Online sellers face new risks from AI-driven image manipulation fraud

Online sellers are facing new risks from fraudulent buyers using artificial intelligence to manipulate product images. These scammers reportedly use AI to retouch photos of received items, making them appear damaged or non-compliant with the original listing to secure refunds while keeping the goods.

One reported case involved a seller on Vinted who lost both the payment and the item after a buyer allegedly used AI to create fake evidence of a defect in a pair of jeans. To combat this growing trend, some sellers have begun filming the entire packaging process to provide visual proof of the item's actual condition at the time of shipment.

While platforms like Allegro, OLX, Vinted, Etsy, and eBay offer accessible ways to earn money without a dedicated online store, they do not guarantee protection against such sophisticated digital fraud. Sellers are advised to carefully calculate costs and maintain thorough documentation of their transactions.