Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platform, Shopee has issued a warning to the public about the rise of task and prize scams. Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive individuals, particularly via SMS and messaging apps, with the goal of stealing personal information or tricking victims into making financial transfers.
Task and prize scams are among the most common fraudulent schemes currently circulating online. Task scammers often pose as representatives from well-known companies, including Shopee Mall or the Shopee HR Recruitment Team. These scammers initially offer fake job opportunities, both part-time and full-time, to lure victims into completing seemingly innocent tasks. As the scam progresses, victims are asked to send money, with the promise of significant financial rewards that never materialize.
Prize scammers, on the other hand, entice users by claiming they’ve won a reward or prize from a company-sponsored contest. These fraudulent messages contain malicious links that, when clicked, lead users to fake websites. Once the victim enters their personal information, including sensitive details like addresses, bank information, or identification numbers, the scammers can misuse or steal this data, leading to financial loss or identity theft.
In response to the growing threat, Shopee reassures users that the platform is committed to maintaining a safe online shopping experience. The company urges users to be cautious about sharing personal information and conducting transactions outside the app. To stay safe, Shopee offers the following guidelines:
- Shopee will never ask users to send money for job opportunities. All employment listings can be found on the official Shopee Careers page.
- Prize claims will never be sent via SMS or messaging apps. Official contest winners are announced only on Shopee’s app or verified channels.
- Users should refrain from sharing personal information, such as bank details, OTPs, and passwords, with unknown senders.
- All transactions should be conducted within the Shopee app to ensure secure payments and access to buyer protection.
Shopee encourages users to report any suspicious activities by submitting screenshots or scam details to the Shopee Cares Facebook Page or Customer Service via the Shopee app. To learn more about safeguarding against scams, users can visit the “Shop Safe with Shopee” page or search for “Shop Safe” within the Shopee app.