Singles Day, the world’s biggest online shopping event, has kicked off with consumers estimated to spend billions of dollars – much of which is being eyed by scammers.
This year’s event is expected to continue to break records across Asia, as more people stay home and shop online amid the Covid-19 pandemic, while those unable to travel overseas for shopping trips are expected to “revenge spend” online.
It represents a huge honeypot for scammers who, over the years, have come up with increasingly innovative ways to trick consumers, from creating fake apps to claims of formaldehyde-soaked clothes.
Some shoppers in China have lost tens of thousands of dollars to such ruses. (BBC)