Carousell Scam Victim Loses $4,100 in The Weeknd Ticket Scam
A 23-year-old delivery worker lost more than $4,100 on Carousell after falling for a phishing scam while trying to sell a concert ticket, zaobao.com.sg reported. The victim, Xu Weihao, attempted to sell a ticket for The Weeknd’s National Stadium concert for $150 on September 28. Instead of receiving payment, Xu discovered four unauthorized transactions drained from his bank account.
From Carousell Chat to WhatsApp Phishing Links
Xu listed the concert ticket on Carousell, prompting an interested user to contact him the following evening and move the conversation to WhatsApp. The buyer insisted on using CarouPay for safety, but repeatedly sent incorrect receipt links. After Xu pointed out that one receipt mistakenly showed payment for two tickets, the buyer sent a new link that redirected Xu to an online customer service chat.
The fake support agent instructed Xu to input his bank account details to receive funds and verify his identity by ensuring his account held at least $2,500. Xu followed the instructions, only to watch four unauthorized withdrawals empty his funds. When Xu alerted the agent to the errors, the scammer promised a refund and extra compensation before cutting off all communication.
Xu Freezes Accounts After Phishing Scam
Xu immediately contacted his bank to freeze his accounts after realizing he had fallen for a phishing scheme. The bank records confirmed four unauthorized transfer attempts, though the fourth transfer failed because the account was already frozen. Following the incident, Xu shared his experience on Instagram to warn other users against similar online marketplace scams.
Carousell Freezes Compromised Account as Police Investigate
Carousell confirmed that the buyer’s account involved in the incident had been compromised by an unauthorized party. The platform froze the hacked account on September 29 and took appropriate action within its system capabilities.
A Carousell spokesperson reminded users to keep all chats and transactions inside the official platform. Buyers and sellers should utilize the built-in CarouPay feature with Buyer Protection, which safely holds funds in escrow until the buyer confirms receipt of the items. The Singapore Police Force confirmed that a report was lodged and investigations remain ongoing.
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