I honestly never thought something like this could happen to me. I’ve done plenty of P2P trades before. But this time? I got scammed — and I’m sharing what happened so no one else falls into the same trap.
### ⚠️ How It Started: A Normal Trade Gone Wrong
It all started like any other P2P transaction. I picked a seller, followed all the usual steps, and sent the payment to their bank account.
✅ Payment sent. ❌ Then, out of nowhere, the seller **canceled the trade**.
The crypto was never released. The order just vanished — and so did the seller. No response, no refund. My money? Gone.
This wasn’t a system error — it was **a carefully planned scam**.
### 🧠 How the Scam Works: The “Pay and Cancel” Trick
Here’s what these scammers actually do:
1. **Bait** – They list a trade with a good exchange rate and look completely legit.
2. **Hook** – You send the fiat payment to their account.
3. **Cut** – As soon as they get the money, they cancel the trade.
4. **Ghost** – They disappear. No trade, no dispute — and the platform can’t help.
This scam relies on a loophole: the small gap between **when you send the money** and **when the trade is confirmed**.
### 🛡️ What You Should Do If You Get Scammed:
- 🚫 **Don’t send more money.** Scammers often come back with lies like “system issues” — ignore them.
- 📸 **Collect proof quickly** — screenshots, chat history, payment confirmation, and seller details.
- 🧾 **File a dispute** with the platform, even if the order was canceled.
- 🏦 **Contact your bank** immediately to try to reverse or freeze the payment.
- 📣 **Report the scammer** to the platform.
### ✅ Tips to Stay Safe:
- Always **trade with verified sellers** with high ratings.
- Only send money when the **trade is active** and confirmed.
- Watch out for **urgency or pressure** — it’s a red flag.
- Double-check **order status and seller details** every time.
### 💡 What I Learned
Even well-known platforms can’t protect you from every scam. The truth is, **your best defense is your own awareness**.
So please — stay alert. And share this with your friends or community. You might just save someone else from a serious financial loss.
