A polished Facebook page, thousands of followers and attractive product photos do not prove that an online shop is genuine. Fraudulent sellers can copy images, purchase engagement and disappear after receiving advance payment. The safest response is not to avoid e-commerce—it is to verify the business before paying.

This Bangladesh-focused checklist shows how to spot a fake online shop, choose a safer payment method and preserve evidence if something goes wrong.

Start with the offer, not the design

Scammers use urgency because careful buyers ask difficult questions. Be suspicious when a shop combines a price far below the normal market, a short deadline and a demand for full advance payment. Compare the same model at several established sellers and check whether the specification is genuinely identical.

A reasonable discount is normal. A brand-new high-demand device at half the market price usually needs an explanation stronger than “imported stock” or “today only.”

Verify the seller’s identity

  • Look for a full business name, physical address, working phone number and domain-based email.
  • Search the business name, phone number and payment number with words such as “review,” “complaint” and “scam.”
  • Check whether the address exists and whether the seller can explain pickup or return arrangements.
  • Ask for a written invoice with product, price, warranty and seller details.
  • For a large purchase, ask for relevant trade-licence or business-registration details and verify them through the appropriate authority.

A real business can still provide poor service, but a seller that hides its identity gives you little recourse. A professional domain and email are useful trust signals when combined with verifiable details. Bangladeshi businesses can establish these through SiteChai’s domain registration and web hosting services.

Inspect the website and social profile

Domain and connection

Check the spelling of the domain. Scam sites often add a hyphen or change one letter to imitate a known brand. HTTPS protects data in transit; it does not prove the seller is honest. A padlock alone is not an endorsement.

Page history

On social platforms, review the transparency or page-information section when available. A recently created page, repeated name changes or administrators in unexpected locations deserve scrutiny. Read older comments rather than only highlighted testimonials.

Originality and consistency

Reverse-search product photographs if the offer looks suspicious. Look for copied policies, conflicting contact numbers, broken pages and impossible warranty statements. Call the listed number and ask specific questions about stock and returns.

Use a safer payment strategy

Situation Safer approach
Unknown seller Prefer cash on delivery with inspection where practical, or a platform with meaningful buyer protection.
Advance payment required Pay the smallest reasonable amount, only after verification, through a traceable account matching the business.
High-value device Inspect at a physical location, verify serial/IMEI and receive an invoice before final payment.
Seller requests OTP or PIN Stop. Legitimate sellers do not need your mobile-financial-service PIN or one-time code.

Never approve a “money request” believing you are receiving a refund. Read every payment confirmation screen. Our guide to avoiding bKash and mobile-banking scams explains common social-engineering tricks.

Eight red flags

  1. Full advance payment is the only option.
  2. The payment account belongs to an unrelated individual.
  3. The price is unrealistically low.
  4. Comments are disabled, deleted or filled with repetitive generic praise.
  5. There is no verifiable return address or written policy.
  6. The seller refuses a live product demonstration for an expensive item.
  7. You are asked for a PIN, OTP, remote-access app or screen sharing.
  8. The seller becomes aggressive when you request an invoice.

A two-minute verification routine

  1. Search the seller’s name, number and domain.
  2. Compare the price with three credible stores.
  3. Call the business and confirm stock, warranty and return conditions.
  4. Check page/domain consistency and save screenshots of the offer.
  5. Choose a traceable, protected payment method.

If you have already paid

Act quickly. Save the product page, chats, phone numbers, payment receipt, transaction ID, account name, courier details and any voice messages. Do not edit screenshots.

  1. Contact the bank or mobile financial service immediately and report suspected fraud. Ask whether the transaction or receiving account can be flagged.
  2. Report the account and advertisement to the platform.
  3. Bangladesh’s Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection lists hotline 16121 and directs consumers to its online complaint service.
  4. For suspected criminal fraud, use the Bangladesh Police online complaint information or contact the appropriate police unit.

Reporting does not guarantee recovery, but fast, complete evidence improves the chance that providers and authorities can act.

Frequently asked questions

Does HTTPS mean an online shop is genuine?

No. It encrypts the connection; criminals can also obtain certificates.

Are many followers proof of trust?

No. Followers, reviews and comments can be bought or copied. Verify the business independently.

Is cash on delivery completely safe?

No. A package may contain the wrong item and some couriers do not allow inspection. Confirm the inspection and return rules first.

Should a seller ever ask for my OTP?

No. Keep payment PINs, OTPs and recovery codes private.

Final advice

Trust should come from consistent, verifiable evidence: a real identity, realistic price, clear policies, traceable payment and reliable after-sales support. When several details do not add up, walk away before paying.