When I first began helping overseas buyers shop safely on AliExpress, I noticed the same problems happening again and again: sellers disappearing, fake tracking numbers, low-quality replacements, and misleading listings. Most of these issues are avoidable once you understand how AliExpress works and how scammers operate.

The most common AliExpress scams include fake tracking numbers, bait-and-switch listings, counterfeit items, empty-package tricks, and sellers disappearing after payment.

Knowing these risks helps you shop safely and protect your money every time.

Why should you learn about AliExpress scams?

AliExpress is safe overall, but it’s a marketplace—and not every seller is honest. Recognizing warning signs saves time, avoids disputes, and protects your budget.

Why this matters for everyday buyers

Common concerns I hear

• “Why did the seller give me a fake tracking number?”
• “The item I got looks nothing like the pictures.”
• “Why did my order arrive empty?”
• “How do I know if a listing is safe?”
• “What should I do if a seller ignores me?”

These problems are frustrating but preventable.

How I help

I review seller profiles, analyze tracking behavior, check product quality indicators, and guide buyers through refund or dispute processes.

1. Fake Tracking Numbers — what is it?

Some dishonest sellers upload tracking numbers that don’t belong to your package or are never activated.
A fake tracking scam happens when a seller provides invalid or unrelated tracking to avoid being flagged for late shipping.

Dive deeper (150+ words)

Fake tracking is one of the most common scams because it buys the seller time. Instead of shipping your real item, they upload a random tracking number—often from another shipment or a fake carrier. You might see statuses like “info received” that never progress, or movement that belongs to a completely different region. While AliExpress eventually catches this, it delays your refund and wastes days or weeks of waiting.

This scam impacts buyers who need items on time or who are unfamiliar with tracking platforms. I often help by cross-checking carrier data, analyzing scan locations, and confirming whether a parcel truly belongs to the buyer. When fake tracking is detected early, the buyer can open a dispute immediately and avoid further delays.

Working with reliable sellers, confirming order preparation time, and checking tracking scan consistency are key ways to prevent this scam.

2. Bait-and-Switch Listings — what is it?

Some sellers use professional photos but ship a low-quality or completely different product.

A bait-and-switch scam occurs when the seller advertises a premium item but delivers a much cheaper or different version.

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This scam often targets buyers looking for great deals. A listing may show high-quality images, thick materials, real gemstones, premium electronics, or branded-style items. But once the product arrives, it’s made with low-grade materials, has incorrect sizing, or lacks key features shown in the photos. Many scammers use stolen images from real brands to make the product appear trustworthy.

This tactic harms buyers who rely on product accuracy, like boutique shop owners or gift buyers. I help by checking real customer photos, comparing materials, verifying SKU options, and ensuring the seller has consistent reviews. When issues arise, I guide buyers through the AliExpress dispute process to secure refunds using photo or video proof.

Choosing sellers with long sales history, clear photos, and detailed descriptions reduces the risk of receiving something entirely different from what was advertised.

3. Counterfeit or Fake Products — what is it?

Some listings falsely claim to sell genuine or premium items.

A counterfeit scam happens when sellers list fake branded goods or low-quality replicas disguised as authentic products.

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Counterfeit items are common on AliExpress because branded goods attract buyers quickly. Listings may claim that items are “authentic,” “original,” or “factory surplus,” but these terms usually indicate replicas. Fake electronics may have dangerous components, low-quality batteries, or lack certifications. Fake jewelry may use cheap materials instead of silver or stainless steel. Fake clothing may shrink or tear easily.

This scam impacts buyers who expect safe, reliable products or who plan to resell items legally. I help by checking certifications, reviewing seller history, comparing material descriptions, and identifying red flags like unusually low pricing. When buyers unknowingly receive counterfeit items, I help them provide evidence (close-up images, weight differences, packaging gaps) during disputes to secure refunds.

Avoid listings for branded goods unless they come from verified or official stores. Counterfeit goods aren’t just low-quality—they can be unsafe.

4. Empty or Wrong Package Scam — what is it?

Some sellers ship empty parcels or items unrelated to the order to trick the system.

The empty-package scam occurs when you receive a low-value object instead of your real item, making it harder to dispute.

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This scam relies on one fact: if tracking shows “delivered,” AliExpress may initially side with the seller. Scammers ship a tiny item—like a sticker or paper clip—to trigger a “delivered” scan with your address. When you complain, they argue that the package was delivered successfully. Some send unrelated items to avoid suspicion.

This scam affects buyers of expensive or bulky products, like electronics or clothing lots. I help by reviewing weight logs, comparing packaging dimensions, and showing buyers how to collect evidence: scale photos, unboxing videos, and tracking inconsistencies. These make disputes easy to win.

Always record the unboxing of valuable items, especially if you suspect the seller. Weight listed in tracking is one of the strongest proofs against this scam.

5. Seller Disappears After Payment — what is it?

Some sellers vanish right after you place an order.

This scam occurs when sellers take payment, never ship the item, and ignore all messages until AliExpress auto-refunds the order.

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This is common with new stores offering unusually low prices. The seller creates a new shop, uploads flashy images, accepts large numbers of orders, and disappears. Since AliExpress requires a certain period before auto-refund, you may lose valuable time waiting for a product that was never going to ship.

This scam mainly targets buyers who shop during big sales or who choose unknown sellers to save money. I help by analyzing seller start dates, rating patterns, and order volumes to determine whether a store is trustworthy. If a seller goes silent, I guide buyers to request refunds early through the dispute center.

Always check how long the store has been online, how many followers it has, and whether reviews look genuine.

Conclusion

AliExpress scams are easy to avoid once you recognize the warning signs. Fake tracking, bait-and-switch listings, counterfeit items, empty-package tricks, and disappearing sellers all leave clues. My team helps buyers check seller reliability, identify risky listings, track shipments accurately, and win disputes when something goes wrong. If you want help evaluating a seller or protecting your next AliExpress purchase, I’m always here to assist.