AliExpress Scam UK: How to Spot Fake Sellers and Protect Yourself
AliExpress is a legitimate Chinese marketplace, but scammers use it to sell fake goods and steal money from UK buyers — here's how to spot them.
What is this scam?
AliExpress itself is a genuine online marketplace owned by the Alibaba Group, but it hosts thousands of independent sellers — many of whom are scammers. The scam involves fraudulent sellers creating listings with extremely low prices for popular items like electronics, designer goods, or phone accessories. They take your payment via AliExpress's payment system, then either send nothing, send counterfeit goods, or send an item so cheap and useless that it's clearly not what was advertised. The scammer then disappears or ignores dispute messages. Because AliExpress sellers are based in China and Asia, UK enforcement is weak, and many scammers know they can operate with minimal consequences. The platform's long shipping times (30-60 days) and weak dispute resolution system make it easy for crooks to take money and vanish before the buyer realises they've been defrauded.
Warning signs to look for
- Prices are dramatically lower than other sellers (often 50-80% cheaper) — especially for big-brand electronics or luxury goods. Legitimate sellers don't drastically undercut the market.
- Seller has very few or suspiciously positive reviews, or reviews are written in broken English by accounts created recently.
- Product photos are clearly stock images or stolen from brand websites, not genuine photos of the actual item.
- Shipping address is listed as a generic warehouse in China or Southeast Asia with no clear seller contact details or business name.
- Seller refuses to communicate via AliExpress messaging and asks you to pay via PayPal, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency instead.
- Product description contains spelling errors, vague language, or deliberately avoids specifying brand, model number, or materials.
- Seller offers a "special discount" or "exclusive deal" if you buy immediately or in large quantities.
How this scam works step by step
Step 1: You browse AliExpress and spot an item — perhaps a brand-new iPhone or designer handbag — listed at a fraction of the normal price. The seller has a few positive reviews and ships to the UK. Step 2: You click 'Buy Now' and pay via AliExpress's integrated payment system (which accepts cards, PayPal, or Alipay). Your money goes to AliExpress or a payment processor, not directly to the seller. Step 3: The seller sends a tracking number within days, often from a logistics company like Cainiao. Step 4: The package takes 30-60 days to arrive. During this time, you have limited ability to cancel or dispute. Step 5: When it arrives, the item is either missing entirely, fake, damaged, or completely different from what was advertised (e.g., a toy rather than electronics). Step 6: You try to open a dispute or request a refund. The scammer either ignores messages or uploads fake photos claiming the item was 'returned successfully'. Step 7: AliExpress's dispute system often sides with the seller if they provided tracking, even if the item never arrives or is counterfeit. You lose your money.
How to verify if it is genuine
Before buying from any AliExpress seller, do these checks: First, compare the price to the same item on Amazon UK, eBay, or the brand's official website. If it's more than 40% cheaper, be extremely sceptical. Second, click on the seller's profile and check their history — look for a seller rating below 4.5 stars, very few reviews, or reviews in non-English languages from new accounts. Third, examine product photos closely: legitimate sellers use multiple high-quality photos from different angles. Fake listings often use single stock images or blurry photos. Fourth, check the seller's response time to questions — ask them a specific question about the product and see if they answer within 24 hours in clear English. Fifth, look at the seller's return/refund policy. Scammers often have 'No Returns' or 'Return at Buyer's Cost' policies. For high-value items, see our guide on /guides/is-this-website-a-scam/ for additional verification steps.
What to do if you have already interacted
If you've sent money but the item hasn't shipped yet, immediately open a dispute within AliExpress's Resolution Centre before the 90-day buyer protection window closes. Provide clear evidence (screenshots of the listing, photos of any correspondence) and request a full refund. Don't wait for the slow shipping. If the item has already arrived and is fake or counterfeit, photograph it immediately (showing the item and any packaging) and upload these to your dispute. Be specific: 'Item advertised as iPhone 14 Pro but is clearly a counterfeit or non-functional device.' If the seller ignores your dispute messages, escalate it to AliExpress customer service by requesting arbitration. Contact AliExpress's English-language support directly via their website. If you paid by credit card or PayPal, you can also file a chargeback with your bank or PayPal — but do this only if AliExpress dispute fails, as filing both can complicate matters. Keep all evidence: screenshots, photos, tracking numbers, and message records.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report the scam to Action Fraud (the UK's national fraud reporting service) on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk. They use reports to identify patterns and target major scam operations. Report the specific seller account to AliExpress directly through their platform's 'Report Seller' button on their profile page — include evidence of the fraud. If you received a suspicious email claiming to be from AliExpress asking for personal information or payment details, forward it to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk. Report any fraudulent SMS messages by forwarding them to 7726 (spell it out as SPAM). Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for advice on chargebacks or further steps. If the item was counterfeit goods (branded products), you can also report it to Trading Standards in your local council, as selling counterfeits breaches UK law. Keep a record of your case reference number from Action Fraud for your records.
Frequently asked questions
Is AliExpress itself a scam, or is it just sellers on the platform?
AliExpress is a legitimate marketplace owned by Alibaba Group and operates legally in the UK. However, it hosts thousands of independent sellers, and many of these are scammers. AliExpress does offer buyer protection, but its 90-day window and reliance on tracking numbers mean the system is often exploited. The platform is not a scam itself, but it is a popular tool for scammers to reach UK customers.
What should I do immediately if I've already sent money to a scammer on AliExpress?
Open a dispute in AliExpress's Resolution Centre immediately — don't wait for the item to arrive. Use the 'Return for Refund' or 'Item Not as Described' option and provide clear evidence. Contact AliExpress customer support via their website if the seller ignores you. If you paid by credit card or PayPal, contact your bank or PayPal to report the fraud — they may be able to reverse the charge. Act quickly, as you have only 90 days from the original order date to file a dispute.
What's the difference between AliExpress scams and counterfeit goods sold legitimately on the platform?
A scam is when you pay and receive nothing, or the seller deliberately ignores your dispute. Counterfeit goods are fake branded items sold knowingly by the seller — this is illegal but sometimes the seller will refund you if caught. On AliExpress, many scammers sell counterfeit goods and refuse refunds by uploading fake evidence. The key is that scammers are deliberately deceptive and unresponsive to disputes, whereas some legitimate sellers accidentally list counterfeit stock (rare) and will usually refund.
How do I report an AliExpress scammer to the police or regulator?
Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk — they handle online fraud including AliExpress scams. Report the seller account directly to AliExpress via the 'Report Seller' button on their profile. If you received fraudulent emails from someone claiming to be AliExpress, forward them to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk. Keep all evidence: order receipts, screenshots, messages, and tracking numbers. Action Fraud will issue you a case reference number that you can use to support any chargeback with your bank.