The P2P Scam I Bet You’ve NEVER Heard Of
— Until Now!
When it comes to peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto
trading, I’ve seen (and avoided) the usual
suspects — payment reversals, fake receipts,
stolen accounts. But recently, I came across
a new scam that’s so sneaky it’s catching
even experienced sellers off guard.
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🚨 The New “Overpayment Trap”
Here’s exactly how it plays out:
1️⃣ It starts legit – The scammer opens a
normal trade on the P2P platform and sends
payment for the agreed amount.
2️⃣ The “accidental” overpayment – Instead
of the exact amount, they send a little extra
— usually $3–$5 more.
3️⃣ The polite setup – They message me:
“Oops, I overpaid! Could you send the extra
back?”
4️⃣ The trap snaps shut – If you send that
small refund outside the platform, they
instantly report you for making an off-
platform transaction. The result? Your
account can be flagged, suspended, or
banned… and yes, they keep your crypto.
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💡 Why This Scam Works
It feels harmless – Sellers think they’re just
being polite by returning the extra money.
Strict platform rules – Most P2P exchanges
have zero tolerance for off-platform
payments, even small “refunds.”
They control the story – Once they report
you, the platform often sides with them
unless you have airtight proof.
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🛡 How I Avoid Falling for It
✅ I never send or receive money outside
the platform’s payment flow.
✅ If someone overpays, I tell them to cancel
and restart the trade with the correct amount.
✅ I keep every word of communication
inside the platform’s chat for proof.
✅ I stay updated on scam tactics — because
just like the markets, scams evolve fast.
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Scammers are getting smarter, but so are
we. This is one more trap they won’t catch
me in — and now, hopefully, they won’t catch
you either.