Shopee and Lazada Phishing Scams in Singapore: How to Shop Safely

Shopee and Lazada dominate online shopping in Singapore. From daily essentials to electronics, fashion to food delivery — these platforms are where most Singaporeans shop. Their frequent flash sales, voucher campaigns, and free shipping promotions draw millions of transactions. But this massive volume also attracts scammers who exploit the platforms' popularity through sophisticated phishing attacks.

The Singapore Police Force has identified e-commerce scams as one of the top scam categories, with Shopee and Lazada being the most commonly impersonated platforms. Scammers target both shoppers and sellers through fake messages, counterfeit websites, and social engineering.

Common Shopee Scams in Singapore

1. Fake Order Confirmation SMS

You receive an SMS claiming your Shopee order could not be delivered and that you need to update your address or pay additional shipping fees. The link leads to a fake Shopee login page that captures your credentials and payment information.

How to protect yourself: Shopee sends delivery updates through the app, not through SMS links. Never click links in SMS messages claiming to be from Shopee.

2. Fake Shopee Lucky Draw and Voucher Links

Messages circulate on WhatsApp and Telegram claiming Shopee is giving away vouchers, running a lucky draw, or offering exclusive discounts. The links lead to phishing sites that harvest your login credentials or install malware.

How to protect yourself: Shopee promotions are only available through the official app and website. Never trust voucher links shared through messaging apps.

3. Seller Impersonation on Shopee

Scammers create accounts that look like popular Shopee sellers, copying their product photos, descriptions, and even store names (with slight variations). They offer lower prices to attract buyers, then either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.

How to protect yourself: Check the seller's rating, number of reviews, and account age. Be suspicious of significantly lower prices from new accounts.

4. Shopee Chat Phishing

After purchasing from a seller, you receive a message in Shopee chat asking you to "confirm your order" through an external link or to pay additional fees outside the platform. The link is a phishing page.

How to protect yourself: Never click external links sent through Shopee chat. All payments should be made through the Shopee checkout system.

Common Lazada Scams in Singapore

5. Fake Lazada Customer Service Calls

You receive a call from someone claiming to be Lazada customer service. They say there is a problem with your recent order — a refund is due, a payment failed, or your account has been flagged. They ask you to provide your banking details or OTP to "resolve" the issue.

How to protect yourself: Lazada customer service will not call you about order issues. All communication happens through the app. Never share banking details or OTPs over the phone.

6. Fake Lazada Refund Emails

You receive an email appearing to be from Lazada, stating that a refund has been processed and you need to "verify your account" to receive it. The link leads to a fake Lazada page that captures your login and payment details.

How to protect yourself: Lazada refunds are processed through the app and credited to your original payment method. You do not need to click any links to receive a refund.

7. Lazada Flash Sale Phishing Pages

Scammers create fake Lazada sale pages (often appearing as Google ads) offering unrealistic discounts on popular items like iPhones, AirPods, or gaming consoles. These pages look legitimate but are designed to capture payment information.

How to protect yourself: Always access Lazada directly through the app or by typing lazada.sg in your browser. Do not trust search engine ads.

Scams Affecting Both Platforms

8. Fake Delivery Agent Messages

You receive a message claiming to be from the delivery agent (Ninja Van, J&T Express, SingPost) saying your Shopee or Lazada parcel cannot be delivered. You need to click a link to reschedule. The link is a phishing page.

How to protect yourself: Track deliveries through the Shopee or Lazada app directly. Delivery companies do not ask for payments or login credentials through SMS links.

9. Social Media Ad Scams

Fake ads on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok promote incredible deals, linking to sites that mimic Shopee or Lazada. After "purchasing," you either receive nothing or have your payment details stolen.

How to protect yourself: Always verify deals by searching for the product directly on the official Shopee or Lazada app.

E-Commerce Phishing Red Flags

Warning Sign	What It Means
SMS with delivery issue link	Delivery updates come through the app, not SMS
Call from "customer service" about your order	Platforms communicate through in-app chat
Email asking to verify for refund	Refunds process automatically to your payment method
External link sent in seller chat	All transactions should stay on-platform
Unrealistic discount in an ad	Likely a phishing page, not a real sale
Request for OTP or banking details	No legitimate platform asks for these

Safe Online Shopping Checklist

1. Only access Shopee and Lazada through official apps or by typing the URL directly
2. Never click links in SMS, email, or messaging apps claiming to be from e-commerce platforms
3. Check seller ratings and reviews before purchasing, especially for high-value items
4. Pay only through the platform's checkout system — never transfer money outside the app
5. Enable two-factor authentication on your Shopee and Lazada accounts
6. Use virtual credit cards or platform vouchers to limit exposure
7. Report suspicious sellers and messages through the platform's reporting features

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

1. Change your Shopee/Lazada password immediately if you entered credentials on a suspicious site
2. Contact your bank if you shared payment details — freeze your card if necessary
3. File a dispute through the platform's buyer protection system
4. Report the scam to ScamAlert.sg and the Singapore Police Force
5. Monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions

Share Account Credentials Safely

If you share a Shopee or Lazada account with family members and need to share login details, do not put them in a WhatsApp group chat where they live forever. Use LOCK.PUB to create a password-protected link with the login information. Set it to expire after your family member has accessed it. No permanent record, no risk of the credentials being exposed in a compromised chat.

The Bottom Line

Shopee and Lazada have made online shopping incredibly convenient in Singapore, but that convenience comes with phishing risks that every shopper should be aware of. The essential rule: never access these platforms through links sent to you — always use the official app.

All legitimate communications, refunds, and transactions happen within the platform. If you receive an external link, call, or message asking for login details or payment information, it is a scam. When you need to share account details securely, use LOCK.PUB instead of plain text. Shop smart, stay protected.