海外網購陷阱：商品數量誤導與常見詐騙手法解析

在海外網站購物時，消費者常會遇到商品頁面上展示多張照片（例如顯示10個商品），但實際描述卻注明“僅出貨1個”的情況。這種手法看似只是資訊不透明，但實際上可能構成誤導性銷售（Misleading Advertising）甚至商業欺詐（Fraud），具體原因如下：

1. 為何“照片與描述不符”可能構成欺詐？

(1) 違反消費者保護法

多數國家的消費者保護法（如歐盟的《消費者權利指令》、美國的《聯邦貿易委員會法案》）要求商家必須提供清晰、準確的產品資訊。如果商品圖片展示多個物品（如10支筆），但實際只寄送1支，就屬於“誤導性陳述”，消費者可主張退款或投訴。

(2) 利用視覺錯覺誘導購買

許多消費者會快速流覽商品圖片而非詳細閱讀描述，商家故意在圖片中堆疊多個商品，營造“高性價比”假像，誘使買家誤以為購買的是“一組”而非“單個”。這種行為類似“誘餌式行銷”（Bait-and-Switch），屬於不公平交易手段。

(3) 規避平臺監管

部分商家會在描述中用極小字體或複雜術語注明“僅出貨1個”，或混用非本地語言（如中文賣家在英文網站寫“單件發貨”），讓非母語消費者難以察覺。這種刻意模糊資訊的行為，可能被認定為“故意欺詐”。

2. 其他常見的海外網購詐騙手法

除了數量誤導，海外購物時還需警惕以下陷阱：

(1) 虛假折扣與抬高原價

商家標注“原價$100，限時特價$20”，但實際該商品從未以$100出售過。

應對方式：使用比價工具（如CamelCamelCamel）查歷史價格。

(2) 山寨商品與品牌仿冒

在Amazon、eBay等平臺，部分賣家以“正品同款”“工廠直供”名義銷售仿品（如假Nike鞋、劣質電子產品）。

案例：中國莆田鞋商以“OEM原單”名義銷售假鞋。

(3) 虛假物流與空包詐騙

賣家上傳虛假物流單號，顯示“已發貨”，但消費者只收到空包裹或廉價替代品。

手法：利用跨境物流追蹤延遲，拖延至平臺自動確認收貨。

(4) 訂閱服務隱形扣費

購買商品後，頁面預設勾選“免費試用會員”，到期後自動扣費（如每月$9.99）。

常見於：美容產品、健康補充劑網站。

(5) 釣魚網站與支付詐騙

模仿知名電商（如“Amaz0n-discount.com”）誘導輸入信用卡資訊。

特徵：網址拼寫錯誤、無HTTPS加密、要求預付手續費。

3. 如何避免受騙？維權途徑有哪些？

(1) 預防措施

仔細閱讀描述：尤其注意“Quantity”“Package Includes”等欄位。

查看賣家評價：重點看差評中是否提及“數量不符”“假貨”等問題。

使用協力廠商支付：如PayPal、信用卡，避免直接銀行轉帳。

(2) 遭遇詐騙後的維權方式

平臺投訴：在Amazon、eBay等平臺申請“Not as Described”退貨。

信用卡爭議處理：向髮卡行申請拒付（Chargeback）。

消費者保護機構舉報：美國：FTC（聯邦貿易委員會）、歐盟：歐洲消費者中心（ECC-Net）、中國：12315平臺（針對跨境電商）

總結：海外購物需“眼明手慢”

商家利用“照片與描述不符”的手法，本質上是通過資訊不對稱獲利。這種行為輕則違反平臺規則，重則構成法律欺詐。消費者除了提高警覺，還應善用跨境維權管道。

記住原則：圖片僅供參考，文字描述才是合同依據。遇低價誘惑時，先查證再下單。保留交易記錄（截圖、聊天記錄），以便後續申訴。在全球化電商時代，唯有謹慎與知識，才能避免成為下一個受害者。

Traps in Overseas Online Shopping: Misleading Product Listings and Common Scam Tactics Explained

