🚫 Don’t Fall for the “Commission + Pa-Abono Rider” Scam

Golden rule

Never send money to a buyer.
Legitimate buyers will not ask you to return money.

How the scam works

1. Normal buyer inquiry
   • Asks if item is available
   • Often says it’s for a relative (e.g. sister, cousin)
   • Offers to book a delivery rider (e.g. Lalamove, Joyride, etc.)
2. Rush + overpayment
   • Pushes for same-day pickup
   • Agrees to pay more than your listed price.  e.g (PHP1,000, PHP1,500, even listing is PHP500 only)
3. Rider arrives with extra cash
   • Pays you a higher amount than expected
4. You’re asked to send money back
   • Buyer asks you to return the “extra” money via GCash/bank
   • Gives reasons like “commission” or “don’t tell my relative”
5. Delivery fails
   • Address is fake or unreachable
   • Rider returns the item and you need to return what he abono
   • You’ve already sent the money to the scammer → you lose

Red flags to watch for

• Buyer says item is for someone else
• Urgent same-day pickup
• Payment is higher than your listing price
• Asked to keep something secret
• Asked to send money back

How to stay safe

• Stick to your listed price only
• Keep communication and offers within Carousell
• Avoid rushed transactions with unclear details
• If anything feels off, stop the transaction immediately

What to do if this happens

• Do not send any money
• Cancel the transaction
• Report the user via Carousell

Sample chats from buyer:

SAMPLE 1

"Pde puba ipapickup now ng sister kopo ma'am need lng kse maam psend ng exact add name # pra ma forward koso sister kopo ma'am bale ung rider ndw ng sister kopo mg bbyad sau ng payment po after Kunin ung item mo po"

SAMPLE 2

“Ma'am bale 1500 po ang ibabayad sainyo ni rider po ma'am igcash to bank transfer mnlng sken ung excess na payment po if ever na bnyran knpp less mnlg sken ung charge po ma'am 1500 kse snbe Kuna price sa sister kopo ma'am pra Meron Ako aware nman sister kosa item nyypo then agree nman sya sa price na snbe ko kaya no worries po ma'am need lng kse ng sister kopo ma'am.”