The idea of an Amazon mystery box sounds thrilling at first glance: a sealed package filled with returned items, overstock goods, or unexpected “treasures,” all supposedly worth far more than the price you pay. Unfortunately, what appears to be a clever way to score discount items can quickly turn into wasted money, disappointment, or even exposure to fraudulent sellers. Understanding how these mystery boxes actually work and how to identify the red flags can help consumers make more informed decisions before clicking “Buy.” Key Insights Amazon reviews highlight that mystery boxes typically promise high-value surprise items but contain low-value or no-value items instead. Mystery boxes are usually sold through third-party sellers, not directly through Amazon. Amazon does sell overstock pallets, but only to verified business buyers, not everyday consumers. Social media ads often impersonate Amazon, creating confusion and leading shoppers to believe these deals are legit Amazon mystery boxes when they’re not. What Is the Amazon Mystery Box Scam and How Does It Work? Often marketed as an Amazon mystery box, Amazon random box, or Amazon mystery pallet, this scheme has become one of the top scams. It works because it feels like a good deal from a reputable seller. So many consumers still ask: Is the Amazon mystery box real or fake? Unlike many other scams, you’re not left entirely empty-handed. This scam is a bit more of a bait-and-switch or misleading advertising. Report a Scam Most often, scammers place ads on social media, impersonating Amazon using logos, colors, and product imagery. The fake ads entice buyers with promises of brand-new, desirable goods sold in a random box or on a mystery pallet. Buyers believe they’re purchasing a big “surprise box” filled with valuable items. When asked why this scam became so popular, Clay Cary, Senior Trends Analyst and Finance Expert at CouponFollow, shared: Consumers love the idea of opening up something unexpected. Mystery boxes are a hit because they create excitement, curiosity and an overall experience. Social media has been very influencial on these unboxing videos, shoppers feel part of a community and big trend, not just a purchase. Below you can see an example of fake Facebook ads claiming that a consumer is buying a large collection of items for a heavily discounted price. Scammers often use terms like “pallet,” “overstock,” or “return box” to lend credibility to the ad. Amazon does have a pallet program that is available only to certain business sellers who hold a particular tax-exempt status, so even a quick internet search about “Amazon pallet” may turn up information to help sell the scam, but the authentic Amazon pallet program is not available to the general public, and it is not advertised through Facebook or other social media ads. Below, you can find an explanation from the official Amazon website. Source: amazon.com However, once the scammer’s ad convinces a buyer to make a purchase, the buyer pays for a mystery box or “pallet.” The scammer sends a small, inexpensive item, and the would-be bargain buyer is left with expensive junk while the scammer enjoys their money. Are Amazon Mystery Boxes Real? Stories from Consumers Online reviews about Amazon tell the stories of many customers who fell victim to one of the newest online scams. A reviewer named Kinzy was one of those who told her story among the Amazon reviews on PissedConsumer. According to the reviewer, a seller advertised on Facebook “in such a manner to present the appearance the seller was Amazon.” Kinzy ordered two large boxes from the seller and “was charged $131.98” for both boxes. I was charged$131.98. for 2 Giant Boxes. Box #1 arrived and contained 4 tiny off-brand items of little or no value. Box #2 has never arrived. Kinzy reached out to the seller and discovered that the two boxes she ordered were “packaged together to reduce cost,” and the four small items she received were the contents of both “giant boxes” she ordered. In her review, Kinzy noted that she felt scammed and reported the issue to the US Attorney General. She was also planning to contact a local news affiliate to warn others about these consumer issues. Others have fallen for similar ads turned Facebook scams involving mystery boxes. In review #4696090, a customer named Zach shared that he paid $60 for a box that was advertised to be a “high value electronics mystery box” valued at $400-500. When he opened the box, “it was an $18 water flosser.” He claims his experience “seems like a scam and a warehouse dump.” Still another customer, Ferdos, tells her story succinctly in her review #6593053. She “purchased 2 Amazon Pallets expecting 5-20 items in each as advertised on Facebook.” But instead, she “got 2 tiny Mystery Boxes with one item in each.” She, like all the other reviewers, was understandably frustrated to be taken in by a scam. How to Protect Yourself from Mystery Box Scams Staying savvy to potential scams is important. But what is the best way to spot red flags? Bobby Ghoshal, CEO at Dupe.com shared: The biggest red flag to look for when shopping online is limited reviews. If a seller is boasting only five-star reviews with similar wording for each that’s a tall-tale sign that something is up. Make sure you do your research and always buy from a credible seller even if it means you’re spending a few dollars more. It will be worth it when it your new shirt doesn’t fall apart in the wash. Here are a few more tips on how to avoid falling victim to scams like the Amazon mystery box: First, remember that Amazon does not sell pallets, overstock, or mystery open items to the public. Individual sellers may sell mystery boxes through Amazon, but those are not being sold by Amazon directly. Second, remember that typically, things that seem too good to be true often are. Be wary anytime you see an advertisement on social media or other websites that seems unrealistic. Finally, don’t follow any links through those ads or posts. If an offer is being made through an authentic seller like Amazon, you should be able to go directly to the website and find the offer. Type in the URL yourself rather than following links to avoid going to fake or phishing websites. Reporting the Scams If you find a scam, strongly consider reporting it to protect others. If you encounter or fall for the Amazon Mystery Box scam, report it directly to Amazon, especially if the items were sold by an Amazon reseller on the website. You might also report scams to your state’s Office of the Attorney General, an agency that tracks scams and tries to protect the public. Finally, you should warn others, and the best way to do that is to leave reviews about your experience. Not only will you let others know what to avoid, but you may also find a community of support from those who have had similar experiences. Been scammed? Report it through PissedConsumer.com. Report a Scam