AliExpress is one of the world's largest online marketplaces, connecting international buyers with millions of sellers, most based in China. The platform is legitimate and owned by Alibaba Group, but its open marketplace model means that the quality and honesty of individual sellers varies dramatically. The BBB Scam Tracker and the FTC both receive regular complaints about marketplace fraud. While many AliExpress purchases arrive exactly as described, the platform has well-documented problems with fake stores, counterfeit goods, bait-and-switch tactics, and review manipulation.

This guide covers the most common AliExpress scams and provides practical strategies for shopping safely.

Common AliExpress Scams

Fake and Cloned Stores

Scammers create store profiles that mimic top-rated sellers, copying their product photos, descriptions, and branding. These cloned stores may use nearly identical names with minor spelling variations. Increasingly, AI-generated storefronts and synthetic reviews make these fakes harder to distinguish from established sellers.

A legitimate-looking store with a 4.9-star rating might actually be a brand-new account running a brief high-volume scam before disappearing. Check the store's account creation date and total order history, not just the rating number.

Bait-and-Switch

This is one of the most frustrating AliExpress scams. A listing shows an attractive product with professional photos, but what arrives is a clearly inferior version: a different material, smaller size, wrong color, or a cheap imitation of what was advertised. The listing technically shows the correct product category, making disputes more complicated.

Branded items at suspiciously low prices are a particular risk. If a recognizable brand-name product is listed at a fraction of its retail price, it is almost certainly counterfeit or a bait-and-switch.

Non-Delivery with Fake Tracking

Some sellers generate tracking numbers that show "in transit" or "delivered" without actually shipping the ordered product. They may ship a tiny, worthless item (like an empty envelope or a random small object) to a valid address in your country so the tracking system registers a delivery. This makes it harder to win a dispute since the order technically shows as delivered.

Review Fraud and Brushing

Brushing scams involve sellers creating fake orders and writing fabricated positive reviews to boost their store rating. Red flags include:

• A store with perfect or near-perfect ratings but fewer than 50 total orders
• Multiple similar five-star reviews posted within a few days
• Reviews that are vague and generic rather than specific to the product
• A sudden spike in positive reviews on a new store
• Reviews with no photos on products where you would expect buyers to share images

AI-generated review farms have made this problem worse in 2025 and 2026, producing reviews that sound natural but follow recognizable patterns of generic praise. Learn more about how to spot scam websites including fake storefronts.

Off-Platform Payment Scams

A seller contacts you through AliExpress messaging and offers a discount or faster shipping if you pay through PayPal, Western Union, cryptocurrency, or bank transfer. They may even process a partial refund on AliExpress to build trust before requesting the off-platform payment.

Counterfeit Product Listings

Products listed as "branded" at extremely low prices are nearly always counterfeits. Beyond the ethical and legal concerns, counterfeit electronics and cosmetics can pose genuine safety risks, from batteries that overheat to skincare products containing harmful ingredients. The CFPB provides guidance on disputing fraudulent charges if you are sold counterfeit goods.

How to Shop Safely on AliExpress

Evaluate the Seller Thoroughly

Before placing an order, review the seller's profile:

• Account age: Established sellers with years of history are more reliable than new accounts
• Order volume: Look for stores with hundreds or thousands of completed orders
• Rating breakdown: Check the distribution of ratings, not just the average. A healthy profile has a mix of 4- and 5-star reviews with some constructive 3-star feedback
• Review quality: Look for detailed reviews with buyer-uploaded photos
• Response rate: Legitimate sellers typically have high response rates to customer messages

Use AliExpress Buyer Protection

AliExpress offers built-in buyer protection that covers non-delivery and items that are significantly different from the listing description. Key points:

• Track your protection timer: Each order has a buyer protection period. If your item does not arrive, open a dispute before this period expires
• Document everything: Take photos and screenshots of what you received compared to what was listed
• Open disputes promptly: Scam sellers count on buyers missing the dispute window or not bothering with the process

Stick to the Platform

Never communicate with sellers or make payments outside the AliExpress system. The platform's messaging, payment processing, and dispute resolution only work when transactions occur within the official checkout process.

Be Skeptical of Branded Products

Avoid purchasing brand-name items on AliExpress unless the listing carries an AliExpress "Guaranteed Genuine" badge. Even then, verify independently using our free scam checker tool or by checking the company's legitimacy. For branded electronics, cosmetics, or luxury goods, purchasing from authorized retailers is almost always worth the price difference.

Read the Listing Carefully

Scam listings often hide the truth in the details. Check the exact dimensions, materials, and specifications rather than relying on photos alone. Read the fine print for phrases like "inspired by" or "similar to," which are euphemisms for knockoffs.

Use Secure Payment Methods

Pay with a credit card rather than a debit card when possible. Credit cards offer additional chargeback protections if AliExpress dispute resolution fails.

Start Small with New Sellers

If you want to try a seller you are not sure about, place a small order first to evaluate shipping speed, product quality, and communication before committing to larger purchases.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

1. Open a dispute on AliExpress immediately with clear evidence including photos and screenshots
2. Provide comparison images showing the listing versus what you received
3. Include tracking anomalies if relevant, such as delivery to a wrong address
4. Escalate if needed: If the seller's response is unsatisfactory, escalate the dispute so AliExpress mediates directly
5. Contact your payment provider for a chargeback if the AliExpress dispute process fails — the CFPB has guidance on your chargeback rights
6. Report to the FTC if the seller is engaging in clear fraud
7. Leave an honest review to warn other buyers about the seller

Related Resources

AliExpress can be a good source of affordable products when you shop carefully. The key is treating it as a marketplace where due diligence is your responsibility. Evaluate sellers critically, use the platform's built-in protections, and never let a too-good-to-be-true price override your judgment.