Many people believe they’re too cautious to fall for scams. One Shopee user felt the same – until a recent incident proved just how advanced and convincing scammers have become. The user posted their experience on social media platform Threads.
He shared, “I’ve always considered myself someone who’s hard to fool. I’m cautious, I double-check things, and I rarely fall for scams. But this time… I slipped – because the scammer’s method was surprisingly sophisticated.”
It began with a call claiming to be from Shopee offering free vouchers
The victim received a phone call from someone introducing himself as a Shopee representative. The caller claimed he wanted to offer extra vouchers for SPayLater users.
He instructed the victim to open the Shopee app and check their notifications.
Notification to link ShopeePay to Google
Inside the app, a notification actually appeared, asking the user to link their Shopee account with Google. As the message showed up within the official app, it looked completely legitimate.
What the victim didn’t realise was that the scammer had somehow triggered or manipulated that notification. That was the beginning of the trap.
A suspicious QR Code raises red flags
The scammer then told the user to scan a QR code to “claim a cash voucher”.
This was when the victim started feeling uneasy. The logic didn’t make sense.
If Shopee wanted to give a voucher, why would they require the user to make a transfer?
Sensing something was off, the victim confronted the caller and told him that what he was doing was wrong.
The scammer panicked – and made unauthorised transactions on SPayLater
Image credit: azilkryl (Threads)
Realising he had been exposed, the scammer quickly initiated three Google transactions, totalling RM240, through the linked account.
The victim rushed to the notification settings and immediately unlinked the Google account to prevent further damage.
RM240 was lost – but it became a valuable lesson, not just for the victim, but for everyone.
Scammers are getting more creative, more sophisticated, and more daring in their methods.
A reminder for everyone: Stay vigilant against scams
If anyone receives a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from Shopee:
- Do NOT click unfamiliar links
- Do NOT scan any QR codes
- Do NOT share your OTP to anyone
- Do NOT link accounts at someone’s request
- Do NOT follow instructions from unsolicited calls
Always verify through Shopee’s official channels or customer support.
As scammers continue to level up their tactics, the public needs to stay one step ahead. Stay alert and don’t make it easy for them.
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