Reporting Suspicious Listings

Maintaining a safe marketplace requires community vigilance. Aswaq Online relies on users like you to help identify and report suspicious, fraudulent, or prohibited listings. This guide explains how to recognize problematic listings, the reporting process, and what happens after you submit a report.

How to Identify Suspicious Listings

Price Red Flags

Be cautious of listings with:

• Significantly underpriced items: Prices far below market value (typically 30-50% lower)
• Luxury items at bargain prices: High-end brands priced suspiciously low
• Too-good-to-be-true deals: Offerings that seem unrealistic
• Price inconsistencies: Different prices mentioned in title vs. description
• Hidden costs: Additional fees revealed only in the description

Photo Warning Signs

Look for these visual indicators:

• Stock photos only: No real photos of the actual item
• Watermarked images: Photos taken from other websites or retailers
• Mismatched photos: Images don't match the description
• Blurry or low-quality images: Intentionally obscuring item details
• Incomplete views: Critical angles or features not shown
• Different items in multiple photos: Inconsistent appearance across images
• Edited or manipulated images: Signs of digital alteration to hide defects

Description Issues

Be wary of listings with:

• Vague descriptions: Minimal details about important features
• Keyword spamming: Irrelevant brands or terms to appear in more searches
• Copy-pasted content: Text directly from manufacturer websites
• Contradictory information: Details that don't align with photos or title
• Excessive urgency: Pushing for immediate purchase decisions
• Poor language quality: Significantly worse than typical for your region
• Missing vital information: No mention of condition, dimensions, or specifications

Seller Behavior Concerns

Question listings from sellers who:

• Are newly registered: Accounts created within the last few days
• Have zero feedback: No reviews or ratings from previous transactions
• Refuse local pickup: Only offer shipping with no option to inspect
• Insist on off-platform communication: Urgently pushing to talk outside the platform
• Request unusual payment methods: Asking for wire transfers or gift cards
• List multiples of scarce/luxury items: Multiple identical high-value products
• Have inconsistent location information: Different locations mentioned in profile vs. listing

Categories of Reportable Listings

Fraudulent Listings

• Counterfeit goods: Fake versions of branded products
• Non-existent items: Listings for items the seller doesn't possess
• Misrepresented items: Products significantly different from description
• Bait and switch: Advertising one item but selling another

Prohibited Items

• Illegal goods: Controlled substances, weapons, etc.
• Prescription medications: Non-pharmacy sales of prescription drugs
• Counterfeit currency or documents: Fake money or identification
• Stolen property: Items with signs of theft or unauthorized resale
• Recalled products: Items subject to safety recalls
• Protected wildlife products: Ivory, endangered species products, etc.

Policy Violations

• Multiple listings of same item: Creating duplicate listings
• Copyright/trademark infringement: Unauthorized use of protected material
• Adult content: Inappropriate or explicit imagery
• Contact info in photos/description: Attempting to bypass platform messaging
• Misleading promotional tactics: False claims about item scarcity or value
• Selling services rather than items: Business services disguised as products

How to Report a Suspicious Listing

Step-by-Step Reporting Process

1. Navigate to the listing: Open the suspicious listing completely
2. Locate the report option: Click the "Report" button or flag icon (usually near the top or bottom of the listing)
3. Select the reason: Choose the most appropriate category for your report
4. Provide details: Add specific information about why you're reporting the listing
5. Submit evidence (if available): Upload screenshots or other documentation
6. Complete submission: Submit your report and note the confirmation number

Reporting via Mobile App

1. Open the Aswaq app and navigate to the listing
2. Tap the three dots (⋮) or "More" option
3. Select "Report Listing"
4. Follow the prompts to categorize and describe the issue
5. Submit your report

Reporting via Desktop

1. Go to the listing page on the Aswaq website
2. Click the "Report" button (usually near the listing title or at the bottom of the page)
3. Select a violation category from the dropdown menu
4. Provide detailed information about the issue
5. Add any relevant screenshots or evidence
6. Click "Submit Report"

What Information to Include

Provide these details for effective reports:

• Specific concerns: Clearly state what aspects of the listing are suspicious
• Contradictions: Note any inconsistencies between title, photos, and description
• Evidence: Mention objective facts rather than suspicions when possible
• Similar listings: Reference other potentially related fraudulent listings
• Communication: Include details of any suspicious messages from the seller
• Urgency factors: Note if the listing represents an immediate safety concern

