Latest news with #NinjaVan


CNA
3 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - SG60 Special (Ep 2): Ninja Van CEO Lai Chang Wen
As Singapore approaches SG60, we're spotlighting homegrown brands that have made their mark. In this episode, Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Lai Chang Wen, Co-Founder and CEO of Ninja Van — a company that started out supporting a fashion line, and is now a regional logistics powerhouse.


Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Straits Times
Duped by fake VivoCity post, man pays $95 cash on delivery for G-Shock that turns out to be counterfeit
Duped by fake VivoCity post, man pays $95 cash on delivery for G-Shock that turns out to be counterfeit A man was duped by a fake VivoCity social media post into ordering a Casio G-Shock watch from a fake Casio website and paying $95 cash on delivery. The watch also turned out to be fake. Stomper Daniel wants to let others know so they don't fall for it too. "I was scammed by this advertisement on Facebook about a G-Shock watch," said the Stomper. The Facebook post appeared to be by VivoCity Singapore. The post read: "So angry I just queued nearly four hours at VivoCity to buy the Casio G-Shock GM-2100-1A at a crazy 70 per cent discount - from S$319 down to just S$95! "I've been a longtime G-Shock fan, and when I heard Casio was opening their very first official store at VivoCity Singapore, I rushed over right away. I never expected the crowd to be so intense - the line stretched like it was a concert. People were pushing, arguing, and security even had to step in. "What made it worse? Right after I paid, the staff announced that the promotion was also available online because the store couldn't handle the overwhelming number of people. If only I had known... I could've stayed home and ordered it in two minutes - with free islandwide shipping included! "To make up for the chaos, Casio officially issued an apology and extended the $95 deal to their online store. If you couldn't grab one at VivoCity, now's your chance - no queue, no hassle." The post included a link, which the Stomper clicked on and took him to what appeared to be an official Casio G-Shock online shop. To order the $95 watch, all he was required to do was input his name, address, phone number and email address. "I submitted those details, which I didn't think was harmful, and it didn't ask for my payment or card details," noted the Stomper. A few weeks later on June 20, he received a message from Ninja Van about a delivery. "I totally couldn't remember what the delivery was for," recounted the Stomper. "As I was not at home, my wife checked with me whether I ordered anything as the Ninja Van worker was delivering a parcel and said it was a watch. I told my wife it was probably the watch I saw on Facebook. The Ninja Van worker mentioned cash on delivery of $95 and I paid for it." When the Stomper saw the watch, he confirmed it was a counterfeit. PHOTOS: STOMP "I compared it with the original watch on YouTube and official G-Shock web page," said the Stomper. "It is not the same." VivoCity Singapore - the real one - has since warned Facebook users about fake accounts, although perhaps a little too late for the Stomper. However, as early as March 17, a YouTuber who calls himself The G-Shock Watcher had posted a video about the scam. Fortunately for the Stomper, he said on July 1 that after contacting Ninja Van, he received an email from Ninja Van agreeing to refund his payment. So he may get his $95 back after all. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paying for nothing: How Malaysians are scammed using parcels they never ordered
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — As online shopping becomes an increasingly popular way for Malaysians to buy everyday goods, scammers are finding more creative ways to exploit consumer habits and vulnerabilities. Among the methods now drawing concern are cash-on-delivery (COD) fraud and phishing attempts linked to fake parcel notifications. During a recent seminar hosted by Ninja Van Malaysia, its chief sales officer Fariz Maswan said COD scams increased by five per cent in the first quarter of this year, driven in part by Malaysia's high internet penetration and growing reliance on e-commerce. Citing data from the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK), he added that scam-related financial losses in Malaysia have reached approximately RM9 billion over the past decade. He said that on average, around 1,000 scam cases are reported weekly, with perpetrators constantly evolving their tactics to deceive victims. COD scams A cash-on-delivery (COD) scam is a type of fraud involving parcels that appear legitimate — but are actually part of a scheme to trick recipients into paying for something they didn't intend to buy. These scams generally happen in one of two ways: Unsolicited parcels — Victims receive a parcel they never ordered, but may assume it was purchased by someone else in the household. Caught off guard, they pay the courier without questioning it. Deceptive deliveries — Victims do place an order