Even though sometimes it is difficult to understand who is the victim and who is the scammer, there are a few simple rules you can follow to ensure your safety.
Do not trust strangers
The darknet is an anonymous place and you will most likely never meet the person with whom you are doing business. It is important to remember that the person you are doing business with is a stranger. Even if you have been doing business with the same person for a long time, you should still be careful.
Never reveal your identity
It is important to never reveal your real identity, even if the person you are doing business with seems nice and trustworthy. You should never share your real name or address, and you should never send your identification documents, such as your passport or driver’s license.
Do not trust anyone
There are lots of scammers who can be found on darknet marketplaces. Often times, these scammers will try to trick their victims into revealing personal information. Always remember that you are doing business with a stranger, and do not trust anyone.
Do not trust positive feedback
Since there are no real identities on the darknet, it is possible for scammers to create fake accounts. You should never trust positive feedback, especially if it is written by a new account.
Do not trust fake escrow services
While the darknet is a good place to find escrow services, you should never trust a fake escrow service. You should also never reveal your personal information, such as your address or your bank account details.
Do not trust fake ID cards
There are lots of scammers on the darknet who will try to sell fake ID cards. You should never send your ID documents to anyone and you should never reveal your identity to anyone.
Tips and tricks to avoid scams
There are several things you can do in order to avoid getting scammed.
Check the feedback
The most important thing you can do is to check the feedback. Make sure you check if the account has been verified and if the feedback is legitimate.
Verify the identity
The second thing you can do is to verify the identity of your potential buyer or seller. This is especially important if you are a buyer.
Use an escrow service
If you are a seller and you are selling something which is expensive, you should always use an escrow service. This will protect you from the possibility that an unhappy customer might try to get a refund by sending back a fake package.
Buy and sell from your friends
Since you already know the person from whom you are buying or selling, it will be easier for you to verify their identity. You should also trust that person, which will decrease the risk of being scammed.
Conclusion
There are many scammers on the darknet and unfortunately it is almost impossible to completely avoid them. However, you can reduce your risk by verifying the identity and the feedback of the person you are doing business with. You should also try to buy and sell from your friends, since you will know their real identity.
