Trading & Scam Prevention
Protect yourself from scams and stay safe while trading in MapleStory Classic World
⚠️ Important Safety Notice
Trading is an essential part of the MapleStory Classic World experience, but unfortunately, scammers exist who will try to take advantage of unsuspecting players. This guide will teach you how to recognize common scams, protect your account and items, and trade safely with other players.
Remember: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take your time, verify everything, and never rush into trades that make you uncomfortable.
Common Trading Scams
Drop Trading Scam
Scammer asks you to "drop" items on the ground for a trade instead of using the trade window. Once you drop items, they quickly pick them up and log out or change channels.
How to Avoid: NEVER drop items for any reason. Always use the official trade window. There is no legitimate reason to drop items for a trade.
Fake Screenshot Scam
Scammer shows you a doctored screenshot of a trade or item stats to convince you an item is more valuable than it actually is. They may also use similar-looking items with different stats.
How to Avoid: Always verify item stats yourself in the trade window. Hover over items to check their real stats. Don't trust screenshots or verbal descriptions.
Item Swap Scam
Scammer puts in the correct item, you both confirm, but then they cancel at the last second. They immediately re-open trade with a similar-looking but worthless item (like Clean Slate Scroll vs. White Scroll) hoping you won't notice the swap.
How to Avoid: Check every item EVERY time you confirm a trade, even if the trade was cancelled and reopened. Take your time and read item names carefully.
Meso Amount Scam
Scammer agrees to pay a certain amount (e.g., 100m mesos) but actually puts in much less (e.g., 10m or 1m) hoping you won't count the zeros carefully. The large numbers can be confusing to read quickly.
How to Avoid: Always count the zeros in meso amounts carefully. 1,000,000 (1m), 10,000,000 (10m), 100,000,000 (100m). Take a screenshot of the trade window before confirming.
Phishing & Account Theft
Scammer sends you fake website links claiming to be official MapleStory sites, free NX/items giveaways, or "account verification" pages. These sites steal your login credentials when you enter them.
How to Avoid: NEVER enter your login info on any site except the official Nexon website. Never click suspicious links. Nexon will never ask for your password in-game or via email.
Fake Event/GM Scam
Scammer pretends to be a GM (Game Master) or creates fake events, asking you to "verify your account," "claim your prize," or "pay a fee to enter." Real GMs have special name colors and will never ask for items or passwords.
How to Avoid: Real GMs have a special yellow name tag [GM]. They will NEVER ask for items, mesos, or account information. Always verify events on official channels.
Real Money Trading (RMT) Scam
Someone offers to sell you mesos, items, or leveling services for real money. Besides being against Terms of Service, these transactions often result in stolen items, banned accounts, or payment fraud.
How to Avoid: Never engage in real money trading. It violates ToS and can result in permanent bans. You risk losing both your money and your account. Scammers can also charge back payments after delivering, getting you banned.
Safe Trading Practices
DO: Use Trade Window
Always use the official trade window. Both items and mesos are displayed clearly, and trades are final once confirmed. This is the only safe way to trade.
DO: Double Check Everything
Before confirming a trade, verify all item stats, names, and meso amounts. Hover over items to see their full description. Count zeros carefully.
DO: Take Screenshots
Screenshot the trade window before confirming, especially for expensive trades. This provides evidence if you need to report a scammer to support.
DO: Trust Your Instincts
If something feels wrong or too good to be true, walk away. Legitimate traders will be patient and understanding. Pressure to trade quickly is a red flag.
DON'T: Drop Items
Never drop items on the ground for any reason. There is no legitimate trading scenario that requires dropping items. This is always a scam.
DON'T: Share Account Info
Never give your username, password, PIN, or security questions to anyone. GMs and Nexon staff will never ask for this information.
DON'T: Trust External Sites
Don't click links from strangers in-game. Don't trust "too good to be true" giveaways. Always verify events on official MapleStory channels.
DON'T: Rush Trades
Take your time with every trade. Scammers rely on creating urgency. A legitimate trader will give you time to verify everything.
Red Flags & Warning Signs
Watch out for these warning signs that someone might be trying to scam you:
Pressure to Trade Quickly
"Hurry, I have to go soon!" or "This deal expires in 1 minute!" - Scammers create false urgency.
Unusually Good Deals
Items being sold for far below market value or offers that seem too generous.
Requests to Use Non-Standard Methods
Asking to drop items, trade through storage, or any method besides the trade window.
Canceling and Reopening Trades
Repeatedly canceling the trade window, especially right before confirmation.
Newly Created Accounts
Low-level accounts with valuable items or large amounts of mesos can be scammer alts.
Aggressive or Defensive Behavior
Getting angry when you ask questions or take time to verify items.
Reporting Scammers
If You've Been Scammed:
- Take Screenshots Immediately - Capture the chat logs, trade windows, and the scammer's character name
- Report In-Game - Right-click the player's name and select "Report" to flag them to GMs
- Submit a Support Ticket - Go to the official Nexon support website and submit a detailed ticket with your screenshots
- Warn Your Friends/Guild - Share the scammer's name (without witch-hunting on public forums) to protect others
- Block the Player - Add them to your block list to prevent further contact
Important: Nexon can track all trades and may be able to restore stolen items in some cases. Always report scams immediately with as much evidence as possible. Even if your items aren't returned, reporting helps prevent others from being scammed.
Account Security Best Practices
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create a strong password that you don't use anywhere else. Use a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Set up 2FA on your Nexon account. This adds an extra layer of security that makes it much harder for hackers to access your account even if they have your password.
Set Up a Strong PIN
Your in-game PIN protects your items from being dropped or traded. Use a unique PIN that's different from your password and don't share it with anyone.
Never Share Account Access
Don't share your account with friends, don't use account sharing for leveling services, and never "borrow" someone else's account. Account sharing violates ToS and puts everyone at risk.
Verifying Item Prices
Before making expensive trades, verify the market value:
- 💰Check Free Market: Browse FM shops to see what similar items are selling for
- 💬Ask Your Guild: Experienced guild members can give price checks
- 📊Community Resources: Check our Economy & Trading Guide for typical price ranges
- 🔍Multiple Opinions: Get 2-3 price checks before buying expensive items
- ⏰Wait Before Deciding: Don't rush into expensive purchases. Take time to research.