Online shopping scams are increasingly becoming a concern for consumers, particularly as social media platforms emerge as significant sources of risk. Seema Shandil, the Chief Executive of the Consumer Council of Fiji, reports that the organization has received over 100 complaints this year alone, with nearly half involving scams where individuals paid for products but never received them.
Shandil highlights that while many complaints involve delayed or misrepresented items, there are 44 cases where consumers have faced complete financial losses due to fraudulent activities. Platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, TikTok, and boutiques on Instagram are currently identified as key areas where these scams are proliferating.
“The rapid, viral nature of these platforms coupled with their emphasis on impulse buying can easily outpace the verification processes,” Shandil explains. She notes that new entrants in the e-commerce space are particularly vulnerable to these scams. Many consumers find themselves scammed while attempting to purchase trending products, often leading to long delays, counterfeit items, or sellers who simply vanish.
Scams on these social media platforms frequently involve direct transactions through direct messages with no oversight from the platforms themselves. Common issues include fake fashion and jewelry boutiques that collect payments without delivering real products, as well as romance scams that eventually shift to requesting money.
In light of these rising threats, the Consumer Council is urging individuals to remain vigilant. Consumers should take the time to verify sellers thoroughly and avoid making payments through unsecured or untraceable methods to mitigate the risk of falling victim to these scams.
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