Ninja Van Malaysia shares how to avoid scams from 11.11 & 12.12 sales

Picture this: you’re scrolling through your phone, and you see a killer deal that you just have to have. You click, you buy, and days later, a parcel shows up at your door. The catch? It’s cash on delivery, and there’s a good chance what’s inside isn’t what you thought you ordered—or worse, you didn’t even order it.

As the year-end shopping frenzy kicks into high gear, Malaysians are gearing up for mega-sales like 11.11 and 12.12—but so are scammers. Ninja Van Malaysia is warning shoppers about a new wave of cash-on-delivery (COD) scams, where unsuspecting buyers receive packages they didn’t order or boxes filled with items that don’t match what they expected. It sounds like something straight out of a heist movie, but these scams are very real and have been on the rise across Malaysia.

Scammers on the rise across all regions

Ninja Van’s report, titled Ninja Van Explains: Cash-On-Delivery Scams, reveals that COD scams have been spiking, especially in urban and suburban areas. Scammers usually set up fake online stores or promote flashy deals that are hard to resist. Then, they send these unwanted parcels through third-party logistics providers like Ninja Van, hoping you’ll pay up in the heat of the moment.

This surge in scams has been particularly alarming this year, with Klang Valley reporting over 3,000 scam parcels in Q3 2024 alone, a staggering 49.22% increase compared to the same period last year. But it’s not just urban centres feeling the heat; regions across Peninsular Malaysia are experiencing similar spikes. Southern Malaysia has seen a jaw-dropping increase of over 150%, while Eastern Malaysia recorded a 160% rise in cases.

Ninja Van also points to CelcomDigi’s report, which found that Malaysians have fallen victim to fraud a shocking 7,881 times recently. The common theme? Scammers creating an urgency to buy with deals that are a bit too good to be true.

Over the years, Ninja Van Malaysia has observed a rise in COD scams across all regions in the country. While these scams take place throughout the year, the majority of these scammers strike during the year-end peak sales period.

So if you thought you were safe in your corner of the country, think again—scammers are everywhere!

8 Tips from Ninja Van on how to stay safe

We all don’t wanna get scammed, and Ninja Van has a guide on how to stay safe from these scammers and enjoy our shopping experience.

1. Check online seller reviews and ratings

Look for customer feedback and ratings for the product and vendor. Reputable online stores often offer verifiable buyer feedback, which can provide insight into the seller’s dependability and product quality.

2. Verify website security

Ensure that the website accepts secure payment methods. Look for the “https://” in the URL and the padlock symbol in the address bar to signify a secure connection.

3. Research the seller

Look for the seller’s name plus keywords like “scam” or “complaints.” This can assist you identify any bad feedback from former consumers.

4. Compare prices

If a price appears too good to be true, it probably is. Compare pricing across many platforms to determine whether the deal is realistic or suspiciously cheap.

5. Verify your order details

Before accepting a COD shipment, double-check the sender and product information against the order confirmation. Scammers frequently send parcels that imitate legitimate purchases, so checking the expected arrival and contents is important.

6. Be cautious with unexpected parcels

Always notify family members if you are receiving a parcel. Receiving a COD parcel for an item you did not order raises a red flag. Scammers prey on misunderstanding or fear of missing out, anticipating that victims will pay without inquiry. Reject any parcels for which you cannot confirm your order. If you receive a parcel for which you cannot confirm your order, do not hesitate to reject it.

7. Verify through official channels

Always validate delivery information through the Ninja Van app or website to guarantee the parcel is indeed associated with a recent purchase. If you suspect fraud, Ninja Van’s customer support team is here to help.

8. Stay Informed and Vigilant

Awareness is your first line of defense. Ninja Van’s official Parcel Scams Advisory page has the most recent information on typical scams and how to spot fake deliveries. Customers who receive suspicious parcels or payment demands should contact Ninja Van directly via email at [email protected] or through Ninja Chat.

Ninja Van is committed to combating these scams

Ninja Van Malaysia is taking major steps to combat COD frauds, including upgrading security protocols, educating delivery people, and training them to recognize scam indicators. However, addressing this issue requires a collaborative effort. Consumers can actively decrease their exposure to COD scams by following these safety guidelines and remaining watchful. Ninja Van Malaysia remains committed to serving its customers by providing reliable and secure parcel delivery.

With 11.11 coming up, remember these tips and stay vigilant! For more details on how to protect yourself, visit Ninja Van’s official Parcel Scams Advisory page.