Report a seller of fake branded goods to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), through its e-Aduan complaints portal or its hotline, 1800-886-800. KPDN enforces the laws against fake goods. If you paid money to a scammer and never got the bag, call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 as soon as you can. The two channels do different jobs, and you may need both.
Check each of these channels again before you file, because contact details can change.
Which channel for which problem
| Your problem | Where to go | What it can do |
|---|---|---|
| You received a bag and believe it is fake | KPDN, through the e-Aduan portal or hotline 1800-886-800 | Investigate the seller under the laws on false trade descriptions and trademarks |
| You paid and got nothing, or were tricked into sending money | National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), 997 | Act quickly to trace and block the money; the call counts as a police report |
| You want to check a seller’s bank account or phone number before paying | Semak Mule, the Royal Malaysia Police portal | Shows if the number has been reported in fraud cases |
| You want your money back from a business seller | Your bank first, then KPDN’s consumer channels | Your bank may dispute a card payment; KPDN can advise on consumer claims |
Step 1: Stop paying and keep everything
Do not pay any balance, and do not return the bag yet. Save the whole chat, the seller’s name and number, the listing, the photos, your payment slip and the delivery details. Take screenshots, because messages can be deleted. Keep the bag, its packaging and anything that came with it.
Step 2: Get the bag checked, if you are not sure
A complaint is stronger if you can show why you believe the bag is fake. An independent authentication check gives you an expert opinion to attach. It is not a government finding, but it tells you whether you have a real case before you file. See how to get 2nd hand luxury bags authenticated before you pay for how these checks work, or read about an authentication service for pre-owned bags.
Step 3: Report the fake product to KPDN
KPDN takes consumer complaints through its e-Aduan portal. The portal page lists hotline 1800-886-800. Give the seller’s details, what you bought, what you paid, and why you believe the item is fake. Attach your photos, chat records and any authentication result.
KPDN acts against sellers of fake branded goods under laws including the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 and the Trademarks Act 2019. The full text of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (Act 730) is on KPDN’s site. These are real enforcement tools. In June 2026, for example, a KPDN raid on three premises in Johor Bahru seized suspected fake handbags, wallets and other goods. Malaysia Gazette reported that the case was being investigated under the Trademarks Act 2019 (published June 2026).
Know what a KPDN report can and cannot do. It can lead to action against the seller. It does not automatically get your money back.
Step 4: If money was taken, call 997 quickly
If you paid a seller who then vanished, or you were tricked into a transfer, call the National Scam Response Centre on 997. The government portal describes the NSRC 997 hotline as a rapid response centre for online financial scams, run with Bank Negara Malaysia and the police.
Speed matters, because the aim is to stop the money before it moves on. On 4 March 2026, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said victims should call 997 at once. He said "we no longer need to make a separate police report", as The Star reported (published March 2026).
Call your own bank’s fraud line as well, and tell it the transfer was a scam.
Step 5: Warn yourself for next time
Before any future payment to a private seller, check the seller’s bank account or phone number on Semak Mule, the Royal Malaysia Police checking portal. A number that has been reported is a clear reason to stop. A clean result is not proof of honesty.
The checks in what to check before paying a deposit over WhatsApp help you avoid the problem in the first place.
What not to do while you wait
Some reactions feel natural but can make things worse.
Do not post the seller’s name, photo or number on social media and call them a cheat. If you are wrong, or cannot prove it, you may face a claim yourself. Report through the official channels and let them investigate.
Do not threaten the seller or go to their home. Keep every message calm and in writing, because your messages may become evidence too.
Do not agree to a "refund" that asks you to pay a fee first, or to share your bank login or one-time password. Scammers sometimes contact victims again, pretending to help.
Do not throw away the bag or the packaging. Investigators may need to see them, and an authentication check needs the bag itself.
If the seller offers to settle, you can accept a full refund, but get it in writing and wait until the money is in your account before you drop any report. Tell the officer handling your case what happened.
What to prepare before you file
- The seller’s name, phone number, social media page and bank account
- The listing or post where you found the bag
- The full chat, as screenshots
- Your payment slip and bank statement line
- Photos of the bag and its packaging as received
- Any authentication result, if you have one
With these ready, each report takes much less time, and you will not have to go back for missing details.
After you report
Keep your complaint or report number. Follow up if you hear nothing. If the seller is a registered business, ask KPDN about your options for a consumer claim. Keep the bag and all records until the case is closed.
For your next purchase, buying from a seller that checks every bag and puts its terms in writing avoids most of this. You can start from the homepage for 2nd hand luxury bags in Malaysia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report a fake bag seller if I bought through social media?
Yes. Give KPDN the seller’s profile, number and the chat. A seller on social media or WhatsApp can still be investigated if you have their details.
Will reporting to KPDN get my money back?
Not automatically. A KPDN report can lead to action against the seller. To try to recover money, contact your bank, and call 997 if the money was taken in a scam.
Do I need an authentication certificate before I report?
It is not required, but it helps. An expert opinion explains why you believe the bag is fake and makes your complaint clearer.
Is calling 997 the same as making a police report?
For online financial scams, the government says yes. In March 2026, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said victims no longer need a separate police report after calling 997.