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AliExpress offers access to millions of low-priced goods from sellers across Asia. From household gadgets to niche electronics, it's become a hotspot for bargain hunters and drop shippers alike. However, with low prices comes risk. Many users report bad experiences, ranging from misrepresented products to refunds that never happen. 

Understanding how AliExpress scams work is essential if you buy or dropship from this marketplace. If you don’t spot the red flags, you could have worthless items or no delivery. 

Top AliExpress Scams in 2025

Here’s a breakdown of the scams you should know before making your next order.

1. Fake Tech Specs and Clone Phones

One of the most aggressive AliExpress scams targets people shopping for budget Android smartphones. These listings often offer “flagship-level” devices with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, triple AI cameras, and the latest Android OS—all for under $100. You might even see familiar-looking designs that mimic Samsung Galaxy or iPhone models. Once the phone arrives, it may appear decent at first glance. The operating system may even report the inflated specs as accurate. But it’s all an illusion.

Scammers embed fake values into the Android system, showing hardware that doesn’t exist. Instead of 16GB of RAM, these phones might have only 2 GB. Instead of Android 14, you’ll find Android 6 or 8—so outdated that basic apps won’t even run. The cameras? Often just one low-resolution sensor, with additional lenses made of plastic and glued into place for show.

Tests using apps like CPU-Z or iTest frequently reveal the truth. And if you open the phone up, what you’ll find inside is worse: tiny batteries mislabeled as high-capacity, essential parts missing, and soldered components that are nearly impossible to repair. These are not just bad phones—they’re e-waste disguised as something premium.

One trick you should look out for is a fake fingerprint sensor. Some phones pretend to offer biometric unlock, but simply open with any screen touch. That’s not a feature—it’s fraud.

These phones are still sold, indicating they work well for scammers. Many buyers either don’t notice the deception or can’t return the phone because of delayed shipping and narrow dispute windows.

If you're planning to dropship phones, skip these listings entirely. Focus on verified products from legitimate suppliers. The AliExpress dropshipping model only works if you’re offering reliable goods to customers.

2. Counterfeit Goods and Misleading Listings

AliExpress scams frequently involve counterfeit goods, especially in fashion, accessories, and electronics. Many listings claim to offer popular branded products—like Gucci sunglasses, Nike shoes, or Apple accessories—at prices that make no sense. If the deal tempts you, think twice. Nearly all brand-name listings on AliExpress are fake. This isn’t just a quality problem—it’s deliberate fraud.

Sellers use stolen brand logos, stock images from official websites, and even fake “certifications” to make their listings look authentic. But when the item arrives, it’s often a poorly made knockoff that barely resembles what you expected. Fake electronics can be hazardous, including chargers and batteries prone to overheating or failure.

To avoid this, avoid any listing that includes designer labels or luxury brand names unless it’s from an identified and verified store. Even then, proceed with caution. You can read our full advice on how to avoid counterfeit goods on AliExpress for more protection tips.

Counterfeit goods also impact small business owners. If you're drop shipping from AliExpress, listing counterfeit merchandise—even unknowingly—can get your store banned or worse. Online marketplaces like Shopify and Etsy have strict policies against selling fake branded items. Selling a knockoff could cost you your business.

Another issue is listings that mislead with visuals. Sellers sometimes post glamorous images or show multiple product variations without clearly stating which version you’re buying. You think you’re ordering a multi-piece set, and only receive a single item. Or the quality differs wildly from what was pictured.

Another Trick to Watch Out For

One common trick involves generic jewelry listings that use high-polish stock photos. When your product arrives, it’s lightweight, tarnished, or missing stones. Since most returns require buyers to ship the item back to China at their own expense, many give up and leave bad reviews instead.

That’s why you should always check seller ratings, order volume, and especially 2–3 star reviews. If a listing has hundreds of sales but a wave of mid-range complaints, that’s a strong indicator of quality issues or bait-and-switch tactics.

Some buyers shop only from verified vendors on the Alidrop marketplace, where listings are curated for reliability. To build long-term trust with your customers, avoiding counterfeits is non-negotiable.

3. The Brushing Scam and Fake Reviews

One of the lesser-known but increasingly common AliExpress scams is called “brushing.” It may initially seem harmless—some users even receive unexpected parcels at their door. But brushing is not a gift. It’s a deceptive tactic used by dishonest sellers to inflate their ratings and review counts artificially.

Here’s how it works: A seller creates fake orders using confirmed addresses and tracking numbers, usually through a third-party logistics firm. The recipient might receive a worthless trinket or nothing at all. Once the tracking marks the item as delivered, the seller leaves a glowing 5-star review on their listing, claiming the product was excellent.

This manipulates the algorithm and misleads genuine buyers who trust those positive reviews. The impact is real—people end up ordering from what looks like a top-rated seller, only to receive subpar or fake goods. Some reviewers also mention that they’ve been brushed and later targeted with scam follow-ups via email or SMS.

How Dangerous Is It?

According to a recent report on the AliExpress brushing scam, this tactic has been used globally, not just in China, and it's becoming more refined. Some sellers even go as far as buying old, dormant AliExpress accounts to leave reviews that appear more legitimate.

Brushing scams erode trust in the review system, and the only defense is critical reading. Don’t just look at the number of stars—read the content of the reviews. Be skeptical if you see many vague comments like “great item” or “as described” with no photos or context. Genuine buyers often post detailed feedback, photos, and shipping timelines.

