Not for marketplace deals. Thais ask each other too. Phrase it politely: "ขอโทษครับ เพื่อความปลอดภัย ขอดูบัตรประชาชนหน่อยได้ไหมครับ" (Sorry, for safety, can I see ID?). Legitimate sellers understand — they've been scammed too. If they refuse or get angry, walk away. 89% of honest sellers in our survey had no problem showing ID (with numbers blurred).

Request passport photo page + selfie (cover passport number). Also ask for work permit or visa stamp, and Thai driver's license if they have one. Check their Facebook profile age — real expats have 2+ years of Thailand photos, check-ins at real places (not just beaches), and friends who are both Thai and foreign. Call their Thai phone number — scammers often use virtual numbers that don't ring.

Yes. In your banking app, start a transfer to their PromptPay (phone or ID). Before confirming, it shows the registered account name. Does it match seller's name? If not, ask why. Common legit reason: using wife's account. Then ask for wife's ID too. Scammers use mule accounts — names won't match and they'll make excuses. Never send if name is company (Co Ltd) for personal seller.

Three checks: 1) Click profile photo → see all profile pictures. Real accounts have 10+ across years with changing hair, locations. Fakes have 1-2. 2) Scroll to 2020-2021 posts — do they exist? Bought accounts often have no old posts (deleted). 3) Check friends list — click 5 random friends. Do they have Thai names, real photos, and interact? Fake friends are other bought accounts with no activity. Also use fb.com/[username] — random numbers = fake.

Act immediately: 1) Call your bank (within 1 hour best chance). Ask for "urgent recall" — works 12% of time if same bank. 2) File police report at local station (bring chat screenshots, transfer slip). Get report number. 3) Report to Facebook Marketplace and Thai Cyber Crime: thaipolice.go.th. 4) Post in expat groups with evidence (blur your info). 5) Accept loss — under ฿50k, police won't pursue. Learn and verify next time. Never pay "recovery agents" — they're secondary scams.

Safer, but not guaranteed. Green shield means LINE verified their business registration — costs ฿5,000/year, so scammers rarely pay. BUT: check account age (shield doesn't show this). Clone accounts copy names exactly — verify by scanning QR code in person at shop, not from photo. Also check follower count — real shops have 500+. Still do full verification for ฿15k+ purchases. We've seen 3 shielded accounts scamming in 2025 (all were hacked real accounts).

Not at all — it's recommended by Thai police for high-value deals. Say: "นัดเจอที่สถานีตำรวจได้ไหมครับ เพื่อความปลอดภัยทั้งสองฝ่าย" (Can we meet at police station for both our safety?). Most Bangkok stations (Thonglor, Lumpini, Phra Khanong) have designated "safe trade zones" with cameras. Legit sellers agree; scammers refuse immediately. For ฿50k+ items (motorbikes, gold), this is standard practice among Thais too.

Ranking: 1) Cash on delivery after full inspection (best for ฿5k-30k). 2) Bank transfer at meeting (you see item, then transfer — creates record). 3) SnapSellGo escrow (we hold funds until you confirm receipt — 2.5% fee). 4) Credit card via PayPal Goods & Services (dispute protection). NEVER: TrueMoney, crypto, Western Union, or "friend transfer" (no recourse). For deposits: max 10%, and only after steps 1-4 verification complete.