How Scammers are Stealing Your Money
Think you are getting a great deal on an AOSmith water heater with 50% off on Lazada?
Hold your Horses! That “bargain” could cost you everything, and leave you with nothing to show for it.
We have uncovered not one, not two, but FOUR fake sellers pretending to be us, the official distributor.
They are using our name, our number, and your trust to run a slick scam that is fooling smart shoppers all across Singapore.
1. How It All Began..
It all started with a message on our WhatsApp hotline.
A homeowner reached out, confused and frustrated.
“I ordered an AOSmith water heater on Lazada,” he said. “But I only received a… small package?”
Wait, what?!
He had placed his trust and money into what looked like a legit listing. The seller was using OUR official hotline number (87682661) and even included a note:
👉 "If anything goes wrong, please contact us at 87682661."
Yes, our number.
Yes, our product.
But NO, it was not us.
He had been scammed!
We were shocked. This wasn't just some low-effort con. This was a full-blown impersonation. They used our contact info, our branding, and our reputation to bait innocent buyers.
The listing might be gone now. We reported it, and so did the homeowner. But if you still see it here? 👉 https://s.lazada.sg/s.X0PXe BEWARE.
This kind of scam doesn’t just hurt you - the home owner..
It affects us too!!
This could happen to any honest business out there.
Today, we witness firsthand that anyone can be impersonated online.
Please pay attention! You don't want to be next!
🚨 2. How the Scam Works
So, you have placed an order for a brand-new AOSmith water heater on Lazada, enticed by a too-good-to-be-true 50% discount.
You are excited, anticipating the arrival of your purchase. Then, a small package arrives. Some little gift.. could be socks or even a toy, with a note:
“Your main item is on the way!”
Hold on a second! That’s not what you ordered.
This is the scam in action. Fraudulent sellers send out a trivial item to generate a delivery confirmation. This tactic is designed to prevent you from reporting a non-delivery, as the system now shows the item as delivered.
You will get a small 'gift' in the mail to stop you from reporting a non-delivery to Lazada.
What you must know: Lazada's Buyer Confirmation Period.
For non-LazMall orders, this period is 7 days, and for LazMall orders, it is 30 days.
If you don't report any issues within this timeframe, the platform assumes everything is perfectly fine and releases the payment to the seller.
Don't Delay! If you receive an weird small package instead of your actual order, report it right away through Lazada's platform. Being slow may result in the scammer getting your money, leaving you without recourse.
It is better to call Lazada at 63576389 for urgent cases like these. Their hours are 8am-11pm, daily. They also have an online chat service but that has a 2-day response time.
Be alert, act fast, and protect your hard-earned money!
🛑 3. What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
Okay, let's say you got duped. You’ve received that weird little package, the “big item” never came, and now the clock is ticking. Don’t panic. And don’t delay. Here’s exactly what you need to do to fight back.
✅ 3-1. Contact the Platform Admin (Lazada)
Go straight to the source. Report the scam through Lazada’s customer service or live chat. They need to know which seller scammed you, so they can freeze the account, investigate, and stop more buyers from falling into the trap. The faster you report, the better your chances of getting a resolution.
✅ 3-2. File a Police Report
Scamming is a criminal offence in Singapore. File a police report online at this link.
✅ 3-3. Contact Your Bank
If you paid by credit card, call your bank ASAP. Tell them you have been scammed and ask them to block the transaction. Most banks have fraud protection policies, but there’s often a time limit, so act fast!
Scams like this are rising, but with quick action, you can stop the damage, recover your money, and help shut down these fraudsters!!
🔍 4. How to Avoid Getting Scammed
4-1. Buy Direct from Official Sources ✅
Don’t take chances. For AOSmith water heaters, buy only from our official website. We aren't selling on Lazada. Water heaters aren’t socks, they are high-value appliances with safety implications. You want the real deal, not a suspicious knockoff.
4-2. Avoid 🚩“Too Good to Be True” Deals
50% off a water heater? Come on. That’s your first red flag. If the price is drastically lower than anywhere else, it is not a discount. It is bait.
Above are some ways to teach you how to spot a fake seller.
Scammers often upload one or two random items with weird, keyword-stuffed titles like “Best Super Power Electric Warm Hot Water Machine 2025 PRO 🔥🔥”.
Yes, we’ve seen that. Don’t fall for it.
4-3. Check the Seller Profile 🔍
Click into the seller’s name and start your mini investigation:
• Do they have any reviews?
• What are people saying in the comments?
• What other products are they selling?
• Do their pictures look professional?
As I'm doing my research I realise, there's wayyy more than the original four scammers. Lazada should really make it easier to report!! Have a visible button or something..
These people post so many products online. It is hard to catch up. From Yamaha speakers to Nespresso coffee machines.. All set up to trap Singaporeans fishing for good deals!!
4-4. Safety First. ⚠️ Avoid Parallel Imports
Direct or Parallel imports have an enticing price tag, but it is best to avoid them.
Imported items that do not pass through official distributors like AOS Bath are not monitored or certified by Singapore authorities. They may not work like how they are supposed to 💥. This will put your family at Risk.
Be serious with something as critical as your home’s high wattage water heating system. You don’t want to gamble with untested or even fake tech.
Stay Smart, Stay Safe.
Scams are getting smarter. Sneakier. More professional-looking. But that doesn’t mean we have to fall for them.
These fake sellers are not just playing with your wallet. They’re hijacking our identity, misusing our hotline, and damaging the trust we’ve spent years building. It is frustrating, dangerous, and wrong.
Here is what you can do:
✅ Buy only from our official website
✅ Double-check the seller, reviews, photos, and product titles
Your safety, your trust, and your home matter to us.
We can stop the scammers in their tracks, together!
How to Avoid Scams FAQ
What makes water heaters a great target for online scams?
Water heaters are high-ticket items.
Scammers can make big money from just one 'sale'.
Heaters are also manufactured overseas, and can have delayed shipping. This makes it easier for fraudsters to fake a delivery or stall a customer.
Because buyers don’t expect instant arrival, scammers use that delay to disappear with your money before anyone catches on.
What is Lazada doing to protect sellers and buyers?
While Lazada has anti-scam systems in place, no platform is 100% scam-proof.
Fake sellers often slip through by mimicking real businesses and using stolen branding.
Always double check the seller and their reviews. Vigilance is your best defence.
How can I help others avoid falling for the scam?
Don’t stay silent. Report it to the platform, file a police report, and share your experience on forums, Facebook groups, or product review pages.
The more we talk about these scams, the less power scammers have to trick others.
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