The Pakistani online bazaar is thriving. Whether it is the luxurious tech on Daraz or the second-hand thrift products on Instagram, everybody is shopping online. However, by the time of the year January 2026, the risks have changed. Fraudsters have commercialised their businesses. They apply psychological profiling, forged receipt generators and automated bots to attack your wallet.
It is not an impersonal warning on safety. It is an in-depth exploration of the details of the mechanics of how fraud occurs on the Pakistani side, as well as what exactly you must do should you get into the trap.
The “Trust Deficit”: Why You Are a Target
In 2026, fraud will be beyond a seller taking off with your funds. It is sophisticated. Organised networks run counterfeit call centres and they get you through the “social engineering”. They know you want a bargain and fear authority. They use these triggers to get over your critical thinking.
The biggest vulnerability? Cash on Delivery (COD). It is supposed to create trust but it has turned out to be the best friend of the scammer. You put money in the hands of a rider who does not give you the freedom to open the box until he has money. When you realise that you have purchased a brick rather than a phone, the rider is long gone.
Platform-Specific Scam Mechanics
Various platforms prefer various forms of fraud. Here is how they get you.
Daraz: The “Global” Trap & Fake Reviews
The largest marketplace is Daraz which has certain blind spots.
- The “Global” Collection Risk: Purchasing products imported to the country (Daraz Global) is risky. These items have a more rigid return policy as opposed to local goods. The change of mind return is not often available. When you accept a low-quality product which technically corresponds to the description, then you may be at a loss. Also, you might be forced to incur initial shipping costs in the case of returns, and it would not encourage people to make a refund on inexpensive goods.
- The “Brushing” Scam: Do not believe the star rating without question. It is a technique that scammers apply called “brushing”. They open false accounts, buy cheap products in their own shopping, and leave heavenly 5-star reviews. When there are 500 reviews on a single store that all appear to be generic, or use the same form of broken English, then you can be pretty sure that it is a brushing operation.
- The “Refund Only” Loophole: In the case of small claims, Daraz has a “Refund Only” feature (no return required). Scammers know this. They will send you a blank flyer. To them, your claim will be disputed in case you open it without recording a video. In the absence of video evidence, Daraz tends to lean towards the shipping evidence of the seller.
Instagram: The “Thrift” and “Master Copy” Mirage
Instagram is the Wild West. There is no escrow service. Once you send money, it is gone.
- The “Thrift Store” Scam: “Secondhand” fashion is in. Scammers steal the photos of the sellers of the international vintage (such as Depop) and place them on the aesthetic Instagram accounts. They insist on bank transfers and denial of COD. After you pay, they block you. They do not have a physical shop and it is almost impossible to track them.
- The “Master Copy” Bait-and-Switch: You are shown an advertisement of the “Master Copy” sneakers (Nike, Adidas) at Rs. 8,000. The seller asserts that they are Grade A+ fakes. You pay. You are given a low-quality, plastic copy that is locally available to the tune of Rs. 1,500. Their bio has a “No Refund” policy that they use when you complain.
- Fake Engagement: Never ignore the comments. A shop that has 50,000 followers and 0 comments on the posts is a fake. They have purchased followers to appear legitimate. When they have disabled comments, run away.
WhatsApp: The Hijacking Epidemic
WhatsApp is used to close deals, and also to commit identity theft.
- The OTP Hijack: This is an essential threat in 2026. A so-called friend messages you that his / her account has been hacked, and he/she had just forwarded you a code by mistake. The code on your WhatsApp is your verification PIN. In case you give it to them, your account is lost immediately. The fraudster then calls your family to seek emergency funds.
- The Migration Trick: This is a common trick by scammers on OLX who usually want to transfer you to WhatsApp as soon as possible. They do so in order to avoid the fraud detection filters of OLX. They can also send you counterfeit courier receipts or voice notes on WhatsApp, to establish some fake trust.
The Logistics Scam: Fake SMS and “Blind” COD
Logistics firms are the unfortunate participants of this ecosystem.
- Smishing (SMS Phishing): You get an SMS message on your phone from “Pakistan Post” or “TCS”, that your package is held because of unpaid custom charges or because of an address being missed. It includes a link. Do not click it. This is a phishing request that is meant to steal your credit card information. The actual courier companies do not require online payment through SMS links to rectify addresses.
- Open Box Denial: There are policies of “Open Box Delivery” (where you can check the parcel before paying) with such services as Trax or BlueEx. But practically riders do not accept this service since it makes them slow. Scamsters are banking on this friction. In case a rider does not allow you to examine a high valued item, reject the delivery.
Financial Traps: The Fake Receipt
Due to the emergence of JazzCash and Easypaisa, there has emerged a new utility, known as the Fake Receipt App. A set of Android applications is used by scammers to create transaction screenshots that would appear genuine. They send you a screen view of the text “Success: Rs. 10,000 sent to your account”.
- The Trap: You look at the image and hand over the goods.
- The Fix: Never trust a screenshot. Always use your own app and check the balance increase and then release the product.
What To Do If You Have Been Scammed
You just realised you lost money. Panic is your enemy. Speed is your friend. Here is your protocol.
Step 1: The “Golden Hour” Action
- Call Your Bank/Wallet Provider Immediately: If you paid via JazzCash, Easypaisa, or bank transfer, call the helpline within 60 minutes. Report the transaction as fraud. While reversals are difficult, early reporting can sometimes freeze the scammer’s wallet before they cash out.
- Do Not Block the Scammer Yet: You need evidence. Take screenshots of the profile, the chat history (especially promises made), the number they used, and the transaction receipt.
Step 2: Report to Authorities
The landscape has changed, as the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has largely taken over from the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing.
- File a Complaint Online: Go to complaint.nccia.gov.pk, the primary portal for reporting electronic fraud.
- Banking Mohtasib: If a bank was negligent (e.g., security failure), file a dispute with the Banking Mohtasib Pakistan.
Step 3: Public Pressure
State institutions are overburdened, and sometimes, social pressure works faster.
- Voice of Customer: Post your evidence (redacting your private info) on Facebook groups like “Voice of Customer PK”
Legit or semi-legit brands fear bad PR and may refund you to silence the noise.
The 2026 Safe Buying Checklist
Before you transfer a single rupee, run this audit:
| Check | Action Required |
| Image Search | Use Google Lens on product photos. If they appear on Pinterest or AliExpress, it is a scam. |
| Account Age | Check “About this Account” on Instagram. New account + High followers = Scam. |
| Comment Check | Are comments disabled? Do they look like bots? If yes, avoid. |
| Price Logic | Is the price too good to be true? (e.g., iPhone 15 for Rs. 50k). It is definitely a scam. |
| Video Call | Ask for a video call to see the product live. Scammers will always have an excuse (camera broken, not in the warehouse). |
Conclusion
In Pakistan’s digital economy, you are your own first line of defense. The transition from FIA to NCCIA is still settling, and the recovery of funds remains a steep challenge. The most effective strategy is verification. Stop trusting screenshots. Stop trusting “Official” SMS messages. And never, ever share your OTP.
Stay Alert. Verify Everything.
