1. Pretending to be the legitimate online seller
(1) Scam Technique: The crook would register or steal an account under the name of a good seller on Facebook or various shopping platforms and sell popular products lower than market prices. After the victim has made the purchase, the crook will use the cause to save the handling fee to persuade the victim to trade via communications software to avoid the safe transaction mechanism offered by the platforms. After the amount wired by the victim has been received, the crook will disappear.
(2) Scam Prevention Tip: 1. Avoid using Facebook, LINE or private transaction methods since there is no transaction safety protection mechanism; 2. When shopping online, read carefully about the reviews about the seller. If poor evaluation is given or sudden changes of products have been made (for example, the seller originally sold life articles for a long period of time and suddenly changed to sell high-priced 3C products), please avoid this transaction; 3. When purchasing high-priced products, do use the safety transaction mechanism provided by the online shopping platforms. 2. Stealing your family and friend’s account (1) Scam Technique: The crook randomly steals a Facebook account and makes the false statement about buying cheap 3C products by inviting potential buyers to add his/her LINE. After the victim comes in, he/she will tell you that the promotion has ended or that it is inconvenient for him/her to meet due to the long distance and will request the victim to wire the money first. After receiving the transmission, the crook will disappear. (2) Scam Prevention Tip: 1. After receiving incentive shopping information via Facebook or LINE sent by a family member or friend, you have to confirm in person or via a phone call; 2 When buying a high-priced product, you should always ask for it to be delivered in person. 3. Pretending to be a customer service representative from the bank (1) Scam Technique: The crook will hack the databank of online shopping platform and after your personal information is stolen, he/she will call you and pretend to be a customer service representative from the platform or the bank by claiming order errors or repeated amounts deducted after you have been accidently upgraded as a VIP. You will be asked to cooperate with him/her in order to get the refund. Their purpose is to lure the victim to operate an ATM or wire money out from the bank. (2) Scam Prevention Tip: 1. ATM absolutely has no cancellation or setup function and when a call from a stranger requires you to operate in front of an ATM, that is a scam; 2. When a call shows in front of numbers as the “+” symbol, that indicates that it is an international call. Watch out for the scam! 4. Pretending to be a policeman (1) Scam Technique: The crook collects personal information of online shoppers and pretends that he/she is calling from a police agency for a prosecution case. The bank will be requested to assist you to return the fraudulent amount and another crook will disguise as a customer service representative from the bank to assist you to operate in front of an ATM. (2) Scam Prevention Tip: 1. ATM absolutely has no cancellation or setup function and when a call from a stranger requires you to operate in front an ATM, that is a scam; 2. When a call shows in front of numbers the “+” symbol, that indicates that it is an international call. Watch out for the scam! We would like to remind you again online shopping provides us convenience but it has some hidden traps. Only shop on reliable online shopping platforms and avoid private transaction via Facebook or LINE to avoid scams. For any doubts and concerns, please call the Anti-fraud Hotline 165.