Fake Online Store Scams in Taiwan
Fraudulent e-commerce websites and social media shops targeting Taiwan buyers with discounted goods that are never delivered.
Part of: Fake Online Stores
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake online stores are among Taiwan's most commonly reported consumer fraud types. Scammers create convincing websites or social media shop pages, often mimicking well-known Taiwanese or international brands, and advertise discounted products that are paid for but never delivered. Taiwan's high e-commerce volume and confidence in digital shopping make consumers susceptible to professionally designed counterfeit storefronts.
Fraudulent shops frequently appear during major shopping events — 11/11 sales, Lunar New Year promotions, or brand anniversary sales — when price-consciousness is highest and verification is often skipped in the rush to secure a deal.
How this scam works on Taiwan
A buyer finds a website advertising a popular electronics or fashion brand at 40–60 percent discount, often from a paid social media ad. The checkout process and payment gateway appear legitimate. After payment, the product is never dispatched and customer service becomes unresponsive.
Some operators send a tracking number that shows movement for a few days before the parcel is marked delivered to a wrong address or lost in customs.
In social media shop variants on Facebook or Instagram, lifestyle photos of Taiwanese street fashion attract buyers who DM the page. Payment is requested via LINE Pay or bank transfer, and the shop disappears after collecting orders.
Common red flags
- Discount of 40 percent or more on in-demand branded items
- Website domain does not match the official brand website
- Payment requested by bank transfer or LINE Pay to a personal account
- Shop created recently with no verifiable physical address or Unified Business Number
- Social media ad leads to a landing page rather than the main site
- Customer service contact is only a LINE ID or personal email
How to protect yourself
- Verify online stores by checking for a Unified Business Number (UBN) registered with Taiwan's Ministry of Finance
- Pay by credit card or through established platforms like PChome or Shopee for buyer protection
- Search the store name on 165 anti-fraud platform for known fraudulent merchants
- Check domain registration age and owner via WHOIS before purchasing
- Be especially cautious of offers received through LINE or Instagram that redirect to an unfamiliar website
- Call the brand's official Taiwan customer service to verify a seller is authorised
How to report it
- Report to Taiwan Anti-Fraud Hotline 165
- File a complaint with the Consumer Protection Committee at cpc.ey.gov.tw
- Initiate a credit card chargeback immediately if goods are not received
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a Taiwanese online store is legitimate?
Legitimate Taiwanese businesses display a Unified Business Number (UBN) on their website, which can be verified at the Ministry of Finance e-invoice platform at einvoice.nat.gov.tw. You can also check the 165 anti-fraud platform for blacklisted merchants before purchasing.