Beware of Fake Remitly Payment Requests Asking for Transfer Fees Before Claiming Payments

Overview:
Some scammers on Carousell may claim they’ve sent you payment via Remitly and then ask you to pay a “transfer fee” before you can claim the funds. This is a scam. Paying the fee will not guarantee any payment, and the scammer may disappear after you send money.

Note: Remitly is a legitimate payment platform. This scam involves someone pretending to use Remitly, not Remitly itself.

How the Scam Works

1. Initial Contact:
   A buyer messages you, showing interest in your item.
2. Fake Payment Claim:
   They claim to have sent the payment via Remitly and may provide fake transaction details or a QR code.
3. Request for Transfer Fee:
   The scammer asks you to pay an upfront “transfer fee” or “processing fee” to claim the payment.
4. Scammer Disappears:
   After you pay, the scammer stops responding. The “payment” is never received.
    

Sample images sent by scammers! 

❌ Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Requests for fees before receiving payment
• Pressure to act quickly or sense of urgency
• Unverifiable transaction details or suspicious QR codes
• Requests that seem unusual or not aligned with standard payment procedures
   

✅ How to Protect Yourself

• Verify payments first: Check your Remitly account or other official channels to confirm receipt.
• Never pay fees upfront: Legitimate buyers will not ask you to pay a fee to receive payment.
• Report suspicious activity: Contact Carousell support immediately if you suspect a scam.
• Stay informed: Learn about common scams and how they operate.

📌 Example Scenario

A seller received a message from a buyer claiming they had sent payment via Remitly. The buyer provided a QR code and instructed the seller to pay a “transfer fee” first. After the seller paid, the buyer stopped responding and no payment was received.