Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

With Christmas on the horizon, many are shopping already and looking for the must haves
beware….

Online Marketplace Photo Scam

With the PlayStation 5, or PS5 as it’s known, completely sold out in all major retailers across the UK, purchasers are being warned of a cruel trick targeting those desperate to get their hands on the games console in time for Christmas.

Some sellers on eBay are listing photos or an empty box of the new next-generation games console in an attempt to mislead eager buyers to part with their hard-earned cash – with some selling for £550. Often the listings are accompanied by good quality pictures and a decent description but hidden amongst the small print is included ‘photo’ or ‘box only’ or a similar statement of the true product.

Fortunately eBay are committed to removing all listings for photos of PS5s from their marketplace. However, at the time of writing, we found 28 listings when we used the search term ‘PS5 photo’. 

Whilst we know this is particularly prevalent on eBay and linked mostly to the highly-sought after PS5, the trick may also be used on other online marketplaces and/or for other high value items such as laptops and smartphones.

Please read all of the item title and item description carefully when buying items online and, if in doubt, ask the seller a question and document the answer for any future redress.