The P2P cryptocurrency trading market is increasingly developing strongly thanks to its convenience, speed, and lack of intermediaries. However, along with that popularity, scams are continuously evolving, becoming more sophisticated to exploit users' complacency and trust. Recently, a new trick has emerged that has caught many off guard: the 'surplus transfer' trap.

How Does the Trick Work?

The process of this scam is quite simple but extremely effective against unsuspecting victims:

  1. Start a normal transaction
    The scammer conducts a P2P transaction just like any other buyer. After agreeing on the price and receiving the wallet address, they proceed with the transfer.

  2. Intentionally transferring surplus money
    Instead of sending the correct amount, they will 'add' a small amount, usually only from3 – 5 USD. This amount is not large but enough to create a special situation.

  3. Pretend to be polite, request a refund
    Immediately after transferring the money, the scammer messages the seller politely:

    "Sorry, I accidentally transferred a few dollars extra. Could you please refund me?"

    For many sellers, this is just a small, reasonable request that does not significantly affect the transaction. Therefore, they easily agree.

  4. The trap falls down
    When the seller refunds the 'extra' money through a separate transaction outside the platform, the scammer immediately reports to the system thatthe seller has violated the regulations on off-platform transactions.The common consequence is:

    • The account may be temporarily locked or permanently banned.

    • The seller risks losing the cryptocurrency just transacted because they are no longer protected.

    • Reputation in the P2P market is severely affected, making future transactions difficult.

Why Is This Trick Dangerous?

The sophistication of this trick lies in the fact that it exploits human psychology rather than technology:

  • Appeal to Kindness: Everyone wants to behave civilly, helping partners to maintain reputation.

  • Small Amount, Easily Overlooked: Because it’s only a few USD, many people do not see this as a serious issue.

  • Create a Reasonable Scenario: With a polite attitude and persuasive speech, the scammer makes the victim act emotionally rather than rationally.

Advice for P2P Traders

To protect their assets and reputation, users must strictly adhere to the following principles:

  1. Do Not Trade Outside the Platform: Even just 1 USD should not be refunded directly. All handling must go through the system to ensure transparency.

  2. Contact Support Immediately: If a 'surplus transfer' situation arises, report it to the platform for official handling guidance.

  3. Prioritize Safety: In transactions, do not let politeness or the desire to maintain an image make you complacent.

Conclusion

The 'surplus transfer' trap is a testament to the increasing sophistication of scams in P2P transactions. They not only rely on techniques but also fully exploit human goodwill.

Users must always remember: only trade within the framework of the platform, report promptly to the support team when encountering unusual situations, and do not let your kindness become a 'weakness' for scammers to exploit.