The Most Common Scams on Bonanza for Sony A9 III Mirrorless Cameras in 2026

Beware of These Common Scams When Buying a Sony A9 III on Bonanza

The Sony A9 III is a cutting-edge mirrorless camera, making it a target for scammers who prey on the excitement of acquiring such advanced technology. Bonanza, while a legitimate platform, can host fraudulent listings. Staying informed about prevalent scams is your first line of defense.

Bait-and-Switch Electronics

This scam involves luring customers with an attractive price for the Sony A9 III, only to switch the offer to a different, often inferior or non-existent product once the buyer is engaged. Scammers may list a genuine-looking ad with a very low price for the camera, but when you attempt to purchase, they claim it's out of stock and try to upsell you to a more expensive model or a completely different item. This tactic exploits the initial interest generated by the low price.

Ghost Inventory Listing

Scammers create listings for the Sony A9 III that they do not actually possess. Once a buyer makes a purchase, the scammer will either try to delay shipment indefinitely, claim the item was lost, or provide a stolen tracking number. They profit from the sale without ever intending to ship the actual product. This also ties into the 'Stolen Tracking Number' scam, where a fake tracking number is provided to give the illusion of shipment.

Untraceable Payment Request

Sellers might pressure buyers to use payment methods outside of Bonanza's secure system, such as direct bank transfers, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps. These methods often lack buyer protection, making it extremely difficult to recover funds if the camera is not as described or never arrives. This is a critical red flag, as legitimate sellers typically prefer or require platform-integrated payment systems for high-value transactions.

Overseas Shipping Extortion

Some fraudulent listings for the Sony A9 III may originate from sellers claiming to be overseas. After a purchase, they might demand additional, exorbitant shipping fees or customs charges that were not disclosed in the original listing, often using threats of cancellation or non-shipment to coerce payment. This is a tactic to extract more money from the buyer after the initial sale is made.

Phishing 'Booth' Verification

Beware of messages or emails claiming to be from Bonanza support, asking you to 'verify' your account or transaction details through a link. These are phishing attempts designed to steal your login credentials or financial information. Bonanza will not ask for sensitive information outside of its secure dashboard.

• ✓ Always use Bonanza's integrated payment system.
• ✓ Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true for a high-demand item like the Sony A9 III.
• ✓ Scrutinize seller reviews and history; look for consistent positive feedback and recent activity.
• ✓ Never communicate or conduct transactions outside of the Bonanza platform.
• ✓ If a seller insists on an unusual payment method or requests extra fees, disengage immediately.
• ✓ For high-value transactions like the Sony A9 III, consider using Safe Trade Services' Premium Plan for an added layer of identity verification, ensuring you're dealing with a legitimate individual.