Be aware of Opensooq scams

Hilal (my son) decided to sell his guitar on OpenSooq, one of the widely known and used classified ad websites and mobile apps that allow users, whether buyers or sellers, to buy and sell various services, products, and goods that include but are not limited to furniture, cars, electronics, and instruments. I found this to be a good idea, especially that it teaches responsibility, communication, and how to handle money (or business per se).
But what started as a simple and innocent idea and approach towards buying and selling online via a highly promoted classified ad app in Oman turned into a big life lesson about online safety. My article today sheds light on the scam that Hilal encountered and tips for readers to utilise in order to stay safe as Hilal eventually did.
So what actually happened? Hilal’s phone started buzzing with messages within minutes of posting his guitar ad. Several users from the platform showed interest in buying the guitar, and they sounded very genuine. One of them even offered to pay immediately to “secure” the deal. Everything seemed fine, and of course there was the usual excitement that comes when you find a quick buyer online.
Then one of the buyers sent him a QR code, claiming it was part of OpenSooq’s payment system. They told him he needed to scan it and log in to confirm his bank details so they could transfer the money. Excited and trusting, Hilal scanned the code and was directed to a website that looked almost identical to OpenSooq’s official page. It had the same logo, the same colours, and even similar buttons and fonts.
The site asked for his name, phone number, bank details and all things that might seem harmless. But then came the final field: “Enter your CVV number.” That is when Hilal paused and immediately called me to ask about the form, “Dad, is it normal that they’re asking for the CVV number?” I didn’t need to think twice.
“Stop right there,” I told him. “That’s a scam.” For those who don’t know, CVV stands for Card Verification Value, and it is usually a 3-digit number found behind your credit or debit card. Sharing this allows scammers, hackers and the like to get money out of your bank (by pretending to have verified with you as the bank account user).
If Hilal had entered that number, the scammers could have used his card to withdraw money or make online purchases. What they were doing is a phishing scam, a method where criminals pretend to be legitimate companies or platforms to trick people into giving away personal or financial information. Hilal was lucky to have stopped in time. Many others I know did not know and, as a consequence, got scammed (lost their money).
Online scams are getting smarter, especially on popular platforms like OpenSooq, Dubizzle, etc. Fraudsters know that people using these marketplaces are often in a hurry to buy or sell, and that’s when they strike. They create fake profiles, copy real website and app designs, and use convincing language to gain your trust. Reviewing Hilal’s chat with the scammer is proof in the pudding.
Does this only happen to teenagers or inexperienced users? No, I personally encountered these before but on different platforms. I felt it was necessary that I share this article and advice, especially on the quality of promotion and marketing I see done for this app here locally in Oman.
So what can one do to protect oneself from these scams? Simply, never share your CVV or banking details through links or QR codes, because no official marketplace, including OpenSooq, will ever ask for your CVV, OTP, or bank login details to receive payment. Those are private and should only be used on verified payment gateways when you are the one making the purchase (i.e., you are buying, not selling).
Also, always take your time to verify before clicking any link or scanning any QR code, and always type the official address manually instead of clicking links (as they may be spoofed and fake). Lastly, ensure you ask other people (trusted ones) and educate friends and family (as Hilal did) to ensure they stay safe. Talk about these scams openly, as awareness is the best defence.
To conclude, I would like to note that platforms like OpenSooq have indeed made buying and selling much easier than ever before. Nevertheless, one has to always be vigilant and keep an eye open on everything they do, especially online. Until we catch up again next week, trust, but always verify.