Recent data from the 165 Anti-Fraud dashboard and police reports indicate a noticeable increase in online shopping fraud, particularly fake online auction scams cases increased notably ahead of the Chinese New Year due to higher consumer demand for holiday purchases, underscoring the continued activity of fraud syndicates.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) has observed that fake online auction scam has evolved from traditional fake marketplaces and scripted customer tactics into more sophisticated schemes. These integrate social media platforms, messaging apps, and financial transaction methods. Through layered manipulation, victims are misled into believing they are ongoing legitimate transaction, and guided to carry out various payment, transfer, or withdrawals, often resulting in substantial financial losses.

The NPA urges the public to shop only through legitimate platforms and to avoid private transactions or cooperating with unfamiliar payment methods. Individual should remain highly vigilant if asked to switch to private communication on LINE, or if instructed to perform remittances, payment codes, QR code transactions, or cardless withdrawals under pretext  such as "payment verification," "account setup," or "lifting restrictions." The NPA also calls on convenience store operators whose brands are being impersonated to strengthen anti-fraud awareness efforts and enhance risk alert mechanisms. For assistance, the public can call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline or consult the 165 Anti-Fraud Dashboard. For any questions, the public can call the 165 anti-fraud hotline or check relevant cases through the 165 anti-fraud dashboard to jointly prevent fraud.