#42Working adultsWebsiteWhatsAppFull guideShopping, bookings and services

Marketplace buyer or seller claiming to be an army officer

A buyer or seller on a marketplace says they are in the army and cannot meet, then asks for advance payments or UPI approvals.

Community reports: 0

How it works

A seller lists a car, bike or furniture at a low price, or a buyer agrees to your price without bargaining, saying they are an army officer being transferred.
They share an army ID card and canteen photos, and ask for an advance, a "gate pass" fee or a transport charge.
Further charges keep coming, or as a buyer they send UPI requests that take money from you.

What it looks like

Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.

I am in the Indian Army, posted in Pune. The bike is with our courier service. Pay Rs 3,000 gate pass fee and it will be delivered tomorrow.

I will pay your full price. Our army account only pays by request, so approve the request I send.

Red flags

Army ID shared quickly to build trust
Cannot meet or show the item
Advance, gate pass or courier fees
Unusually low price or no bargaining

The one question to ask

Can you see the item and the person before any money moves?

Already paid or shared details?

Call 1930 at once: in the first hour the money can often still be frozen before it moves on. Then call your bank on the number printed on your card, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots of every message and payment.

1930 · cybercrime.gov.in

Also seen as

Fake CRPF or BSF officer listings
Pet sale scams

What people are saying

ScamBhai desk2026-10-25Marketplace buyer or seller claiming to be an army officer

The "army officer" listing is one of the oldest marketplace tricks. A scooter is listed at a very good price by a seller who says he is in the army and has just been transferred. He sends a photo of an ID card and a uniform to build trust.

He cannot meet because he is on duty, so the scooter will come through the "army courier". First a delivery charge, then a "gate pass" fee, then a refundable…

From the ScamBhai desk: a composite of common reports, not one person's story

#OLXScam

Replies: 0

Tell the community See all posts about this scam