As the year-end sales period approaches, including popular events like 11.11 and 12.12, Ninja Van Malaysia has issued an advisory to warn consumers of the alarming rise in cash-on-delivery (COD) scams across the country. The courier service has observed a surge in scam parcels in 2024, particularly in major urban and suburban areas, and is using this opportunity to educate consumers on protecting themselves against these fraudulent schemes.
Based on Ninja Van Malaysia’s advisory, ‘Ninja Van Explains: Cash-On-Delivery Scams[1]’, scammers often pose as legitimate online sellers, using freight forwarders to arrange COD deliveries through third-party logistics (3PL) providers like Ninja Van. This tactic results in unsuspecting customers receiving parcels they never ordered or items of lesser value. Many customers fall prey to these scams through enticing advertisements that promote attractive deals or discounted items, creating a sense of urgency to purchase. To avoid being a victim of such scams, Ninja Van Malaysia advises consumers to verify sellers, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and report any suspected scams. Ninja Van Malaysia also urges the public to stay alert to other scams, including phishing scams and scammers pretending to be Ninja Van Malaysia representatives on instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
According to a report by CelcomDigi[1]’, a total of 7,881 incidents occurred involving individuals falling victim to fraud or deception. Complementing these findings, a recent analysis by Ninja Van Malaysia reveals a substantial increase in COD scams throughout various regions, with Klang Valley consistently reporting the highest numbers each quarter. In Q3 2024, Klang Valley recorded over 3,000 scam parcels, representing a significant increase of 49.22% compared to the cases reported in Q3 2023. This issue, however, is not confined to only urban centres. Southern and northern Peninsular Malaysia are also experiencing increases, with the southern region reporting more than 150% rise from Q3 2023 and Q3 2024. Eastern Malaysia, while initially recording lower numbers, saw cases climb by 160% over the past year. These findings highlight that no region is immune from these fraudulent activities.
Understanding the Growing Threat of COD Scams
While COD offers convenience to consumers, it also provides a unique advantage to scammers who exploit its cash-based nature. During high-traffic shopping periods such as 11.11, fraudsters frequently promote enticingly cheap items online to lure unsuspecting buyers eagerly anticipating their purchases. As the saying goes, ‘If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers would employ various deceptive tactics, including sending fake or misrepresented parcels, intending to trick recipients into paying without closely inspecting the items.
Ninja Van Malaysia’s Recommendations for COD Safety
To help consumers stay safe during this high-risk season, Ninja Van Malaysia has outlined essential guidelines to minimise the risk of falling victim to COD scams:
- Check Online Sellers’ Reviews and Ratings: Look for customer reviews and ratings on the product and seller. Reputable online shops typically have verified buyer feedback that can provide insights into the sellers’ reliability and quality of products.
- Verify Website Security: Ensure that the website uses secure payment methods. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar, which indicates a secure connection.
- Research the Seller: Search for the seller’s name and keywords like “scam” or “complaints.” This can help you uncover any negative feedback from previous customers.
- Compare Prices: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Compare prices across different platforms to see if the offer is reasonable or suspiciously low.
- Verify Your Order Details: Before accepting a COD parcel, double-check the sender and product details against your order confirmation. Scammers often send parcels that resemble legitimate purchases, so confirming the expected delivery and contents can be crucial.
- Be Cautious with Unexpected Parcels: Always inform family members if you’re expecting a parcel. Receiving a COD parcel for an item you did not order is a red flag. Scammers rely on confusion or fear of missing out, hoping recipients will pay without question. Reject any parcel that you cannot confirm ordering. If you receive a parcel you cannot confirm ordering, do not hesitate to reject it.
- Verify Through Official Channels: Always confirm delivery details via the Ninja Van app or website to ensure the parcel is genuinely linked to a recent purchase. Ninja Van’s customer support team is available to assist if fraud is suspected.
- Stay Informed and Vigilant: Awareness is the first line of defence. Ninja Van’s official Parcel Scams Advisory page provides the latest information on common scams and tips to recognize fraudulent deliveries. Customers who receive suspicious parcels or payment requests can report them directly to Ninja Van via email at [email protected]or through Ninja Chat.
Ninja Van Malaysia is taking significant steps to combat COD scams by strengthening security protocols, educating delivery personnel, and equipping them to recognize scam indicators. However, addressing this issue requires a combined effort. By following these safety tips and staying vigilant, consumers can actively reduce the risk of COD scams. Ninja Van Malaysia remains committed to supporting its customers, ensuring safe and reliable parcel delivery.
[1] Towards a Safe and Resilient Digital Malaysia
