If you are an online bidder or purchase items on the Internet on a regular basis, you might come across deals named “Mystery auctions”. These are auctions containing items that are sold as a surprise, so you might get an item that is worth less than you bid, or, if you are lucky, is more valuable than your bid.
The scam works by building a fake feedback, full of fixed testimonials - people referring to what great deals they struck (such as spending $300 for something worth $2,400). The scammers post themselves the positive feedback and then people are just bidding for…inexistent items.
How to avoid: if you like that sort of gambling, you might as well buy a 6/49 ticket. It’s even cheaper.