Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
Last updated: May 2026
Darknet markets are full of scammers looking to steal your money or identity. Understanding the most common scams is the first step to protecting yourself.
Phishing Scams
Fake login pages that steal your credentials. Always verify the .onion link using PGP signatures before logging in. Never click links from untrusted sources.
Exit Scams
Market operators suddenly close the site and disappear with all funds in escrow. To protect against this, avoid keeping large balances on any market. Use multisig when available.
Fake Vendors
Scammers posing as legitimate sellers. They collect payments and never ship. Always check vendor ratings, feedback, and verify their PGP key across multiple sources.
Overpayment Fraud
A buyer sends more than the requested amount and asks for a refund. The refund request is a trick to get your real Monero address or to harvest personal information. Only refund through official channels and never give out personal details.
How to Protect Yourself
- Use PGP encryption for all communications.
- Verify every link before entering credentials.
- Enable 2FA on your market account.
- Never finalize early (FE) unless you have extensive history with a vendor.
- Keep records of all transactions and communications.