First of all: this isn't your fault, and you're not alone. These scams are designed by people who do this full-time. What matters now is acting fast, because deadlines really matter here.
Don't wait until tomorrow. If the transaction hasn't fully gone through yet (this happens with some transfers, especially outside business hours or on weekends), it can sometimes be stopped before it leaves.
Tell them exactly: "I've been the victim of fraud in an online purchase, I want to block the transaction and open a dispute". Ask for a case number.
This is what determines the most whether you'll get your money back:
💳 You paid by card
Ask your bank for a chargeback for "item not received" or "fraudulent charge". This is a right you have with cards, and it usually works for undelivered purchases.
🅿️ You paid with PayPal (goods and services)
Log into your account → Activity → find the payment → "Report a problem" → "Item not received". PayPal opens a dispute and usually rules in the buyer's favour if the seller can't prove delivery.
📦 You paid within the app (Wallapop, Vinted…)
Open a case within the app itself. Since the money is held until you confirm receipt, it's recoverable in most cases. This is exactly why you should never leave the app.
🏦 You paid by bank transfer or Bizum
This is where it gets hardest, and I'd rather be clear about it: usually the bank can't reverse it, because you authorised the payment. Even so, do it anyway: file a written dispute, keep the case number, and report it. In some cases, if the scammer's account still holds the money and you act very fast, it has been possible to freeze it.
₿ You paid in cryptocurrency or gift cards
Being honest: this is practically impossible to recover, because these payments are irreversible and anonymous by design. Report it anyway, especially if you're part of a larger fraud where cases can be grouped together.
Scammers delete their profiles and listings very fast. Take screenshots now of:
In Spain, you can report it to the Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil, in person at any police station. For online scams there's also an online report form, though in many cases you'll need to confirm it in person afterwards.
Even if the amount is small and you think it won't help, it does: reports against the same account or profile add up, and that's how scam networks get uncovered.
You can also get free help from 017, INCIBE's cybersecurity helpline in Spain (free and confidential), where they'll guide you on what to do in your specific case.
Notify the platform (Wallapop, Vinted, Facebook Marketplace…) so they close the scammer's account and it doesn't happen to anyone else. And if you want, report it on Shield404 too: that way we warn anyone else who comes across the same link or number.