Online Purchase Scam

WHAT IS AN Online Purchase Scam?

Victims of this scam are often tempted by what seems like a good deal for a gadget, amusement park or concert tickets sold online. They transfer payment to the "seller" who promises delivery of the item. In some cases, sellers demand further payment for duties or delivery charges after the first payment is made. Ultimately, the victim never receives the item.

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  • Deals that are way below market-price disguised as limited-time-only or flash deals
  • High demand gadgets or items that are priced much lower
  • Lack of information on the products or unstated terms and conditions
  • Insists on bank transfers
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  • Do not agree to bank transfers before delivery
  • Where possible, insist on cash-on-delivery or use the platform’s secure payment option
  • Check that all fees are stated upfront
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What you should look out for

  • Deals that are way below market-price disguised as limited-time-only or flash deals
  • High demand gadgets or items that are priced much lower
  • Lack of information on the products or unstated terms and conditions
  • Insists on bank transfers
Read More

What you should do

  • Do not agree to bank transfers before delivery
  • Where possible, insist on cash-on-delivery or use the platform’s secure payment option
  • Check that all fees are stated upfront
Read More

RELATED SCAM STORIES

Showing 6 of 787 Stories
Showing 6 of 30 Stories
03 Jan 2021

Seller went missing after I requested for a refund for my PS5 purchase

I saw a ps5 selling on shopee and i contacted the person through whatsapp. The price was not even considered low, it was just $30-40 cheaper than retail price. It has all these info on a website, Instagram…...

24 Nov 2020

Scammer insisted that we passed our phone to the courier person

I posted in gumtree to sell my. iphone se. Scammer contacted ME at 4pm said he want to buy it for his daughter. He is in USA but daughter is in Malaysia. He will arrange for fedex courier to pickup the…...

03 Oct 2020

Shop within the platform and do not do a direct bank transfer

At around 11:30 on 2 October 2020 I saw an ad on shopee for a laptop going at $550 so I went to pm the seller and ask if it still available. And got a response in a few mins saying yes so I text them…...

26 Aug 2020

Scammer requested for a direct bank transfer

Saw Samsung note 10+ advertised on Lazada website on 18 Aug for S$499.50. When I relog on 19 Aug, it is no longer there.  On 20 Aug, it was advertised again twice. One for $570 & another for $620. As…...

06 Jul 2020

There are buyers who attempt to cheat sellers! Beware!

This Buyer claimed to have transferred the money to my bank account for the bag he is getting as a present for his wife. he kept pushing me to hand over the bag to courier collection before 6pm. I refused…...

21 Jun 2020

Beware of Online Purchase Scams!

Went online shopping in shopee on 20 june 2020 and found this sg seller. item was offered at $350 with no delivery fee required. I contact seller through whatsapp (83792917) and He counter offer at $300…...

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