Online shopping in Pakistan is growing fast, and so are scams. The good news: most scams follow the same patterns, and a few simple checks will protect your money. Here are 12 practical tips.
Warning signs of a scam
- Price too good to be true. A new branded phone at half price is almost always fake or never arrives.
- Advance payment only. Be careful when a seller refuses cash on delivery and asks you to send the full amount first to a personal number.
- No real identity. No store page, no address, no reviews, a new account and only a WhatsApp number.
- Pressure. “Only 1 left, pay in 10 minutes” is a trick to stop you from thinking.
- Stolen photos. Professional catalogue pictures with no real photos or videos of the actual item.
- Fake payment screenshots. As a seller, never ship because of a screenshot; check that the money really reached your account.
How to protect yourself
- Buy from verified sellers. Use marketplaces that check sellers’ identity. Every NOVA BUY store is reviewed with the seller’s CNIC before it can sell.
- Prefer cash on delivery for first orders from a new seller. See our COD guide.
- Watch real videos. A short video of the product (like NOVA BUY reels) is much harder to fake than a photo.
- Read the return policy before buying. A real seller tells you how returns work. NOVA BUY’s return policy covers damaged, wrong and fake items.
- Record the unboxing. A video of opening the parcel is strong proof if something is wrong.
- Never share OTP codes, PINs or passwords. No real marketplace, courier or bank will ask for your EasyPaisa or JazzCash PIN or a verification code.
What to do if you are scammed
- Contact the marketplace or seller with your order number and proof.
- Call your bank or wallet helpline immediately to report the transaction.
- Report online fraud to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which took over from the FIA Cyber Crime Wing.
- Warn others by reporting the account on the platform where you found it.
Shop safely on NOVA BUY
NOVA BUY was built to make online shopping in Pakistan safer: CNIC-verified sellers, real product videos, cash on delivery and a clear return process. Shop now.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if an online seller in Pakistan is real?
Look for a store on a marketplace that verifies sellers, real product photos or videos, a clear return policy and the option to pay cash on delivery.
Should I pay in advance to an online seller?
For a new seller, cash on delivery is safer. If you pay in advance, use the marketplace checkout, never a personal account you were sent in a chat.
Where can I report online shopping fraud in Pakistan?
Report it to the platform, your bank or wallet helpline, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Shop safely on NOVA BUY
CNIC-verified sellers, shoppable video reels, and cash on delivery, EasyPaisa or JazzCash across Pakistan.
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