MASIO MARKET

Stay safe on Masio

Most people on Masio are honest. These habits protect you from the few who aren't.

See it. Check it. Then pay.

Masio does not take payments. You pay the seller directly, so only pay once you have the item in your hands.

For buyers · For sellers · Common scams · If something goes wrong

For buyers

Pay on delivery or at pickup, never before. Don't send a deposit, "booking fee" or "transport money" to hold an item. Honest sellers can wait until you meet.
Meet in a busy public place. Good spots: a mall, a busy filling station, a bank's forecourt. For large items delivered to your home, have someone with you.
Inspect before paying.
Phones and laptops: switch them on, check the camera, charging, keyboard and battery health. Check the IMEI (dial *#06#) matches the box. Make sure iCloud or Google accounts are signed out.
Appliances: plug in and test where possible.
Clothes: check size, stitching and labels.
Check the seller. Look for a Verified badge, read their reviews, and see how long they've been on Masio. Tap the badge to see what we checked.
Keep the conversation on Masio chat. It gives you a record if something goes wrong. Be careful if a seller pushes you to another app right away.
Pay with a trail. Mobile money or bank transfer at the meeting leaves a record. Count cash in front of the seller.
Get it in writing. Ask the seller to confirm any warranty or return promise in Masio chat.
If a price looks too good to be true, it usually is. A new iPhone for half price is a warning sign.

For sellers

Confirm payment before handing over the item. Check your MoMo or bank balance yourself; don't trust a screenshot or an SMS the buyer shows you. Fake "payment received" messages are common.
Watch for reversal tricks. If a buyer says they sent money "by mistake" and asks you to send some back, check with your provider first.
Never share codes. Masio will never ask for your PIN, password or a verification code. Anyone asking is a scammer.
Meet safely. Use public places, and tell someone where you're going.
Be wary of "my driver will pick it up". Get paid in full, confirmed in your account, before releasing anything.

Common scams

Scam	What it looks like	What to do
Deposit to hold	"Many people want it. Send GH₵200 to reserve it."	Never pay before you see the item. Report the listing.
Fake payment alert	Buyer shows an SMS or screenshot saying they've paid.	Check your own MoMo or bank balance.
Wrong-transfer refund	"I sent too much, please send back the difference."	Call your provider. Don't send money back yourself.
Too-good price	Cars, phones or rentals far below market price.	Ask to see it in person first. Report it if they refuse.
Out-of-town seller	"I'm in another region, pay and I'll send it by bus."	Only buy from sellers you can meet, or use a trusted courier where you pay on delivery.
Fake Masio staff	Someone says they're from Masio and asks for codes or fees.	Masio staff never ask for PINs or codes. Masio never charges buyers. Report it.
Rental or property advance	"Pay viewing fee / advance first."	Only pay after viewing and checking ownership papers with a lawyer or the Lands Commission.

If something goes wrong

Stop paying. Don't send more money to "fix" the problem.
Report on Masio. Use the Report link on the listing or profile, or email hello@masiomarket.com. We review reports within 1 business day and can remove the seller's listings and account.
Report to the authorities. Call or text the Cyber Security Authority on 292, and file a report at your nearest police station. Keep your chat history and payment receipts.
Call your mobile money provider right away. They may be able to flag or block the receiving wallet.

What Masio can and can't do today: We can remove scammers, share information with the police when the law requires it, and help you collect evidence. We can't refund money paid directly to a seller, because Masio never handled it.

Report a problem · Contact support

Help · Trust Center · Contact support

For buyers

Pay on delivery or at pickup, never before. Don't send a deposit, "booking fee" or "transport money" to hold an item. Honest sellers can wait until you meet.

Meet in a busy public place. Good spots: a mall, a busy filling station, a bank's forecourt. For large items delivered to your home, have someone with you.

Inspect before paying.

Phones and laptops: switch them on, check the camera, charging, keyboard and battery health. Check the IMEI (dial *#06#) matches the box. Make sure iCloud or Google accounts are signed out.

Appliances: plug in and test where possible.

Clothes: check size, stitching and labels.

Check the seller. Look for a Verified badge, read their reviews, and see how long they've been on Masio. Tap the badge to see what we checked.

Keep the conversation on Masio chat. It gives you a record if something goes wrong. Be careful if a seller pushes you to another app right away.

Pay with a trail. Mobile money or bank transfer at the meeting leaves a record. Count cash in front of the seller.

Get it in writing. Ask the seller to confirm any warranty or return promise in Masio chat.

If a price looks too good to be true, it usually is. A new iPhone for half price is a warning sign.

For sellers

Confirm payment before handing over the item. Check your MoMo or bank balance yourself; don't trust a screenshot or an SMS the buyer shows you. Fake "payment received" messages are common.

Watch for reversal tricks. If a buyer says they sent money "by mistake" and asks you to send some back, check with your provider first.

Never share codes. Masio will never ask for your PIN, password or a verification code. Anyone asking is a scammer.

Meet safely. Use public places, and tell someone where you're going.

Be wary of "my driver will pick it up". Get paid in full, confirmed in your account, before releasing anything.

Common scams

Scam	What it looks like	What to do
Deposit to hold	"Many people want it. Send GH₵200 to reserve it."	Never pay before you see the item. Report the listing.
Fake payment alert	Buyer shows an SMS or screenshot saying they've paid.	Check your own MoMo or bank balance.
Wrong-transfer refund	"I sent too much, please send back the difference."	Call your provider. Don't send money back yourself.
Too-good price	Cars, phones or rentals far below market price.	Ask to see it in person first. Report it if they refuse.
Out-of-town seller	"I'm in another region, pay and I'll send it by bus."	Only buy from sellers you can meet, or use a trusted courier where you pay on delivery.
Fake Masio staff	Someone says they're from Masio and asks for codes or fees.	Masio staff never ask for PINs or codes. Masio never charges buyers. Report it.
Rental or property advance	"Pay viewing fee / advance first."	Only pay after viewing and checking ownership papers with a lawyer or the Lands Commission.

If something goes wrong

Stop paying. Don't send more money to "fix" the problem.

Report on Masio. Use the Report link on the listing or profile, or email hello@masiomarket.com. We review reports within 1 business day and can remove the seller's listings and account.

Report to the authorities. Call or text the Cyber Security Authority on 292, and file a report at your nearest police station. Keep your chat history and payment receipts.

Call your mobile money provider right away. They may be able to flag or block the receiving wallet.

What Masio can and can't do today: We can remove scammers, share information with the police when the law requires it, and help you collect evidence. We can't refund money paid directly to a seller, because Masio never handled it.