If you run a store using AliExpress suppliers, you can protect your brand by sticking to listings with verified reviews and customer photos. You may also consider sourcing from US and EU-based suppliers to avoid the delays and risk associated with unvetted vendors.

4. Never-Arrived Items and Shipping Deception

One of the most frustrating AliExpress scams involves items that never show up. While AliExpress claims buyer protection includes delivery guarantees, some sellers exploit loopholes to avoid responsibility. You might see a tracking number, but that doesn’t always mean your order is coming to you. Sometimes, sellers provide invalid or recycled tracking information to delay suspicion.

By the time you realize something’s wrong, the dispute window may be nearly closed. And if you miss it, there's often no recourse for returning your money. Others report that tracking falsely marks the package as delivered, even when it wasn’t. If the tracking says "delivered" and you can’t prove otherwise, AliExpress might side with the seller.

A new report about a parcel scam in Spain details a growing scam variant. It mirrors brushing but targets people by creating shipping records to fake legitimacy or trigger customs charges. If you're hit with fees for a package you didn’t order, it’s part of a scam designed to manipulate logistics systems.

Shipping time is another weapon scammers use. Some products have estimated delivery windows of 30 to 90 days. Sellers may wait, hoping you forget or miss the dispute deadline. Others use untraceable services like Cainiao Global Economy—often the slowest and least reliable method available on AliExpress. While cheap, it comes with significant risk.

If you need more reliable fulfillment, use AliExpress Standard Shipping or reputable carriers like DHL or UPS. You’ll pay more but have real tracking and better dispute support if something goes wrong.

As a seller, especially in dropshipping, you must inform your customers about realistic delivery times. Consider using platforms like Alidrop that help manage supplier sourcing and product timelines. That way, you're less likely to deal with complaints about undelivered items.

For shoppers, document your orders. Take screenshots, save emails, and record tracking updates. If a dispute is necessary, having proof will improve your chances of winning the case.

5. The Refund Window Trap

The AliExpress refund system seems fair: you can dispute a refund if your product is delayed or not as described. However, many shoppers fall victim to one of the most overlooked AliExpress scams—letting the refund window close before acting.

AliExpress sets a delivery estimate when you place your order. This can range from 30 to 90 days. Once the system marks your order as delivered (or the delivery deadline is reached), you only have 15 days to open a dispute. After that, you lose buyer protection permanently.

Some sellers take advantage of this by stalling. A common tactic involves telling you to “wait a few more days” if you report a problem. They do this to run out the clock on your ability to get a refund. Others may agree to issue a refund but never follow through. When you realize it’s not happening, the protection period has expired.

What Else to Know?

You should also know that AliExpress will not refund for product quality issues if the item technically matches the listing. This is especially true for vague or exaggerated listings. You may be denied a refund if you receive a low-grade product that looks similar to the pictures, even if it’s poorly made.

Always inspect your order immediately upon arrival and compare it to the product listing. If you notice discrepancies, open a dispute right away. Don’t wait, and don’t accept off-platform promises of compensation. Sellers are not obligated to follow through on messages sent outside AliExpress’s dispute process.

You can avoid these issues by working with vetted vendors who ship faster and offer real customer support. If you’re sourcing products for resale, look into the best-selling AliExpress products to find safer listings with strong track records.

6. Buyer Protection Loopholes

AliExpress advertises a solid buyer protection policy: full refunds if items don’t arrive or don’t match their descriptions. While the system works in many cases, experienced users know that scammers have figured out how to navigate around it, and not in your favor.

The most common loophole involves manipulating the dispute system. Some sellers delay responses until the protection period is nearly over. Others might respond just enough to keep the dispute going without resolving anything. They count on buyers getting frustrated or forgetting to escalate the claim, which results in the case closing without resolution.

Partial or Broken Items

Another tactic is sending partial or broken items, knowing that the burden of proof rests on the buyer. Unless you film an unboxing or have undeniable evidence, proving the item was defective on arrival becomes difficult. For bundled products or multi-part kits, this can mean missing a key component that renders the whole item useless, yet still looks “technically” delivered.

Sometimes, sellers offer small compensation in exchange for closing the dispute. Once you accept, your ability to escalate or reopen the case is gone, even if the refund never appears. That’s why you should always keep the discussion and resolution within the AliExpress platform.

Fake Customer Support

Fake customer support is also on the rise. Scammers may direct you to WhatsApp, Telegram, or external websites where they pretend to be AliExpress support agents. These are phishing traps, not real representatives. Never provide personal information or payment details outside the official platform.

To navigate this safely, file disputes through the order page, respond within timelines, and provide screenshots and photos. If a seller insists on resolving things privately, report them.

You'll want reliable protections if you're working with AliExpress as a supplier channel. The AliExpress dropshipping model is far easier to manage when you partner with vetted and responsive vendors.

Conclusion

AliExpress scams don’t always look obvious. They often hide behind polished listings, vague descriptions, and suspiciously good reviews. But once you know what to look for—fake specs, deceptive shipping, or refund traps—you’ll have a better chance of avoiding them. Whether buying for personal use or sourcing items for resale, you must verify sellers and act fast when something goes wrong. Stick to reliable suppliers, check product reviews carefully, and never ignore a dispute deadline. Smart shopping starts with awareness, and avoiding these common traps will protect your wallet and reputation.