I’ve Been Scammed or Defrauded. What Should I Do?
We understand how frustrating and stressful it can be to experience fraud, lose money, or receive an item that isn’t as described.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam on Kijiji, taking the right steps quickly can help protect yourself and support any investigation.
Report the Incident to Police
If you have experienced:
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Financial loss
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Fraudulent activity
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A suspected scam
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Stolen property
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An item that was intentionally misrepresented
you should report the incident directly to your local police service.
For incidents involving monetary or property loss, a police report is the appropriate next step.
Why Do I Need to Contact the Police?
Law enforcement is the only authority that can investigate fraud, identify suspects, and pursue legal action when appropriate.
Kijiji cannot investigate criminal matters or determine whether an offence has occurred.
The police will assess whether the situation involves:
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Fraud
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Theft
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Possession of stolen property
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A civil dispute between two parties
Depending on their findings, they may open an investigation or advise you of other available options.
What Information Should I Gather?
Before contacting police, collect as much information as possible, including:
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Screenshots of the listing
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Copies of messages or emails
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Payment receipts or e-transfer confirmations
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Transaction dates and times
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The listing ID or ad link
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Photos of the item received (if applicable)
The more information you can provide, the easier it may be for investigators to review the situation.
Can Kijiji Give Me Information About the Other User?
No.
To protect user privacy and the integrity of investigations, Kijiji cannot disclose personal information about buyers or sellers to other users.
This includes:
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Names
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Addresses
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Phone numbers
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Account details
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Transaction history
If police require information as part of an investigation, they may contact Kijiji directly through the appropriate channels.
Can Kijiji File a Police Report for Me?
No.
Police require a report directly from the victim or affected party.
Because Kijiji was not involved in the transaction, we cannot provide first-hand details or file a report on your behalf.
Should I Contact the Other Person?
If the issue appears to be a misunderstanding or a product concern rather than an obvious scam, you may wish to make one final attempt to resolve the matter directly.
However, if you believe fraud has occurred:
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Do not send additional money.
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Do not share personal information.
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Avoid further communication if you feel unsafe.
How Do Police Contact Kijiji?
If police require information related to an investigation, they can contact Kijiji directly through our dedicated law enforcement process.
Kijiji cooperates with legitimate law enforcement requests in accordance with applicable laws and privacy requirements.
Help Protect the Community
Even after reporting the matter to police, you should also report suspicious listings or users through Kijiji’s reporting tools.
Reporting helps our Trust & Safety teams identify potentially fraudulent activity and take action where appropriate.
Key Takeaways
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Report fraud, scams, or monetary loss to your local police service.
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Keep copies of all messages, receipts, and listing information.
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Kijiji cannot provide personal information about other users.
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Kijiji cannot file a police report on your behalf.
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Law enforcement can contact Kijiji directly if information is required for an investigation.
Taking prompt action and documenting the incident thoroughly gives investigators the best opportunity to review and address the situation.