In today's digital age, buying and selling online has become second nature for many.

It has offered good deals for second-hand items, all while posting and buying items in the comfort of your home.

Yet, as one mum recently experienced, not every friendly face on the internet is as genuine as they seem.


Sydney-based mum Jaime Lee thought she struck gold when she spotted a post in her local 'pay it forward' group on Facebook.

The offer was a free pram, just what she needed for her growing family.

With the cost of baby gear soaring, Jaime saw it as a chance to claim the free item.


'By the time I went to comment, "May I please pick it up tomorrow?" there had already been almost 10 other comments,' she recalled.

To her surprise, the seller reached out to her the next day and asked if she was still interested.

However, what started as a simple act of kindness quickly turned into a frustrating ordeal that made her wary of online generosity.

Jaime asked why none of the other commenters had taken the pram.

The seller explained that people kept 'ghosting' her—disappearing without a word.

With no obvious red flags, Jaime agreed to arrange a pick-up.


As the conversation continued, Jaime noticed a few oddities.

'She didn't give me the address until I was about to leave. I just knew what suburb I was going to,' Jamie recounted.

'She knew I had a fair drive to get to her with my two younger kids in the car, but I didn't mind at the time as my one-year-old needed a good functional pram.'

When Jamie arrived at the meet-up point, things started to feel off.

'Upon arriving there, I felt uncomfortable. Just the vibes and area seemed sketchy,' she admitted.

Jamie messaged the seller as instructed and was told to wait five minutes.

Five minutes turned into thirty, with no signs of the seller.


'She didn't answer when I tried calling her,' Jaime shared.

'It was cold. I was just standing outside waiting for her the whole time while my partner attended to our crying kid.'

Finally, a message from the seller came through.

'I can't see you. I'm going back inside,' the seller said, despite Jaime following all the instructions.

Frustrated and cold, Jaime was forced to leave without the pram.

Jaime shared her experience in the group, hoping to spare fellow parents the same disappointment.

'I have sold and picked stuff up on Facebook before. I would do everything in my power to communicate better and try to find the person. Not just give up so easily or mislead them. Especially mother to mother,' Jamie lamented.

'I think this was all a game to her. Just to have a little laugh. She probably likes to waste people’s time.'

'Other parents need to know that there are other ways that scams can happen, even without sending money.'


While the most common scams involve money or identity theft, 'time-wasting' scams have been rampant in online marketplaces.

These scammers simply cause frustration or confusion towards victims.

In other cases, time-wasting scams could be testing grounds for future scams or gathering information about people's routines.

For senior Australians, these types of scams can be especially distressing.

Not only do they waste time and energy, but they could also erode people's trust in online communities.

Have you ever had a strange or suspicious experience on an online marketplace? What advice would you give to others who love to buy things online? Share your stories and tips in the comments section below.