Used Goods Trading 'Door Hook Scam' Spreads Nationwide… Victims Emerge

As the so-called 'door hook transaction' fraud, which exploits used goods trading platforms, spreads across the country, consumers are urged to remain vigilant.

The scam involves sellers luring buyers into prepaying by claiming they will hang the item on a door hook, after which they disappear, leading to a surge in reported incidents.

According to Incheon Michuhol Police Station on the 15th, a report was filed on the 5th stating, "I suffered a fraud loss of 4.95 million won while trading through Market Kang." A twenty-something man, referred to as A, living in Incheon, agreed to purchase an iPhone 16 Pro Max from a person identified as B he met on Market Kang and promised to use a door hook transaction.

B proposed, "If you deposit the money, I will provide the apartment building number and unit and hang the product on the door hook," and A transferred 1.65 million won to the account B provided.

"Once the money is deposited, I will inform you of the apartment building and unit number and hang the product on the door hook."

The reason A did not have suspicions was due to B's profile noting a '100% resale hope rate' and location verification records. Additionally, B arranged the appointment via his mobile phone and even sent a photo of the product placed in a shopping bag and hung on a door hook beforehand.

However, upon receiving the funds, B immediately claimed, "This is a business account, and it was recently opened; a personal transaction must be verified," demanding additional payments.

A, believing that the amount already transferred would be returned the same day, ended up sending an additional 1.65 million won in three separate transactions, totaling 4.95 million won, but B eventually cut off all communication.

Door hook transactions became common in used goods trading, especially after the spread of non-face-to-face culture due to COVID-19. However, the exploitation of this method for fraud is also increasing.

Fraudsters provide fake addresses during transactions, disappearing as soon as the buyer transfers the money.

A remarked, "B said he needed the money for local promotions and was confirmed to have borrowed a Market Kang account from someone else by giving them money," adding, "He even sent a form of identification during the transaction, which made it difficult to suspect him."

The scale of the damage was significant. An online group chat established by A to find the culprit had 64 members as of the 12th, with total losses amounting to 17 million won.

Victims hailed from various locations nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, and Daegu, with items traded including gift cards, graphics cards, and Nintendo products.

The police are currently identifying the seller's identity based on accounts used in the crime while investigating the precise circumstances of the incidents.

A police official advised, "Business registration certificates or identification can be easily manipulated, so you must be cautious during used goods transactions."

Image sources: Reference photos for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, AI images for understanding the article / chatgpt