online, but what arrives is a completely different or low-value item. For example, instead of the advertised product, the box might contain something like a packet of instant soup. Fariz said many people only realise they've been scammed after payment is made and the courier has left. He said that delivery personnel are not involved in these scams, as their role is simply to deliver parcels and collect payment — they do not open or inspect the contents, nor are they responsible for verifying the sender. The scammers behind these schemes are often based overseas. They pose as sellers on platforms like Lazada or Shopee, using fake listings to collect personal details and send out fraudulent parcels. Additionally, in many cases, the transactions do not actually take place on these official platforms. Instead, victims are lured through ads on social media to place orders via external websites or messaging apps like WhatsApp — meaning victims will not be protected by any return or refund policies. 'Ghost' deliveries and SMS phishing Fariz also highlighted the rise of so-called 'ghost scams' — cases where victims are tricked into paying for products or services that either do not exist or are never delivered. He added that phishing scams, where victims are tricked into revealing sensitive information through fake SMS messages, are also becoming more common. He said that in a recent case, scammers impersonated Ninja Van by sending fake parcel notifications via SMS. The messages included a payment link that led to a counterfeit website designed to steal banking information. 'Our information security team investigated and traced the origin of the attack to a foreign IP address. The scammers were impersonating our brand and targeting the public,' he said. 'We were not alone — several other courier services were also affected during the same period,' he added. Other courier services have issued similar warnings. According to information posted on Pos Malaysia's website, scam messages often include shortened links that redirect to phishing sites or prompt users to install malicious APK files. It said that common red flags include: Receiving calls about prohibited items. Claims of special hotlines connecting to police or Customs. Requests for payment to personal or intermediary bank accounts. SMS messages asking for personal updates via unfamiliar delivery-related links. Members of the public can reach the NSRC by dialling 997, which serves as the national emergency hotline for reporting scam-related incidents. — Picture by Firdaus Latif How to stay protected Speaking during the Ninja Van seminar, founder and principal of Graymatter Forensic Advisory, Raymon Ram, said that modern scams have become significantly more sophisticated. He said that unlike earlier scams, which were often riddled with spelling mistakes and poor grammar, today's scams feature professional designs, authentic-looking logos, and polished language — making them far harder to detect. Due to this increased complexity, he said the public should pause and verify before responding to any investment opportunity or request for fund transfers. 'Check whether the company is licensed or legitimate. Ask basic questions like 'why are they promising such unusually high returns?'' he said. 'Scammers are no longer limited to email. Many now approach victims through WhatsApp and other messaging platforms. So, stay alert,' he added. Superintendent Yap Huat Tian, deputy chief of the Selangor police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (Intelligence/Operations), shared a similar concern on dealing with unsolicited contact from individuals claiming to represent official entities. He urged the public not to accept such claims at face value, but to independently verify the information by contacting the organisation directly. 'Always verify by contacting the institution directly. Don't rely solely on phone calls, emails, or text messages. It's better to be cautious than fall victim to a scam,' he said. 'What seems harmless at first often leads to criminal consequences.' Steps to take after falling victim to a scam Yap said that those who fall victim to scams should immediately report the incident to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), which plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts to halt fraudulent transactions and minimise financial losses. He explained that once a scam is reported, the NSRC works with relevant financial institutions to block suspicious transactions and prevent further unauthorised activity. However, he added that the NSRC operates only from 8am to 8pm. 'So, if possible, avoid making transactions at night, especially those involving large sums,' he said. 'Once you report it, the NSRC can coordinate with Bank Negara to block the transaction and prevent further losses. 'The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering your money. As soon as you realise something's wrong, act immediately,' he added. Members of the public can reach the NSRC by dialling 997, which serves as the national emergency hotline for reporting scam-related incidents.

