Bought a 'rare' variegated monstera cutting online for $150. Total scam.

Always ask for a video call to see the plant moving. A photo can be faked too easy. They should be able to show you the stem and nodes up close in real time. Real variegation won't look painted on. The pattern comes from inside the leaf. If they refuse a quick live video, that's a huge red flag. Stick to sellers with long histories on the platform. Even then, check their past sales for reviews.