The COVID-19 epidemic is heating up in Taiwan, which has also caused many people to panic and purchase various anti-epidemic supplies. With the market in short supply, unscrupulous people have seized this panic opportunity to commit fraud. Since Taiwan announced that the epidemic has entered the third level of alert, a large number of one-page fraudulent advertisements pretending to sell anti-epidemic supplies have appeared on various social platforms and portal websites. If you are smart, remember to stop and read before taking action.
One-page shopping scams are booming, and fraud in the name of epidemic prevention supplies is particularly rampant.
Since Taiwan’s epidemic alert has been heightened, fraud groups have placed a large number of advertisements on portals, platforms such as Facebook and LINE, as well as major websites, selling popular anti-epidemic products such as protective masks, blood oxygen machines, and anti-droplet jackets. They use words such as “Go Taiwan” or “low-price promotions” and match them with product pictures stolen from official websites in an attempt to lure people into taking the bait and entering a one-page fraud website that is fake and authentic. Once consumers are deceived into placing an order, they will either be delayed in waiting for the goods to be shipped or receive counterfeit goods. In serious cases, they may even face the risk of having their important personal information stolen.
According to Trend Micro statistics, in just two weeks from 5/13 to 5/27, up to 75 Tens of thousands of one-page shopping scams also remind consumers that hackers are very good at using popular current affairs issues in fraudulent messages. They look specious and exploit the weakness of people’s panic to manipulate consumer psychology, thereby attracting unsuspecting people to fall into the trap. The public is reminded to be more vigilant and pay more attention to verification when browsing various shopping websites or advertisements, and to avoid purchasing goods on unofficial websites or nameless websites without reputation and support. Trend Micro provides several tips for preventing online shopping fraud and epidemic prevention online shopping for your reference:
- Avoid going out to have sex to prevent infection
- Do not send money to unknown sellers on social networking sites
- Surprisingly good deals and extremely low prices relative to the market price, so be vigilant
- Beware of super-low-price ads posted by unknown and copycat Facebook fans
- You may buy fake goods at unofficial stores
- Disinfect the internal and external packaging and items when picking up the package to protect yourself
▲Picture source:Trend Micro Fraud Prevention Expert Fan Page
Previously issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police ServiceFraud cases of online shopping for epidemic prevention suppliesAmong them, two cases are particularly classic. A victim in Taichung City bought a forehead thermometer from a seller. After opening the box, he found that it was just an ordinary electronic thermometer, plus a small bottle of ethanol disinfectant. A Keelung citizen opened the box after the product arrived and found that it was filled with waste paper, Styrofoam, bubble wrap and other waste debris. 165 appeals to the public that if they want to purchase epidemic prevention-related items, it is more secure to go through physical channels. When shopping online, please be sure to pay attention to price chaos and avoid falling into the trap of fraud groups. While preventing the epidemic, don’t forget to prevent fraud. If you encounter any fraud involving epidemic prevention materials, please call the 165 anti-fraud consultation hotline.
Source: KOCPC Chinese