An e-commerce scam refers to fraudulent activities conducted online where scammers deceive consumers or businesses into making purchases, sharing personal information, or transferring money for goods or services that are never delivered or misrepresented.

Modus operandi
  • Scammers set up professional-looking websites or social media pages mimicking legitimate e-commerce stores. They often use attractive deals, discounts, or hard-to-find products to lure buyers.
  • After receiving payment, the goods are never shipped, and the website often disappears after a short time, leaving buyers without their purchases or refunds.
  • Scammers claim to sell branded products at discounted rates but deliver counterfeit or inferior goods. The product may be entirely different from what was advertised.
  • Scammers use fraudulent payment systems to collect buyers’ credit card or banking details under the guise of a purchase. They may also request additional personal information that can be used for identity theft.
  • Scammers advertise products that don’t exist, and after payment, they either provide an entirely different product or nothing at all. They may also use excuses like stock issues or delays to avoid fulfilling orders.
  • A scammer overpays for a product or service and then asks the seller to refund the excess amount. In reality, the initial payment is fake, and the seller ends up losing money after sending the refund.
  • Scammers build credibility by posting fake reviews or testimonials on their websites or third-party platforms. These reviews help lure customers into trusting the fraudulent site or product.
What you should do?
  • Be cautious of offers with unusually low prices or seem too good to be true.
  • Always choose a reputable and secure platform.
  • Review testimonials and feedback on the seller’s profile before proceeding.
  • Verify the seller’s bank account numbers using the ‘Semakmule” Portal (https://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule).
  • Avoid transactions outside of secure shopping platforms and make payments only through trusted shopping platforms.

If you have been scammed, please inform us immediately at 1300 88 1900 or +603 2613 1900 (Overseas); or call the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm daily; or email customercare@bsn.com.my.