Scammers Are Guessing Your Email : Here’s How to Stay Safe
Be careful if you tend to reuse usernames across multiple platforms.
Scammers have been guessing genuine email addresses based on Carousell usernames, and sending emails pretending to be buyers.
How the scam take place:
- Scammer goes on Carousell and takes note of username and listing title e.g. @user123 sells a used sofa
- Scammer attempts to guess the user’s email by combining the Carousell username and @gmail.com to get user123@gmail.com
- Scammer poses as a buyer and emails the user pretending to be interested in the item “used sofa”
- User assumes it is a genuine email and is tricked to:
- Share personal details or login credentials
- Click on phishing links
- Approve fake payment confirmations
All genuine chats happen only within Carousell. If someone emails you about your listing, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Sample Fake Emails & Why They’re Dangerous:
Sample 1:
Subject : Vintage Lamp
Message: Hello, I’d like to buy the “Vintage Lamp” has the item been picked up?
Note: Why it’s suspicious: Looks like a real inquiry, but Carousell does not have a function to reply to chats via email. They’re trying to move you off-platform. We will only send you email notifications of chats received, and you will need to respond on Carousell.
Sample 2
Subject: yourusername
Message: I’m interested in your item. Can you WhatsApp me at +65 XXXX XXXX? Need it urgently.
Note: Why it’s suspicious: Scammers often ask to move the conversation to another platform like WhatsApp or Telegram so that they can evade detection or security measures.
Sample 3
Subject: Apple iPhone 12
Message: I’d like to pay via PayNow. Please click this link to confirm: [phishy.link]
Note: Why it’s suspicious: Real buyers don’t send payment links via email. Carousell never asks for personal payment details outside the platform.
Why these are scams:
- Real buyers never contact you by email. Your email is not made public on our platform
- They mimic your username or listing title to appear legitimate.
- Their goal is to lead you to fake websites or external payment platforms.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Email address mimics your Carousell username (e.g. yourusername@gmail.com)
- No matching conversation in your Carousell chat
- Requests to continue the chat via email, SMS, or external app
- Includes suspicious links or asks for payment off platform
What You Can Do:
- Don’t reply. Never click on links in suspicious emails.
- Delete and block the email.
- Report scams via the Carousell platform. Do provide details about the scam for our team’s investigation. Do not reuse usernames. If your username matches your email, consider updating it to make it harder to spoof.
- Always keep chats in-app. This is the only secure channel for all Carousell transactions.