Malay Mail
16-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Paying for nothing: How Malaysians are scammed using parcels they never ordered
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — As online shopping becomes an increasingly popular way for Malaysians to buy everyday goods, scammers are finding more creative ways to exploit consumer habits and vulnerabilities. Among the methods now drawing concern are cash-on-delivery (COD) fraud and phishing attempts linked to fake parcel notifications. During a recent seminar hosted by Ninja Van Malaysia, its chief sales officer Fariz Maswan said COD scams increased by five per cent in the first quarter of this year, driven in part by Malaysia's high internet penetration and growing reliance on e-commerce. Citing data from the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK), he added that scam-related financial losses in Malaysia have reached approximately RM9 billion over the past decade. He said that on average, around 1,000 scam cases are reported weekly, with perpetrators constantly evolving their tactics to deceive victims. COD scams A cash-on-delivery (COD) scam is a type of fraud involving parcels that appear legitimate — but are actually part of a scheme to trick recipients into paying for something they didn't intend to buy. These scams generally happen in one of two ways: Unsolicited parcels — Victims receive a parcel they never ordered, but may assume it was purchased by someone else in the household. Caught off guard, they pay the courier without questioning it. Deceptive deliveries — Victims do place an order online, but what arrives is a completely different or low-value item. For example, instead of the advertised product, the box might contain something like a packet of instant soup. Fariz said many people only realise they've been scammed after payment is made and the courier has left. He said that delivery personnel are not involved in these scams, as their role is simply to deliver parcels and collect payment — they do not open or inspect the contents, nor are they responsible for verifying the sender. The scammers behind these schemes are often based overseas. They pose as sellers on platforms like Lazada or Shopee, using fake listings to collect personal details and send out fraudulent parcels. Additionally, in many cases, the transactions do not actually take place on these official platforms. Instead, victims are lured through ads on social media to place orders via external websites or messaging apps like WhatsApp — meaning victims will not be protected by any return or refund policies. 'Ghost' deliveries and SMS phishing Fariz also highlighted the rise of so-called 'ghost scams' — cases where victims are tricked into paying for products or services that either do not exist or are never delivered. He added that phishing scams, where victims are tricked into revealing sensitive information through fake SMS messages, are also becoming more common. He said that in a recent case, scammers impersonated Ninja Van by sending fake parcel notifications via SMS. The messages included a payment link that led to a counterfeit website designed to steal banking information. 'Our information security team investigated and traced the origin of the attack to a foreign IP address. The scammers were impersonating our brand and targeting the public,' he said. 'We were not alone — several other courier services were also affected during the same period,' he added. Other courier services have issued similar warnings. According to information posted on Pos Malaysia's website, scam messages often include shortened links that redirect to phishing sites or prompt users to install malicious APK files. It said that common red flags include: Receiving calls about prohibited items. Claims of special hotlines connecting to police or Customs. Requests for payment to personal or intermediary bank accounts. SMS messages asking for personal updates via unfamiliar delivery-related links. Members of the public can reach the NSRC by dialling 997, which serves as the national emergency hotline for reporting scam-related incidents. — Picture by Firdaus Latif How to stay protected Speaking during the Ninja Van seminar, founder and principal of Graymatter Forensic Advisory, Raymon Ram, said that modern scams have become significantly more sophisticated. He said that unlike earlier scams, which were often riddled with spelling mistakes and poor grammar, today's scams feature professional designs, authentic-looking logos, and polished language — making them far harder to detect. Due to this increased complexity, he said the public should pause and verify before responding to any investment opportunity or request for fund transfers. 'Check whether the company is licensed or legitimate. Ask basic questions like 'why are they promising such unusually high returns?'' he said. 'Scammers are no longer limited to email. Many now approach victims through WhatsApp and other messaging platforms. So, stay alert,' he added. Superintendent Yap Huat Tian, deputy chief of the Selangor police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (Intelligence/Operations), shared a similar concern on dealing with unsolicited contact from individuals claiming to represent official entities. He urged the public not to accept such claims at face value, but to independently verify the information by contacting the organisation directly. 'Always verify by contacting the institution directly. Don't rely solely on phone calls, emails, or text messages. It's better to be cautious than fall victim to a scam,' he said. 'What seems harmless at first often leads to criminal consequences.' Steps to take after falling victim to a scam Yap said that those who fall victim to scams should immediately report the incident to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), which plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts to halt fraudulent transactions and minimise financial losses. He explained that once a scam is reported, the NSRC works with relevant financial institutions to block suspicious transactions and prevent further unauthorised activity. However, he added that the NSRC operates only from 8am to 8pm. 'So, if possible, avoid making transactions at night, especially those involving large sums,' he said. 'Once you report it, the NSRC can coordinate with Bank Negara to block the transaction and prevent further losses. 'The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering your money. As soon as you realise something's wrong, act immediately,' he added. Members of the public can reach the NSRC by dialling 997, which serves as the national emergency hotline for reporting scam-related incidents.


