Buying online? Ask for a tax bill, pay after delivery
Summary
Online shoppers in Nepal are losing money to fraudsters posing as legitimate sellers on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, prompting authorities to push for tighter registration and faster complaint handling. Consumers are being urged to ask for VAT bills, use cash on delivery when possible, and pay into company accounts instead of personal ones.
Key Points
- Scammers on social media platforms are luring buyers with discounted products, advance-payment demands and fake legitimacy signals such as verified badges and reviews.
- The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau says online fraud complaints have surged in recent years, but recovering money is difficult because fraudsters use money mule accounts and disposable SIM cards.
- Authorities have proposed a specialised centre linking police and banks to respond faster to online shopping fraud and stop suspicious transactions.
- Officials and e-commerce operators are urging consumers to ask for tax bills, verify sellers and pay only to business accounts to reduce fraud risk.
