What is covered in Same Fossil by Multiple Sellers?

Detecting duplicate fossils across sellers. Reverse image search workflow, image hashing, and cross-marketplace verification.

How does Jurassic Depot help buyers avoid fossil fraud?

Listings require provenance and restoration disclosure. Buyers can request document review, use expert services, and rely on buyer protection for material misrepresentation.

Should I buy fossils without paperwork?

No. Missing locality, land type, or chain-of-custody documents is a major risk for illegal material, fakes, and failed disputes.

Same Fossil Listed by Multiple Sellers

When identical fossil photos appear under multiple sellers, it's stolen images, a drop-ship scam, or coordinated fraud.

Why This Is Dangerous

Stolen photos: Only one seller owns the fossil. Others take your money and disappear.

Drop-ship scam: None own it. All list same wholesale item at markup. May not even be available.

Coordinated fraud: Same person controlling multiple accounts — shill bidding or fake competition.

Red Flags

— Identical photos across different sellers/locations

— Photos slightly cropped or color-adjusted to evade detection

— Same specimen at different prices

— All sellers joined recently, no history

— Sellers in different countries, same item

— Description copied word-for-word

— One listing disappears after another sells

— Seller can't provide verification photo

Reverse Image Search Workflow

1. Auto Hash

Perceptual hash (pHash) generated for every uploaded image. Compared against all existing images. Near-matches → admin queue.

2. Web Search

Admin tool checks images via Google Images, TinEye, Bing APIs. Matches on other auction sites, dealer pages, marketplaces → flagged.

3. Cross-Platform

Checked against eBay, Heritage, Catawiki, dealer sites. Active listing on another platform → held pending verification.

4. Admin Review

Manual review of flagged listings: seller identity, history, metadata, verification response. Approve, hold, or block.

What Buyers Should Do

1. Search images yourself: Right-click → Search with Google. Takes 10 seconds.

2. Check seller history: New seller + high-value fossil = extreme caution.

3. Request verification: Photo with handwritten note and today's date.

4. Report duplicates: See same fossil under multiple sellers? Report both.

Jurassic Depot Response

— Auto-flag: hash match → both listings held

— Seller investigation: new accounts or suspicious patterns → ban

— Buyer notification: duplicate detected after sale → cancel + refund

— Public warning: 'Similar image appeared in [date] listing with different seller.']

Stolen Photos Defense Guide