Trying to Snag a PS5 for 1500 Yuan? Scammed Out of 86,000! Thought Pizza Fell from the Sky

Summary

Italian media SpazioGames recently reported an outrageous scam case: a 22-year-old gamer from Rome and his 77-year-old grandmother initially planned to buy a used PS5 for just 199 euros (about 1,560 RMB), but over several months were gradually swindled out of 11,000 euros (about 86,263 RMB). According to reports, the gamer found the console listed as brand new on the popular European second-hand trading platform Vinted. After the first contact, the transaction moved to a private phone number, and the price quickly rose from 199 euros to 230 euros. The seller also offered additional PlayStation-related products for an extra 150 euros, but after the initial payments, the scammer kept demanding more money citing shipping issues. This incident highlights the risks of low-priced second-hand deals, especially those conducted outside platform oversight. It also underscores the need for better transaction security and user education on second-hand marketplaces. Players are warned to stay vigilant against such scams, which can turn a bargain into a financial nightmare.