When shopping on international e-commerce platforms, consumers often encounter misleading product pages where multiple items are shown in photos (e.g., a picture of 10 pens), yet the product description clearly states “only one item included.” While this may appear to be a simple case of unclear information, it can in fact constitute misleading advertising or even commercial fraud, for the following reasons:

Why “Photo-Description Discrepancies” Can Be Considered Fraudulent

1. Violation of Consumer Protection Laws
Consumer protection laws in many countries (such as the EU’s Consumer Rights Directive or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Act) require merchants to provide accurate and transparent product information. If a product image depicts multiple items (e.g., 10 pens) but the shipment includes only one, it qualifies as a misleading representation, and consumers may have legal grounds to request a refund or file a complaint.

2. Visual Manipulation as a Sales Tactic
Many consumers rely on product images rather than thoroughly reading the descriptions. Some sellers exploit this behavior by intentionally showing multiple items in a photo to create the illusion of a “high-value bundle,” tricking buyers into thinking they are purchasing a set instead of a single item. This tactic closely resembles bait-and-switch marketing, which is an unfair and deceptive practice.

3. Evasion of Platform Oversight
Some merchants try to hide critical details by using very small font sizes or ambiguous wording in the product description, or by mixing in foreign languages (e.g., a Chinese seller writing “one piece only” in English). This deliberate obfuscation can be considered intentional deception, especially when targeting non-native speakers.

Other Common Scams in Cross-Border Online Shopping

Besides quantity misrepresentation, shoppers should watch out for these frequently encountered scams:

1. Fake Discounts and Inflated Original Prices
Sellers may list fake discounts such as “Original Price: $100 – Now Only $20,” when the item was never actually sold at $100.
How to protect yourself: Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel to verify historical pricing.

2. Counterfeit and Knockoff Products
On platforms like Amazon and eBay, some sellers market counterfeit goods (e.g., fake Nike shoes or substandard electronics) as “factory-direct” or “OEM versions.”
Example: Sellers in Putian, China, often sell fake shoes under the label of “OEM surplus stock.”

3. Fake Shipping and “Empty Box” Scams
Sellers may upload fake tracking numbers to show the item was shipped, but the customer ends up receiving an empty package or a cheap substitute.
Tactic: They exploit delays in cross-border tracking to stall until the platform auto-confirms delivery.

4. Hidden Subscription Charges
After purchasing a product, buyers might unknowingly sign up for a “free trial membership,” which then triggers automatic monthly charges (e.g., $9.99).
Common in: Health supplements, beauty product sites.

5. Phishing Sites and Payment Fraud
Scammers create fake websites mimicking well-known platforms (e.g., “Amaz0n-discount.com”) to steal credit card info.
Red flags: Misspelled URLs, lack of HTTPS encryption, requests for upfront processing fees.

How to Avoid Scams and What to Do If You're a Victim

Preventive Tips:

• Read descriptions carefully: Pay special attention to sections like “Quantity” and “What’s Included.”
• Check seller reviews: Focus on negative feedback, especially mentions of “wrong quantity” or “counterfeit.”
• Use secure payment methods: PayPal or credit cards are safer than direct bank transfers.

What to do if scammed:

• File a platform dispute: On sites like Amazon or eBay, file a return under “Not as Described.”
• Initiate a chargeback: Contact your credit card issuer to dispute the transaction.
• Report to consumer authorities:
  • U.S.: FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
  • EU: European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net)
  • China: 12315 Online Consumer Platform (for cross-border e-commerce)

Conclusion: Be Smart and Stay Cautious When Shopping Overseas

Sellers who use misleading photos and vague descriptions are essentially profiting from information asymmetry. At best, this violates platform rules; at worst, it amounts to fraud. Consumers must remain alert and utilize cross-border consumer protection channels effectively.

Key principle to remember: Images are for reference only—the text description forms the legal basis of your purchase. Don’t be swayed by tempting prices without verification. Always retain transaction records (e.g., screenshots, chat logs) in case of disputes.

In the age of globalized e-commerce, only vigilance and knowledge can prevent you from becoming the next victim.