Fraud Intelligence Guide
Marketplace Abuse: Connect Buyer and Seller Risk
One transaction can involve several trust decisions.
By Michael Joseph · Last updated: October 23, 2026
What to understand
Marketplaces combine listings, account interactions, payments and fulfillment across different participants. Reviewing only one side can miss how a harmful transaction developed. Useful evidence follows the relationship between the buyer, seller and action being attempted.
Connect the marketplace journey
Review account creation and relevant changes alongside listing behavior, messages and payment events. Repeated contact details may connect activity, but related businesses and shared households also create legitimate links. Document what is shared and what the behavior suggests.
Signals to review together
Fake buyers, fraudulent sellers, and connected accounts can affect onboarding, listings, purchases, and disputes.
- Account Creation: Review buyer and seller identities
- Account Connections: Look for meaningful relationships
- Transaction History: Compare behavior over time
- Dispute Context: Connect claims with prior activity
Learn from disputes and support
A failed transaction can reflect fraud, misunderstanding or service quality. Bring fulfillment and customer communication into the review before classifying a pattern. Evaluate whether additional signals help at the point where the marketplace can still prevent harm.
Keep legitimate activity in view
A new seller or first-time buyer deserves a fair path onto the platform.
How IFD can help
Tell us which decision you want to improve and what evidence your team already has. IFD helps clarify useful signals, compare suitable providers and scope an evaluation. We review coverage, limitations and practical fit so your team can decide on the next step.
Common questions
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