TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Online shopping scams have become the second most reported type of fraud in Taiwan, according to data from the National Police Agency.
In recent years, many people in Taiwan have turned to social media platforms such as Dcard, Facebook groups, and Line communities for secondhand transactions. The Criminal Investigation Bureau reported on Sunday that these scams now affect both buyers and sellers.
While these platforms offer convenience, they have also become hotspots for increasingly sophisticated scams. The bureau highlighted the growing risks associated with online transactions and the urgent need for increased vigilance.
One common tactic involves fraudsters impersonating logistics service providers to carry out fake “payment verification” procedures. Victims are tricked into clicking phishing links, which allow scammers to steal sensitive personal and financial information.
The bureau has outlined how such scams typically unfold. A fraudster posing as a buyer contacts the seller through private messages and suggests completing the transaction using well-known services like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Shopee claiming it ensures secure handling.
After the seller provides a transaction link, the scammer claims that a problem has occurred, causing the transaction to fail. Common issues cited include failed payments, frozen accounts, or incomplete orders.
The scammer then sends a link to a counterfeit customer service page. The seller is instructed to communicate with a fake agent, who falsely insists that payment verification or authorization has not been completed.
The seller will be asked to provide sensitive information, such as bank account details, login credentials, or personal identification. In some cases, the seller may receive a phone call from someone impersonating a bank representative, offering help and guiding them through supposed verification steps.
These steps typically involve ATM transactions or online banking logins, where the victim may be prompted to enter account numbers, passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), or pay fees disguised as “activation” or “verification” charges. By the time the scam is discovered, the victim's account is often emptied.
In one recent case, a woman trying to resell her concert ticket on Dcard was approached by a buyer who offered to pay more than the asking price and requested using express cash on delivery. Shortly after, the buyer claimed there were permission issues and referred the seller to a fake bank customer service representative.
Following the impersonator’s instructions, the woman carried out 19 separate transfers, losing over NT$750,000 (US$23,115). She realized she had been scammed after the buyer disappeared.
The CIB warns that phrases such as “payment failed,” “account frozen,” and “payment verification required” are strong indicators of fraudulent activity. Sellers encountering these phrases should immediately end the conversation, notify the platform administrator, and call the 165 anti-fraud hotline.
Reports can also be submitted through the anti-fraud website to help prevent others from becoming victims. Authorities continue to urge the public to remain cautious when engaging in online transactions, especially when dealing with unfamiliar individuals.
