How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams in Pakistan — 7 Golden Rules for COD Shoppers

With the rapid growth of eCommerce in Pakistan, fraudulent social media pages and unregulated sellers have unfortunately increased. Shoppers frequently face issues like receiving bricks, defective knockoffs, or completely different items than pictured online.

To protect your hard-earned money, here is our 15-year eCommerce expert guide on identifying genuine online stores versus fraudulent sellers in Pakistan.

7 Golden Rules for Safe Online Shopping in Pakistan

1. Verify Physical Presence & Real Catalog: Genuine stores maintain registered domains (.pk, .com) with real inventory photos and structured policies, rather than random anonymous social media pages.
2. Check Transparent Contact Information: Look for active customer support channels—including verified WhatsApp numbers, phone lines, and responsive support emails.
3. Demand Real-Time Courier Tracking: Trustworthy stores provide courier tracking IDs (from Trax, Call Courier, Leopards, or PostEx) so you can follow the parcel's journey from warehouse to your city.
4. Review Transparent Return Policies: Always verify if the store has a published 7-Day Return & Replacement Policy.
5. Beware of Unrealistic Low Prices: If a premium 3000W appliance or branded sneaker is listed for Rs 499, it is almost certainly a counterfeit scam.
6. Inspect the Outer Courier Flyer: Verify that the sender details on the courier label match the store name you purchased from.
7. Never Pay Advance Fees on Cash-on-Delivery: Legitimate COD stores will never ask for advance booking deposits via Easypaisa or JazzCash for standard catalog orders.