Shopee & Lazada Scam — Fake Sellers, Refund Fraud & Non-Delivery

E-commerce scams on Shopee and Lazada are the second most reported fraud type by volume in Malaysia. Fake sellers, counterfeit products, non-delivery, and refund manipulation affect thousands of Malaysian shoppers. While both platforms have buyer protection policies, scammers continuously find ways to exploit gaps in the system.

Online shopping scams accounted for over 14,800 reported cases in 2025, and losses continue to grow as more Malaysians shift to e-commerce.

The most common variant is the fake seller scam. Scammers create new shop accounts with stolen product photos and artificially inflated ratings, then list popular items at below-market prices. After receiving payment, they either ship an empty box, a completely different item, or nothing at all.

A second method involves directing buyers off-platform. The seller offers a "special discount" for direct bank transfer or e-wallet payment, bypassing the platform's buyer protection. Once the buyer pays outside the platform, there is no recourse.

Refund scams work differently. Scammers buy a legitimate item, then claim it arrived damaged or was not delivered, requesting a full refund while keeping the product. This variant targets sellers rather than buyers.

Can I get a refund if I was scammed on Shopee or Lazada?

If you paid through the platform, you can file a dispute within the buyer protection window. Off-platform payments have no buyer protection.

How do I spot a fake seller on Shopee or Lazada?

Check the shop's registration date, number of completed orders, and review quality. Avoid shops with no reviews, suspiciously low prices, or pressure to pay off-platform.