The “$200 PlayStation 5” That Almost Cost Me $500: A Facebook Marketplace Scam

We’ve all seen deals that look too good to be true. Last month, I almost fell for one.

I was scrolling Facebook Marketplace and saw a PlayStation 5 listed for $200. The seller’s profile looked real – a woman named “Jessica” with photos, friends, and posts going back years. She said she was moving out of state and needed to sell everything fast.

What was the purpose of this scam?

The scammer’s goal was simple: steal money without ever sending the item. They didn’t care about the PlayStation – they cared about getting me to pay before I realized nothing was coming.

How exactly did it work?

After I messaged “Jessica,” she replied quickly. Too quickly. She said she had multiple buyers interested and needed a $100 deposit to hold the PS5 for me. She sent a Zelle request to a name that didn’t match her profile. When I hesitated, she said I could send half now and half when it shipped.

I asked to see the item in person. She said she was already packed and couldn’t meet. I asked for a video of the PS5 working. She sent a generic video I later found on YouTube. I asked to pay with PayPal Goods and Services (which offers buyer protection). She refused, insisting on Zelle or CashApp – payment methods with zero fraud protection.

That’s when I knew it was a scam. I backed out.

A week later, Facebook banned her profile. But I later learned that scammers clone real people’s accounts – stealing photos and posts – to look legitimate.

How could I have determined this was fake?

Looking back, there were clear red flags:

• Too-good-to-be-true pricing – A new PS5 costs $500. $200 was a massive red flag.
• Refusal to meet in person – Legit local sellers will meet at a police station or public place

• Pressure to act fast – “Multiple buyers interested” is a classic pressure tactic.
• Payment method red flag – Zelle and CashApp explicitly warn they’re only for people you know.
• Fake video evidence – A reverse image search of her profile photo showed it belonged to someone else.

What can you do to protect yourself?

1. Meet in person at a safe location (many police stations have “Safe Exchange Zones”).
2. Pay with PayPal Goods and Services – it offers buyer protection.
3. Do a reverse image search of profile photos to check if they’re stolen.
4. Trust your gut – if it feels wrong, walk away.

Have you ever encountered a Facebook Marketplace scam? Drop a comment below and share your story.