How to spot a scammer on classifieds
Five red flags that almost always mean a deal is fake — and the habits that keep your money safe on Bati.
Most sellers on Bati are honest neighbors clearing out their homes. But a small number of scammers target every marketplace, and they follow the same script. Learn the script once and you will spot them in seconds.
The five red flags
- The price is far below every similar ad, and the seller says it must go today.
- They ask for a down payment or "reservation fee" before you have seen the item.
- They want to move the conversation off Usap to a personal email or a different app right away.
- They send you a link to "verify" your account or ask for the OTP that was sent to your phone.
- They claim a courier will pick up or deliver the item, then send a fake delivery receipt asking you to pay a fee.
Habits that keep you safe
Keep every conversation inside Usap — it creates a record and keeps our safety filters active. Never pay before you have held the item in your hands at a public meetup. And remember: no real buyer, seller, courier, or Bati staff member will ever ask for your OTP. If a deal feels wrong, walk away — there is always another listing.