**SINGAPORE**: In a bizarre turn of events, a couple has found themselves inundated with over 100 parcels they never ordered from popular online platforms like Shopee and Lazada over a span of just two and a half months. Most days, they were flooded with seven to eight packages, all incorrectly labelled, leading them on a perplexing quest to uncover the mystery behind this strange occurrence.

Earlier this month, after intervention from Shopee, which banned multiple accounts linked to the unwarranted deliveries, the barrage of packages finally ceased.

What the couple experienced is indicative of a disturbing trend known as “brushing scams,” a fraudulent practice that has been plaguing consumers globally in recent years. Unbeknownst to many, this scam extends beyond Singapore's borders, with examples emerging worldwide.

In a startling incident in 2020, thousands of Americans received unsolicited packages containing seeds, predominantly from China. This led Amazon to prohibit the sale of foreign seeds in the U.S., and health officials issued urgent warnings against planting seeds of unknown origin due to potential pests and diseases they could carry.

Initially, scammers utilized “brushing” to fabricate positive reviews for products sold online. By exploiting names and addresses obtained from data breaches, they created fake accounts to post glowing reviews, boosting the perceived credibility of various items. The more favorable reviews a product receives, the higher its chances of being purchased.

For anyone discovering that their name has been improperly used to review products they never bought, immediate action is critical. Reporting the incident to the e-commerce platform is essential, as is changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication to bolster security against potential breaches.

Evolving Threats: The Rise of QR Code Scams

The fraud tactics have evolved, presenting new dangers to unsuspecting victims. Recipients of unsolicited packages should be particularly cautious when attempting to identify the sender, as these parcels often lack sender information. Alarmingly, some packages may include a QR code, tempting recipients to scan it for sender identification.

Here's the catch: scanning these codes can compromise personal information, allowing scammers easier access to personal or financial details. A police department in the U.S. recently issued stern warnings to avoid scanning QR codes on unsolicited parcels.

In Singapore, the trend of QR code scams has also surged, prompting police to issue warnings in May 2023 about the growing variety of attacks involving these codes and related applications.

To safeguard against these evolving threats, consumers must remain vigilant. If you find yourself receiving unexpected packages, do not attempt to interact with any QR codes. Instead, report the incidents to local authorities and educate others about this troubling scam.

As online shopping continues to thrive, understanding these risks becomes increasingly vital. Protect yourself and stay informed – your safety in the digital marketplace depends on it!