Fake Online Stores in Indonesia
Fraudulent Indonesian e-commerce stores and social commerce sellers collecting payment via bank transfer or QRIS then failing to deliver goods.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Indonesia's booming social commerce scene — where products are sold directly through Instagram, TikTok Shop, and WhatsApp — creates significant opportunity for fake store fraud. Sellers present polished product photos and competitive prices, collect payment, and then disappear or deliver substandard counterfeits.
The problem is especially prevalent during Harbolnas (Hari Belanja Online Nasional — Indonesia's online shopping day on 12/12) and Ramadan sales, when consumer purchase intent peaks and vigilance may be lower.
How this scam works on Indonesia
A fraudulent Instagram or TikTok account markets branded goods at steep discounts. Buyers are directed to complete payment via bank transfer to a BCA, BRI, or Mandiri account, or via a QRIS QR code. After payment, the seller becomes unresponsive or sends a tracking number for a package that never arrives or contains completely different goods.
Fake Tokopedia or Shopee storefronts also appear: sellers with fabricated review counts list popular electronics or branded clothing well below market prices. Orders are placed and paid through the platform but the seller ships nothing and disputes the transaction before being removed.
Some operations impersonate official brand stores by using near-identical usernames and stolen branding assets.
Common red flags
- Price significantly below that of the same item on major established platforms
- Payment only via direct bank transfer rather than marketplace-protected escrow
- Seller account is newly created with few or no verified reviews
- Seller messages with unusual urgency to complete payment before stock runs out
- Product photos found on multiple unrelated accounts or on stock photo sites
- Shop account username closely resembles a known brand with minor variation
How to protect yourself
- Use established marketplaces such as Tokopedia, Shopee, or Lazada where escrow payment protection exists
- Never pay via direct bank transfer outside of the platform to a seller you haven't verified
- Check seller account age, review count, and response rate before purchasing
- Search the seller's name and photos for reports on consumer complaint platforms like cekresi.com
- Use credit card or GoPay/OVO on marketplaces where buyer protection and refund policies apply
How to report it
- Report to the marketplace directly via their fraud reporting feature
- File a complaint with BPSK (Badan Penyelesaian Sengketa Konsumen) in your city
- Report to Kominfo at aduankonten.id to have fraudulent accounts removed
Frequently asked questions
What buyer protection does Tokopedia or Shopee offer if a seller doesn't deliver?
Both platforms hold payment in escrow until the buyer confirms delivery. If goods do not arrive, file a dispute before the automatic confirmation deadline and the platform will investigate and can refund the transaction.