In the context of cryptocurrency trading becoming increasingly popular, the P2P (peer-to-peer) market has become a direct buying and selling channel between users without intermediaries. However, besides convenience, this environment also poses many risks as scammers continuously devise new tricks to seize assets.

If previously, common tricks such as requesting refunds after transferring, forging receipts, or using stolen bank accounts were too familiar and have been warned multiple times, recently a new, more sophisticated scam method has emerged – known as the 'excess payment' trick.

How the 'Excess Payment' Trick Works

  1. Step 1 – Initial legal transaction
    The scammer initiates a P2P transaction as usual. The buyer transfers money to the seller according to the agreement, making the transaction appear completely valid.

  2. Step 2 – Intentionally transfer a small excess amount
    Instead of transferring the exact amount, they will intentionally send excess from3 to 5 USD.This is a small number, usually not large enough to make the seller cautious.

  3. Step 3 – The 'polite' message
    Immediately after that, the scammer will send a message in a polite tone:
    "Sorry, I transferred a little excess, can you help me refund it?"
    The suggestion sounds very reasonable, making the seller trust and willing to 'help'.

  4. Step 4 – The trap falls
    If the seller is polite andreturns this excess amount outside the P2P platform, the scammer will immediately report to the system that you conducted a transaction outside the platform – which is a serious violation of policy.
    The consequences are:

    • Your account may be temporarily locked or permanently banned.

    • The cryptocurrency you just sold still belongs to the scammer.

    • Your P2P trading reputation and credibility are severely affected.

Why is this trick dangerous?

  • The excess amount is too small: The amount is just a few dollars, making the seller not cautious, considering it 'not worth worrying about'.

  • Exploiting the kindness mentality: Sellers often want to maintain their reputation, fearing bad evaluations, so they are willing to refund.

  • Reasonable and logical: The apology and request for 'help' are very convincing, causing many people to agree quickly without thinking.

Lessons for P2P Traders

  • Never conduct transactions outside the platform: Even if the amount is only 1 USD, absolutely do not transfer outside the system.

  • Always comply with the P2P platform regulations: Only confirm transactions on the system, do not act according to the partner's private requests.

  • Stay alert instead of being accommodating: Reputation does not come from pleasing the buyer, but from safety and transparency in transactions.

  • If you encounter this situation: Immediately contact the platform's support team, provide evidence to be processed according to regulations.

👉 Conclusion

'Excess payment' is clear evidence that scammers always find ways to exploit human psychological weaknesses. In P2P transactions, vigilance and the principle of 'not outside the platform, no exceptions' are your shields against seemingly harmless but dangerous traps.