Be careful when shopping online during Double 11! Nearly 40,000 cases of fake online auction fraud, police reveal 3 common techniques

The Criminal Bureau dismantles online shopping fraud tactics. (Photo by reporter Yao Yuehong)

The annual Double 11 online shopping carnival is approaching, and fraud groups are also looking for opportunities to make a fortune. According to statistics from the 165 Fraud Dashboard of the Police Department, among the fraud cases from January to October this year, fake online auctions accounted for 38,837 cases, accounting for 36% of the total. The number of cases ranked first, far exceeding the 10,818 cases of fake investment in the second place and the 8,532 cases of fake dating in the third place. The Criminal Police Department specifically revealed three common methods of fraud groups and called on the public to be more vigilant when shopping to avoid becoming a sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

The Criminal Bureau analyzed the common tricks used in fake online auction fraud. The most common one is to use AI deepfake technology to synthesize the videos of well-known entrepreneurs, Internet celebrities or artists, and wildly place one-page advertisements on major social platforms. Such advertisements often feature limited-time breaking prices or free gifts. Once unsuspecting victims choose to pay by cash on delivery, they receive low-quality fakes or even empty packages.

In addition, scam groups are also expected to have strong shopping enthusiasm during Double 11, and people tend to forget what they bought. Ghost packages are sent randomly. People or family members who live with them directly advance payment and sign for it without confirming it. After opening the package, they are shocked to find that they have spent money to buy a bunch of useless garbage.

In addition to fake advertisements and ghost packages, fake lottery winnings and fake part-time jobs are also traps that people cannot guard against. Criminals often send private messages to congratulate them for winning shopping money or the latest mobile phone, and take the opportunity to ask for remittance to pay handling fees and taxes;

In the face of pervasive online shopping fraud, the Criminal Bureau recommends that the public must master the principles of protection. Before signing for a cash-on-delivery package from a supermarket or home delivery, you must verify it before paying. You should develop the habit of checking the order number in your mobile phone memo or shopping app. If the consignment note contains suspicious words such as courier, non-seller, or lack of clear manufacturer information, you should decisively reject the package.

In terms of protecting account security, the police recommend that the public proactively request the card-issuing bank to turn off the function of overseas small-amount card swiping that does not require verification codes, and moderately reduce the daily transfer limit of online banking. This way, even if you accidentally click on a phishing website, you can control the loss of property to a minimum.

Finally, making good use of technological anti-fraud tools is also a powerful tool for self-defense. People can join the official LINE account of 165 National Anti-Fraud Network as a friend to check the anti-fraud dashboard data at any time, filter notification records of suspicious websites, high-risk stores and fake investment platforms, and strictly control their hard-earned money.