The unregulated market for psychedelics is growing fast, and with it comes a wave of scams. Fake vendors set up slick sites overnight, cloned stores mimic trusted brands, and hustlers flood comment threads with claims of miracle products. This guide breaks down their tactics in plain language, so you can make informed choices and protect yourself from fraud.
Unrealistic Prices and Wild Claims
Deep discounts and extravagant promises are classic bait. Sellers offering products at unbelievably low prices or making outrageous claims are likely scammers. Genuine vendors can’t slash prices by fifty percent and still deliver high quality.
- Prices far below standard ranges, such as $2 per LSD hit or $20 for a gram of DMT.
- Statements like “99.999 percent pure” without any lab data.
- Promises of free shipping and bonuses on tiny orders.
Insight: Compare offers with typical price ranges at the end of this guide. If a deal seems like fantasy, it probably is.
No Legal Footprint
Even grey‑market businesses leave a trail. Online sellers with no terms and conditions, privacy policy or business registration number should raise concerns. Reputable vendors usually list a contact email or a pseudonymous company name. Total anonymity signals danger.
- No address, phone or email on the site.
- Missing or vague legal policies.
- Domains registered only weeks ago.
Suspicious Payment Requests
Fraudsters love untraceable payments. Avoid sellers who insist on money orders, pre‑loaded cards or multiple PayIDs. Reliable vendors typically accept Interac e‑Transfer, major cryptocurrencies or use an escrow service.
- Requests for gift cards or Western Union transfers.
- PayPal “friends and family” payments to avoid fees.
- Payee names that don’t match the vendor’s brand.
Pressure and Scarcity Tactics
Countdown timers, pop‑ups announcing “Only two left!” and pushy direct messages are psychological tricks. They play on fear of missing out and rush you into a decision. Ethical sellers do not pressure customers to buy immediately.
Cloned or Look‑Alike Websites
Scammers clone legitimate sites or build near‑identical versions with tiny variations in the URL. Scrutinise website addresses for strange characters and check domain registration details. A domain registered last week with multiple dashes is a red flag.
- Domains like
psychedelic--shop.netinstead of the official.store. - Copied logos and stock images across different sites.
- Broken links or placeholder filler text.
Fake Social Media and YouTube Comment Hustles
Bot accounts and hustlers populate comment sections on YouTube and social media posts. They praise an anonymous “plug” and drop a number or handle. Then sock puppet accounts reply to create fake consensus. These are scams designed to extract your money.
- A user posts about overcoming depression thanks to “mushroom gummies” from a mystery supplier.
- Another account chimes in to agree and shares a WhatsApp or Telegram contact.
- Unsuspecting readers message the contact, pay through crypto or cash apps, and never receive anything.
Legitimate vendors never solicit business in random comments. If you see these posts, report them. Before trusting any recommendation, click through to the commenter’s profile. Accounts with no uploads and repetitive comments are likely bots.
Verifying a Vendor’s Website
Check the URL and Registration
Don’t trust the first search result. Search for the official site and inspect the URL for dashes or misspellings. Use WHOIS to see when the domain was registered and who owns it. Sites created a few days ago are suspect.
Look for Policies and Contact Details
Real vendors provide privacy policies, terms of service and contact information. The absence of these documents is a red flag. Verify any business numbers through official registries.
Search for Independent Mentions
Check harm‑reduction forums, Reddit threads and directories like Drug Buyers Guide. If a vendor has no external footprint, it may be because it’s brand new, or a scam.
Deep Dive: Evidence & Red Flags
Check Reviews & Certificates
Don’t take testimonials on a vendor’s site at face value. Look for discussions on harm‑reduction forums such as r/harmreduction, Bluelight or TripSit. Authentic reviews share specifics like delivery times and potency. Be sceptical of vague or uniformly glowing praise.
Responsible sellers provide lab results tied to specific batches. Certificates should list dates, batch numbers and impurity breakdowns. If a vendor refuses to produce lab documentation or sends obviously doctored files, that’s a major red flag.
Inspect product photos carefully. Genuine vendors show their own packaging and inventory. Stock images or photos stolen from other websites suggest dishonesty. Ask for a photo with a handwritten note or today’s date to prove they have the goods on hand.
Payment & Communication
- Avoid untraceable payments: Steer clear of requests for gift cards, Western Union, money orders or pre‑loaded cards. Reputable vendors accept Interac e‑Transfer, well‑known cryptocurrencies or services that offer some buyer protection.
- Watch payee names: If the payee name doesn’t match the vendor’s brand or contact details, ask why. Inconsistent payment information is often a warning sign.
- Assess professionalism: Generic emails, poor grammar or evasive answers suggest a scam. A legitimate vendor will address questions about shipping, dosing and harm‑reduction directly and respectfully.
Protect Yourself
- Verify before buying: Always take a moment to confirm the store is genuine. Use search engines, forums and this guide for cross‑checking. Don’t rely solely on a single recommendation.
- Start small: Place a modest order with any new vendor. Confirm that shipping, packaging and product quality meet expectations before spending more.
- Respond if scammed: If you realise you’ve been duped, act quickly. Contact your bank or card provider to halt transactions. Change passwords on all online accounts. Report the fraud to appropriate authorities to help protect others.
Typical Price Ranges (Canada)
Use these ranges to gauge whether a quoted price is plausible. Prices fluctuate based on potency, supply and location, so treat them as guidelines rather than hard rules.
| Substance | Typical Range* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LSD (blotter) | $5–$10 CAD per hit (75ug to 150ug) | Higher potency or special art can cost more. |
| Psilocybin mushrooms | $7–$12 CAD per gram | Microdose capsules and edibles have a premium. |
| DMT crystals | $80–$120 CAD per gram | Vape carts are often pricier per dose. |
| MDMA | $40–$80 CAD per gram | Tablet vs. crystal form influences price. |
| Ketamine | $80–$120 CAD per gram | Racemic vs. S‑ketamine may change cost. |
| 2C‑B | $120–$180 CAD per gram | Usually sold in pellets of 10–15 mg. |
| Mescaline (San Pedro extract) | $150–$200 CAD per 500 mg | Very rare; pricing varies widely. |
*Ranges reflect grey‑market prices as of July 2025. They are subject to change.