iGo Safety & Scam Defense

Safety Tips & Scam Prevention

Protect yourself while buying and selling in Sri Lanka with our masterclass on safe trading, ad verification, and fraud prevention.

Special Safety Advisory & Masterclass

Stay safe from fake ads & listing scams.

Let's stay safe together and avoid fraudulent sellers when browsing ads for electronics, vehicles, property, and everyday items on iGo Sri Lanka.

Recognize Common Ad Scam Tactics:

1. Too-Good-To-Be-True Pricing Scammers post ads with unrealistically low prices to attract buyers, only to demand extra fees or claim the item is "sold" unless you pay a deposit immediately.

2. Advance Deposit Ghosting Sellers claim high demand and ask for bank transfers to "reserve" the item, then block your number after receiving funds.

3. Fake or Stolen Photo Listings Fraudsters steal product photos from legitimate ads or websites and post them as their own, selling items they never possessed.

4. Counterfeit & Replica Products Sellers advertise genuine branded goods but deliver cheap counterfeits — especially common with electronics, clothing, and accessories.

5. The "Overpayment" Scam A "buyer" sends you a fake check or forged bank receipt for *more* than the item price, asking you to refund the difference via cash or transfer.

6. OTP & Verification Scams "Buyers" or "Admin impersonators" ask you to send them a code sent to your phone. Never share OTPs! It's a trick to hijack your account or bank.

Mandatory Checklist Before Responding to an Ad:

Check Seller Profile: Review the seller's ratings, verified badge, and how long their account has been active on iGo.
Inspect the Ad Carefully: Look for clear, original photos, detailed descriptions, and realistic pricing compared to similar listings.
In-Person Handover Only: Always meet the seller at a secure public venue and inspect the item thoroughly before paying.
NO Advance Transfers: Never send deposits or payments before physically receiving and verifying the item.

Report a Fraudulent Ad →

Empower Yourself

iGo Sri Lanka is an open platform. We provide the tools and education to spot scams, but the ultimate responsibility for a safe transaction lies entirely with you.

Never send money in advance. Inspect items in person before paying.

Trade at Your Own Risk

The "Red Flag" Scorecard

If a buyer or seller exhibits any of these behaviors, end the transaction immediately and report them.

🚩 Refuses to Meet

The seller invents excuses (e.g. "I'm out of the country") to avoid meeting face-to-face.

🚩 Rush Tactics

"Someone else is coming in 10 minutes, transfer me 5,000 LKR now to hold it for you!"

🚩 Suspicious Links

They send links to fake courier services, fake bank login pages, or ask you to "log in here".

🚩 Overpays Willingly

A buyer offers more money than asked, demanding you ship it to a relative or refund the difference.

Category-Specific Safety Protocols

Phones & Electronics

• IMEI Check: Dial *#06# to match the phone's internal IMEI with the box/invoice.
• Account Sign-Out: Verify iCloud, Google Account, or Samsung Cloud lock is fully removed.
• Hardware Inspection: Test Wi-Fi, SIM card reading, cameras, charging port, and battery health.

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Vehicles & Motorbikes

• DMT Certificate: Match the original CR Book details with the owner's National Identity Card (NIC).
• Chassis Numbers: Physically check that stamped chassis and engine numbers match the CR book exactly.
• Finance Searches: Verify there are no outstanding bank finance leases or RMV seizures.

Property & Real Estate

• Title Search: Have a lawyer conduct a land registry title search to confirm ownership.
• On-Site Check: Never pay key money without physically inspecting the premises inside out.
• Written Agreements: Execute formal tenancy or sales agreements with legal witnesses.

Jobs & Employment

• No Registration Fees: Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay an "interview fee" or "uniform fee" upfront.
• Verify Company: Look up the company online. If it's a generic "data entry" job paying massive salaries, it's likely a scam.

Pets & Animals

• See the Animal First: Scammers post cute pictures of rare breeds and demand a "transport fee" before delivery. The pet doesn't exist.
• Verify Records: Ask for veterinary records and vaccination books in person.

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Handover & Payments

• Public Spots Only: Meet in well-lit public places like bank lobbies, shopping malls, or popular coffee shops.
• No Rush: Hand over funds only when the item has passed your inspection. Count money carefully.