The e-commerce scene in Malaysia is booming, but with growth comes risk. While you’re busy promoting products, handling customers, and fulfilling orders, scammers are also working hard to trick unsuspecting online sellers.

Whether you're selling on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, or running your own Shopify e-commerce store, here are 8 common online scams targeting Malaysian sellers and how to avoid them in 2025.
 

Account Takeover (ATO) Fraud

In this scam, a hacker breaks into your e-commerce seller account by stealing or guessing your login info. Once they get in, they:

1. Change your payout settings (like your bank account number or e-wallet).

2. So when your shop gets sales, the money goes to them instead of you.

3. Sometimes, they might even delete your listings or damage your store's reputation.

How to Protect Your Account:

• Use a strong, unique password (not your birthday or “123456”).

• Turn on 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) so hackers can’t log in even if they get your password.

• Regularly check your account activity and payout info. If you see any changes you didn’t make, report it immediately.
   

Chargeback Fraud

Chargeback fraud happens when a buyer pays with a credit or debit card, receives your product, and then lies to the bank by claiming:

• The item never arrived, or

• They didn’t make the purchase (unauthorised transaction)

As a result, the bank forces a refund, taking the money out of your account and giving it back to the buyer. So in the end, you lose both the product and the money.

This type of scam is common for e-commerce sellers using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, where payments are processed by third-party gateways (not by Shopee or Lazada’s built-in systems).

How to Stay Safe:

• Use trusted payment gateways with fraud protection (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, iPay88).

• Keep solid proof of delivery, like tracking numbers, courier logs, or customer signatures.

• For high-value orders, consider requiring ID verification or proof of receipt.

Fake Payment Proof Scam

This scam usually happens when you're selling outside of official e-commerce platforms like through Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Telegram.

Here’s how it works:

1. The buyer says they’ve made a bank transfer or e-wallet payment.

2. To “prove it,” they send you a screenshot of the transaction.

3. But the screenshot is edited or fake, no real money was sent.

If you believe it and ship the product, you’ll never receive payment and the scammer disappears.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Never rely on screenshots alone. Scammers can easily edit them using apps.

• Double-check directly in your bank or e-wallet app to confirm that the money really came in.

• When in doubt, wait until you receive the actual payment before shipping anything.
   

Fake Verification or Campaign Fee Requests

In this scam, someone pretends to be a staff or agent from the e-commerce platform. They may contact you through WhatsApp, Telegram, email, or even phone calls, saying things like:

• “Your seller account needs to be verified, pay RM100 now.”

• “Join this paid campaign to boost your product visibility.”

• “Failure to pay will result in your store being suspended.”

Their goal is to trick you into transferring money or sharing personal info like IC numbers, bank details, or OTP codes.

But the truth is, these are scammers, and the platforms don’t charge for basic things like verification or listing support.

How to Stay Safe:

• Ignore and block any “agent” who asks you to make payments outside the official app or website.

• Do not share personal info or OTP codes through messaging apps.

• If you're unsure, contact the real customer service through their official help center.

Learn more about reporting scams and protecting your account in our dedicated article on how to report scams and contact TikTok Shop customer service.

Fake Buyer Scam

In fake buyer scams targeting sellers, the scammer pretends to be an interested buyer, often using urgency, payment issues, or delivery concerns to manipulate the seller. They exploit the seller’s eagerness to close the sale and trick them into compromising their account or personal details.

Here’s how it usually happens:

1. Scanning a QR Code

The scammer initiates a login attempt into your seller account (e.g., Shopee or bank app) and is prompted to verify it. Posing as a buyer, they send you a QR code, claiming it's needed for payment or delivery confirmation. If you scan the QR code, the scammer gains access to your account.

2. Phishing Links and Fake Pages

Scammers may also send a link or QR code via message, email, or chat. Clicking it leads you to a fake login page resembling a trusted site. Thinking it’s real, you key in sensitive information like your username, password, or even credit card details.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Never scan QR codes or click links sent by strangers or unverified buyers.

• Always log in directly via official apps or websites, not through shared links.

• Be extra cautious if the buyer seems rushed, confused, or gives odd instructions.
   

Phishing & Fake Platform Pages

Scammers pretend to be from Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada or other trusted platforms. They send you a fake email, WhatsApp message, or SMS claiming things like:

• “Your store needs verification.”

• “Your account will be suspended.”

• “Click this link to avoid getting banned.”

The link they give leads to a fake login page that looks real, but when you enter your username and password, the scammers steal your account.

How to Stay Safe:

• Never click on suspicious links in messages or emails.

• Always check the sender’s email or number. If it looks weird (e.g., a Gmail address instead of @shopee.com.my), it's fake.

• If you're unsure, go to the official Shopee/TikTok/Lazada app or website directly and log in from there.
   

Return Fraud

This scam happens when a buyer abuses the return/refund system on your e-commerce store.

Here’s how it works:

1. The buyer asks for a return and refund.

2. But instead of sending back the actual product, they return:

• An empty box

• A damaged or used item

• A completely different product

3. Then, they still expect a full refund from you.

This scam is especially common for gadgets, cosmetics, fashion, and branded products, and usually targets high-volume sellers who may not have time to check every return closely.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Record videos when packing your products and when opening returns, it’s your proof.

• Use tamper-proof seals, barcodes, or serial numbers to prove that what was returned isn't the original item.

• For suspicious returns, report the buyer to the platform (Shopee, TikTok Shop, etc.) and submit your evidence.

For practical advice on managing complaints and refunds smoothly on Shopee, check out this helpful guide on smart ways to handle complaints and refunds on Shopee.

Triangulation Fraud

This scam involves three parties, that’s why it’s called “triangulation”:

1. The scammer creates a fake online store (e.g., on Facebook, Instagram, or even a fake website).

2. A real buyer (usually innocent) places an order there.

3. To fulfill that order, the scammer uses a stolen credit card to buy the product from you and asks you to ship the item to their customer.

At first, it looks like a normal order to you. But later, the real credit card owner files a chargeback, saying they didn’t make the purchase. And then you’ll lose the money, even though the item was shipped and delivered.

How to Spot Suspicious Orders:

• Large or expensive orders that ship to a different address than the billing address.

• Buyers who want very fast shipping and avoid questions or contact.

• Multiple orders using different names or cards but the same delivery address.
   

Keep Things Clear and Under Control with BigSeller

Scams can be frustrating and costly, but messy management shouldn’t make it worse. BigSeller helps you keep all your orders and shipments in one place, so it’s easier to track what’s happening and have the proof you need if things go wrong. That way, you’re not chasing problems, you’re handling them smartly and moving forward.

Try BigSeller for free today, and join our WhatsApp channel for more tips to help you run your store better.