complaint is properly written and legally sound.
📌 How does this type of scam work?
The scammer posts an attractive offer—often children’s goods, electronics, furniture, phones
They communicate nicely, usually using fake profiles and stolen photos
They ask for payment in advance—by transfer, QR code, or payment link
Once they receive the money, they stop responding
The product never arrives—and you don’t know who to turn to
⚖️ What does the law say?
Fraud (Section 209 of the Czech Criminal Code) – deceiving someone for personal gain
May also involve: damage to the rights of others, money laundering, identity fraud, etc.
Even if the scammer is abroad, you can still file a criminal complaint and request international cooperation
🧾 What should you provide as evidence?
Screenshots of the ad and communication
Payment details: date, amount, bank account, bank name
Description of what was promised and not delivered
If the profile was deleted, try to provide at least the name or messages
❗ Common reasons cases are dismissed
The criminal complaint is vague or incomplete
It lacks legal reasoning or fails to explain why it’s not just a “civil matter”
Police don’t receive enough data to start tracking (IP address, account tracing, etc.)
📚 A real-life example
A mother contacted me after sending CZK 7,800 for a child car seat. The police dismissed the case, saying they “couldn’t prove fraudulent intent.”
But the seller had posted multiple similar ads using the same wording.
We filed a new criminal complaint—with evidence, screenshots of other ads, and proper legal arguments.
The case was reopened, and the scammer was eventually charged.
🙅♀️ Why you can’t do this alone
It’s not enough to say, “someone scammed me”
Police need concrete facts and context
A good criminal complaint needs structure, logic, and legal analysis
Weak complaint = case dismissed. Strong complaint = investigation.
✅ What I can do for you
I’ll draft your criminal complaint clearly, thoroughly, and professionally
I’ll assess whether your case is likely to succeed and advise you further
I’ll help you organize your evidence and present everything in the right legal format
🙋♀️ Call to action – CTA
🎯 Did you pay for an item that never arrived?
Don’t let it go. Contact me—I will prepare your criminal complaint for you.
📄 Flat rate: CZK 10,000 + VAT
📩 Just send me the details—I’ll handle the rest.
Contact a legal professional – I specialize in contract law.
Learn more here.
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- Naposledy aktualizováno: 30/06/2025
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Marketplace Scam: You Paid, but the Item Never Arrived
Print “I just wanted a stroller. I sent the money in advance. Then the seller disappeared.” Lucka was expecting a baby and trying to save