Sheypoor Safety Tips: Avoiding Scams and Phishing

Sheypoor Safety Tips: How to Avoid Scams

You spot a listing: an iPhone 13, practically new, priced about 30% below market value. The seller says, "I need cash urgently, first come first served." Your heart races. You want to seal the deal before someone else snatches it. That moment—right when the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) kicks in—is exactly when you are most vulnerable to the "deposit" scam.

Platforms like Sheypoor and Divar have made buying and selling in Iran incredibly easy, but they’ve also created a playground for scammers. If you don't know how to distinguish a legitimate ad from a trap, you risk losing not just the money you transfer, but potentially your entire bank account balance through phishing links.

Digital security isn't just about having a strong VPN or a complex password; sometimes, it’s simply knowing which link not to click. Here is a breakdown of the most common scams on Sheypoor and how to handle them.

Rule #1: The Mystery of "Too Good to Be True" Prices

It’s the oldest rule in the book, but it still claims the most victims. Scammers know that if they price an item slightly lower than average (but not so low that it looks obviously fake), they trigger the buyer's greed.

If you see an item priced 30-40% below the market rate and the seller insists on urgency ("offer expires tonight"), be skeptical. These listings are usually bait designed to collect down payments from multiple victims before the seller turns off their phone and disappears.

The "Deposit" (Bi'aneh) Trap

The biggest mistake people make on classifieds platforms is transferring money before seeing the item. The seller uses smooth talk: "I have many buyers lined up. If you want me to hold it for you, send 500,000 Tomans as a deposit."

You send the money, and that's it. There is no item, and the number is no longer reachable.

• Golden Rule: Never transfer even a single Rial until you have seen the item in person and verified it works.

Phishing Links and Fake SMS

Scams have evolved. Sometimes, you are the one posting an ad, and you immediately receive an SMS: "Your listing has encountered an error. To verify your identity, click the link below and pay a 2,000 Toman fee."

These links take you to a fake payment gateway that looks exactly like the official "Shaparak" system. However, as soon as you enter your card details, your account is drained. If you value your privacy and financial data, remember this: legitimate platforms never ask for card details or verification fees via random SMS links.

How to Spot a Fake Link

1. Check the URL: The payment gateway address must end in shaparak.ir (with no extra letters or dashes).

2. Sender ID: Platforms like Sheypoor usually send system messages from dedicated short codes, not personal mobile numbers.

3. Connection Security: If you are outside Iran managing assets inside the country, ensure you use a secure, static IP connection. Unexpected IP changes can trigger banking errors, but they can also make it harder to spot if a page is loading slowly due to being a fake redirect. While ZibalVPN helps with access, your awareness is the primary defense against phishing.

In-Person Meetings: Where and How?

Let's assume the item is real and the price is fair. Now it's time to meet. Never go to a stranger's personal home or invite them to yours unless absolutely necessary and you are not alone.

Best places to meet:

• Busy public spaces (parks, metro stations, mall lobbies).

• Near an ATM (for instant card-to-card transfers).

• During daylight hours.

If the seller makes weird excuses like "I can't leave my house" or "I don't have a car," it might be better to walk away. For more on how to stay anonymous and secure while navigating the web, check out our About page.

Seller Beware: The Fake Receipt Scam

Don't think only buyers are at risk. If you are selling, watch out for "fake receipt generators." A buyer arrives, looks at the item, asks for your card number, and shows you a receipt on their phone screen claiming the money has been sent. They might even show you a fake SMS.

But when you check your account, the money isn't there. The buyer claims, "The Paya system is delayed."

• The Fix: Never hand over the item until you receive the deposit SMS from your own bank or verify the balance in your mobile banking app. A screenshot on the stranger's phone proves nothing.

Tips for Iranians Living Abroad

If you live abroad and are trying to buy something for family in Iran or rent a property via Sheypoor, things get trickier. Not having direct access to an Iranian SIM card or IP address can sometimes flag your activity as suspicious by Sheypoor's security bots.

In these cases, using a reliable IP tool is essential to access Iranian services without getting blocked. You can see the technical details on our Setup page. However, remember that a VPN cannot stop social engineering; only your caution can prevent you from sending money to a scammer.

The Final Checklist for a Safe Deal

Before money changes hands, run through this list:

1. Is the price suspiciously low? (If yes, be careful).

2. Did the seller ask for a deposit/bi'aneh? (If yes, stop).

3. Did you receive a weird payment link via SMS? (Do not click).

4. Is the meeting place public and safe?

5. Have you tested the item? (Always get a testing warranty for electronics).

For more updates on digital safety and navigating the Iranian web, follow our Blog. Scammers find new methods every day, but the basics remain the same: Don't rush, don't trust blindly, and hold onto your money until the very last second.