The reason you stumble onto this article, you are very likely either have been scammed or is talking to a scammer. So I will try my best to keep this PSA short and sweet.

A lot more people are shopping online during this Movement Control Order (MCO), so I hope this info helps!

🤬💔⚠️

Some of the known scammers,

These two are some of the latest known dudes who tries to swindle online.

Platforms,

These are some of the well known eCommerce platforms in Malaysia so scammers are mostly concentrated here, but please beware that online scam can happen anywhere,

• Mudah (mudah.my)
• Lazada (lazada.com.my)
• Shopee (shopee.com.my)
• Carousell (carousell.com)

Products,

Listed below are some of the most targeted products (especially in the secondhand market), used to scam buyers,

• Macbook Pro, iPhones, iPad, and all other Apple products,
• DJI drones,
• Nintendo Switch,
• Console games,
• Basically any latest and current hypest item in the market will be their aim.

Usually the most sought after items are used to scam shoppers. 📱🎮

Scammers' Tricks,

1. They will scour the net and download photos from other platforms (such as eBay) as well as copying the text from the thread so it looks as real as the original sellers.
2. Accounts created on those platforms are usually very new and listed with just a few of the aforementioned sought-after items.
3. Very likely to advertise at an unbelievably reasonable prices and later offer you even further discount.
4. Some even allow you to just pay half the money first and another half after you have received your package.
5. If you asked for a meet up transaction or cash-on-delivery (COD), they will tell you that they are from another state, etc. Practically you guys will not be able to meet up.

There are also plenty of buyers who would scam the genuine sellers but I can only speak from the buyers' perspective at this point.

Trust your guts and don't fall for it. 💪

Advices,

1. Always, always, ALWAYS choose to meet up with the seller and inspect the item you're buying.
2. Run a text search and image search from the ads, by copy and pasting the content onto Google. Who knows, you might find the exact same copy the same content and photo from other sources (such as eBay, etc.).
3. If you MUST deal online, I will advice you to confirm the product by video recording or video call. This should be possible for most if not all of the used goods. At this point, I am sure most of you have known the product well enough - so request the seller to record a video or two and send them to you. Something unique (angle or usability) if possible, regarding the object such as,
   • Turning on and off the product.
   • Run any program or app.
   • Simply shoot around the serial or model number.
   • Open the memory card (or battery) slot.
4. Avoid giving out your phone number too soon. This may not sound like a wise advice but most scammers will talk you into buying immediately. So if you know you are an emotional or impulsive buyer, avoid giving out your number in the first place.
5. If you guys are talking over the phone or texting, compare it to the tone of what's written on the ads. Many times they just copy the text from another seller hence they don't speak or reply with the same tone or level of understanding regarding the ads and product.
6. Bank account holder name is not the same as the display name of the one who put up the advertisement.
7. Last but not least, as the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Trust your guts and don't fall for it.

Take a breather if you must and some time to ponder before sending over the money. Even when the deal fall through, there are plenty other reputable and proper sellers out there for you.

You are now smarter in avoiding scam (hopefully so). 🤓

For Those Who Have Been Scammed,

Say goodbye to your money and move on.

You can, of course, file a police report with the bank account details of both the sender (my condelences, it's you) and the recipient. And bring copy of the report(s) to the bank(s).

You are now smarter in avoiding scam (hopefully so), congratulations.