Working with payment aggregators (Stripe Connect, PayPal for Marketplaces)

[Good Carder]

From carder to carders. In classic carding, you pay the merchant directly with a stolen card. But there's a more elegant way: make the payment aggregator work for you. Marketplaces and platforms built on Stripe Connect or PayPal for Marketplaces become more than just a place to shop, but a ready-made infrastructure for money laundering and cashing out. You register a seller, sell the product, the platform automatically splits the payments and transfers the funds to a controlled account.

In this article, I'll explore how payments work on Etsy, eBay, and Amazon Handmade, how to register a seller under a proxy, how the "triangle" scheme works on aggregators, and how to bypass payment delays through holds and escrow.

Part 1. Payment Architecture: How Marketplaces Work​

Marketplaces aren't traditional payment gateways. They operate on the Stripe Connect or PayPal for Marketplaces model, where the platform acts as an aggregator and sellers act as connected accounts.

1.1. Etsy and Etsy Payments​

Etsy uses its own payment system, Etsy Payments, which integrates card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other payment methods. The system automatically deducts fees, processes refunds, and activates buyer protection.

Etsy fees (2026):

• Listing Fee: $0.20 per item (upon creation and renewal every 4 months)
• Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the total sale price (including shipping)
• Payment Processing Fee: 3% + $0.25 per transaction
• Currency Conversion Fee: ~2.5% when converting currencies

Payments from buyers are deposited into the seller's internal Etsy account and then withdrawn to a bank card or PayPal. Etsy may place a payment hold on funds for up to 180 days for new sellers or if fraud is suspected. This delay is the main challenge when cashing out through Etsy.

1.2. eBay и Managed Payments​

eBay has fully transitioned to Managed Payments, a system where eBay acts as the payment aggregator. All payments are processed through eBay, and sellers receive funds in their bank account after fees are deducted. Previously, eBay required sellers to register separately with PayPal; now, verification and payments are processed centrally. eBay's commission ranges from 10% to 15% depending on the product category.

A key feature for carders: eBay uses an escrow model — money is held until delivery is confirmed, and then transferred to the seller. If the fraudster is acting as a fake seller, the funds are deposited into their account after the real seller ships the item to the buyer (the victim). The delay can be from 2 to 7 days.

1.3. Amazon Handmade​

Amazon Handmade is a specialized Amazon category for handmade goods. Sellers must register for a professional account for $39.99 per month, but this fee is often waived for approved Amazon Handmade sellers.

Amazon Handmade verification:

• Government-Issued Photo ID - Passport or Driver's License
• Business documentation - registration certificate, extract from the register
• Proof of address - bank statement or utility bill (up to 180 days old)
• Tax Information - EIN or SSN for US Sellers
• Bank details

Amazon also verifies the handmade status of products and requires proof that they are truly handmade (and not mass-produced). This is a significant barrier.

Part 2. Registering the seller under a proxy​

Bypassing marketplace verification is a key task for creating a dropshipping seller account.

2.1. Fake documents​

Registering a seller on Etsy and eBay requires basic verification: name, address, bank account, and sometimes photo ID. Amazon Handmade requires significantly more documents, including business verification. The main risk: the bank account must be registered under the same name as the name on the passport.

Sources of ready-made ID and documents:

• VerifTools – the largest marketplace for fake IDs on the dark web (closed in 2025, but its followers continue to operate).
• Deepfake documents are AI-generated identities used to bypass automated KYC systems.
• Real documents via darks — purchase scans of real passports and then substitute your photo.

Practical tip: For Amazon Handmade, it's easier to use an existing verified seller account (aged account) purchased on the darknet. Such an account costs $200–$500, depending on its history.

2.2. Virtual offices and drop addresses​

A physical address is required for registration. Please use:

• Virtual offices (rent by the month) - receive mail, forward it to your dropbox.
• Parcel terminals and PO boxes (not linked to a person).
• Remailer services – get an address in the US/EU, send documents to another country.

2.3. Drop Bank Accounts​

The bank account is the weakest link. In 2026, banks will massively block drop accounts at the first sign of suspicion. Solutions:

• Virtual accounts in neobanks (Revolut, Wise, Payoneer) with minimal KYC.
• Drop accounts through Kiribati (countries with weak AML controls: Pakistan, Nigeria, Philippines).
• Crypto wallets with IBAN functionality — for example, Advcash (now Volet) — allow you to get a virtual bank account.

Part 3. The "triangle" scheme on payment aggregators​

The "triangle" scheme is ideal for marketplaces where the platform acts as a guarantor of the transaction.

3.1. Classical scheme​

Participants:

• The victim-buyer is an unsuspecting user who wants to buy a product.
• A drop-seller is an account on a marketplace (Etsy, eBay, Amazon Handmade) that you control.
• A real seller is a legitimate seller of the same product on another marketplace.

