Empty Box Scams via Klarna / BNPL
How fraudulent sellers use BNPL financing to sell goods that arrive as empty packages, turning a theft into an instalment dispute.
Part of: Empty Box Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Empty box scams involve sellers shipping a package that is entirely empty or contains worthless filler instead of the advertised product. When BNPL is used, the scam extends into an instalment dispute: the consumer receives the box, files a complaint, but the BNPL provider is a third party that may require detailed evidence before suspending payments.
For high-value electronics, toys, or collectibles sold through BNPL-enabled fake storefronts, empty-box scams can result in significant losses spread across months of disputed instalments.
How this scam works on Klarna / BNPL
A fake or unscrupulous seller lists a high-demand item — often a games console, smartphone, or limited-edition collectible — at a competitive price and accepts BNPL financing. The consumer completes the order, the first instalment is charged, and a package arrives with a tracking number showing delivery.
The box contains nothing or cheap filler. The consumer disputes with the BNPL provider but the merchant provides the tracking number as 'proof of delivery.' The BNPL provider may initially rule in the merchant's favour while the consumer continues to owe instalments.
Some operations wait for return periods to pass before processing orders, or use reshipped packages from other addresses to complicate tracking evidence.
Common red flags
- A high-demand item is available at a price that seems too low even for a BNPL offer
- The seller's storefront has no verifiable reviews or was recently launched
- Tracking shows delivery but the package is suspiciously light on arrival
- The merchant does not respond to dispute messages
- No returns address is provided on the website
- BNPL financing is prominently promoted rather than direct payment
How to protect yourself
- Photograph or film the box before and during opening if purchasing from an unfamiliar seller
- File a BNPL dispute immediately if the box arrives empty
- Provide the BNPL provider with unboxing evidence and the weight discrepancy if trackable
- Escalate to your credit card issuer if the BNPL dispute is not resolved in your favour
- Report the seller to your national consumer protection authority
- Report the fraudulent storefront to any platforms where it advertised
How to report it
- File a dispute with your BNPL provider and escalate if needed
- Report the seller to your national consumer protection authority
- File a fraud report with your national cybercrime unit or the FTC
Frequently asked questions
Should I refuse delivery if I suspect the package might be an empty box scam?
If you have strong reason to suspect fraud before delivery, refusing the package can sometimes simplify a dispute, but in most cases you won't know until you open it. Filming the unopened package's weight and condition as it arrives, then filming the unboxing, is generally more practical.
What if the courier says the package weight matches what was expected?
Carrier weight records reflect the package's overall weight, not necessarily whether the correct item is inside — a box weighted with filler can match an expected shipping weight while still lacking the actual product. Present your unboxing video alongside any weight discrepancy as combined evidence.
How long do I have to dispute a BNPL payment for an empty box?
This varies by provider, but most BNPL dispute windows are limited to a matter of weeks after delivery — check your specific provider's terms and file as soon as you discover the issue. Delaying a dispute reduces your chances of a successful outcome.
How can I prove a box was empty to a BNPL provider?
Record a video of the unopened package showing its weight and external condition before opening. Open on camera and show the contents. Weight documentation from the carrier's records may also help. BNPL providers typically require 'not as described' or 'not received' evidence to suspend instalments.