Beware: Scammers Unleash Sneaky Tactics to Foil Amazon Shoppers!

If you are a consumer who relies on product reviews when purchasing on e-commerce platforms, this information is crucial for you. Scammers have adopted a new tactic known as ‘Brushing Scam‘, which targets well-known platforms like Amazon and AliExpress. Online con artists are dispatching random packages to individuals—items such as inexpensive gadgets or trivial products that were never ordered. They do this to fabricate dishonest reviews, enhancing the appearance of their items, irrespective of whether they are substandard or counterfeit.

“The objective of fraudsters is to artificially boost product rankings and fabricate reviews, consequently increasing their sales and visibility,” McAfee stated in a blog entry.

What Is a Brushing Scam?

The term “brushing” comes from the realm of Chinese e-commerce, where “brushing up” sales figures entails generating fictitious orders and dispatching goods to random individuals. This method enhances a product’s perceived popularity, misleading other consumers into believing that the item has high ratings, thereby spurring its sales.

As noted by the company, this is a form of fraud wherein sellers dispatch packages to individuals without their consent. Typically, these parcels contain inexpensive, low-quality items such as jewelry or miscellaneous gadgets.

Fraudsters frequently utilize fake or pilfered addresses to distribute the packages. Upon delivery of the item, they proceed to write falsified reviews to make the product appear favorable and to elevate the seller’s ratings.

How Do Brushing Scams Operate?

– The scammer establishes a fraudulent account on an e-commerce platform.

– They place an order for their own product using an address they have illegitimately obtained.

– A low-cost item, like a cheap ring or counterfeit electronic device, is dispatched to the recipient.

– When the package is received, the scammer leaves a positive review under their fraudulent account to enhance the product’s credibility.

– These scammers typically send items like costume jewelry, seeds, or inexpensive gadgets to manipulate their reviews and rankings. If you discover an unexpected package at your doorstep, it is highly likely that it is part of a brushing scam.

The Risks Associated with Brushing Scams

– Receiving items you did not order may indicate that your personal information has been compromised.

– Scammers often acquire names and addresses through data breaches or illegally purchase this information.

– At times, they may also possess other sensitive information, leading to potential identity theft.