The Star
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Report: Online shoppers hit by increasing number of parcel scams, more than 3,500 cases in Q1 2025
For COD scams, Faris explained that perpetrators often pose as delivery personnel and persuade victims to pay for a parcel by claiming it was ordered by their pouse or another family member. — Freepik PETALING JAYA: Online shoppers are urged to stay vigilant as Ninja Van Malaysia said it has received over 3,500 parcel scam reports in the first quarter of 2025 – the highest number recorded by the company compared to any previous quarter. In 2024, the company recorded more than 17,000 parcel scam cases with 40% of incidents concentrated in the Klang Valley. The majority of such cases involve cash-on-delivery (COD) schemes, where consumers end up paying for items they never ordered. Other common tactics include "ghost scams", in which victims are tricked into purchasing non-existent products or services advertised online, and phishing attempts via text messages or SMS where the sender impersonated the company. "At Ninja Van Malaysia, our responsibilities go beyond logistics. As a key player in the industry, we have a duty to educate the public against the rising scam threats," said chief executive officer Lin Zheng in a ScamMinar panel discussion held today (June 12). Chief sales officer Faris Maswan said victims were mostly from the older generation, who got duped into purchasing items like herbal products and amulets that were promoted on social media. They either end up not receiving the item at all or received products that were different from what was advertised. It's always a case of items being offered at a price that is just too good to be true, he said, adding that victims could end up losing up to RM1,000 in some cases. "Most of the time, it hovers around RM200," he added. For COD scams, Faris explained that perpetrators often pose as delivery personnel and persuade victims to pay for a parcel by claiming it was ordered by the victim's spouse or another family member. "Scammers would exploit the sense of familiarity that victims have for the person they think the parcel is for," said Raymon Ram, a fraud risk management specialist and president of NGO Transparency International-Malaysia. Faris explained that in phishing cases, victims would receive an SMS claiming they had an undelivered Ninja Van parcel: "Victims are then directed to a fraudulent website designed to steal money from their bank accounts." When these incidents were reported, Faris said an internal investigation was launched to determine whether there had been a data breach involving its customers. "Our infosec team found out that scammers were obtaining personal data from a website hosting leaked information from various sources. We also found that customers of other courier services were targeted by similar scams," he said. Raymon added that scammers can obtain users' personal data from forums on the dark web and use the information to carry out various schemes. "The newly enforced Cyber Security Act 2024 requires organisations in critical sectors to report any breaches to the National Cyber Security Agency. We'll have to see what kind of impact this will have. I hope companies will start taking cybersecurity more seriously," he said. Faris said cases would also be investigated based on customer service complaint rate. "If it's a critical case with directive from the authorities, we would block accounts (on their platform related to fraudulent complaints). In the last quarter, we have blocked more accounts than before," Faris said, adding that he also urged victims to come forward and make reports to the right channels as part of a measure to protect other users. The Selangor deputy head of Commercial Crime Investigation Department (Intelligence/Operation) Yap Huat Tian said it's also crucial for more people to be vigilant about their online safety and privacy. Don't assume that it's only older generation that can get scammed. As long as you have a smartphone, you can be a victim, he said.