Algorithm:

1. The victim finds the item from you (the dropshipper) at a reduced price and pays for it. The payment is deposited into the marketplace's escrow account.
2. You (the dropshipper) take the stolen card and buy the same item from the real seller, providing the victim's delivery address.
3. The victim receives the product directly from the real seller and leaves you a positive review.
4. The marketplace transfers the victim's money to your account (after delivery confirmation).
5. You withdraw funds to a drop bank account and cash out.
6. The owner of the stolen card initiates a chargeback within 1-4 weeks. The money is debited from the actual seller who has already shipped the item. You retain the victim's money.

In February 2025, Merlin Network disrupted a sophisticated triangular fraud scheme in which criminals operated through marketplaces, selling products at reduced prices and paying for them with counterfeit payment instruments.

3.2. Variations on aggregators​

Etsy: Buying digital items (gift cards, subscriptions, templates) is the easiest option, as there is no physical delivery. Escrow is minimal.

eBay: Requires delivery confirmation for payouts. Use fake tracking numbers or send blank tracking envelopes. eBay may hold payouts for up to 21 days for new sellers.

Amazon Handmade: Amazon holds funds for up to 14 days after delivery confirmation. Use digital items or very inexpensive handmade items (e.g., a $5 handmade card).

Part 4. Cashing out through holds and escrow​

Marketplaces have payment retention and escrow systems to protect buyers from fraud. These same systems are the main obstacle to quick cashouts.

4.1. Types of holds​

Marketplace	Hold for new sellers	Hold for suspicious transactions	Typical payment period
Etsy	3-7 days after delivery confirmation	180 days at high risk	3–14 days
eBay (Managed Payments)	2-4 days after delivery	21 days for new sellers	2–7 days
Amazon Handmade	up to 7-14 days after delivery confirmation	90 days	7–14 days

4.2. How to bypass delays​

1. Use digital products. Digital gift cards, software, templates, and subscriptions are confirmed instantly. No physical delivery means no confirmation delays. Etsy and Amazon automatically consider digital products "delivered" at the time of purchase.
2. Warm up your account. Don't withdraw large amounts from a new account. First, make 5-10 small sales ($5-$20). The marketplace will reduce the hold after several successful transactions.
3. Use fake tracking numbers. For physical items on eBay, generate fake tracking numbers (using services like FakeTracking.com). The system won't recognize them immediately, but the payment will be processed within a few days.
4. Stripe Connect Instant Payouts. If your dropshipping merchant uses Stripe Connect (available on some marketplaces), you can set up instant payouts to a debit card or bank account for a 1–2% fee.
5. Selling an account with its balance. Instead of withdrawing funds to your account, sell the drop-seller's account and accumulated balance to another carder for cryptocurrency. This eliminates the AML issue.

4.3 How Stripe Connect handles chargebacks​

When a chargeback occurs, Stripe not only refunds the buyer but can also create a negative balance in the merchant's connected account. If the account doesn't have sufficient funds, Stripe will attempt to recover them from the platform (marketplace). This creates serious risks for the platform, which may ban your dropshipping seller and report their details to the police. This is why marketplaces scrutinize suspicious accounts so thoroughly.

Part 5. OPSEC and the Checklist​

• To register as a seller: Prepare a fake ID (or purchase an aged account). Make sure the bank account is linked to the same name as your passport. Use a virtual office for the address.
• For marketplaces: Start with Etsy — verification is easier than on Amazon Handmade. For larger purchases, use eBay.
• For products: Use digital products (gift cards, software, subscriptions). This speeds up payment and reduces the risk of proof of delivery.
• To cash out: Don't withdraw large amounts at once. Warm up your account with small sales, then increase the volume.
• To withdraw funds: Use drop accounts through Wise, Revolut, or Advcash. Never withdraw to your personal account.
• If a hold is triggered: Don't panic. The marketplace can hold funds for up to 180 days. It's better to sell your account with the balance than to wait.

Summary​

Payment aggregators (Stripe Connect, PayPal for Marketplaces) are a powerful tool for carders. The "triangle" scheme allows you to act as an intermediary between the victim and the real seller, receiving money without directly risking a stolen card. The main obstacles are seller verification (solved with fake documents and aged accounts) and payment delays (bypassed through digital goods and pre-existing accounts).

Etsy has the easiest entry point. eBay offers fast payouts but requires proof of delivery. Amazon Handmade is the most difficult to register, but Amazon is less likely to block payments if you pass verification. Your goal is to avoid exposing your seller account to aggressive schemes, use small checks, and always have a backup account in case of blocking.

A quick one-line reminder:
"A marketplace is not a goal, but a tool. Etsy is easier to register, eBay pays faster, Amazon Handmade is more difficult but more reliable." "The triangle scheme: the victim pays you → you pay the real seller with a stolen card → the goods go to the victim → your profit. Bypass holds with digital goods and warmed-up accounts. Never withdraw to your own account — use drop accounts."