What Happens After You Report

Review Process

Once submitted, your report goes through these stages:

1. Initial screening: Automated systems evaluate the report
2. Priority assignment: Reports are categorized by severity and urgency
3. Human review: Our trust and safety team examines the listing and report
4. Investigation: Additional research may be conducted if needed
5. Decision: Action is taken based on findings

Possible Outcomes

Depending on the investigation, Aswaq may:

• Remove the listing: Delete the listing from the marketplace
• Suspend the seller: Temporarily disable the seller's account pending review
• Ban the user: Permanently remove the user from the platform
• Issue warnings: Notify the seller about policy violations
• Request changes: Ask the seller to modify or clarify the listing
• Monitor the account: Place the seller under increased scrutiny
• Take no action: If the listing is determined to be legitimate

Reporting Timelines

What to expect timing-wise:

• Urgent safety issues: Reviewed within 2-4 hours
• Fraud reports: Typically reviewed within 24 hours
• Policy violations: Usually handled within 1-3 business days
• General concerns: Resolved within 5 business days

Maintaining Your Privacy and Safety

Reporter Anonymity

Your identity is protected when reporting:

• Anonymous reporting: Sellers never know who reported their listing
• Confidential process: All reports are handled confidentially
• No account linking: Reports aren't visible on your user profile
• No retaliation policy: We actively prevent targeting of users who report issues

After Reporting

Best practices after submitting a report:

• Avoid engagement: Don't contact or confront the seller you've reported
• Stay vigilant: Watch for similar listings from the same or related sellers
• Follow up if needed: Contact support if the issue worsens or isn't resolved
• Protect your information: Never share personal details with suspicious sellers

Special Reporting Categories

High-Value Item Fraud

For luxury goods, vehicles, and property listings:

• Verification requests: Ask the seller for additional proof of authenticity
• Serial number checks: Verify numbers with manufacturers when possible
• Document verification: Report missing or suspicious documentation
• Detailed photos: Request specific images of authentication markers

Intellectual Property Violations

For copyright or trademark infringement:

• Specific identification: Note which brands or creative works are being infringed
• Official links: Include links to the official products being counterfeited
• Comparison points: Highlight specific evidence of counterfeit indicators
• Creator information: Mention if you represent the rights holder

Safety Concerns

For listings presenting potential harm:

• Specific hazards: Detail the specific safety issues
• Recall information: Include links to relevant product recalls
• Immediate risks: Note if the issue presents imminent danger
• Vulnerable users: Mention if the listing targets children or vulnerable groups

Community Responsibility

The Importance of Reporting

Your reports make a significant difference:

• Protect other users: Help prevent others from being scammed
• Maintain marketplace quality: Keep Aswaq a trustworthy platform
• Enable quick response: Early detection helps address problems before harm occurs
• Support legitimate sellers: Fair competition for honest marketplace participants

What Not to Report

Avoid reporting for these reasons:

• Personal disagreements: Issues with a seller unrelated to the listing
• Negotiation failures: Unsuccessful price negotiations
• Competing listings: Legitimate competition with your own listings
• Minor discrepancies: Small, non-deceptive differences in description
• Subjective opinions: Personal preferences about item quality or value

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the seller know that I reported their listing?
A: No, all reports are anonymous. Sellers are never informed who reported their listings.

Q: How many reports does it take to remove a listing?
A: There is no fixed number. Some serious violations may be removed after a single report, while others require thorough investigation regardless of report volume.

Q: Can I check the status of my report?
A: Yes, you can check report status in your account under "My Activities" > "My Reports." You may also receive email updates for significant developments.

Q: What if I report a listing by mistake?
A: Contact customer support immediately with the report reference number to explain the situation.

Q: Can sellers report buyers too?
A: Yes, sellers can report suspicious buyer behavior through a similar process.

Q: Will Aswaq refund money if I've already paid for a fraudulent item?
A: Report both the listing and the payment issue immediately. Refund policies depend on the payment method used and how quickly the issue is reported.

Need More Help?

If you have questions about reporting a suspicious listing or need guidance on a specific situation, please contact our support team or visit our Help Center for more assistance.